Invisalign Clear Aligner Therapy

What is Invisalign® ?

Invisalign is a series of clear aligners custom-made to fit a patient’s teeth. These aligners move the teeth in a way to create better alignment. They are an alternative for people who do not wish to wear traditional metal braces. Invisalign clear aligners can straighten teeth gently and gradually without traditional brackets, bars, and bands. Because Invisalign clear aligners are easily removable, patients can eat, brush, and floss as they normally would.

Who is an Invisalign candidate?

Invisalign is potentially ideal for anyone who requires orthodontic treatment but does not wish to wear traditional metal braces. Adults, teens, and post-secondary students are excellent candidates for Invisalign, and the Invisalign Teen series was recently introduced specifically to meet teenagers’ orthodontic needs. Typically, the only patients who might not qualify for Invisalign are those with periodontal issues and children who won’t have all their permanent teeth — but even this is changing.

How does Invisalign work?

After impressions or scans are made of the patient’s teeth and bite, Invisalign 3-D digital imaging software is used to create a series of clear retainers. Each retainer in the series is designed to fit comfortably over the patient’s teeth in their current alignment and incrementally move them into their desired position. The last retainer in the series is shaped closely to the desired final alignment. After wearing each aligner for approximately 7 to 14 days, the patient will remove the aligner and replace it with the next one in the series. In this manner, teeth are straightened gradually and gently without traditional metal braces. Treatment with Invisalign can be completed with approximately 18 to 30 aligners — the average therapy lasts six to nine months, but some rare cases can take as long as two years, or as short as three months.

How long do I need to wear Invisalign?

How long you need to wear the aligner depends on how much your teeth need to be rotated or moved. The more mis-aligned your teeth are or the more your bite is off, the longer you will need the treatment. If your teeth are only slightly shifted, it will take less time. Each set of aligners needs to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. This will help to gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment. Aligners are changed every one to two weeks, but this does not mean that you will need to come in for an appointment every two weeks, as aligners can be sent to you directly. With shorter adjustment periods, the aligners can do more in less time than braces, which are adjusted much less often. In fact, Invisalign take about half the time as the average timeframe for wearing traditional braces.

Why Choose Invisalign Aligner Therapy?

Wearing braces is one of the most effective treatments for straightening teeth, but they can be painful and unappealing to look at. The choice between wearing Invisalign and conventional metal braces all depends on a patient’s needs and lifestyle. Some people don’t want others to know they’re wearing braces, and that’s where Invisalign can help. Because Invisalign are clear, people will often not be able to tell you are wearing them at all. Unlike metal brackets and wires, Invisalign is designed to look nearly invisible and provide you with the comfort of a more subtle look so you won’t be self-conscious about this method of teeth correction.

What are some benefits of choosing Invisalign?

One of the most appealing benefits of Invisalign is its higher level of comfort. With traditional braces, the metal may poke into the sides of your mouth or cause cuts on your gums, and their rigid form provides no give or flexibility. Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic, so the texture alone provides added comfort. There is also no risk of gum or mouth cuts when you wear Invisalign aligners. You may feel the pressure of the teeth shifting and adjusting, but if you wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day, as is recommended, you will become used to that pressure, making it easier to adjust.

Can Invisalign be removed?

Another important factor is that Invisalign can be easily removed. With metal braces, certain foods are off-limits because they could damage the braces, such as very chewy or brittle foods. When you have Invisalign you can simply remove them to eat what you’d like.

How will I clean my teeth?

You can also take them out to brush or floss your teeth, which will help to ensure your dental health stays on track. Metal braces make it difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth, and without proper cleaning, you may experience cavities or gum disease. Overall, the simple steps of removing Invisalign, eating what you’d like, cleaning your teeth, and then putting the aligners back in allows for flexibility that metal braces cannot match.

Is Invisalign right for me?

At Dental Choice, we offer specialized treatment options to our patients based on their preferences and dental requirements. To make sure if Invisalign is right for you, or for more information on Invisalign treatment, please contact a location near you or give us a call.

How much does Invisalign Aligner Therapy Cost?

The cost of Invisalign varies from patient to patient depending on your individual needs. Before we proceed, your dentist at Dental Choice will discuss many of the variables associated with your treatment, including how long you will need to be in Invisalign clear aligners as well as the factors that can influence the pricing. The extent of your orthodontic issues and your alignment needs will impact the cost. Other considerations that will be taken into account before giving you a price estimate include:

• The condition of your teeth
• The complexity of the case
• The treatment time frame — some only take three months while others require three years
• Supplies and attention needed for your case
• How many aligners will be necessary throughout the treatment

For more information or to book an appointment, contact a Dental Choice clinic near you. We’re here to help.

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