What is Invisalign? – Complete Guide

What is Invisalign? – Complete Guide

23rd November 2020

Like the rest of the medical field, dentistry has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past 40 years. In orthodontics – the treatment of the irregular alignment of teeth – there have been several innovations.

A good smile is important. It builds rapport and allows us to navigate through this world. For nearly a century the traditional way to correct misaligned and crooked teeth, underbite, overbite had been to wear quite ugly-looking braces.

With brackets, ligature, archwire, coil, and hooks, it looked as if there was a scrap metal yard in your mouth. Even dentists agreed that it was annoying to wear one of these contraptions for over a year, especially during middle and high school years when our sense of self-esteem gets fine-tuned.

Recent developments have brought forth Invisalign, an aligner system made from clear and comfortable plastic and an effective alternative to traditional teeth straightening treatment with braces.

What is Invisalign?

It is a clear plastic aligner which, in a way similar to braces, pushes teeth as required to line up perfectly. It is like a boxer’s mouth guard but far less bulky and can be slipped on and off in an instant. Being transparent, it is nearly invisible from a few feet away.

Its greatness lies in the simplicity of design. In fact, most patients refuse to believe at first that something so unobtrusive could achieve the same results as braces and push back a bucktooth.

However, the plastic used for Invisalign is not the kind you would find in Tupperware, but thermoplastic made using Smart Track medical-grade polyurethane.

Advantages of Invisalign

A beautiful smile can win over anyone. Invisalign is the easiest, affordable, and least painful way to sport a perfect set of pearly whites.

Unless someone is standing quite close, they won’t notice that you have aligners on your teeth. It boosts your self-confidence and expands your social circle.

Invisalign is easy to remove. Just like dentures, they come out with a gentle tug. This makes it easy to wash and maintain them.

Invisalign is a far gentler option than metal braces. They are easy on your teeth. Metal braces can cause pain after every visit to the dentist. Invisalign is practically painless.

Metal braces need readjustment every month. With Invisalign, this frequency is half, i.e. once every couple of months or less.

Braces make it hard to brush your teeth. Plaque forms and can cause gum disease. You are free of such worry when using Invisalign.

Do They Have No Disadvantages?

There is no perfect medical treatment. There is even a small disadvantage to having aspirin for headaches – your liver enzymes are elevated.

Invisalign has a few limitations that we must disclose.

Teeth have a root that is inside the gum and jaw. The root is far longer than the visible crown. Invisalign does not shift teeth from the root. Only braces have the power to move the root.

Invisalign does not work well in cases that have serious malformations. It works perfectly in mild to moderate cases.

Teeth fixed with braces do not move back to misalignment. Invisalign does not fix the root problem. After a decade, further treatment may be needed.

Invisalign can be removed easily. This is convenient for the patient but inconvenient for treatment. Steady pressure for several months is needed to move teeth. If the patient is careless, as most teenagers are, the treatment does not have the desired effect.

Braces have a lot of moving parts, literally. They can be customized for every single tooth. Invisalign is more of a blunt effort. Though it is made to order, it cannot micromanage the oral occlusion.

Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

You could probably answer it yourself after reading the following.

1. There is no major dental occlusion

Your case is relatively straightforward, and a few teeth are slightly out of line. If your smile reveals that the lower jaw has major rework needed with large gaps that are noticeable from afar, you probably won’t benefit from Invisalign.

2. You are determined to fix your teeth

You have to be committed to wearing Invisalign for at least 20 hours a day. If you are careless or make excuses often, count out Invisalign and go for braces since you cannot remove them even if you want without severely hurting yourself.

3. You maintain good oral hygiene.

Invisalign can trap food particles in the minute pocket between the plastic and the teeth. If you do not brush daily and clean the aligner, this debris will cause a cavity. You have to be sure that you do not treat one dental problem and while causing another.

In addition to the above, you must have strong adult teeth and be able to care for your aligners, take them out and snap them back.

How is It Prescribed?

First, you need a consultation. Natural Smiles offers the best Invisalign consultation at very affordable prices. The dentist will investigate your mouth and the level of occlusion.

Following examination, a scan of your mouth is done. The 3D image generated helps to create a custom pair of aligners for you.

The dentist would also tell you approximately how many months the treatment would last. It is usually from six months to a year, and up to a dozen sets of Invisalign aligners might be needed.

Every month you would be required to use a new set of aligners as your teeth gradually straighten. This would require a routine visit.

At first, you might feel a slight soreness. But after a few weeks, your jaws would get used to the constant pressure being put upon them. Regardless of the inconvenience, you must not remove Invisalign every few hours. If you have severe pain, consult your dental service provider at the earliest.

Is Invisalign Superior to Braces?

Unless you have severely malformed teeth, Invisalign is the best solution. It has been around for two decades, and millions have benefited from its use.

To date, no one has complained of severe issues or side effects. There are no metal wires and springs and Invisalign can in a short time gift you a perfect smile with the least inconvenience.