Invisalign® – Great For Fixing Crooked Teeth

Do you have crooked teeth that bother you whenever you look in the mirror?

If the answer is yes, then Invisalign® may be a good option to fix them. Invisalign is a popular option for adults and teens. Over 2 million people around the world have used them according to one estimate.

Invisalign is a way to straighten teeth without resorting to metal braces. Below we’ll take a closer look at what they are, how they work and whether or not they might be a good option for you.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign are clear plastic aligners that are used to straighten teeth. They are different from traditional braces in that they use no metal brackets, wires, etc.

Another difference is that Invisalign aligners are removable. This means you can (and should!) take them out before meals, before brushing your teeth or in other situations where having them in would be inconvenient or potentially damaging to the aligners.

Invisalign is offered through dentists and orthodontists. In order to offer Invisalign to patients a dentist/orthodontist has to go through specialized instructional sessions.

How Invisalign Works

Step 1 in the Invisalign process is a thorough assessment of your mouth and teeth. Through this assessment, the dentist/orthodontist can determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.

Some of the imperfections Invisalign is commonly used to fix are gapped teeth, overbite, underbite, open bite, over crowding and crossbite.

If you are a good candidate for Invisalign the dentist makes an impression of your teeth. Or they may just scan your teeth to create a digital image of your them. The impression or digital image is sent to Invisalign and they will create a set of custom aligners and treatment plan for you.

How Long Does It Take To Straighten Teeth?

On average it takes wearing Invisalign for about a year to get your teeth to where you want them to be. That said, this time frame can vary widely depending on your unique circumstances.

While you’re wearing Invisalign, you’ll wear a series of these custom aligners. Every 2 weeks or so you’ll switch aligners. The aligners, which look similar to a teeth whitening tray, make gradual adjustments to the positioning of your teeth. They follow the personalized plan developed by your dentist/orthodontist. The aligners slowly slowly shift your teeth to the next position of the plan until you have straight teeth.

As is the case with traditional braces, Invisalign aligners move your teeth through the targeted placement of controlled force. It doesn’t hurt. Although you might feel some increased pressure in your mouth when you start using each new set of aligners.

But unlike traditional braces, however, Invisalign aligners control both the force and the timing of the application (only certain teeth will move in each set of aligners).

The company recommends that people keep the aligners in their mouth for 20-22 hours a day. Also, it’s recommended you visit your dentist/orthodontist every 4-6 weeks so she/he can keep track of your progress.

Wearing Invisalign aligners shouldn’t have much of an impact on your daily life. You’ll want to avoid smoking or chewing gum while wearing them however.

The average cost of Invisalign is around $5000 in the US. If you have orthodontic insurance coverage, check with your provider to see if some of your treatment may be covered.

Many Invisalign providers also offer financing options so check with your dentist or orthodontist to see what financing/payment plans are available to you.

For more detailed information on costs, check out this article.