Inconpsicuous Orthodontics with Invisalign Clear Braces
What adjectives come to mind when you see an adult wearing metal orthodontic braces? Do you think “immature,” “ugly,” or “metal mouth?” Perhaps you feel compassion for the person, knowing that she must be counting the days until those braces come off for good.
Many people who wore braces during adolescence neglected to wear a retainer afterward, and as a result, their beautifully aligned teeth are now crooked, overlapping, or oddly spaced. These same people probably want straight teeth, but they certainly don’t want the hassle, pain, and appearance of wearing braces. Some adults didn’t have the opportunity to have orthodontics during childhood, and now that they can afford braces, they feel too old. They feel as if braces will ruin their sophisticated, mature image. Straight teeth aren’t worth the headache.
Enter Invisalign
Clear acrylic aligners, custom fitted to exact specifications, can reposition teeth over the course of 12 to 18 months. These amazing, removable orthodontic aligners are made by Invisalign®. Adults and teens who want straight teeth, without having to sacrifice their image to metal braces for two years, are ecstatic about Invisalign’s inconspicuous, fast treatment.
How It Works
Traditional braces use gentle forces to move teeth into ideal position over time. Invisalign® works the same way, but instead of attaching brackets and wires to teeth, Invisalign fits over teeth.
First, we will scan your mouth and use special software to create a treatment plan that consists of 20 to 30 unique, progressive aligners. Each aligner will gently press teeth toward the final position. Wear an aligner for about two weeks, for 20 to 22 hours per day, then move to the next. You’ll visit our office every six weeks, or so, for progress checks and to receive your next few sets of aligners.
Invisalign Teen®
The teenage version of Invisalign is just like the adult system, but with a few benefits exclusively designed to help parents and teens comply with treatment guidelines. Each aligner features a blue dot near the back. This dot lightens every time the aligner is worn. Parents and the dentist simply defer to the dot to determine whether the teenager has been wearing his aligners as he should.
Furthermore, because teens tend to lose things (that may be an understatement), Invisalign comes with up to six replacement aligners at no additional cost. That’s right: you can order up to six aligners to replace those that disappeared, and you won’t incur additional expense. Like the adult treatment, Invisalign Teen® requires that the aligners be worn for two weeks each, for 20-22 hours per day. Patients who follow this guideline should complete treatment on the projected timeframe.
Benefits of Invisalign®
- Clear and inconspicuous
- Easy to remove and clean
- Comfortable
- No brackets, wires, or rubber bands
- Fast treatment: 12 to 18 months
- Removable for important events, when eating
- No tooth damage or staining
