Having a misaligned bite or misshapen teeth used to mean months and possibly years of metal brackets attached to the teeth. Not only were they hard to clean, but they were also sometimes painful due to the intense pressure of repositioning the teeth.
While traditional braces are effective for complex orthodontic issues, clear aligners, like Invisalign, are now the preferred treatment for mild to moderate malocclusions. Clear aligners are fast becoming popular alternatives to traditional braces because they are removable, nearly invisible, and are more comfortable to wear.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a set of clear dental aligners, sometimes known as invisible braces. Clear aligners are thermoplastic trays fabricated in varying sizes and shapes and designed to fit over the teeth to shift their position gradually.
Invisalign fits snugly over the original teeth and is almost unnoticeable when worn. This makes them popular choices for adults, teens, and people who are self-conscious about wearing metal braces.
How Invisalign Works
Your perfect smile starts with an initial visit to your dentist, who will take X-rays of your mouth and input the scan into the Invisalign software program to create an individualized treatment plan.
They then send the treatment plan to the Invisalign lab, where an experienced technician creates your unique aligners made of medical-grade polyurethane resin. Once they are ready, they send the aligners to the dentist’s office, where the dentist can show you how to place them and remove them from your mouth.
Each set of aligners is worn for one or two weeks, then switched for the next set in the series. This progression gradually shifts the teeth into the desired position without the need for traditional metal braces.
Once the teeth are repositioned with Invisalign, you will wear a retainer full time for 4-12 months afterward, then only at night based on your dentist’s recommendations. This prevents your teeth from reverting to their former position.
Wisdom Teeth and the Invisalign Process
Using Invisalign or any clear aligners is a systematic process that involves all the teeth, not just the visible ones.
Wisdom teeth that are impacted or erupting from the gum line at an incorrect position can crowd other teeth in the mouth. This can lead to impacted and infected teeth or damage to other teeth that do not have room in the jawbone.
Because of the complications they can create during the alignment process, your dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth before starting your Invisalign treatment to give you a perfect bite and beautiful smile.
Invisalign and You
To find out more about Invisalign and the best treatment plan for your specific needs, contact Aurora Dental Group to schedule a consultation. Your dentist will discuss your options and concerns and develop a treatment system that works for you.
At Aurora Dental Group, we make the latest advancements in dentistry, from Invisalign to implants, available to our patients in a caring and professional environment designed to give you the best smile possible.
