Advantages of Invisalign:
- Most people won't notice you're in treatment.
- Won't disrupt your lifestyle.
- No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth.
There are some complex cases that we see in our office that we will refer to an orthodontic specialist. These cases are typically not good candidates for Invisalign, because their teeth need more force to move than can be supplied by the aligners. We can help you research an orthodontist if you are not able to use Invisalign.
We often prescribe straightening treatment alone or with some contouring and whitening, or as an adjunct to veneers, implants, or bridges. Using Invisalign allows us to set up your teeth in the most cosmetic positions possible as a final result. If we are doing Invisalign as an adjunct to veneers, we feel as though the case will be somehow compromised if we veneer the teeth while they are in their current locations. You are going to have your veneers for the rest of your life and sometimes it is worth a few months of waiting to get the ideal result. It is often times healthier for the teeth too.
Most frequently we see patients who want veneers on the top teeth and have crowded or crooked bottom teeth. We will set up Invisalign to straighten the bottom teeth and move the top teeth to ideal locations for veneers. The patient may only wear Invisalign on the top teeth for a couple months, but may continue to wear aligners on the bottom teeth for a year or more.
The Procedure
At your first visit, we will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth that Invisalign will use to make series of custom aligners for your teeth with our specific directions.
At your second visit, we will give you the first set of three aligners. We will attach tooth colored buttons (made from filling material) to some teeth on the side of your mouth to help the aligners move your teeth. If your teeth are crowded a set of sanding strips may be used to make your teeth narrower.
At your subsequent visits, you will get your next set of three aligners, and any tooth adjustment that needs to be made. Typically we see you every 6 weeks and we give you three aligners. In fact, you change them every two weeks. The trays are numbered to help you keep track. When you change your trays, this is when your teeth will be the sorest. We recommend Ibuprofen to help with your transition from tray to tray.
The average length on time a patient wears aligners for is 9 months. But cases can range anywhere from 3-18 months.
After your treatment you will wear your last aligner as a retainer to keep your smile looking great. Without a retainer your teeth can go right back to where they were before treatment.
You can also put whitening solution in the trays to whiten your teeth either during or after treatment.
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