Being born with misaligned teeth is more common among Canadians and Americans than you would have thought. This dental disorder may make you uncomfortable while smiling, giving a wrong impression of you to people who you interact with!
In earlier days, braces were probably the most popular treatment provided by a dentist near you to treat misaligned teeth. However today, Invisalign, the result of the latest advancements in orthodontic treatments, is a better alternative to traditional braces that most North Americans like to opt for.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a set of clear aligners that is worn over the upper and the lower set of teeth in order to gradually move them into more desirable positions. It is made of a clear, resilient plastic material called SmartTrack, which provides you with more aesthetic value than the metal wires and brackets used for braces. It uses advanced CAD technology in the iTero Elements scanner to form a detailed image of your teeth to help create aligners that give you a perfect fit.
How does Invisalign work?
Let us go through the series of steps involved in the Invisalign procedure.
Step 1 – At your first visit to a clinic providing services for Invisalign near you, the dentist will discuss your need for orthodontic treatment. They will provide information about the Invisalign method, cost, and suitability for your particular requirement.
Step 2 – Once you have decided to opt for Invisalign, your dentist will proceed to take a number of X-rays and photographs of your mouth and face to chalk out a plan for the orthodontic treatment for your teeth. They will then make impressions of your teeth to base your aligners upon.
Step 3 – Once your dentist has all the scans, photographs, and impressions they need, they will send it to a laboratory that makes Invisalign in Seton where your clear aligners will be crafted.
Step 4 – If you need other adjustments before you start using Invisalign, your dentist will perform them at the next visit. For example, if you need patches on some teeth to help the aligners grip properly, or require interproximal reduction to reduce crowding of teeth, these preparatory procedures will be carried out in this visit.
Step 5 – Once your set of Invisalign has been sent from the lab to your dentist, you will be called for the first fitting. When you wear the aligners for the first time, they should feel tight. Your dentist might have to check the fit several times until they are satisfied with it.
Step 6 – You will require a change of aligner trays every two weeks, as your teeth move gradually towards their desired positions. At every change of trays, your dentist will assess the progress of the treatment to make sure it is working as planned.
Initially, the aligners will feel tight and might give a slight ache in your mouth. This is normal as the aligners are applying force on your misaligned teeth to shift them. In a few days, as the treatment begins to work, the pain in your mouth should subside. You might also experience strange sensations from the newness of the aligners which will need some getting used to.
Good-to-know facts about Invisalign
Apart from the process involved in Invisalign, there are some other essential facts about this orthodontic treatment that will help you make an informed decision of whether to opt for them or not.
Duration – Invisalign treatment takes anywhere between 6 months to 2 years to give the desired results. It has to be worn for 20-22 hours in a day to work optimally. It works faster than braces.
Cleaning – Unlike braces that are not removable, Invisalign can be taken off while eating and for cleaning, enabling you to maintain good dental hygiene.
Aesthetics – Invisalign does not involve the use of any metal bands and brackets that take away from the aesthetics of your smile. It is a clear plastic aligner that is hard to discern from a distance.
With all this information on Invisalign, it is now time to decide and visit a dentist practicing dentistry in Seton, to get started with the Invisalign treatment.