Invisalign® can straighten your teeth if you have crooked or misaligned teeth. When it comes to improving your smile, getting traditional metal braces is not the only option anymore. Instead of the wires and discomfort of braces, Invisalign may be a more appealing alternative.
With Invisalign, your teeth are slowly and gently straightened through a series of clear aligners, often called trays. Since the trays are clear, they are a discreet alternative to traditional braces.
Patients should learn all they can about Invisalign and if it is right for them. Here are seven facts about Invisalign that many people may not know.
Invisalign technology was developed in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Welsey Wirth, two Stanford graduates. After being approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998, it was available to patients soon after.
In April 2021, Align Technologies (Invisalign manufacturer) announced that 10 million patients had begun Invisalign treatment worldwide. Of that figure, 2.6 million are teenagers.
After a dental professional takes molds of a prospective patient’s teeth, Invisalign trays are custom-made for the patient using a 3D printer. Each aligner is printed with a patented type of BPA-free and latex-free thermoplastic.
Unlike traditional metal braces that are secured into a patient’s mouth, Invisalign trays can be removed at any time. Patients on Invisalign treatment can take out their trays to eat, drink, brush, and floss as they normally would. Although they can be removed, aligners should be worn for 20-22 hours every day to be effective.
Patients cannot eat certain sticky or crunchy foods with traditional braces because they can damage the wires. Invisalign has no such dietary restrictions.
Some patients choose to avoid certain foods because the treatment may cause mild soreness or sensitivity. However, it is a matter of personal preference and comfort level because no foods are explicitly forbidden.
A common misconception is that Invisalign is only for minor dental adjustments. However, Invisalign can also be used to treat more severe cases.
The treatment depends on the patient’s situation. Mild cases might require as few as five to seven trays and take only a few months. Treatment for more severe cases could last several years.
With traditional braces, patients visit their orthodontist regularly for adjustment and tightening. With Invisalign, the patient will take home several Invisalign trays at a time. Following their provider’s instructions, they will switch to the next aligner in the series on a scheduled basis.
Invisalign still requires occasional check-ins so the provider can monitor the treatment and make adjustments as needed. However, it is not as often as metal braces.
If you want to straighten your teeth, Invisalign may be an appealing alternative to traditional braces. Instead of the discomfort and inconvenience of metal braces, Invisalign trays are clear, discreet, and flexible to your lifestyle.
Here at Long Grove Dental, we provide Invisalign treatment to improve your smile. We are happy to answer your questions and walk you through the process. Reach out today to learn more.
Request an appointment here: https://www.longgrovedental.com or call Long Grove Dental at (847) 636-5020 for an appointment in our Long Grove office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Long Grove, IL.
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