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These are both removable aligner systems, where instead of having fixed braces using brackets and wires, you straighten your teeth with clear, removable aligner trays. Treatment is planned, and the trays are made using advanced computerized technology.
With each system, you wear a series of clear aligner trays custom-made to follow a predetermined treatment plan. Usually, you wear each set of aligner trays for 10 to 14 days before discarding that set and moving on to the next set in the series.
Your aligners are made from clear, BPA-free plastic and are thin and virtually invisible. The trays work by placing firm yet gentle pressure on specific teeth so that your teeth gradually shift position until they are straight.
You must have teeth that are strong and healthy enough to move. Therefore, you shouldn’t have significant tooth decay, large fillings, or other problems like gum disease.
Clear aligner therapy is suitable for adults, and being older is not a barrier to treatment. Invisalign is also suitable for teens and produces a system, Invisalign Teen, that is specially tailored to meet the needs of teenagers whose teeth and jaws may still be developing and growing.
The treatment time required depends on the problems needing correction, but it can be similar to fixed braces. Most people will finish treatment within a year, although this can vary.
For example, if you only need your front teeth straightened and have no major problems with your bite, you could complete treatment within a matter of months using a system like Invisalign Express or Invisalign Lite. These systems are specifically designed to correct minor problems quickly using fewer numbers of aligners.
Alternatively, if you have more significant problems affecting your bite, treatment could take 18 months or longer. You would need more aligners to complete the required tooth movements.
If your teeth are significantly misaligned, it can negatively impact oral health. Potential problems can include:
Correcting these problems with clear aligners can improve oral health and reduce your risk of common diseases like tooth decay and gum disease.
When your teeth are properly aligned and bite together correctly, it can also help protect your jaw joints, preventing problems like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which can be very painful.
Straighter teeth will also wear down more evenly and are less likely to become chipped and worn.
Choosing Invisalign could have aesthetic and dental health benefits, making it doubly worthwhile.
All orthodontic treatment can cause some discomfort. The discomfort is inevitable because your teeth are forced to move during treatment. The treatment moves the whole tooth, including the tooth root, meaning it has to travel through your jawbone.
However, Invisalign pain should be relatively mild as the treatment is quite gentle. When you first start wearing your aligners, you may have some discomfort, which should disappear as you get used to wearing a new set.
If you do have any significant discomfort, you should be able to control it with over-the-counter painkillers. Otherwise, you can contact us, and we can adjust your treatment plan so it feels more comfortable.
Most people want clear aligner therapy because treatment is virtually invisible. It’s ideal for anyone who wishes to straighten their teeth discreetly without the embarrassment of wearing traditional braces with fixed brackets and wires.
The removable aligners are easy to use and have minimal effect on everyday life. You can take them out for meals and when drinking anything other than water. You can brush and floss your teeth normally.
If you are missing teeth or know some teeth are failing, why not arrange an initial consultation with Dr. Levin to learn more about dental implants? It is your chance to ask questions, find out which options suit you best, and get an estimate.
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