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.
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