How Does Invisalign Straighten Teeth?
Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDSMedically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS
Invisalign is an orthodontic process in which teeth are gradually straightened using a series of custom-fitted, clear aligners. The aligners can be removed for eating and hygiene, and are less noticeable than traditional braces. They are worn for at least 20 to 22 hours daily for best results.
Invisalign treatment typically costs about the same as traditional braces.
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How Invisalign Works to Correct Teeth
Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear aligners to move teeth into the desired position gradually. During a consultation, a trained Invisalign specialist will create a digital plan unique to your teeth to map out the necessary movements.
The unique aligners are created once the step-by-step plan has been mapped out. They are trimmed to fit your unique gum line and worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. Your Invisalign specialist implements a new set of aligners in increments, typically every one to two weeks. Each set of aligners is designed to gently and gradually shift teeth into place until the desired results are reached.
Invisalign aligners are made with medical-grade, high molecular-weight thermoplastic polymers.
Advantages of Invisalign treatment include:
The aligners are smooth, transparent, and virtually invisible while worn.
The aligners are custom-fitted to fit snugly on the teeth, which helps improve comfort and aesthetics.
The aligners are removable for eating, drinking, oral hygiene.
For best results, the aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day, but they can be removed short term as necessary or desired for circumstances like job interviews, playing sports, or special occasions such as a wedding.
Unlike with braces, there are no food restrictions with Invisalign aligners because the aligners are removed prior to eating.
Getting Fitted for Invisalign: Does It Hurt?
Before beginning treatment, you will need a dental exam to check for any dental work that should be done before starting orthodontic procedures. This might include:
Digital scans
Examining teeth, gums, and jaws
Photos
X-rays
If orthodontics are needed, an orthodontist can help you decide the most appropriate treatment to meet your needs. Look for an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). AAO orthodontists have graduated from dental school and have completed an accredited orthodontic residency program.
The AAO provides a search engine tool to help you find an orthodontist in your area.
If, with the help of your orthodontist, you decide Invisalign is right for you, you will need to see a dental professional trained in prescribing and monitoring Invisalign aligners. Align Technologies, the company behind Invisalign, trains and certifies doctors who wish to prescribe Invisalign aligners to their patients. These doctors may be general dentists or orthodontists. Being an orthodontist is not required for certification.
Invisalign treatment consists of three basic steps.
Step One: Meeting With Your Doctor
Before beginning treatment, your doctor will use an iTero Element scanner to create a detailed, precise three-dimensional (3D) scan of your teeth and map out your custom treatment plan. The doctor will explain what you can expect at each step and give you an idea of what your teeth will look like when treatment is completed.
Step Two: Starting Treatment
When you receive your first set of aligners, your doctor will make sure they fit correctly and as comfortably as possible. Regular checkups will be scheduled to monitor your progress and swap out your used aligners for the next set in the series.
Step Three: Continued Maintenance
As with other teeth-straightening devices and programs, a retainer is needed after Invisalign treatment is complete to keep your teeth straight. You may be offered a custom-made Vivera retainer, made using the same technology as Invisalign aligners, or your doctor may suggest you wear a different brand of retainer.
Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?
Invisalign aligners work by applying gentle, constant force to your teeth. This may cause a feeling of pressure or discomfort for the first few days when beginning to wear a new set of aligners. This is normal.
A small 2017 study of 41 participants found that when beginning Invisalign treatment, participants reported low levels of discomfort, followed by slight increases that peak after the first or second day. The discomfort then gradually decreased over the rest of the week, with minimal discomfort by day seven.
This study found that participants using aligners had less discomfort than those using traditional fixed appliances (such as braces). The researchers suggested this may be because the aligners are removable, which gives the tissues intermittent breaks from the forces and allows the tissue to reorganize before reapplying the compressive forces.
How Well Does Invialign Work?
Invisalign aligners are typically less suited to complex orthodontic needs than traditional dental braces but may be used for less complicated treatment. Invisalign aligners are intended for adults and teenagers whose permanent teeth are fully erupted. Traditional orthodontic treatments may be more appropriate for children.
Research suggests that the Invisalign system is a valid alternative to conventional orthodontic treatment for mild to moderate teeth misalignment in people who have finished growing and do not require extraction.
Aligners may be used to treat conditions such as:
Cramped/crowded teeth
Crooked teeth
Mild relapse after braces
Open bite
Overbite
Simple bite irregularities
Underbite
How Long Invisalign Takes to Work
Invisalign aligners are typically received one or two at a time at appointments spaced four to six weeks apart. Usually, 20 or 30 aligner variations are needed, though treatment duration can vary.
Depending on the complexity of your condition, Invisalign treatment may be faster than traditional braces because of the efficiency and precision with which they move teeth.
You may start seeing results as soon as six months after beginning treatment.
For some people, treatment may be finished within a year.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign treatment is determined by factors such as your specific needs, the extent of your treatment, and the length of your treatment.
Typically, Invisalign treatment is comparable in cost to traditional braces, ranging from about $3,000 to about $9,000.
Coverage through dental plans that include orthodontics typically covers clear aligners and traditional braces to the same extent, though coverage can vary by plan and provider.
Financing may also be available through your dental office or third-party financing companies such as Capital One or CareCredit.
What Makes Invisalign Not Work Properly?
Factors that may affect the appropriateness or effectiveness of Invisalign aligners include:
Severity of the bite irregularities, such as significant tooth rotations or large gaps
Lack of compliance with the program, such as inconsistent or insufficient wearing of the aligners
Trapped liquids and food particles between the aligners and teeth, increasing the risk of problems such as cavities and gum disease
Some dental work, such as veneers, bridgework, or crowns (your doctor can assess this on an individual basis)
Considerations to take while undergoing Invisalign therapy include:
Avoid smoking.
Do not chew gum while wearing aligners.
Remove aligners before eating or drinking anything but water.
Brush your teeth thoroughly after eating or drinking, before reinserting aligners.
When not wearing aligners, keep them protected by always placing them in their case.
Contact your Invisalign prescriber immediately if your aligner becomes lost or damaged.
Summary
Invisalign aligners are a series of clear, removable, custom-fitted aligners that gradually move teeth into the desired position.
Before starting treatment, digital maps and plans of your teeth are created, and sets of aligners are made. These aligners are changed for the next in the series in increments of time set by your doctor. The aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day to achieve the desired results. Treatment duration varies between patients but for less complex cases, treatment may be completed within a year or less.
Factors such as noncompliance with the treatment plan or certain dental work may affect how well the treatment works.
Talk to your Invisalign-trained doctor about the specifics of your treatment plan.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
