What would you change about your smile? Do your teeth need straightening? Is your bite off? Have you been considering braces or another similar treatment to get them back into line to improve your smile? Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® are two of the best options on the market for fixing misaligned teeth, but you may have a lot of questions.
Here are 11 things you may not know about Invisalign®:
1. Myth: Invisalign® Usually Costs More Than Traditional Braces
If you choose an Invisalign® provider that has earned Gold, Platinum or Diamond status on the Invisalign® website, the fees charged for Invisalign® are typically less than those charged for regular braces. These experienced doctors have earned lower Invisalign® lab fees, which are paid directly to the manufacturer (Align, Inc.) and they commonly pass these savings on to help their patients afford treatment.
2. Millions of Happy Invisalign® Clients
Every day, more people choose Invisalign® treatment, and the number continues to rise. Advancements in digital technology, such as iTero® Digital Impressions have made the process very effective and very convenient.
3. Flexibility & Comfort & Discreet
You can remove your Invisalign® aligner trays, which allows you to have flexibility and freedom in terms of what you eat and drink. This also allows you to brush and floss just as you usually would without the Invisalign® trays. During treatment, wearing the aligner trays are very discreet, almost invisible to others since they are clear and tend not to alter speech.
4. No Specialist Needed
Invisalign® is a streamlined process that can be done by general dentists and orthodontists. The popularity of the treatment encourages more oral health professionals to offer the service as one of their cosmetic dental procedures or a treatment to achieve a "preventive bite" compared to a "damaging bite". If a general dentist is experienced in the use of Invisalign®, they are very likely to be successful in helping you treat your misaligned teeth and bite.
5. No Hardware and Fewer Appointments
With Invisalign®, no metal brackets or wires are bonded to your teeth. This reduces the need for frequent visits to your dental office for adjustments or repairs. With Invisalign®, you are not required to go in for as many dental appointments as with traditional braces. With checkups scheduled every six to eight weeks, you can apply three to four different sets of trays yourself without going in to see the dentist. This has a significant convenience advantage. Most patients love the fact that they don’t have a mouthful of metal strapped to their teeth like they would with braces. Patients love that the aligners are virtually invisible while wearing them and cleaning their teeth is so much easier with clear aligners that can easily be removed by the patient.
6. Same Process, Same Results
Invisalign® trays use about the same process as traditional braces because both are specifically designed to provide consistent pressure to specific teeth in order to create the most effective re-alignment of teeth that have grown out of place. Invisalign® can be just as effective as traditional braces for mild, moderate or severe malocclusion if an experienced provider is chosen.
7. Do Your Homework
It is a good idea to research several Invisalign® treatment providers and to select the best one. Check www.Invisalign.com and search for a provider based on their experience status. Check reviews online, as well as their credentials, experience level, and reputation.
8. Diligence is Important
You will be required to wear the Invisalign® aligners for 22 hours every day. If you do not wear the aligner trays for the specified amount of time, you may not achieve the results you desire with this treatment. You will need to change your Invisalign aligner trays every week to two weeks depending on what your dentist recommends. Each set of Invisalign® aligner trays is shaped slightly differently, with the teeth slightly moving each time, getting a little bit closer to your desired alignment goal.
9. Follow Up is Necessary
You will require a retainer after Invisalign® treatment is complete to prevent your teeth from shifting back into the position they were In before the treatment procedure. Wearing your retainer every night will ensure that your teeth stay in an optimal position.
10. Quality Materials are Essential
Invisalign® aligner trays are made from a patented, Smart Track®, thermoplastic material that is soft and comfortable yet ridged and effective. They look similar to the trays used in teeth whitening and your aligners can even be used for whitening during treatment. Each Invisalign® tray is correctly shaped individually to move your teeth in the sequence that has been determined by your experienced Invisalign® provider.
11. There is a Time Commitment
Invisalign® aligner trays control both the timing and the force of the application. During each set of aligners worn every 7-14 days, only individual specified teeth are adjusted. Over time, all of the desired teeth are gradually moved into position by the sequential application of trays, each of which is a slightly different shape.
Call an Experienced Dentist to See if Invisalign® is Right for You!
Invisalign® is a high tech tool for correcting misaligned teeth, correcting the bite and enhancing the smile. The success of its use will depend on the skill and experience of your dental professional and your compliance during treatment. Overall, Invisalign® is an effective treatment option that can improve your smile and bite with impressive results that are life changing!
