Invisalign
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a clear aligner orthodontic appliance used to move teeth. Upper and lower aligner sets are worn in weekly intervals. Each aligner set sequentially moves teeth from an initial tooth position to an anticipated or desired outcome. Invisalign is able to correct common and complex orthodontic problems such as crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites, underbites, and many other orthodontic problems. The treatment usually requires attachments to aid in movement efficacy. Attachments are temporary tooth colored bumps of composite placed on the teeth to help the plastic aligners grab on to the teeth and apply the appropriate forces necessary for tooth movement. Attachments also aid in the retention of the aligners (holding them tightly in place around the teeth as pressure is applied).
What’s the process of Invisalign?
Invisalign uses a digital workflow process to treatment planning and aligner manufacturing. A new Invisalign patient will receive a digital 3D scan or impression of their teeth and bite. Using this digital scan an orthodontist will create a digital treatment plan or digital roadmap of how they teeth will move and what the final result will be. Once this digital treatment plan is finalized by an orthodontist, he or she will submit to Invisalign for manufacturing of aligners. Individual 3D models are created for each stage of tooth movement. The 3D models are then used as templates for each plastic aligner. These plastic aligners are then individually packages and sent to the orthodontic office. Patient returns to see their orthodontist for attachment placement and delivery of aligner sets.
How often should I wear my Invisalign?
When should I remove my Invisalign?
Patients are instructed to wear aligners for recommended 20 hours per day for 7 days before switching to a subsequent aligner set. Aligners are meant to be removed for eating meals and brushing teeth. Patients are able to drink with aligners in. However, if it is something that can be damaging to your teeth (sugary and acidic liquids) patient must make sure to rinse aligners thoroughly after consuming so the liquid does not get trapped between the aligner and the teeth. The aligners will block the protective elements of saliva and therefore patients must make sure the aligners are kept very clean. Failure to do so can result in irreversible tooth damage (decay or decalcification). Invisalign for most patients seem to be minimally disruptive to everyday life. Patients are able to speak normally, work, exercise, and socialize as they did prior to starting treatment. There are no diet restrictions or oral hygiene modifications necessary as aligners are removed for eating and brushing & flossing.
What are the benefits to Invisalign?
For patients the most appealing aspect of Invisalign tends to be the subtleness of the appliance. As opposed to traditional braces, Invisalign as the name implies is nearly invisible to others. The aligner plastic is very clear and translucent. It is also very thin and tight fitting to the teeth making the adjustment to talking very quick and easy. Other benefits to this treatment include comfort and hygiene. Most patients find Invisalign to be more comfortable than traditional braces. Pressure applied to the teeth is kept very light. Traditional braces which are tightened every 4-6 weeks will often induce a higher level of force or pressure on the teeth which can elicit a more noticeable tooth discomfort or tooth pain. With Invisalign the forces on the teeth are re-activated every week when the patient switches to a new or subsequent aligner. Patients will often notice a minimal increase in pressure but rarely does it elicit significant tooth discomfort or tooth pain. In addition, with traditional braces most patient will experience some soft tissue irritation from the brackets and wires rubbing against the cheeks and the lips. The aligners rarely create soft tissue irritation because they are very thin and closely adapted to the teeth. They are laser cut around the gingival margins of the teeth so there is no impingement or pressure placed to the gum tissue. Minor soft tissue irritation to the tongue, lips, or cheeks can be remedied by filing the edge of the aligner with a nail file.
Will Invisalign disrupt my normal lifestyle?
Who may be good Invisalign candidates?
Invisalign treatment overall is minimally disruptive to your life. Patients find it very easy to resume normal daily activities and tasks such as speaking, working, exercising, and socializing with the aligners in place. Appointments to the orthodontic office are also minimally disruptive as patients undergoing Invisalign treatment don’t need to be seen in-office as frequently. Braces patients visit the orthodontist every month for adjustments while Invisalign patients are seen every 3-4 months for monitoring checks. The progress can also be monitored remotely through a dental monitoring app on your phone where progress photos can be exchanged with your orthodontists. This makes treatment possible for patients not living or located near their orthodontist, such as college students.
Invisalign may also be a great option for patients who grind their teeth or have TMJ related issues. Invisalign can provide a protective barrier to teeth wear and breakdown. It can also provide a splint-like effect allowing relief from TMJ symptoms.
Patients who have had a lot of restorative work (e.i. crowns, bridges, implants, ect.) would be better Invisalign candidates. Braces need to adhere to the teeth and resist popping off when pressure is applied. Bond strength to crowns and restorative work is very weak compared to natural tooth enamel. Therefore, braces are likely to pop off of those teeth during treatment. Invisalign relies on surface area to grab on and apply pressure to the move teeth. This can be done more predictably for teeth with crowns.
What about Invisalign for kids or teenagers?
Invisalign can be a great treatment option for teenagers and kids. If compliant, the results with Invisalign can be just as effective as traditional braces, even for bite correction. For bite correction, elastics or rubber bands can be worn identical to traditional braces and would work in the same fashion to address bite correction. In fact, rubber bands can be started immediately with Invisalign where as with traditional braces they are usually delayed until teeth are straighter and wires are strong enough to support the force of the rubber bands. In addition, Invisalign has a bite correcting feature called Mandibular Advancement (MA). This feature is intended to elicit favorable growth or advancement of the lower jaw over time for patients with significant overjet (overbites). This feature mimics growth modification appliances commonly used with traditional braces such as headgear, Forsus springs, MARA, and Herbst.