Invisalign – Straight Teeth Without Braces

 

Have you ever thought “I want to straighten my teeth but I don't want to wear braces”? Well, now you may not need braces to have perfect teeth. Straightening teeth using a series of clear aligners instead of braces is gaining popularity among adults and teens. The most popular clear aligners are called Invisalign aligners. Some people call them Invisalign braces because they can straighten teeth even though technically they are not braces at all.

Invisalign is a series of clear aligners or trays. Each aligner fits over your upper or lower teeth and moves your teeth just a fraction of a millimeter. Change your aligners about every two weeks so that when you finish wearing the last aligner, your teeth are straight. Patients can remove their Invisalign aligners to eat and brush, but otherwise they are supposed to wear them all the time.

There are many benefits to using Invisalign instead of braces to straighten teeth. The most obvious benefit is that because the aligners are transparent, they are much less noticeable than metal braces or even clear braces. In fact, some patients comment that many people do not even notice that they have something in their mouth. Another benefit of having Invisalign is that the patient can remove the aligners so she can brush and floss more easily. This decreases the chance of getting gum disease, cavities, or unsightly permanent scarring on your teeth caused by not brushing properly.

Unlike braces that can feel sharp or have small hooks or wires that can puncture your cheeks, Invisalign trays are smooth and typically don't irritate your cheeks or lips like braces do. Another added benefit of Invisalign is that if you have an important event like a prom, an important date, or a presentation to give, you can remove the Invisalign trays for your event and put them back after a few hours. Of course, you shouldn't do this too often or your teeth won't straighten.

While there are many benefits to using Invisalign to straighten your teeth, there are also some drawbacks. Invisalign works well for correcting slightly crooked teeth, but may not work as well for correcting severely crooked teeth or bite problems. Also, although the aligners are clear and no braces are placed on the teeth, many times the Invisalign treatment requires the placement of small white bumps on the teeth to facilitate tooth movements and help the aligner stay on the teeth.

With braces, because they are cemented to your teeth, you don't have to remember to put them on after you eat. If you forget to put your Invisalign aligners back on after eating, your teeth may not move or may even return to their previous crooked positions. Also, because you can take out your Invisalign trays, sometimes you can lose them or someone can accidentally drop them.

Getting Invisalign is easy. You will first need to select an Invisalign certified dentist or orthodontist. You may ask "Should I see a dentist or orthodontist for Invisalign treatment?" Both dentists and orthodontists can perform Invisalign treatment, although they must first pass an Invisalign certification course. The difference is that orthodontists have an additional two to three years of additional training after dental school to learn how to properly diagnose and treat crooked teeth and bite problems. A good rule of thumb to follow: the more complicated your case is, the better you will see an orthodontist.

When you come in for your first visit, your dentist or orthodontist will determine if Invisalign is an option for straightening your teeth and discuss the pros and cons of getting Invisalign vs. braces. At that time, your dentist or orthodontist will give you an estimate of the cost of Invisalign. If your teeth are severely crooked or you have bite problems, your dentist or orthodontist may recommend braces instead of Invisalign.

After you and your doctor have decided on Invisalign, he or she will take some X-rays, photos, and models of your teeth. Then, before your next appointment, your dentist or orthodontist will use a state-of-the-art 3D software program to determine the best way for Invisalign to straighten your teeth. The sequence of tooth movements will be transferred to a machine that will carve your Invisalign aligners.

At your next appointment, your Invisalign Philadelphia dentist or orthodontist will give you your first sets of Invisalign aligners and give you instructions on how to put them on and take them off. You will see your doctor again every 4 to 8 weeks so you can pick up your next set of aligners and so your doctor can monitor your progress.