Invisalign

Invisalign clear tooth aligners are one of the more popular alternatives for those who find the idea of a mouthful of metal braces and brackets – though effective – too unattractive to commit to. With Invisalign, you do not have to be self conscious about metal braces showing while straightening your teeth.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign incorporates a series of invisible (clear) plastic aligners that fit comfortably over your teeth and are designed to move your teeth gradually into the desired position. Today, Invisalign is a leading brand of orthodontic appliance, primarily because the removable aligners (less than one millimeter thick) are designed to be more esthetically pleasing than conventional wire-and-bracket dental braces for treating certain types of minor misaligned tooth problems.

How Invisalign Works

The use of a series of removable aligners for the alignment of teeth is not new. The Invisalign method is based on a concept first introduced in the 1940s and revisited in the 1970s that required a series of dental impressions to determine the optimal position of the teeth. The Invisalign method is simpler and more accurate than its predecessors.

The first step to getting Invisalign aligners is to call us for a free orthodontic exam. At that appointment, Dr. Yang will conduct a thorough exam and determine if you would be a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. If you are a good candidate, you will come back for impressions for your teeth. These impressions will be used to create a three-dimensional computer rendition of how your teeth could be moved incrementally, forming the basis for developing a series of custom-made aligners designed to accomplish this movement. Dr. Yang will work with Align Technologies to make sure that your teeth are moved in the correct manner. After the final approval from Dr. Yang, your Invisalign aligners will then be manufactured at the Align Technologies dental laboratory using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing processes and then sent to our office.

The Invisalign Treatment Process

We will usually give you two to three aligners at every appointment. Each aligner must be worn in its specific order for about two weeks, during which time it moves the teeth in small increments of about .25 millimeters to .33 millimeters. Although the aligners are removable (for eating, drinking certain beverages and brushing/flossing), they must be worn at least 20-22 hours a day in order to reposition the teeth successfully.

We will see you every 4-6 weeks to check the progress of tooth movement, make adjustments as necessary, and give you your next set of aligners. Typical Invisalign treatment requires 15 to 30 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth. Most treatments with Invisalign range from about 6-18 months. However, treatment time depends on your specific alignment and bite problems.

Other Invisalign Notes

Invisalign may not be appropriate for certain cases of misalignment or complex bite problems. Fixed orthodontic appliances (traditional wire and bracket braces) can be used for complex problems.

Invisalign is currently approved for adults and teenagers with completely erupted permanent teeth who can faithfully follow the directions for treatment – how long they have to wear the aligners each day, what they can and cannot eat and drink, seeing their dentist for follow-up appointments, etc.

Some problems that can be corrected with Invisalign include, but are not limited to:

  • Crowding/Crowded teeth.
  • Spacing/Spaced teeth.
  • Overbite/overjet. When the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth.
  • Crossbite. When one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, on either the front and/or sides of the mouth.
  • Mild relapse. After traditional braces have been removed, some of the original problems return.