Invisalign® has successfully transformed the smiles of more than 8 million patients of all ages. One of the reasons it’s so popular is because the Invisalign system uses clear, removable aligners. That’s right: There are no metal brackets or wires.
In this blog, Emanuel Mizrahi, DDS, at Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates in Forest Hills, New York, explains how Invisalign works and some of its many benefits.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system that uses clear, removable aligners that are made from medical-grade plastic. To get your aligners, Dr. Mizrahi scans your mouth with a 3-D scanner. Then he sends this information to the Invisalign lab where your series of aligners is made.
Each set in the series is slightly adjusted. You wear one set of aligners for about two weeks, then switch to the next set. And over time, the aligners move your teeth to their correct positions to produce a flawless smile.
Your Invisalign results are based on wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours each day. If you wear them less than that, you may extend or compromise your results.
The aligners can treat most types of orthodontic issues, overcrowded teeth, underbites, overbites, crossbites, and gaps between teeth.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
There are many benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces, including the following:
Virtually unnoticeable
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for adolescents. The American Association of Orthodontists says that 25% of orthodontic patients are adults. You’re not alone if you’re worried that wearing metal brackets and wires might interfere with the image you project both professionally and socially.
Patients of all ages often prefer Invisalign over traditional braces because of the cosmetic advantages of being able to undergo treatment discreetly. Invisalign aligners are difficult to notice, because they’re manufactured from a medical-grade plastic that’s practically invisible.
And because Invisalign aligners are manufactured to specifications gathered from a digital 3-D scan of your mouth, your aligners will fit securely against your teeth and won’t slip.
Removable when necessary
With Invisalign, you won’t have the same dietary restrictions associated with metal braces because you remove your aligners to eat. You’ll be able to eat apples, hard candy, and sticky foods as long as you brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in your mouth.
And while you’ll still need to wear your Invisalign aligners for the recommended 20-22 hours a day, you’ll be able to remove them for the following situations without affecting your results:
- Brushing and flossing
- Cleaning your aligners
- Eating and drinking
- Attending special events
Less discomfort than metal braces
Invisalign aligners are manufactured from a thin thermoplastic material that provides a transparent, secure fit. Since your aligners will be based on a digital 3-D scan of your mouth, they’ll be customized to fit around the unique structure of your teeth and gums.
You won’t have to worry about any discomfort from a broken metal bracket or wire. While each new pair of aligners may feel slightly snug and exert some pressure for the first few days of wear, the discomfort will likely be far less than the discomfort associated with having metal braces adjusted.
More convenient treatment
With traditional braces, you need to schedule regular office visits for adjustments. And that doesn’t include needing to go in if a wire breaks or a bracket comes loose.
Invisalign makes treatment more convenient, because you progress from one stage to the next at home. You’ll only need to visit Dr. Mizrahi every 6-8 weeks so he can monitor your progress and make adjustments if necessary.
Less total treatment time
Many patients achieve their desired results in 9-15 months, which is often less time than other orthodontic treatments. For faster Invisalign results, Dr. Mizrahi offers AcceleDent®, a device that can move your teeth up to 50% faster. The treatment works by sending micropulses into your teeth, which speeds up tooth movement.
To find out if Invisalign can help you achieve the smile you desire, book an appointment over the phone with Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates today.