How Does Invisalign Work?
What is Invisalign?
If you’re thinking about starting Invisalign in Edmonton, the best thing you can do is fully understand what to expect.
Invisalign is a more discreet and convenient alternative to traditional braces. It lets you align your teeth without having to wear unsightly metal brackets glued to your teeth – which represents a major improvement in comfort considering that the average orthodontic treatment takes a couple of years.
One of the most important features of Invisalign is that each aligner is practically invisible and because it is custom made exclusively for your teeth, it fits snuggly enough that you might even forget it’s there.
How does Invisalign work?
Compared to other types of dental braces, Invisalign aligners don’t rely on metal wires and brackets. Instead, they’re created with a multilayer material known as SmartTrack, which has been designed to gradually shift your teeth into place.
Your Invisalign aligners are engineered to place an adequate amount of force to shift your teeth a little at a time in a horizontal and vertical manner, and in some cases in a rotatory movement, so that, by the end of the treatment period, they have achieved their intended position.
Approximately once a week your dental professional will change your aligners to a new set, which will help your teeth to continue shifting into position, as per the treatment plan created specifically for you. The end result will be perfectly aligned and placed teeth.
As we noted in our rundown of things to know about Invisalign, when you start researching the treatment, it’s important to acknowledge that – as much as the system has improved and continues to do so – it can’t handle every single orthodontic case.
If you can use Invisalign, however, there’s no doubt – you’ll certainly appreciate what it brings to the table.
What can I expect during my treatment?
Invisalign aligners are created especially for each patient. This means that there will be a process to follow during your treatment. The first thing you must do is find the right doctor, one which is trained in Invisalign dental treatments and who you feel comfortable with. This will make the process easier and more successful.
The first time you visit your chosen dental professional, he or she will perform a diagnostic evaluation to verify your specific needs, as well as determine whether Invisalign is the right treatment for you. In some cases you might need X-rays or prior dental work, such as the correction of cavities, before starting your alignment.
Depending on your doctor’s preference he or she might use a special scanning system to create exact 3D images of your teeth. In other cases, physical impressions might be made. These impressions are generated when you bite into a special plaster or plastic material. The purpose of either form of impression is to determine the current position of your teeth and will help design your customized treatment plan.
Once all the preparatory work has been carried out, your doctor will design a specific treatment plan, which will show the exact movement of your teeth as they are eased into place. You will also be able to determine the length of time your treatment will last, as well as see a preview of the expected results, as well as a time progression of their movement.
How can I help my Invisalign aligners work as desired?
One of the great benefits of Invisalign aligners is their clear SmartTrack material, which makes them almost invisible. This ensures nobody sees them, granting you comfort and helping you maintain your self-esteem.
As per your doctor’s instructions, you should wear your aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day and should only remove them when you eat, brush or floss.
Otherwise, they should remain in place, even while you are asleep. This will maximize the visibility of your results, something you can also notice with each new set of aligners, helping you imagine your new smile and giving you the motivation to continue until the end.