What You Need to Know About Invisalign

The introduction of Invisalign® in 1999 changed the game for orthodontic treatment, liberating many patients from the inconvenience and discomfort of traditional bracket-and-wire braces - not to mention their unappealing appearance. The clear aligners were especially a benefit for teenagers and adults, whose smile could now be unobstructed as it was being improved. While the label of “metal mouth” was embarrassing and awkward enough for teens, adults wanting to straighten their teeth were reluctant to show silver hardware at work and in social situations - and therefore often went without the treatment that could have corrected their alignment issues.

According to recent market data reported by Grand View Research, the global Invisalign market is valued at over $5.13 billion - making Invisalign one of the most successful orthodontic systems in history. As phenomenal as Invisalign is, however, much of getting a successful result depends upon the individual patient’s ability to follow the responsibilities of the treatment program - as well as being an appropriate candidate for Invisalign treatment in the first place.

The Technology Behind Invisalign

Invisalign aligners are made of SmartTrack —a proprietary medical-grade multilayer BPA-free thermoplastic polyurethane resin developed by Align Technology - the maker of Invisalign and the iTero Element™ scanner. It's designed to be flexible, durable and transparent, offering a comfortable and effective treatment experience.

SmartTrack material allows for a more consistent and gentle application of force to the teeth, guiding them into the desired position with greater precision. This is achieved through its ability to maintain its shape and elasticity, ensuring that the aligners apply consistent pressure throughout the wear period. It represents a significant advancement in clear aligner technology, offering a more comfortable, predictable and efficient path to a straighter smile.

Tracking back to the iTero Element scanner, this advanced piece of equipment provides precise 3D images of the patient’s teeth and gums to give the orthodontist a clear look at alignment corrections to make. It also allows the patient to see a preview of their post-treatment smile.

Based upon the treatment plan the orthodontist creates, the aligners are custom-made using a 3D printing process in a specialized lab. The aligners are trimmed and polished to ensure a comfortable fit, removing any excess material. Stringent quality checks are performed to ensure the aligners meet the required standards. The finished aligners are then packaged and delivered to the orthodontist’s office for the patient.

These aligners apply gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into alignment. Approximately every two weeks, the current aligner is replaced with a new one. Each new aligner slightly adjusts the positioning of the patient’s teeth until the final outcome is achieved.

The Advantages of Invisalign Treatment

The main advantage is that the aligner is transparent, allowing it to be worn undetectably. It also is thin and smooth, which makes it comfortable to wear - as opposed to the brackets and wires of traditional metal braces.

Other advantages include the following:

Aligners are removable — The aligners are easy to slide off and on, and can be removed while eating and brushing your teeth. This eliminates the numerous food restrictions imposed on those who wear metal braces, as many types of food can get stuck in the brackets. Maintaining oral hygiene is also easier without braces preventing proper reach with a toothbrush and floss to remove food particles.

Aligners cause less pain and discomfort than braces — Many patients will still experience some soreness as their teeth shift, but they will not experience the tissue injury that may occur with traditional braces. With less abrasive contact, there is less risk of bruising or irritation. The lightweight plastic from which the aligners are fashioned also allows them to be worn comfortably for long periods of time.

Aligners don’t require adjustments — Instead of scheduling appointments with the orthodontist to have traditional braces adjusted, Invisalign aligners are changed every two weeks, and office visits are every four to six weeks.

Faster results than metal braces —Invisalign clear aligners can achieve the desired outcome about five months faster than braces.

However, not everyone is an appropriate candidate for Invisalign. Our blog post — “Is Invisalign Right For You?” — lists the following situations for which Invisalign isn’t recommended:

Severely rotated teeth: Teeth that are rotated from the normal position more than 20 degrees - including the molars and lower eyeteeth.
Severely tipped teeth: Teeth that are angled more than 45 degrees from the normal ones.
Huge spaces between teeth: It includes all tooth gaps combined total more than 6mm per arch.

Other issues include severe deep overbite, skeletally-based malocclusion and open bites.

How to Achieve Optimal Benefits from Your Invisalign Treatment

Although Invisalign clear aligners can be the ideal way to achieve a straight, perfect smile, undergoing the treatment process carries a lot of personal responsibility in order to get the desired result.

Wear your aligners on a regular, consistent basis — Being able to remove your aligners while eating, drinking and performing your oral hygiene routine is a big advantage to Invisalign treatment. However, they must be worn from 20 to 22 hours a day —including while sleeping. If putting them back in slips your mind too often, they can’t do their work. Consistency is crucial to getting results.

Take proper care of your aligners — Although aligners are replaced every two weeks, they need to be properly cared for. Clean your aligners by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water and using Invisalign’s own branded cleaning system or special cleaning tablets. It’s important to brush your teeth after every meal before re-inserting your aligners to maintain good oral hygiene.

Wear your retainers after orthodontic treatment is complete — Even after successful orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, your orthodontist will most likely recommend wearing a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position. Invisalign’s Vivera retainers are fashioned in the same manner as its aligners, and can last from 12 to 18 months.

The Take-Home Message

Invisalign is a great option for correcting alignment that offers convenience and optimum aesthetic benefits - which will continue to improve throughout your treatment to the day when you can finally show the world your perfect smile! Being a responsible patient by following your orthodontist’s instructions will help you achieve the best permanent result.

NK Family Dental is proud to represent Invisalign as our clear aligner brand. As noted earlier, it is the most advanced aligner in the industry, and has produced outstanding outcomes for millions of patients. Our blog post - “10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Invisalign” - is a good introduction to what to expect during treatment. We also offer traditional braces for teenagers and adults.

It is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including dental, orthodontic and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.

Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs. Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.

We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!

We understand that the main concern you may have is cost, which is why we accept all major PPO plans for dental insurance and also offer our in-house dental plan. Please see our financing page for more information.

Schedule your visit through ZocDoc, or contact us directly. We look forward to treating you soon!

10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Invisalign

Invisalign has become one of the most popular treatment options for cosmetic dentistry, especially for teens and adults. The clear aligners are discreet and can offer a more comfortable experience than traditional braces. However, Invisalign requires just as much care and attention as traditional braces in order to achieve the same winning smile. Learn the 10 most important facts about Invisalign treatment so your treatment will be successful and permanent.

Benefits of Invisalign

There are many benefits to Invisalign compared to traditional braces. One of the greatest benefits is that there is no upper age limit for Invisalign, so both teens and adults can opt for it. Of course, the clear aligners make the process of teeth straightening much more subtle. There are also no food restrictions for Invisalign wearers, compared to the lengthy list of taboo foods for those with metal braces. Soreness from teeth shifting may additionally be reduced by opting for Invisalign over traditional braces. Finally, while this is not a guaranteed benefit, Invisalign can potentially help with whitening your teeth, as the whitening agents in toothpaste after brushing will be compressed to your teeth when wearing the clear aligners.

How to Prepare

It’s important to know your options and be fully prepared before starting Invisalign treatment. While Invisalign offers many benefits and is less obvious than braces, not everyone is a candidate. Traditional braces will be required for more complex teeth and straightening concerns. As with any dental treatment, it’s important and necessary to talk with your dentist to decide the best plan of action for your needs. Remember that Invisalign is not an easier option simply because of the clear aligners, so be prepared to put as much effort into taking care of your teeth as traditional braces.

Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Invisalign

Now that you are more aware of the benefits and preparation steps, let’s look at some of the most important things you need to know about Invisalign before you start:

You’ll be wearing your aligners the majority of every day. Just because they are clear doesn’t mean you can leave them off for long periods of time. Invisalign works best to straighten your smile when the aligners are worn as long as possible—a minimum of 22 hours a day. Keeping them in as much as possible will help you get used to the feel over time, as well.
You may notice a small difference in your speech. While it likely won’t be that noticeable to anyone except yourself, you should expect to experience a slight lisp as you adjust to the aligners. This is likely to improve after the first day or two of wearing a new Invisalign set. The best way to adjust is to simply practice and speak with them on as much as you can.
There is no set length of treatment. Because every person’s teeth are unique, the length of time to straighten them varies even with Invisalign. Adults can expect a year of treatment, on average, but your orthodontist or dentist will be able to provide a more accurate length according to your own needs. The best way to get Invisalign off as quickly as possible, though, is to be vigilant in your routine care and wear them the minimum 22 hours a day.
You’ll frequently be brushing and flossing. After every time you eat, you will need to brush and floss your teeth, no matter what. Food particles getting caught between your teeth and the aligners can lead to irritation, pain, and even cavities. The pH of your mouth will additionally change when wearing Invisalign, so it’s essential to keep your mouth as clean as possible. The few extra minutes a day will be worth it.
The aligners require extra care. It’s not just your teeth that you will need to make sure are clean. Invisalign aligners must be cleaned daily by brushing them just like your teeth. Once in the morning and once in the evening is recommended, but brushing them when you brush your teeth after meals can help keep them clean throughout the day. Soaking the aligners once a day can also help keep them cleaner and whiter.
You can’t eat with the aligners on. Thankfully, there are no restrictions on what you can eat when they are off. The downside to this is the frequent brushing and flossing, as mentioned in #4. Eating with the aligners on can make taking care of them very difficult, so it’s important to always take them out before eating. Drinking water regularly with Invisalign treatment will also help keep your mouth hydrated and clean.
You may need attachments. Invisalign provides a clear, almost unnoticeable experience. However, the straightening needs of your teeth may require a little extra assistance to catch up to speed with the rest of your teeth. Attachments, known as Invisalign buttons or brackets, are tooth-colored and blend right in to your teeth. They will only be attached to individual teeth that require them. With these potential attachments are likely to be clear rubber bands to help the treatment process.
You will need to wear a retainer afterward. Just like with traditional braces, you will still need to wear a retainer every night once your Invisalign treatment is completed. A nightly retainer will help maintain the success of your straightened smile for years to come. Slacking on this step will cause your teeth to slowly start shifting back into misalignment.
Your teeth may need extra work before starting Invisalign. This may depend on the size of your teeth and how well they will fit in with your aligner trays. In some cases, larger teeth may need to be slightly filed down in order to fit evenly. This routine procedure is not painful, and not everyone may need it done.
Invisalign costs are variable. There is no way to give a precise estimate on the cost of Invisalign compared to traditional braces. Every person’s mouth and needs are different, after all. For some people, Invisalign may cost less than traditional braces. For others, the costs may be about the same. Your dental insurance provider may cover Invisalign treatment, as well. Your orthodontist or dental office will be able to provide you a more accurate quote for both Invisalign and braces.

Smile Freely Again

If you’re looking to regain confidence in your smile, look no further than Dr. Khan at NK Family Dental, your top-rated Bucktown dentist in the heart of Chicago. NK Family Dental provides a full range of dental, orthodontic and periodontal services, including both Invisalign and traditional braces. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN UNDERGOING INVISALIGN TREATMENT

Teenagers and adults alike seek orthodontic treatment to help them obtain a beautiful and healthy smile. Since the introduction of Invisalign, a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to metal braces, the number of people pursuing treatment has increased. Although popular and effective, Invisalign patients will have a different experience compared to those who opt for metal, or traditional braces. Keep reading to learn what to expect when undergoing Invisalign treatment, so that you will be adequately prepared.

Benefits of Invisalign

Most dental patients are initially drawn to Invisalign, as the aligner trays are less noticeable than metal braces. However there are other noteworthy benefits. The thin and clear shells work faster than metal braces, and are relatively pain-free. You will likely experience soreness as your teeth shift, but you will not experience tissue injury. Invisalign trays are also easy to remove and reinsert, meaning you can enjoy the foods that are restricted with metal braces. Finally, as the aligners are removable, cleaning both the trays and your teeth will be less of a hassle. With good oral hygiene habits, your teeth will be less susceptible to discoloration and cavities than with traditional braces.

Things You Should Know

Wear your aligners as much as possible - Invisalign requires patients to wear the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day. Resist the temptation to remove your aligners as much as possible, and you will reap the reward of a faster treatment period. The more you wear them, the faster you will forget they are there!

You must take them out to eat - A downside to Invisalign is that you have to remove the trays to eat. That being said, the removable aspect means you can eat more than you could if you had opted for braces. A common mistake Invisalign patients make is wrapping their aligners in napkins at mealtimes, and accidentally tossing them out. Avoid this by using the provided case at all times!

The aligner trays will discolor - You will be issued a new Invisalign aligner every two weeks. You can bet by the end of those two weeks, there will be some significant discoloration to the trays. To prevent this, clean the trays every day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. It's also a good habit to give the trays a quick rinse when you remove them ‒ it will help you feel less icky!

The dentist may adjust your teeth - To assist in aligning your teeth, your dentist may offer to file some teeth down slightly. This quick and painless step will help your teeth have a more uniform shape, and will allow your teeth to fit in the aligner trays more comfortably.

Prepare to brush your teeth a lot - On any given day, you likely get a variety of foods stuck in your teeth. Normally, this is not an issue, as our saliva and the amount of water we drink washes most of it away. When you wear an aligner tray for 22 hours a day however, food can be trapped for an extended period. For this reason it is very important that you brush your teeth more often ‒ each time you eat, in fact.

You will have to floss frequently - The same as brushing, you will have to floss more often. Floss each time your eat a meal, as well as in the morning and evening.

Teeth may feel loose - If your teeth feel loose, don't panic! Before your teeth can shift into the correct position, they must first be slightly loosened. This is natural, and once they are properly aligned, the teeth will again settle in firmly.

You may speak differently - A side effect of wearing the plastic aligners is that you may notice that you are unable to enunciate clearly. Most people have a lisp for a few days following each new set of aligners, but no worries, it won’t last.

You will have a retainer - After successfully achieving the smile of your dreams, you will no longer be issued Invisalign trays. Instead, you will receive a retainer that will help keep your teeth from shifting.

At NK Family Dental, we are proud to offer Invisalign clear aligners for patients who want to experience the benefits of standard braces without metal or wires. Encounter the benefits of exceptional dental treatment and service by contacting us to schedule your appointment today. Our team of highly trained professionals will be glad to assess your unique dental situation in order to provide the best method of treatment possible to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.