How Does Invisalign Work?
Most people want a perfectly symmetrical set of teeth. Unfortunately, very few of us have naturally straight and symmetrical teeth — most of us need orthodontic correction to some extent. However, no one likes to wear those ugly metal braces for years. That’s where Invisalign aligners come in. These are completely invisible thermoplastic aligners that don’t use any metallic brackets. Invisalign braces are custom made for your teeth. You get a series of Invisalign aligners corresponding to different stages of your orthodontic treatment. You have to change your Invisalign braces every two weeks, so each successive set continues applying pressure to move your teeth in the desired direction. In this article, we discuss the details of the Invisalign treatment plan, Invisalign treatment time, and how does Invisalign work.
HOW DOES INVISALIGN TREATMENT WORK?
One of the common misconceptions about Invisalign is that they only work for small corrections. However, the truth is that Invisalign braces can be custom-made to correct either minor, moderate, or severe orthodontic issues. Invisalign aligners can correct any issue that a traditional metal bracket can correct and do so sooner. As such, Invisalign does work, and it works better than traditional braces.
This is especially true because traditional braces can’t correct most orthodontic problems like crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, and turned teeth. Instead, you need to use spaces, expanders, headgears, and other devices in addition to traditional metal braces. However, Invisalign braces can correct all of the aforementioned issues without any other devices, making it even more effective than traditional braces.
Invisalign aligners can treat a wide range of orthodontic procedures, be it crooked teeth, protruding teeth, overcrowded teeth, malocclusion, or any others.
What are the Benefits of Invisalign?
The following is a complete overview of the primary benefits of Invisalign.
- Invisible: Invisalign braces are completely invisible and clear, making them ideal for those who don’t want to spend several months or even years with an ugly appliance in their mouth.
- Comfort: Invisalign aligners are made of clear thermoplastic material with no metallic protrusions, making them far more comfortable than braces.
- Removable: Invisalign braces are removable, which means you can take them off during meals and while brushing your teeth. This helps you maintain oral hygiene better, and there’s no risk of the braces getting stained. However, you must remember to wear them immediately after you’re done eating or brushing — you should wear them for at least 22 hours per day or they won’t work optimally.
- Efficiency: Invisalign aligners work a lot faster than traditional metal brackets. While traditional metal braces need to stay on for two to three years, Invisalign aligners need to stay on for six months to eighteen months. You also spend less time at the dentist’s office because you don’t need a constant readjustment of the braces. Instead, you can wear the successive aligners yourself, and you only have to go to the dentist once every six weeks or so.
- Safe: If your child is in a sports team, then Invisalign aligners offer a far safer and more comfortable experience.
- Freedom: When you have traditional braces on, you can’t eat whatever you want, and you can’t travel for long periods of time. You can’t eat whatever you want because the braces will get stained. And you can’t travel for extended periods because you have regular dentist appointments. Invisalign, however, gives you the freedom to travel whenever you want (carry the successive Invisalign sets with you) and eat whatever you want since you can take the aligners off.
- Health: Invisalign aligners can treat most orthodontic issues, leaving you with a straighter and more symmetrical set of teeth. This helps you take care of your teeth better and improve your general dental health.
Can Invisalign Fix Overbite And UNDERBITES?
An overbite is a condition in which your upper teeth cover your lower teeth. This can lead to gum irritation and wearing away of the lower teeth, leading to the jaw and joint issues. An underbite is a condition in which your lower teeth cover your upper teeth. This can prevent your front teeth and molars from functioning correctly, and it can lead to general wearing off of your teeth.
When the Invisalign treatment plan is made, the dentist will take impressions of your mouth to create a set of Invisalign aligners according to the current position of your teeth. Depending on whether you have an overbite or underbite, the aligners will gradually push your teeth back and in alignment with the opposite arch. Over time, your lower and upper teeth will meet in the middle.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
The average Invisalign treatment lasts for six months to 18 months, depending on the amount of correction necessary. However, you can generally start seeing results in a few weeks. An Invisalign treatment plan will be made before you start, and you can track all the stages of your treatment.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
According to the Consumer Guide for Dentistry, the average cost of Invisalign treatment is $3,000 to $5,000, though the cost may also go as high as $7,000.
Is Invisalign Right For You?
Twisted, broken, gapped, or crowded teeth will lead to cosmetic and functional problems, negatively affecting oral health and confidence. When viewing the orthodontic treatment, one may ask yourself: “Is Invisalign right for me?” However, traditional braces is been a trusted orthodontic method for decades, Invisalign is a famous option because it is a comfortable, discreet, and elective option. When considering which orthodontic treatment is best you need to focus on the patient’s lifestyle and requirements.
