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.