INVISALIGN
Clear Braces
An Industry Standard Aligner
Invisalign straightens teeth and can treat issues like crowding, spacing, gapped teeth, open bite, crossbite, overbite, and underbite. Since the aligners are clear, they are virtually undetectable. You can achieve a new and improved smile without the pain, hassle, limitations, and awkward appearance of conventional braces.
Most adult patients choose clear aligners because they appear invisible. This helps conceal the fact that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment; some people find that embarrassing. Clear aligners can also hide existing gaps while the teeth are being aligned.
Not only do clear aligners also make cleaning easy, but they also offer patients the freedom to eat what they want and to brush their teeth normally. Patients don’t have to avoid a long list of food items as they often do with traditional brackets.
How Invisalign Clear Braces Work
It all starts with a 3-D image of your teeth, which will be used to map out each step of your customized treatment. Once your custom-made clear aligners are formed, you will wear each one for as long as possible each day (a minimum of 20 hours) for approximately two weeks in a prescribed order.
Fitting like a low profile mouthguard, each new aligner gently moves each tooth closer to its final destination. The aligners are easily removed for eating, brushing, and flossing.
Unlike braces, which are affixed directly to the teeth, Invisalign aligners are smooth, comfortable plastic, which some patients find are easier on their cheeks and gums.
Like every orthodontic treatment, Dr. Crutchfield will calibrate your aligners so that they sit perfectly in your mouth and monitor your progress as you continue treatment.
Treatment time will vary depending upon desired outcome and aligner-wearing adherence.
Are you a candidate?
Patients who already have good hygiene and scheduling habits, who understand the importance of consistent use, and who don’t like the look or feel of metal brackets. For simple relapse or moderate crowding cases from start to finish Invisalign is often a great choice. Clear aligners are a great alternative to bracket and wire orthodontics.
Many adult patients, as well as teens, prefer clear aligners because they are virtually invisible and can be removed for brushing and eating.
Impressionless scanning, another technology that is becoming more widely used in dentistry, is one reason why many of our patients opt for clear aligners. New tech has enabled 3D digital scans of a patient’s teeth quickly, comfortably, and accurately. This means that patients have less time in the chair with mouth extenders and putty in their mouth.
Things to consider…
Patients who are not able (or who tend to forget) to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours each day will not get the desired results. For example, teenagers who practice or play sports with a mouthguard more than three hours a day may find it difficult to wear aligners the required minimum of daily hours.