How Does Invisalign® Work?

pietrok-invisalignDo you have an uneven smile, where your teeth crowd or overlap? In addition to causing you to feel embarrassed of your smile, misalignment can also have a negative impact on your overall oral health. Fortunately, we have treatment options available to correct the alignment of your smile using barely visible clear aligners. How does Invisalign® work? Can anyone wear clear aligners?

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign

Question: What happens if my misalignment isn’t corrected?

Answer: Without treatment, uneven teeth can make thorough brushing and flossing difficult, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. In addition, misalignment can place strain on the jaw joints, making the onset of TMJ disorder or bruxism (teeth grinding) more likely.

Question: How does Invisalign differ from braces?

Answer: Braces require metal brackets and arch wires to reposition the teeth. However, Invisalign instead uses a series of clear plastic aligners. Worn every day for between 20 and 23 hours, the aligners move the teeth to more optimal positons. Every two weeks, the patient upgrades to a new set. Total treatment for adults is usually a year, while teens (over the age of 16) may require up to 18 months. We typically recommend treatment for patients over the age of 16 that have minor alignment issues.

Question: What are the benefits of clear aligners?

Answer: First, they are practically invisible. They can also be removed before meals, which means you don’t need to alter your diet. In addition, thorough brushing and flossing is easier when the orthodontics are removable, which helps improve oral health. Finally, the aligners are more comfortable than metal orthodontics.

Question: Do you have other options for correcting my smile?

Answer: Yes, we offer ClearCorrect. Like Invisalign, ClearCorrect also employs clear, comfortable aligners to improve alignment.