How Invisalign Works
Invisalign is one of the most popular an effective alternatives to traditional braces. You may have heard about Invisalign and asking yourself how the Invisalign process actually works. Invisalign clear braces offer you the same great results of traditional metal braces, but without all the drawbacks that usually come with wearing metal braces. The Invisalign process can be a bit of a mystery even to patients who are familiar with orthodontic treatments.
So what exactly is Invisalign, and how does it work?
Our team at North Mankato Invisalign put together this simple to understand guide to help you with the ins and outs of the Invisalign system.Let’s take a look!
First Things First
Invisalign is GREAT at what it does! Actually, it is truly AMAZING! No need for hard to clean, metal strapped to your teeth, wires poking in to your gums, brackets scratching your cheeks and lips or painful adjustments.
Invisalign treats common malocclusion issues
- Gapped Teeth
- Crowded Teeth
- Mis-shaped Teeth
- Rotated Teeth
- Flared Teeth
- Canted Teeth
- Uneven Midline
- Uneven Gumlines
- Improper Space for Implant Placement
- Narrow, Constricted Arches
- Bite Interferences and Discrepancies
- Over Bite
- Under Bite
- Open Bite
Start by scheduling an Invisalign consultation at our Mankato, MN office will help us determine if you're a good candidate for Invisalign.
Next Steps
Once we’re able to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign at your consultation, we’ll take detailed records. These records include:
- Photographs of your teeth and face
- A digital scan of your teeth using an iTero scanner
- Digital x-rays
Once these records are complete, they’re sent to Invisalign with detailed instructions on how we want your teeth to be moved. Dr. Flack or Dr. Schuck will then use advanced 3D computer imaging technology to create a complete treatment plan from the initial position of your teeth to their final desired position. We believe the key to a successful outcome with Invisalign is a highly skilled orthodontist creating the right plan for you. Once our review is complete, we give the go-ahead for Invisalign to create your custom-made clear aligners, also called trays. It takes about 4-5 weeks from impressions to aligners arriving. Once our office receives the trays, we’re ready to start the straightening process!
The Specifics
Each set of Invisalign aligners are worn for 1-2 weeks at a time. The aligners are manufactured so that teeth will typically move in small subtle increments, so when you put a new aligner in, the teeth in the tray itself are slightly straighter than your teeth are. This puts pressure on your teeth, so that over the course of the week, your teeth will move to match the aligner.
As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will continue to move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to their final positions.
You’ll need to visit us about once every 6-10 weeks to ensure your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time typically lasts about 12-18 months, and the number of aligners worn during treatment is usually somewhere between 20 and 50, but both numbers will vary from case to case.
Important Considerations with Invisalign
Once your aligners are in, you’ll be expected to wear them close to full time. Typically, we’ll want you to have your aligners in for about 22 hours a day, for the duration of your treatment. Wearing your aligners for this amount of time will help the teeth move to their final position for that particular tray. If your teeth aren’t in their anticipated position when you move on to the next set of aligners, the aligners won’t fit quite as well, and by the time you are multiple trays down the line, the fit will be noticeably off.
As well as wearing your aligners for the required amount of time daily, you’ll need to take your aligners out every time you eat and any time you drink anything other than water. You should also take them out to brush and floss thoroughly twice a day, cleaning the aligner with a toothbrush at the same time.
Once you’ve completed the initial series of aligners, Dr. Flack or Dr. Schuck will determine if an additional series of aligners is necessary to perfect your smile. Once you’ve completely finished treatment, it’s time to celebrate that beautiful new smile! At this point, we’ll discuss retainers. Our bodies change as we age, and that includes our teeth, which have a tendency to shift and move as we grow older. By wearing a retainer as directed, you can keep your straight smile in place.
Invisalign Benefits
- As mentioned above, you can – and should – take your aligners out any time you eat or drink. This means none of the frustrating food restrictions you have with traditional braces!
- Invisalign is virtually invisible, making it the perfect choice for a more aesthetically pleasing option and for patients who prefer a more subtle treatment option.
- Brushing and flossing can be difficult with traditional braces, but removable aligners make good dental hygiene a much easier process, keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
- You can remove your Invisalign aligners temporarily for senior photos, a sports event, or any other special occasion.
Invisalign in North Mankato, Minnesota
North Mankato Invisalign is proud to be a certified Invisalign premier provider. Our goal is to give you the healthiest, straightest, and most beautiful smile we can! If you’re in the North Mankato area and are interested in learning more about treatment with Invisalign, get in touch with us today to schedule an initial complimentary consultation. We look forward to helping you find the smile you’ve been waiting for!
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