What is Invisalign and why are People Using it?

In the past, patients that wanted to straighten their teeth had to get traditional braces placed in their mouth. These braces were made of metal and they had to remain in the mouth 24/7 during the entire treatment period. As time has passed, an effective and more aesthetically pleasing dental braces option has gained in popularity. Invisalign braces, also known as invisible braces, provide patients with straighter teeth without the need to wear the metal braces that were standard in the past.

As Invisalign braces continue to grow in popularity, many patients want to learn more about how Invisalign works and what kind of results they can expect from having this cosmetic dental treatment. In order to provide patients with the answers they desire, Cosmetic Town TV took an in-depth look at the process behind having an Invisalign procedure:

The Secrets behind Invisalign

As mentioned above, Invisalign trays are virtually invisible and do not include any metal parts. They are a series of trays that are custom made to fit the mouth of patient. Although they can be removed when the patient is eating or brushing their teeth, they should be worn 22 or 23 hours per day to get the maximum results desired by the patient.

Invisalign works as a series of trays that gradually shift the teeth into place and provide better function and an aligned appearance. The trays are created from molds that are created in the office of a dentist. The molds are used to create a series of clear aligners that the patient wears anywhere from 10-14 days per tray.  Each tray is manufactured to gradually shift the teeth into place by making them straighter than the results provided by the previous tray. The teeth move around 0.25-mm per tray. The Invisalign trays are clear and hardly noticeable which makes them a good option for patients that do not want to wear traditional metal braces.

Depending on the condition of the teeth at the start of the treatment, the Invisalign process can take anywhere from 6-18 months to see the final results. The total amount of treatment time also determines the amount of aligner trays that will be needed to achieve the desired results.

Invisalign Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for an Invisalign treatment include:

• Patients that do not want to wear traditional metal braces that cannot be removed from the mouth
• Individuals that suffer from mild to moderate spacing of the teeth
• Patients with teeth that are crooked or crowded
• Anyone that wants to have straighter teeth as well as see an improvement in the look, function and oral health of the teeth

Invisalign Cost, Results and Limitations

The cost of an Invisalign treatment depends on a number of factors including:

• Office visit fees
• The number of trays needed to achieve the desired results
• The amount of work that needs to be done due to the current condition of the teeth
• The area of the country where the treatment is performed
• The lab fees to create the aligner trays

In general, the cost is anywhere from $4000-$6000.

The results of an Invisalign treatment are long lasting and should last a lifetime as long as the patient practices proper oral hygiene. Patients need to schedule regular dental appointments in order to monitor the progress of the results and to make sure the patient is practicing proper dental care to maintain the results.

In addition to enjoying straighter teeth and a healthier mouth, Invisalign can also close the gap that some patients have in their teeth. Thanks to the constant force and pressure that is applied to the teeth while the patient is wearing the trays, the gaps that are present in the teeth can be closed.

In terms of limitations when it comes to Invisalign, patients that have a dental implant or a dental bridge will not be able to move these cosmetic dentistry solutions using Invisalign or even traditional orthodontics. The dental bridge will need to be removed and then put back on the teeth once the Invisalign treatment is completed. During the time the dental bridge is not in the mouth, the patient will need to wear individual, separate restorations in order for the teeth to be moved by the trays.

Invisalign and Dental Consultations

In order to determine if the teeth of a patient can be treated using Invisalign, patients will need to schedule a consultation appointment with a cosmetic dentist. The dentist will examine the mouth as well as take X-rays to assess the current condition of the teeth. In addition, the cosmetic dentist will examine the teeth to make sure there are no previous cosmetic dental restorations on the teeth that will prevent the patient from being able to enjoy the benefits of the Invisalign treatment. Once the patient has been identified as an ideal candidate for Invislalign, the cosmetic dentist will explain how the treatment works and make a plan to create the aligner trays and execute the Invisalign treatment plan.