Only 35% of people have well-aligned teeth. And many start to consider straightening their teeth with orthodontic treatment for both health and aesthetic reasons. Invisalign aligners are becoming a more popular treatment option in both teens and adults. This is because they provide faster results and are more comfortable than metal braces. However, many of these people aren't sure how the exact process of straightening teeth with clear aligners works.
If you're interested in Invisalign but are unsure if it's the right option for you, keep reading to discover the five things you should expect while straightening your teeth with clear aligners.
1. Consultation
At your free consultation with a dental specialist, they will determine if you're a good candidate for Invisalign treatment depending on the crookedness of your teeth and your overall oral health. A dental specialist will also take photographs and digital impressions of your teeth, and discuss all the treatment possibilities with you. If Invisalign is right for you, a dental specialist will proceed with building your aligners.
2. Creating your aligners
Based on photos and digital impressions of your teeth, a dentist will start designing your clear aligners. Invisalign uses the latest advances in 3D technology, allowing a dentist to set up and follow a thorough and customized plan for your teeth. The new set of aligners will be provided to you every few weeks. These aligners will manipulate the forces of compression and tension to gradually reposition your teeth. The duration of your treatment will depend on your specific plan and on the amount of correction your teeth require.
3. Getting your first aligners
After creating your aligners, a dental specialist will explain how to care for them, how long you should wear them (typically 20 to 22 hours a day), they will also explain how to care for your teeth to keep them healthy during treatment and will answer all your questions. Special Invisalign attachments may be put on to help keep your aligners in place. You may experience minor discomfort each time you wear a new set of aligners. However, over time you will notice that each new aligner fits better, meaning your treatment provides results.
4. Ongoing treatment
In general, you'll be required to visit your dental specialist once every six weeks to keep the track of your progress. Each new set of aligners can be easily replaced by yourself. Throughout your treatment, your aligners can be removed for you to eat or practice dental hygiene. Hence, you won't have to limit any kinds of foods like in traditional braces.
5. Completing your treatment
At the end of your Invisalign treatment, a dental specialist will evaluate the result to determine if any additional treatment is required. Your dentist will most likely recommend that you wear retainers during the day for the first few weeks to make sure your teeth won't shift out of alignment. Following this period, you can start wearing your aligners while sleeping to help maintain your straight teeth for years to come. Usually, the process of wearing retainers takes 6 to 12 months.
The bottom line
Avoid being skeptical about straightening your teeth with clear aligners, as they're often more effective and convenient than other teeth straightening options. Hopefully, the information above will help you decide if Invisalign aligners are right for you. If you consider Invisalign for your teeth, schedule an appointment with an experienced and reputable dental specialist to determine if you're a suitable candidate for this type of orthodontic treatment. Also, always follow your doctor's advice on dental hygiene thoroughly to prevent getting tooth decay or gum disease.
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