Invisalign created clear aligners to offer patients of varying ages an alternative to traditional bulky braces for orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners are nearly invisible, removable, and a discreet way to straighten the teeth. Dental professionals provide Invisalign to give patients the added benefit of professional checkups to receive proper care throughout treatment. However, many people may consider whether they actually work.
Invisalign treatment is available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. We help you understand what the treatment plan entails and how it works. Call us today at 620-317-0286 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Results Come With Compliance
Invisalign has continually improved its technology and transformed over 9.6 million smiles since its inception. Various updates and additions have allowed for more complicated conditions to be treated effectively. The Invisalign difference is its SmartTrack material, designed for comfort and faster treatment; SmartForce attachments and precision wings for more predictable tooth movement; and SmartStaging technology that predicts desired and planned outcomes. The iTero Element Scanner scans the gumline to create more accurate, comfortable, and secure aligners.
During treatment, a patient must wear the aligners for roughly 22 hours a day, removing them only for eating and brushing. They will have routine checkups every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on their treatment plan, during which we examine the teeth. Invisalign treatment may not work as effectively if a patient fails to adhere to the specific instructions regarding wear time, hygiene practices, maintenance, and care.
- Invisalign has continually improved its technology and transformed over 9.6 million smiles since its inception.
Who Uses Invisalign®?
While orthodontic treatment is commonly associated with youth, Invisalign is appropriate for both teenagers and adults. The primary difference between Invisalign for teens and Invisalign for adults is a little dot that changes color based on how often the patient wears their aligners. This keeps younger patients accountable for their treatment. Invisalign Teen aligners tray are blue, then turn clear or white throughout their lifetime. The bluer the circle is, the longer the patient must prolong their treatment.
Invisalign for adults is like Invisalign for teens — just without the color-changing circle. Both systems use aligner trays consisting of SmartTrack material, a patented blend of plastic made exclusively for the Invisalign brand. Invisalign appeals to both teens and adults because its virtually invisible nature makes for a less awkward-looking orthodontic treatment.
- While orthodontic treatment is commonly associated with youth, Invisalign is appropriate for both teenagers and adults.
What To Know About Invisalign®
As mentioned above, many teenagers and adults are good candidates for Invisalign. However, as metal braces tend to deliver more precise results, Invisalign is best for patients with mild or moderately crowded teeth. Patients with minor teeth spacing issues may also benefit from clear aligners. Anyone who wants to start Invisalign treatment must also first address any gum disease or other dental disease, making dental appointments essential.
Furthermore, patients with more complicated issues with crowding or spacing (such as severe underbites, overbites, or crossbites) may require more intensive treatment. Invisalign is also typically unsuitable for children, as their mouths are usually still developing. Their teeth are still growing and changing, making them too unpredictable for clear aligners.
- …Invisalign is best for patients with mild or moderately crowded teeth.
Invisalign® Vs. Traditional Braces
There are a few differences between Invisalign and braces. Clear aligners have the advantage of being both discreet and removable. This allows patients to continue living their lifestyle with very few restrictions and keep their oral cavity clean. However, patient compliance is crucial with Invisalign treatment, as not adhering to an orthodontist’s specified instructions can limit or diminish anticipated results.
Braces are extremely durable as they are made of metal and tightly connected by wire. They offer patients a bit of personality through the variety of colored wires available, often an intriguing factor for children and adolescents. An added advantage is that they cannot be lost or broken, especially favorable for young patients. However, there is a list of restricted foods and beverages with braces treatment as they can easily cause enamel deterioration and gingival decay. Patients with braces must learn what to avoid and how to properly clean and maintain their oral cavity during treatment.
- Clear aligners have the advantage of being both discrete and removable.
Invisalign® & Lifestyle Changes
One of the many advantages of Invisalign is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes. Patients will have to switch out their aligners every one or two weeks, and they will need to come into the office to pick up their new set of aligners every six to eight weeks. In most cases, Invisalign patients require fewer orthodontist visits than braces patients.
Still, there are some things patients should know to complete Invisalign treatment safely. They must care for them properly to avoid staining or other undesirable results. This involves rinsing the aligners nightly, brushing them gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush to keep them clean. If possible, patients should rinse them whenever they take them out. As mentioned earlier, patients should only remove aligners when necessary — such as when eating, brushing, or drinking anything other than cool water. Patients who play high-contact sports should ask Smile Solutions if it is safe to keep the aligners in the mouth while playing.
- One of the many advantages of Invisalign is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Invisalign® Terminology
With Invisalign treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign process.
ClinCheck software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
An iTero Element scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign aligners.
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increase the speed of treatment, and apply a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.
Vivera retainers are a type of retainer that consists of clear plastic material and helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after a treatment.
Learn More Today
Invisalign can help you get the smile of your dreams without a mouth full of metal. We at Smile Solutions can help. Call us today to schedule an appointment and learn more.