14 Jul How Invisalign Works: Everything You Need to Know

It’s an unfortunate fact that many of us feel insecure about our smiles. If you’re like most Americans—over half, according to some estimates—you feel self-conscious showing off your pearly whites. Some people even feel uneasy about laughing or cover their mouths when they smile!

These insecurities are particularly unfortunate because, in most cases, there’s a simple and non-invasive process that makes it easy to get the smile you’re looking for: Invisalign.

Though this easy dental tool has been around for years, many patients remain uncertain about how Invisalign works and what to expect from the process. If you’re searching for a better way to get a stunning smile, here’s what you should know.

What Is Invisalign?

Once upon a time, the only way to straighten your teeth was with clunky, unsightly metal braces.

Today, we use Invisalign instead. As a modern, invisible way to correct the positions of your teeth, these clear braces are custom molded to snap into place in your mouth.

These easy solutions can help close any spaces, wide gaps, crowding, or crooked teeth in just a few months. They can also help correct crossbites, underbites, and overbites.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

If you’re considering this process, it’s nice to know that most dental patients are good candidates for Invisalign!

There are, however, a few restrictions to be aware of. Good candidates for this process will have healthy gum tissue and a matured jaw, meaning that most will be in pre-adolescence at the earliest. In addition, patients cannot smoke while wearing Invisalign trays.

Good candidates should also be responsible enough to carry out a few additional oral hygiene steps while using Invisalign.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Getting started with Invisalign is simple.

You’ll start with a free consultation with a member of our expert dental team. We’ll scan and map out your mouth to create the perfect treatment plan for your specific needs. We’ll also make a mold of your teeth.

With this plan in place, we’ll custom-make your clear aligners, and then you’re ready to go! Your aligners will be easy to put on and remove by yourself, though you may, in some cases, receive tooth-colored attachments to help them stay in place.

You’ll wear your aligners each day, often between 20-22 hours in total. In the first few days, it may take time for your mouth to adjust to the position and slight pressure of your aligners. However, most patients feel comfortable with them very soon after starting the process.

As your teeth begin to shift, you’ll get new clear aligners in an adjusted position for more straightening. This will happen every six to eight weeks.

You’ll also schedule check-ins with our team to make sure that your aligners fit and are comfortable.

Is the Invisalign Process Painful?

Like any tooth-straightening procedure, you can expect to experience some mild discomfort, especially in the early days of the process. The pressure of your clear aligners will force your teeth into the proper positions, but the forced movement can irritate the ligaments and nerves around the teeth.

However, Invisalign is designed to correct your teeth’ positions bit by bit, allowing you to adjust to the movement with less pain. Most patients experience only mild discomfort within the first day or two of inserting a new aligner tray. As your mouth adjusts, you’ll notice less and less discomfort over time.

How Long Does It Take for Invisalign to Work?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that you will start to see minor changes within a few weeks. However, the time it takes for your teeth to make a complete shift to their ideal position will depend on your specific case. The overall process is slow by design: fast tooth shifting is a recipe for severe pain and even nerve damage!

For minor straightening, you may see your desired results in just a few weeks to months. For more thorough corrections of serious misalignments, the process could take over a year. During your consultation, our team can give you a better idea of what to expect from your specific case.

Note that most patients will still need to use an additional retainer even after the Invisalign process is complete. You’ll wear the retainer at night to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Many patients prefer Invisalign to the look and feel of traditional metal braces. These clear aligners offer a few compelling perks.

First, the discreet, invisible look means no one else needs to know you’re undergoing a tooth-straightening procedure. In addition, unlike metal braces, they’re easy to remove on your own, which allows you to eat whatever foods you like.

It’s also worth noting that Invisalign braces are easy to clean and maintain as part of your regular oral cleaning habits.

Because they apply little pressure, most patients feel little to no discomfort during the straightening process. Moreover, compared with traditional braces, they involve a lower risk for last-minute dental appointments, as there are no brackets or wires that might disengage or fall off.

Invisalign patients tend to prefer these clear aligners over traditional metal braces. The only major drawback is that you have to remember to keep them in your mouth!

Contact Us to Learn More About How Invisalign Works

Stop feeling self-conscious about your smile! Invisalign is a simple way to get the healthier, straighter teeth you’re looking for with less fuss. In just a few months, you could have the confident smile you deserve.

If you’re ready to change the way you smile, our team is here to help. Our Invisalign experts have a wealth of experience working with patients throughout the San Diego area, so contact us today to learn how Invisalign works in your specific case. You can also schedule a consultation to learn more.