If you had a choice, would you choose braces or clear aligners? Clear plastic aligners have become a famous option in recent years. They are a superb option for realigning and straightening teeth.
Invisalign® is arguably the most popular aligner product on the market since Align Technology developed and started selling them in 1998. Over the years, more brands have also come to the market with their versions of useful aligners.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the name for a brand of clear aligners. The aligners are made from a relatively flexible thermoplastic material called SmartTrack®. The design of Invisalign makes orthodontic solutions to misaligned teeth a lot less noticeable. The conspicuousness of these aligners is measured against that of braces. The clear aligners fit snuggly over your teeth.
What Does Invisalign Treat?
Invisalign corrects various dental issues. Dentists can use it to correct spacing and crowding issues in the mouth. It can also address the following conditions:
Crowded teeth.
Overbites.
Crossbites.
Open bite.
Underbites.
Gapped teeth.
Research about the efficiency of Invisalign treatment shows that it is more efficient for some conditions than others. For instance, a study done in 2017 states that clear aligners are efficient in correcting the arches in the mouth. However, these aligners are less effective in treating severe bite issues.
What Should I Expect During Treatment?
When you visit the dentist for Invisalign, they will first take a 3D image of your jaw and mouth. They do this using special imaging equipment. This image will provide the canvas for creating a plan to shift your teeth. They will also use the image to design a series of custom-made aligners.
Manufacturers design the aligners to shift your teeth by applying pressure. This pressure will cause micromovements in your teeth over time until they reach the desired positions. You can expect a new set of aligners every two weeks. You will have to wear clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day.
How Effective Is Invisalign?
Researchers have conducted a few studies on the effectiveness of Invisalign. So far, the studies have had very few participants. These studies also did not include a control group to compare with.
Still, the available studies show that Invisalign is more effective than other clear aligners. Also, there are newer versions of the aligners produced in 2010. These have proven to enhance the efficacy of the Invisalign aligners.
What Should I Expect After Invisalign?
After you have completed your Invisalign treatment, it is time to go to the maintenance stage. Maintenance is vital to ensure that the improvements provided by the treatment last. It begins with retainers.
Retainers are what prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. You will need to wear retainers for nine to 12 months to give you enough time for the changes to become permanent.
For more on Invisalign, visit Marietta Smile Gallery at our office in Marietta, Georgia. You can also call (770) 809-1500 to book an appointment today.
Powered by: 