Invisalign® Usage in Orthodontics

Having a beautiful smile is not a privilege that everyone enjoys. Some people have to constantly battle with self-confidence issues because of how their teeth look. As you enter into adulthood, you have refined preferences for how you would want your life to be like. It is why most adults are even selective about the treatment they get for their teeth.

What is Invisalign?

In orthodontics, it is a dental appliance that is used to realign mispositioned teeth. Invisalign® is used as an alternative to other orthodontic applications like traditional braces. They feature clear aligners made from a plastic-like material. They are worn over teeth over a certain period to achieve specific results.

If you reach out to an orthodontist near you, the first discovery you will make is that there are many alternatives to correcting how your teeth look. In the end, the complexity of your misalignment and your personal preferences will affect the type of teeth aligners you decide to use for your treatment.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The concept of orthodontics is to correct the positioning of teeth in the jawbone by causing a shift in the right direction. Invisalign works using the same technique. The appliances apply some pressure on teeth to realign them. However, the pressure is controlled to ensure gradual movement over time.

These clear aligners have to be readjusted after every couple of weeks. Since the control pressure is applied consistently, when teeth have moved slightly, the aligners have to be adjusted. This means that you have to visit a dentist near you continually throughout your treatment plan. The visits are how you collect your next set of clear aligners to institute further movement of your teeth in the desired position.

Who Can Use Invisalign?

Much as Invisalign is an alternative for orthodontic treatment, it is not for everyone. A dentist in Scarsdale NY has to thoroughly examine the condition of your teeth before he/she determines whether the procedure of Invisalign is suitable for you.

Given that they are clear aligners, they are commonly used for adult treatment. The anonymity of the aligners makes them suitable for adults to go through their treatment plan without letting everyone in on their treatment. Still, not all adults qualify to use these clear aligners. Some of the affecting factors include:

• The complexity of misalignment – the clear aligners are most effective on mild occlusions of teeth. If you have a severely crowded mouth, then the treatment will not give you the results you would want.
• Availability and flexibility – this treatment will only work if you are available for the regular dental visits to replace your tray of aligners. If not, the progressive shifting of your teeth might be stagnated.

Other Facts About Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign treatment is a fairly new concept in dentistry. Most people are still used to the concept of traditional braces as the solution to mispositioned teeth. Adding to the information shared above, more facts about these invisible braces include the following:

• They are removable – unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is removable. This flexibility allows patients to eat any food they would want.
• 22 hours wear time – invisible braces are, thankfully, removable. However, this freedom is limited because you have to keep them on for up to 22 hours every day. The reason is that you want to consistently be applying pressure on your teeth so that the shifting process can continue. Failure to do so only delays the effectiveness of your treatment.
• Oral hygiene is paramount – if you want to sustain the good condition of your invisible aligners, then oral hygiene should become your new habit. Besides, cleaning your teeth every time you eat is the inky way to ensure you keep your aligners as clear as they came. Remember, Invisalign braces stain easily, and this will undermine the essence of their invisibility.
• Duration of treatment differs – it cannot be substantiated how long your treatment will last. Some people he t the desired results sooner than others. It often depends on your discipline and consistency in wearing the aligners, how much work needed to be done, as well as the nature of your bone tissue.
• You must wear retainers afterward – after your treatment, wearing retainers is a must. It is the only way to hold your teeth in place and prevent them from shifting back to their original position.