"Click Play To Learn More About Invisalign"
Invisalign is a new system of
straightening teeth without the use of conventional
braces. A series of clear plastic aligners are utilized to
create tooth movement. Moving teeth with removable aligners is not
new.
However, the computer program, which can generate a series of
aligners with small changes is the new part. Invisalign is
recommended for orthodontic situations with mild to moderate
spacing or crowding. They are virtually undetectable, easy to use
and comfortable to wear.
Invisalign clear aligners are made of almost
invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or
bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners
are completely removable — for important social occasions, for
eating, and, most importantly, for tooth-brushing and flossing.
This advantage can also be a disadvantage: It means you must resist
the temptation to take your aligners out more than is
advised. Here are some other advantages of the
Invisalign system:
- Improved Oral Hygiene — With an orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces.
- A Discreet Look — If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal braces don't fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment might suit you.
- More Dietary Choices — To protect metal wires and braces, some diet modifications are necessary. With clear aligners, you can still bite into an apple or a crispy pizza crust.
- Comfort — The thin, flexible material of which Invisalign is made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.
- Teeth-Grinding Protection — If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin nightguards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear.
Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can
correct many malocclusions that once would have been too
complicated for this form of treatment. Yet there are still some
situations for which traditional braces would still be best. This
can be discussed in detail with you.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic.
Specialized computer software is used to design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign company will manufacture two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners,” one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.
In the past several years, two features have been added to make
Invisalign a more appropriate orthodontic treatment method for
teenagers. Special “eruption tabs” hold the appropriate amount of
space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign for
teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the
aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents,
dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are
being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign can only be
successful if this is the case.
Caring for Your Teeth During Invisalign Treatment
As mentioned
above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that
the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. So please don't neglect
to do this! You'll need to brush your teeth after every meal or
snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners,
which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners,
too, will have to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing
them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.
Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You'll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment in a beautiful new smile.
Do you want a new smile with our Invisalign
treatment?
Then call our Laurens, SC office today at (864) 766-4636 to book an
appointment!
*Serving Laurens, Ora, Watts Mills &
Surroundings.
