How Does Invisalign Work for Your Family?
Have you ever asked yourself— “How does Invisalign work for my family?” — well, wonder no more. We created this guide for all that you might be curious about concerning this orthodontic treatment. Read below for answers to the following key topics. Please feel free to contact us when you are ready to talk more.
At Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, our doctors have successfully treated more patients using Invisalign than 99% of doctors in all of North America. Because of this, we are the #1 provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in the state of Indiana. Both Dr. Gorman and Dr. Bunch were selected specifically by Invisalign to teach this orthodontic method to new orthodontic residents and future Invisalign doctors at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
WHAT IS INVISALIGN?
Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear, removable, custom-made appliances. These applications are called aligners, and they are used to ultimately straighten your teeth. This, paired with our extensive knowledge of the 100-year-old science of orthodontics, helps us to shift your teeth in incremental steps to the final desired position for a healthier smile.
We begin the invisalign process by taking a digital scan of your teeth. Next we creating a 3D model from the scans. We then create a customized treatment plan around the exact shape of your mouth. Invisalign uses the most advanced of technologies to translate this digital plan into a series of customized aligners that you wear for one week at a time.
Your teeth will then gradually shift into their new position as you continually wear and transition your aligners. After about 12-24 months, we will achieve a new and healthier smile.
HOW DOES INVISALIGN WORK?
Before you begin treatment, we want to make sure that you fully understand the answers to these two commonly asked questions: “What is Invisalign” and “How does Invisalign work?” We use state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology to create a unique set of aligners made specifically for you and your needs. You will transition to new aligners each week as your teeth shift. Throughout this extensive process, your teeth will shift gradually with each new aligner. This will result in a beautiful new smile.
The Invisalign System
The Aligners
Instead of the wires and brackets seen with braces, Invisalign straightens teeth with a series of clear, custom-designed, and removable appliances. These are called aligners. The aligners are nearly unnoticeable, and they are developed to move your teeth in small increments into the desired final position. Because they are individualized to fit your unique orthodontic situation, you wear each aligner for one week — for desired results, you can only take it out to eat, brush and floss.
The Scanner
We use an advanced digital imaging scanner called iTero Element and create a 3D image of your teeth in a matter of minutes. This scan guides us through creating the customized shape for your aligners
The Software
In the next step, we use software called ClinCheck to design a digital treatment plan directly from your scans. We create the entire plan, all the way from your first set of aligners to your beautiful new smile, all by using this single advanced software.
The Material
Invisalign aligners are created with a SmartTrack material. This material is comfortable, transparent, and easy to put in and take out. It has been proven to apply a gentle, comfortable, pressure to your teeth in order to help shift them to the corrected position.
The Attachments
We are capable of making these complex shifts in the positioning of your teeth without the use of the invasive braces by using Invisalign attachments called SmartForce. These are small, tooth-colored, tools that connect to your teeth during treatment. Your aligners fit snugly around the Invisalign attachments. This gives your aligners a little something extra to gently push on. Quick Note: These attachments are not necessarily a part of every treatment plan.
The Retainer
Once treatment with your aligners is accomplished, we form a retainer within our offices so that we can work to keep your smile in place. These retainers are as clear as the aligners, and they maintain a healthy smile without noticing anything over your teeth.
If you are still wondering about our product or overall process, feel free to call our office today and ask the front desk for some Invisalign reviews of past patients who can tell you more personal details about their experience with Invisalign.
WHAT IS THE STEP-BY-STEP INVISALIGN PROCESS?
How We Make Your Treatment Plan
While some people are skeptical when thinking does Invisalign work, we can ensure you that our staff works hard to create a customized treatment plan for each patient we treat. We combine our years of experience with powerful technology to create a plan for a healthier smile. Step one is to take a 3D scan of your smile, in order to better understand the layout of your mouth. Then we create a digital framework for your first set of aligners and walk you through the process.
How We Make Your Aligners
We use industry-leading technology to create the aligners. Using the 3D scans, each set of aligners is customized to the patient. Invisalign aligners are made from a medical-grade thermoplastic material that has been specifically developed and tested by the Invisalign system.
Getting Your First Aligners
Once your first set of aligners are ready, you pick them up at our office. We will ensure that they fit properly, answer your questions, and provide you with tips on how to live with aligners. Some people may also need Invisalign buttons with your aligners, which are small metal brackets that serve as anchor points for elastic or rubber bands.
How Aligners Move Teeth Into Place
Invisalign aligners are worn for seven days, with each set pushing your teeth slightly straighter than the previous tray. Teeth generally move 1/10 mm per tray, moving your smile into a straighter position each time you switch to new aligners. The trays put slight pressure on your teeth to move in the right direction until your treatment ends.
Treatment Options
Your treatment options for straightening your teeth mainly consist of traditional braces and Invisalign. The major difference between the two are that braces include 1) brackets on your teeth and 2) a main archwire to connect them. We first affix the brackets — clear or metal — to each tooth and then thread the wire through the brackets to move your teeth into ideal alignment. On the other hand, Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, customized, removable aligners, instead of using wires and brackets.
Length of Treatment
At this point, you may be wondering, “how long does Invisalign take?” The length of Invisalign depends on many factors, including the complexity of your case and how often you wear your aligners. We strongly recommend that you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day, replacing them with new ones every week. If you follow this schedule, your treatment time could be anywhere from 12-24 months on average, and you will start seeing Invisalign results in the first few weeks. There is something called Invisalign Express that is a shorter-duration treatment that works in a similar way to Invisalign aligners.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Invisalign Express or Invisalign before and after results, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be happy to walk you through our recommendations and share success stories with you from previous patients.
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