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Advice from a General Dentist on Invisalign Services

If you are currently thinking about using the Invisalign® clear aligner system, this article is for you. Our general dentist will explain all the important facts and details to know before committing to the treatment.

How Invisalign® works

Treatments with Invisalign® involve using multiple aligner trays to slowly straighten the alignment of a patient’s teeth. It works using the same concept as traditional metal braces and involves applying constant gentle pressure on the teeth to gradually move them.

The alignment procedure

Invisalign® aligners deliver a precise amount of force on each of the wearer’s teeth, and that often leads to shorter treatment times. The patient wears each aligner set for two weeks. At the end of that time, the aligner trays are switched out with another set to push the teeth even closer to the desired position. Each consecutive set in the series of trays shifts the patient’s teeth nearer to the target alignment.

Invisalign® offers a versatile system. The clear aligner trays can be used to treat a number of common teeth alignment issues:

Crooked teeth
Gaps between teeth
Overbites
Crossbites
Underbites

Invisalign® is most effective when addressing dental problems related to poorly aligned teeth. Issues caused by bad jaw positioning do not respond well to this clear aligner treatment.

The appointment process

Invisalign® treatments start with an initial appointment with the dentist. The patient’s teeth are evaluated, and the oral professional goes over pertinent dental and medical history. The dentist may use X-rays and other diagnostic tests to evaluate the roots of the teeth and the jaw.

Once the patient has been cleared for Invisalign®, the dentist takes digital images of the individual’s mouth. These 3D images are projected on a screen used to design the patient’s aligner trays. The dentist and the patient go over the projections of what the person’s teeth will look like over the course of the treatment. This information is sent to a dental lab that makes prosthetics.

It takes about two weeks for the lab to get the finished aligner trays back to the dentist. Once that occurs, the patient comes in for a second appointment. The dentist demonstrates the fundamentals of inserting and taking out the oral appliances. The dentist also educates the patient on the proper method for cleaning the aligner trays and talks about the importance of brushing after meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay. In some cases, the practitioner may cement Invisalign® attachments to the patient’s teeth to ensure the aligner trays fit snuggly.

Benefits of Invisalign®

Clear aligners offer a number of advantages over fixed metal braces:

Invisalign® aligner trays can be easily removed, preventing them from getting in the way of oral hygiene routines and meals
Invisalign® provides more comfortable treatment with a shorter adjustment period
Invisalign® aligners provide discreet teeth straightening
Total treatment times are often shorter with Invisalign®

Actual Patient Results

Get started with Invisalign®

Call or visit our Dallas clinic to learn more about Invisalign®. We can help determine if this innovative system is an appropriate way to improve the alignment of your teeth.