What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment designed to straighten teeth and correct various dental concerns. Using a series of clear aligners, Invisalign gradually shifts the teeth into the desired position.
Timeline of How Invisalign Works
The first step in your Invisalign journey is a consultation. During this visit, our orthodontists will examine your teeth and discuss your aesthetic concerns. We will use a digital scanner to create a 3D image of your smile and what it could look like with Invisalign treatment.
Next, we will use your digital impressions to produce a series of custom aligners just for you. You will wear them each day and remove them to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As treatment progresses, your aligners will gradually shift your teeth to their prescribed positions. Approximately every two weeks, you will switch to the next set of clear aligners in your series. You will also have brief checkups with your dental team roughly every six weeks to review your progress.
During your final appointment, we will discuss the next steps and provide you with custom-made retainers to keep your teeth in their new positions. The entire process takes 10 to 12 months on average, although it may take longer, depending on the complexity of your condition.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
Invisalign and traditional braces are both known to be effective solutions for straightening teeth. They do, however, have a few key differences, including:
- Aesthetics: Invisalign clear aligners are clear and discreet, and traditional braces use metal wires and brackets.
- Removability: Traditional braces are not removable, while Invisalign can be taken out to eat, drink and clean your teeth.
- Oral Hygiene Maintenance: Oral hygiene with clear aligners doesn't change much, as you will remove the trays to clean your teeth. Traditional metal braces can be cleaned using special flossers and careful brushing.
- In-Office Appointments: If you have metal braces, you will need to visit the office regularly for tightening. Invisalign requires periodic checkups since you will be changing to each set of aligners at home.
Factors That Influence How Long Invisalign Treatment Takes
Several factors influence the amount of time that treatment will take with Invisalign. These include:
- Severity of crooked teeth, misaligned bite, or teeth crowding
- Compliance with wearing aligners - 20 to 22 hours per day and switching aligners on schedule
- Whether the aligners fit properly
What Happens When You've Achieved Your Results?
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, your orthodontist will provide you with custom-made retainers designed to prevent teeth from shifting. You will wear the retainer until the jaw bone forms and stabilizes your teeth in their new position. This can take six months to a year on average. Your orthodontist will provide you with a timeline specific to your treatment plan.