At first glance, it might seem to you that Invisalign has always been around. However, the Invisalign company is not as old as many other orthodontic options. Invisalign did not gain popularity until around 2004. However, now Invisalign makes up about 31% of adult orthodontics and 6% of teens. Read on to learn how it works.
The first step in getting Invisalign is to have a consultation. This will help a dentist determine if the treatment is a good option for a patient. The treatment may not work for every patient because of differing oral needs. The dentist must also consider how willing a patient is to wear the trays nearly 24 hours a day. A patient may also get impressions taken during this consultation.
Once a patient has decided to get an Invisalign treatment, the dentist will also take X-rays and photographs. The dentist will then use the information to create detailed instructions on how to move the teeth. The impressions, X-rays, photographs and instructions will all be sent to Invisalign. The technicians at the company will create a digital model of the teeth using the software.
The technicians will also put the instructions on the computer. Each time the teeth move, there will be a new aligner for the patient to wear. Sometimes, the dentist and technicians will go back and forth. This allows the dentist to make minor adjustments to the way the teeth move. Once the dentist is satisfied, the Invisalign company will make all of the aligners. It can take up to a month for the aligners to arrive at the dentist’s office.
Once the aligners are ready, the patient can make an appointment to come to the dentist’s office. The patient will receive one set of aligners at a time. Each set of aligners should be worn for about two weeks. Patients should wear the aligners almost all day, every day.
The aligners should only come out while the patient is eating or cleaning the teeth. If patients do not wear the aligners enough, the teeth’s movements will not progress enough. The next set of aligners will not fit properly. This can have a cumulative effect until one set of aligners does not fit at all.
Even after the last tray, a patient may still not be done. A few teeth may still need to be adjusted and it is not rare for this to be needed. A dentist may contact Invisalign to get a few more aligners to refine the results. Invisalign does not charge extra for the refinement trays.
Invisalign is a good option if you are looking for a clear orthodontic option. Even though you will be wearing the trays most of the day, others will not notice them. Adults benefit from these clear aligners. However, teens can also benefit from Invisalign because it can boost their self-esteem during treatment.
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