Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that give patients a less conspicuous way to deal with their teeth alignment problems. Think... Removable, invisible braces! It consists of using clear trays to push teeth into a better position over a period of time. Patients get a number of trays at the start of treatment and each pushes the person's teeth around 0.33 millimeters closer to the desired alignment. The tray is then switched out with another tray that pushes the person's teeth closer to the final position. All of our doctors are Invisalign-certified providers!
What is Invisalign used for?
Invisalign is used to address issues like an incorrect bite, crooked or misaligned teeth.
If left untreated, these issues can cause you unpleasant symptoms such as
Soreness along gums
Headaches
Snoring
Unhealthy gums
Jaw pain
Worn down teeth
Tooth decay
What to expect during an Invisalign appointment
1. A consultation
During the first visit, the dentist (all are certified Invisalign Providers!) will discuss how the treatment works. They will take an impression and pictures of the patient's mouth. These pictures are used to make a better analysis of their teeth structure.
If the dentist feels the patient is a good candidate for Invisalign, digital imaging technology is used to make an impression of the patient's mouth. It leads to more accurate scans that can be immediately transmitted to an Invisalign lab. It takes about three weeks for the lab to make the aligners and get them back to the dentist.
2. Testing the aligners
During the second appointment, the patient gets to test out their first set of aligners. They will also have attachments added to their teeth. These attachments help to hold the aligners tightly on teeth. It creates holds and pushes for natural movements that occur while the device is being worn. There is no pain during the procedure and the materials used are tooth-colored, making attachments hard to detect. Attachments can be removed later, and they cause no damage to teeth!
The patient will be given their set of aligner trays if everything looks good to go!
3. Treatment
Once the patient gets their aligner trays, it is their responsibility to wear them for at least 22 hours each day. Aligners should only be taken out for meals or oral hygiene.
The patient will be scheduled for follow-up appointments to monitor their progress. During these appointments, changes might be made to the attachments or more trays added to the treatment.
4. Finishing treatment
Once the patient has gone through the treatment, the dentist will evaluate their results. If everything looks great, attachments will be removed and the patient is switched to retainers! These help to keep their teeth in their new position.
Treatment has never been more subtle.
Thanks to Invisalign, you can fix orthodontic issues without having to wear metal braces that catch food easily! Some people also feel like metal braces distract from your natural smile. So bring up Invisalign treatment next time you are at the office or simply call (617) 696-5257! Our email is ContactUs@HarteDental.com