What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign has been around for decades, but it is still growing in popularity. This orthodontic treatment is designed to address mild to moderate issues, like crooked teeth or misaligned bites. Although it uses soft, clear aligners, most patients find it as effective as traditional metal braces.

Let’s take a closer look at what Invisalign is and how it works.

What is Invisalign?

Using 3-D imaging, your dentist can create a digital image of what your teeth look like today and how they will look at the end of treatment. A series of soft, plastic aligners are then created to take you through the progression to reach that final transformation.

Each aligner is worn for a specific amount of time as directed by your dentist. Typically they are worn for about two weeks before the aligner is discarded and replaced with a new one.

How do they work? The Invisalign aligners encourage the teeth to move by gently nudging them. They will shift and transition as each new aligner pushes them toward their new place.

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is removable. However, they only work when they are being worn. So aside from taking them out to eat or engage in your oral hygiene routine, they will need to be worn at a minimum of 20 to 22 hours a day to stay on track with your treatment timeline.

Advantages of Invisalign

Many patients want to seek orthodontic treatment but don’t necessarily want the world to know. The clear aligners of Invisalign now make it possible. But, besides being a great way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile discreetly, there are many advantages to choosing Invisalign over traditional braces.

Easily Integrated Into Your Lifestyle

Invisalign aligners are easily removed so that you don’t have to change your eating habits or how you care for your teeth. You can eat what you want when you want it without worry — and that includes chewy foods and hard foods. With traditional braces, changes to your lifestyle and diet would need to be made to protect the brackets and wires.

Low Maintenance

Invisalign aligners are simple to care for. As mentioned, you can brush and floss as you normally would without making any adjustments. It is important to note that you will need to add a step of cleaning your aligners with a soft toothbrush. This will help you to maintain a healthy mouth.

A Level of Comfort

Each new aligner is going to be snug and may cause a little bit of discomfort. This will be very temporary. Before you know it, you will find that aligner to be very comfortable and may even forget you are wearing one. What’s more, they do not irritate the inside of your mouth like traditional braces so often do.

Fewer Trips to the Dentist

Because you will have your series of aligners and know when they need to be changed, fewer trips to the dentist for adjustments will be required. A couple of appointments with your dentist will help to monitor your progress while you work your way through the aligners at home. In other words, you will not have as many disruptions to your daily schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign

How long does it take to straighten your teeth with Invisalign?

The time it takes to straighten your teeth with Invisalign will vary based on your orthodontic needs. On average, most people complete treatment between six and 18 months.

Do you wear Invisalign while you sleep?

Yes, you will always wear Invisalign while you sleep. The aligners must be worn between 20 to 22 hours each day for treatment to be effective.

Are You a Candidate for Invisalign?

If you are curious whether or not Invisalign may be a great choice for your orthodontic needs, the team at Minoli & Vijay, DDS, PC can help.