Orthodontic care primarily offers two options: traditional braces that use metal brackets and clear aligners like Invisalign. Removable orthodontic aligners are the treatment of choice for many, especially teens and adults. Invisalign appeals to those with professional jobs or highly conscious of their appearance prefer the more discreet options available with Invisalign®.
Invisalign® works well for mild to moderate alignment issues. The process uses custom trays made of clear, flexible plastic. They are effective, nearly invisible, and can be removed for eating, drinking, and cleaning. If you’ve been putting off getting treatment because you do not want to wear traditional braces, you may prefer Invisalign for discreet treatment.
How Invisalign® Works
Invisalign® aligners operate much the same way as traditional braces, with the application of carefully controlled pressure to shift teeth into the best position. Specialized computer software helps to design a plan for moving your teeth from their current position to the best alignment. The specific movement is broken down into stages, with two plastic trays for each stage, one to fit over your top teeth and one for your bottom teeth.
You will wear need to wear each set of aligners for two weeks, for at 22 hours per day. Then, you move up to the next set of aligners in your series to achieve gradual movements. This pattern is repeated until your teeth are optimally aligned.
Invisalign® clear aligners take a few months to a year to complete. The duration of Invisalign treatment differs for each person depending on the complexity of the issues. Simply put, if you don’t wear them, they won’t work.
Some of the benefits you can enjoy during your treatment include:
Better Oral Hygiene: The trays are easily removed, so you can clean your teeth more effectively than if you were wearing metal braces.
A Subtle Look: If you prefer orthodontic treatment to be discreet or feel that metal braces don’t fit with your self-image, the nearly invisible trays may work for you.
Variety of Diet: With metal wires and brackets, some diet alterations are necessary. With aligners, you can still bite into a crisp apple or a chewy bagel.
Comfortable: The flexible, soft material of Invisalign trays will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth as metal wires and braces can.
Protect Against Teeth Grinding: If you have a grinding habit, clear aligners can create a cushion to protect your teeth from excessive wear.
Why Invisalign® Compared To Other Clear Aligners
Many dentists and orthodontists prefer Invisalign because it comes with more resources, such as top-notch planning software, making successful treatment easier. Invisalign now uses a patented smart track material, which many patients report as more comfortable.
Care for Invisalign®-Treated Teeth
As mentioned, one of the major advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. However, you must brush your teeth after each meal or snack so that food will not get attached to the aligners.
Any leftover food or sugar build-up could cause tooth decay and gum disease. This means that you must remove your aligners for eating and drinking everything except water. The aligners will have to be cleaned regularly, and you can do this by removing them, brushing, and rinsing them with warm water.
Remember that wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, but the importance of retaining your results post-treatment is the same. The most important thing to remember is to wear your aligners exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment. Stick to the treatment plan, and you’ll soon find yourself with a straighter, healthier smile that fills you with confidence.
At SoHo Dental Loft, we know having how important a good smile is and Invisalign will help you get there with an easy-to-use proven method that gets you great results with the fewest visits.