Invisalign
What is invisalign?
To correct misalignments and reposition the jaw and teeth, orthodontic treatment may be required to promote a better bite. One alternative to braces is Invisalign technology, which corrects tooth alignment.
How does Invisalign technology work?
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners or shells, custom-made for each patient. The trays are precisely adapted to the tooth surfaces and are replaced approximately every two weeks by a new shell. Each tray allows slight dental corrections to be made, gradually moving the teeth into the final position prescribed by the practitioner.
As with any orthodontic treatment, a retainer must be used at the end of an Invisalign treatment to maximize the stability of the corrections obtained. Often, the last aligner in the series can be used temporarily as a retainer until a more definitive option is used.
What do Invisalign braces look like?
The aligners are made of a strong thermoplastic material.
Treatment is carried out without metal wires or pins, so there’s no risk of inflammation. You can still brush and floss your teeth as usual, just remove the removable tray.
What are the differences with other types of orthodontic treatment?
Invisalign treatment offers a number of advantages, which are outlined below.
Invisalign
- No metal or wires (virtually invisible treatment)
- Generally comfortable
- Removable gutter (can be removed by patient)
- Does not affect oral hygiene
- Does not restrict choice of food (as the mouthpiece can be removed to eat and clean teeth)
- Improved self-esteem during treatment (because invisible)
- Does not require adjustments at appointments
- Faster treatment than metal braces (on average 20% faster)
Traditional orthodontic treatment
- Metal and wires present (often visible)
- Can be less comfortable (temporary inflammation of the gums may occur)
- Fixed appliances (cannot be removed by patient)
- Teeth cleaning may be more difficult
- May limit food choices
- May be less aesthetic and more embarrassing to smile with
- Requires adjustments at appointments
- Less rapid treatment than Invisalign
However, it’s important to know…
Control over tooth movement may be more difficult in some cases with Invisalign treatment.
The shell may also tend to slip, and the tooth may not follow the prescribed movement. There are cases where traditional orthodontic approaches may be more effective, as control of tooth movement is more direct, regardless of tooth shape or direction of movement.
And if Invisalign treatment isn’t right for you, conventional ceramic braces are more aesthetically pleasing.
How do I get started?
First of all, you need to make an appointment with a dentist or orthodontist who uses this technique. You can check in your area. At this point, an impression of the teeth is taken to check whether they can be aligned with Invisalign technology.
If alignment is possible, a virtual three-dimensional treatment plan is then developed, known as ClinCheck. In this way, the series of movements that the teeth will make can be visualized using this method.
The transparent aligners can then be molded in the laboratory, and Invisalign treatment can begin.
Is Invisalign right for me?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether you are a good candidate for this type of treatment. For example, if there isn’t enough space to align all the teeth on an arch, extraction of one or more teeth may be required, which isn’t always favorable.
Tongue space, lingual inclination of teeth, lip support and temporomandibular articulation should also not be affected by tooth migration.
Does Invisalign work with all types of malocclusion?
Although the Invisalign approach is popular, it does have its limitations. Sometimes, fixed braces still have to be used. But generally, the following alignment problems can be treated with Invisalign:
Overlapping teeth
Spaced teeth
Crossed bite
(upper and lower jaws incorrectly aligned)
Overbite
(upper teeth overlap lower teeth)
Underbite
(the teeth of the lower jaw are in front of those of the upper jaw)
How do I know if the technology is right for me (assessment)?
- The permanent teeth must be in the mouth, i.e. the milk teeth must no longer be there.
- If the movement to be prescribed is too great, this technology is not suitable.
- The patient must cooperate effectively with the treatment and wear the aligners as prescribed, day and night (except when eating and cleaning teeth). They must attend appointments every 4 to 6 weeks.
- A qualified practitioner will be able to assess your case and provide you with the information you need to determine whether you are suitable for the technology.
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