By Joel Paige
Currently, with the advances in technology, metal braces have been significantly replaced by Invisalign. These clear aligners are excellent aesthetic alternatives that help align your teeth to improve your smile and overall appearance.
Invisalign services provided by our dentist in Berkley, CA, can help you achieve a more balanced and symmetrical smile.
Invisalign- explained
Invisalign aligners are transparent, customized removable oral appliances that snugly fit over your teeth. These aligners aim to correct several dental problems that negatively impact your oral function and aesthetics. Aligners exert specific pressure on your teeth and jaws, slowly improving their position.
Invisalign aligners are made up of a thermoplastic material that is biocompatible and does not cause any allergies. These do not contain harmful substances like gluten, BPS, or latex. Thus, they are extremely safe for all people, including pregnant women and those with allergies. Currently, millions of individuals are opting for these clear aligners due to their durability and aesthetic factors.
Indications of Invisalign
Invisalign are versatile dental appliances that are used to treat orthodontic problems like:
- Crowded teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Diastema (space or gaps in between teeth)
- Misaligned jaw
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Openbite
The procedure behind getting Invisalign
Your dentist will evaluate your dental records and conduct an oral examination. Your teeth and jaw alignment will be assessed through digital X-rays.
A special intraoral camera will be used to scan your mouth and upload the images to a computer design program. This program can successfully map the movement of your jaw and teeth, which helps the dentist to design a customized treatment plan for you.
The treatment plan and the digital scan images will be sent to an Invisalign lab to fabricate a series of custom-made, clear, plastic aligners.
Invisalign aftercare
Your dentist may advise the following:
- Wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours, and remove them only while eating.
- Clean them by rinsing them in cool tap water whenever you take them out to eat.
- Brush your aligners with a soft-bristled brush every day before you go to bed.
- Visit your dentist every 3 weeks to help monitor the progress and provide a new set of Invisalign aligners.
Treatment with Invisalign usually takes around 12 to 18 months. However, this may take longer, depending on your goals and how severe your alignment problem is.
Takeaway
Invisalign aligners are excellent alternatives to metal braces with aesthetic benefits in addition to correction of alignment problems. With proper care and maintenance, they can reposition your teeth to their original alignment effectively.
