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What is Invisalign Treatment?

1. What is Invisalign? (The Basics)

  • Clear and Simple Explanation: Start by defining Invisalign as a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to gradually straighten teeth. Emphasize that they are a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces.
  • How it Works: Briefly explain the process: a consultation with an orthodontist, 3D digital scans of the teeth, the creation of a personalized treatment plan, and the fabrication of a series of aligners. Mention that each set of aligners is worn for a specific period (usually 1-2 weeks) before moving to the next set in the series.
  • Key Advantages Highlighted: Immediately point out the main benefits that attract people to Invisalign, such as their near invisibility, removability, and often more comfortable treatment experience compared to traditional braces.

2. Why Choose Invisalign? (The Benefits in Detail)

  • Aesthetics: Elaborate on the “invisible” aspect. Discuss how they are less noticeable than metal braces, boosting confidence during treatment, especially for adults and teenagers concerned about their appearance.
  • Comfort: Explain that Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic, which minimizes irritation to the cheeks and gums, unlike the wires and brackets of traditional braces.
  • Removability: Emphasize the convenience of being able to remove the aligners for eating, brushing, and flossing. This allows for a normal diet without restrictions and makes maintaining good oral hygiene much easier, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease during treatment.
  • Predictable Treatment: Mention the use of 3D digital imaging technology, which allows orthodontists to create a precise treatment plan and even show patients a virtual representation of their expected results before starting.
  • Fewer Orthodontist Visits: While regular check-ups are still necessary, Invisalign often requires fewer emergency appointments compared to traditional braces, as there are no wires to break or brackets to come loose.

3. The Invisalign Treatment Process: What to Expect

  • Initial Consultation: Describe what happens during the first visit, including an examination of the teeth, discussion of treatment goals, and potentially initial scans or X-rays.
  • Creating Your Custom Treatment Plan: Explain how the 3D digital scans are used to create a detailed treatment plan, mapping out the precise movements of your teeth over time.
  • Receiving Your Aligners: Describe the delivery of the series of custom-made aligners and the instructions on how to wear and care for them.
  • Wearing Your Aligners: Detail the recommended wear time (usually 20-22 hours per day) and the importance of consistency for successful treatment.
  • Progress Checks: Explain the schedule of follow-up appointments with the orthodontist to monitor progress and receive the next sets of aligners.
  • The Refinement Process (if needed): Mention that sometimes, after the initial series of aligners, a refinement stage with additional aligners may be necessary to achieve the desired final alignment.
  • Retention: Emphasize the importance of wearing retainers after completing Invisalign treatment to maintain the new alignment of the teeth.

4. Who is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

  • Addressing Different Malocclusions: Explain that Invisalign can treat a wide range of orthodontic issues, including:
    • Crowded teeth
    • Gaps between teeth
    • Overbite
    • Underbite
    • Crossbite  
    • Open bite
  • Age Considerations: Discuss that while often popular with adults and teens, Invisalign can also be an option for some younger patients, depending on their specific needs and dental development.
  • Importance of Consultation: Stress that the best way to determine if Invisalign is right for an individual is through a consultation with a qualified orthodontist.

5. Caring for Your Invisalign Aligners and Teeth

  • Cleaning Your Aligners: Provide instructions on how to properly clean the aligners (e.g., rinsing, using a soft toothbrush and mild soap or specialized cleaning solutions).
  • Maintaining Oral Hygiene: Remind readers of the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth regularly, especially before reinserting the aligners after eating.
  • Eating and Drinking: Advise on removing the aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining and damage.
  • Storing Your Aligners: Suggest using the provided case to protect the aligners when they are not being worn.
  • Avoiding Harmful Habits: Discourage chewing on the aligners or exposing them to excessive heat.

6. Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces: A Brief Comparison

  • Create a concise table or bulleted list highlighting the key differences between Invisalign and traditional metal braces in terms of:
    • Appearance
    • Comfort
    • Removability
    • Oral Hygiene
    • Dietary Restrictions
    • Treatment Duration (can vary for both)
    • Cost (can be comparable)
    • Complexity of Cases (Invisalign can now treat many complex cases)

7. The Cost of Invisalign Treatment

  • Acknowledge that the cost of Invisalign can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the length of treatment, and the location of the orthodontist.
  • Mention that many dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, which may include Invisalign.
  • Suggest discussing payment options and financing plans with the orthodontist’s office.

8. Getting Started with Invisalign

  • Encourage readers to schedule a consultation with an experienced orthodontist to learn more about Invisalign and determine if it’s the right treatment option for them.
  • Suggest looking for orthodontists who are certified Invisalign providers.

Taking Care of Your Braces

Braces Do More Than Improve Your Smile
The Basics: Brushing and Flossing
Visit the Orthodontist Regularly

You should be prepared for the fact that taking care of your teeth will be more difficult once you get braces. Braces have countless tiny spaces to trap food, and this trapped food causes plaque, which can lead to many other dental problems. Because of this, it’s very important to brush your teeth after every meal (snacks count, too), to rinse with mouthwash, and to floss at least once a day. This may seem tedious or excessive, but neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to serious oral health problems, force you to spend additional time in braces, or cause unsightly staining on your teeth. The extra responsibility needed to care for braces properly is something that both you and your child should be prepared for.

Braces Do More Than Improve Your Smile

They also play an active role in correcting overcrowded and misaligned teeth. This is important because an abnormal bite (also known as “malocclusion”) may cause other problems, such as impaired plaque removal around misaligned teeth, which can lead to gum inflammation and cavities.

Taking good care of braces can help prevent damage to the braces themselves and the teeth underneath as well as make the braces more comfortable to wear. Learning the basics of orthodontic care will help you follow your dental professional’s recommendations to keep your teeth and gums healthy during the time you’re wearing braces.

The Basics: Brushing And Flossing

Careful cleaning is required with braces, because plaque bacteria are easily trapped inside and around them. The following procedure will make daily brushing and flossing both simple and effective.

  • Prepare to brush. Take off elastics and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.
  • Clean your braces. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire down to the bottom. Take your time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed, and that you work all the way around upper and lower teeth.
  • Brush your teeth. Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle the gum line, then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.
  • Floss once a day. Have your dental professional show you the best way to floss, or follow the instructions on the product package. You may also want to use a flossing product designed for braces and orthodontic work, like a floss threader.
  • Rinse and check your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water or mouth rinse, and examine your teeth and braces in the mirror.
  • Professional Care: Dentist And Orthodontist Visits

Visit the Orthodontist Regularly

During the time that you have braces on your teeth, you will need to visit the orthodontist regularly for adjustments to your appliance. After a routine orthodontic adjustment, you may experience some tightness or even a slight amount of pain. If this discomfort or pain does not quickly dissipate, or becomes extreme, you should consult your orthodontist. Concerns about your appliances, and any problems with broken parts, should also be brought to your orthodontist’s attention immediately.

It’s also important that you continue with regular visits to your general dentist while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Routine checkups are necessary to spot cavities and signs of gum disease. Your dentist or hygienist may also perform frequent fluoride treatments to provide additional protection to tooth surfaces from decay while you’re wearing braces.

Your home oral care techniques will be monitored by your dental professional and changes will be recommended as necessary. As always, be sure to follow their instructions.

Types of Braces

Today’s orthodontics offer more kinds of braces than ever before. Check out your options

Metal braces/Traditional braces
Ceramic Braces
Lingual Braces
Invisalign

Metal braces/Traditional braces

These are the metal brackets and wires that most people picture when they hear the word “braces.” However, modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than the notorious “metal-mouth” braces that many adults remember. Plus, new heat-activated archwires use your body heat to help teeth move more quickly and less painfully than in the past.

Pros: Least expensive type; colored bands give kids a chance to express themselves
Cons:Most noticeable type of braces

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in to teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be even less noticeable.

Pros: Less noticeable than metal braces; move teeth much faster than clear plastic aligners (Invisalign)
Cons:More expensive than metal braces; Brackets can stain easily if patients don’t care for them well

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are the same as traditional metal braces, except that the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of teeth.

Pros:Invisible from outside
Cons:Difficult to clean; more expensive; not appropriate for severe cases; can be more uncomfortable at first; regular adjustments take longer and are more difficult than with traditional braces

Invisalign

Invisalign consists of a series of 18 to 30 custom-made, mouth guard-like clear plastic aligners. The aligners are removable and are replaced every 2 weeks.

Pros: Almost invisible; Patients can eat and drink whatever they want


Cons: Will not work for serious dental problems; only available for adults and teens, not children; more expensive option; can be easily lost and costly to replace; treatment may potentially take longer.