If you could make the choice, would you wear orthodontic braces on your teeth or clear aligners? If your answer is clear aligners, you are not alone. Clear aligners have become exceedingly more popular over the past couple of decades as an optional solution for straightening or realigning your teeth.
The oldest and best-known clear aligner product available is Invisalign, which was introduced in 1998 by Align Technology. More clear aligners from other brands have entered the field, such as Spark, ClearCorrect, and uLab.
Following are some informative facts on Invisalign, what Invisalign can do, how effective it is, and the advantages of this product.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the specific brand name of a type of thin clear aligner designed for orthodontic treatment. The aligner is made from a flexible thermoplastic material.
As the name might suggest, this product is designed to make orthodontic corrective treatment less conspicuous, or less visible.
Although Invisalign aligners are not completely invisible, these clear trays fit tightly over your teeth and are much less evident than the wires and brackets of traditional braces.
The Invisalign Process
The first step involves a visit to your dentist, who will create a 3-D image of your mouth, teeth, and jaw. They will use this image to create a digital plan for moving your teeth into their desired location.
Your dentist will then use the computer generated plan to create a series of customized plastic aligners. These aligners are digitally designed to apply pressure to your teeth, slowly shifting them and moving them into their proper places.
Depending on your plan, you will switch out one set of aligners for a new set about every two weeks. For designed and desired results, you will need to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.
The Benefits of Invisalign
To help you decide whether Invisalign is the correct treatment for you, here are some pros and cons of this treatment option.
- The aesthetic factor- This is quite a common reason for choosing Invisalign. The clear aligners are far less noticeable than the wires and brackets of traditional braces.
- You can remove them- You can physically remove the aligner from your mouth if you wish to or need to.
- Ease of cleaning your teeth- By simply removing the aligner, you can easily and properly brush and floss your teeth daily, without having to negotiate around wires and brackets.
- Fewer potential problems- Many people that have worn traditional braces have shared stories about a wire that broke or a bracket that fell off, leading to an emergency visit to the dentist. You will not have that potential problem with clear aligners.
In Summary
Invisalign can be used successfully for a variety of treatments, including spacing and crowding issues, as well as some mild and moderate bite issues.
It can be a viable option for you if you do not have a complicated bite or crowding issue and you would prefer a less visible treatment than braces.
Talk with your dentist about your options, the extent of your orthodontic treatment you may need, and whether Invisalign is a reasonable option for you.
