Health

Step-By-Step Process on How Invisalign Works

By Nicolas Rivera

October 14, 2019

Invisalign

If you’re a little self-conscious about your smile, and a mouth full of braces sounds unappealing to you, you can consider getting Midtown dental care Invisalign clear braces. Invisalign clear braces offer the same solutions that traditional metal braces do, but without the drawbacks that come with wearing braces.

Invisalign braces can be easily removed when you want to brush your teeth or eat. They are also not as noticeable as the traditional metal braces are. There are no additional wires and metal that normally irritate your gums and teeth, and you don’t have to wear them as long as their counterparts. They are also a very affordable treatment option.

Making Consultations

Do some initial research before settling on a treatment option and an orthodontist. Set up a free consultation with a licensed and certified orthodontist who has been trained in Invisalign treatment. Not every orthodontist is trained in this specific line of treatment so evaluate your options carefully and ensure you choose the one with the proper experience and training.

On meeting the orthodontist, ask as many questions as you can concerning the procedure, its cost, and the practitioner’s qualifications. Try to assess if the doctor is someone you can trust and if you feel comfortable and at ease with them. The orthodontist will examine you, take photographs and X-rays of your teeth, and discuss whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment. See if you can find an orthodontist who offers free consultations but this should not come at the expense of other qualifications they must meet.

Treatment Plan

Once you’ve settled on the orthodontist and decided on Invisalign, the doctor will take impressions of your teeth in order to create a 3-D image of your oral structure. This image will be used to map out the different stages of teeth positions. Not all teeth will be moved at once, the doctor will straighten a couple of teeth first and gradually move on to the rest. For teenagers, the treatment process takes the same amount of time as with metal braces, but for adults, it takes about a year.

Plastic Aligners

Once the treatment plan is completed, the doctor will give you your clear plastic aligners. Unlike metal braces, these plastic aligners are gentle on the gums. They don’t cause any irritation or little cuts inside your cheeks. The set of aligners should be worn on a daily basis, but they can be easily removed for eating, brushing, and flossing your teeth. The aligners can also be taken off if you need to wear a mouthguard during sport’s activities. Wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day if you want to achieve the best results.

Interchanging Aligners

Get a new set of aligners every week or two weeks. The doctor will regularly provide the aligners based on your treatment plan, in order to improve the straightening process. The effects of the aligners can be noticed gradually, as the teeth get straighter with time. Invisalign braces not only allow you to control the pressure exerted on the teeth, but you can also control the timing.The doctor will focus on moving a specific set of teeth during each stage. If the need arises, the treatment plan can also be adjusted along the way. The doctor might also decide to add attachments such as little ridges on the aligners to facilitate the teeth-straightening process.