Invisalign® clear aligners can be used to straighten crooked teeth. The clear plastic trays used to straighten teeth are virtually invisible, so they also provide you with a discreet way to straighten your smile. The same cannot be said about traditional metal braces which consist of metal brackets and wires that some would compare to miniature railway tracks.
Invisalign trays work by constantly pushing on the wearer’s teeth, moving their teeth to a better alignment the same way braces work. The forces delivered by clear aligners are more precise and that typically leads to shorter treatment times. The average treatment with clear aligners lasts anywhere between 6 to 24 months. The patient gets to show off their smile the entire time.
The transparent trays used for Invisalign treatment are removable, and that is more convenient for most people. The trays can be removed for meals or oral hygiene, so they never get in the way. However, some people, like children, are often better off with fixed appliances like braces since Invisalign treatment requires patients to wear their aligner trays for 20 to 22 hours each day for effective treatment. Anyone who thinks they might have a difficult time remembering to wear their clear aligners as directed by a dentist should consider fixed appliances.
What to expect when getting Invisalign treatment
Invisalign aligners can be used to fix a wide range of issues including crooked, misaligned, or crowded teeth. It can also be used to correct other issues like an overbite, crossbite, or underbite.
Treatment starts with a dentist evaluating the patient’s teeth with diagnostics like x-rays and a visual examination. The dentist assesses the severity of the patient’s orthodontic issues as well as their cause. This gives the dentist the information they need to determine if clear aligners can be used to straighten their patient’s teeth. If the person’s teeth alignment issues are being caused by the positioning of their jaw, they might have to use braces for their treatment.
Once a dentist determines clear aligners can be used to improve the alignment of the patient’s teeth, an impression of the patient’s teeth might be taken or digital images are used to make a 3D model. The impression or model is used to design the patient’s custom aligner trays.
The patient comes in for a second visit when their custom trays are ready. The dentist educates them about how to use the appliance and gives them instructions on how long they should wear their aligners each day. The patient receives multiple sets of clear aligners, with each set having a unique design. Each is worn for about two weeks – the time it takes to moves the patient’s teeth as far as it can. The set is then swapped with another that takes over from there and takes the patient’s teeth closer to the desired position.
Fix your crooked teeth
Crooked teeth ruin the way your smile looks regardless of how white your teeth are. Give us a call or stop by our Scottsdale clinic to learn more about how clear aligners can straighten your crooked smile.
Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Scottsdale, AZ.
Recent Posts
Many patients prefer Invisalign® to traditional braces because it is more comfortable and almost invisible. This system straightens teeth more gently as well. Understanding the process can help you maintain consistency when wearing your aligners. Here are the details on how Invisalign slowly shifts your teeth.This teeth-straightening system remodels the jawbone as it aligns the…
Are you considering Invisalign®? Read on to learn more. Metal braces used to be the gold standard for bite issues like overbites and underbites. Now, more than four million Americans are currently undergoing some form of orthodontic treatment, many of whom are turning to Invisalign as a discreet and effective approach to correcting dental misalignment…
Invisalign® and braces are both proven to align a smile successfully. The former is relatively new in comparison to the latter appliance. However, the power of either option is undeniable. Take a closer look at their advantages and disadvantages before scheduling a consultation to see which is most effective for you.Invisalign has many advantages. The…
Invisalign is an effective orthodontic treatment that can straighten your teeth in an average of 12 to 18 months. However, the work is not done after the initial treatment ends. It is important to wear a retainer to maintain your results and prevent your teeth from moving into their pre-treatment positions. Not wearing a retainer…