Invisalign

Invisalign has been specifically designed to make orthodontic treatment less visible and to straighten teeth without braces. Although the clear aligners may not be invisible, they are much more discreet than traditional fixed braces.

What Is Invisalign?

Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign consists of clear plastic aligner trays made from a thermoplastic material. They are custom-made to fit tightly over teeth, placing pressure on teeth identified by the treatment plan so these teeth gradually move position.

Each set of aligner trays is used for two weeks and must be worn almost continuously every day. After two weeks, the aligner trays are discarded, and the patient starts wearing the next set. The number of aligner trays required depends on the complexity and length of treatment.

Which Orthodontic Problems Can Be Corrected by Invisalign?

Invisalign can be used in numerous situations to correct mild and moderate misalignment issues. These include:

• Overbites, underbites, open bites and crossbites.
• Spaces between teeth.
• Overcrowded teeth.
• Teeth that are rotated or out of alignment.

Treatment can also be used to correct problems that are more cosmetically oriented, for example, those that only affect the front teeth. It may be less suitable for more complicated issues, and in this case, our orthodontist may suggest using a fixed brace instead.

Can Teenagers Have Invisalign?

A special version of Invisalign for teens has been developed to meet their needs. It includes compliance indicators that gradually change color as the aligners are worn. Teen Invisalign has other adaptations to accommodate teeth that are still erupting.

What Is the Process for Invisalign?

Treatment is very straightforward and uses the latest CADCAM technology to plan how teeth will move. There are several steps involved, which are outlined below.

1. Our Invisalign dentist must assess your teeth and jaws to ensure treatment is suitable and identify the problems requiring correction.
2. Your teeth are scanned using a digital handheld scanner that creates a 3-D image of your mouth. Specialized software creates your treatment plan, moving your teeth into the correct positions.
3. Once your treatment plan is complete, you can view virtual images showing the predicted outcome. It is your chance to become involved with your treatment plan and to approve the predicted results before you begin.
4. Your custom Invisalign aligners are then computer-generated, and we will show you how to insert and remove them and how to care for them.

You must return to our dental office regularly, but these visits should be quite short. They are merely to ensure your treatment is progressing as we predicted and to provide additional sets of aligners as required.

What to Expect When Using Invisalign?

Initially, your new aligners may feel strange, which is common for any new dental appliance.

Oral Care and Diet

The impact on everyday life is minimal. Because you can remove the aligners, changing your oral care routine is unnecessary. You do not need to change your diet, as is necessary with traditional fixed braces. There is no need to worry that your aligners will break, which is often a concern with fixed braces where brackets can fall off, or wires can break.

Salivation

You may salivate slightly more than before, but this should soon disappear.

Speech

The aligners might affect your speech slightly until you get used to wearing them.

Compliance

Good compliance is essential. You must wear the aligners most of the time, ideally for 22 hours daily. They should only be removed when you need to brush or floss your teeth, clean your aligners, or for mealtimes. Failure to wear your aligners as directed could lengthen your treatment or make it less successful.

Is Treatment Painful?

Pain should be minimal when using Invisalign, as there are no brackets or wires that can dig into your cheeks or lips. However, some level of discomfort when first wearing aligners or braces is to be expected and is perfectly normal. This is because your teeth are being forced to move.

Over-the-counter painkillers should be adequate to control any discomfort, and it should disappear after the first day or two of wearing a new set of aligners. If it continues, please contact us so we can check your aligners and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Invisalign?

Potential pros of using Invisalign include:

1. Improved aesthetics as the aligners are nearly invisible, creating only a slight halo around teeth that is very discreet.
2. The aligners can be removed if necessary, unlike fixed braces, which remain permanently in the mouth for the duration of treatment.
3. Oral care is much easier than cleaning brackets and wires, saving you time and reducing the risk of dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
4. There are no parts that can break, like brackets and wires, and which require a quick repair to continue treatment.

Potential cons of using Invisalign include:

1. Treatment may be less suitable for complex problems or anyone with dental restorations like bridgework or implants.
2. Good compliance is crucial. If you will likely lose your aligners or forget to wear them, Invisalign may not be the right choice.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

The cost of Invisalign is similar to traditional braces. It depends on the complexity of orthodontic problems requiring correction and the length of treatment.

If you have good dental insurance, your plan may pay part or all of the cost of Invisalign. It is worth checking with your provider to see how much might be covered.

Retaining the Results of Invisalign

You must wear a retainer after completing any orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. This is essential to prevent orthodontic relapse, where your teeth try to return to their original positions.

Invisalign produces retainers made from the same clear plastic material, which are very discreet. They are also comfortable to wear since your teeth are no longer moving into different positions.

Invisalign can be a great choice for people of all ages, from teens to seniors. Treatment is very effective when prescribed and used properly, but it isn’t right for everyone. To discover if it may help you, schedule a consultation with our Invisalign dentist at My New Jersey Dentist.