Invisalign

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a treatment that uses a series of clear plastic aligners or invisible braces to correct misaligned teeth. Some people prefer invisalign rather than the bulky appearance of traditional fixed braces.

Indications

It is indicated for patients who have gaps in between teeth, and misaligned or crooked teeth. Most patients acquiring this type of treatment are those who do not want to have metal braces showing.

Candidates

The candidates for this type of treatment are patients with gapped teeth, misalignment of teeth and minimal correction of bite.

Advantages

The appliance is invisible/clear and smooth to the surrounding tissues like the cheeks compared to metal braces that can irritate and poke because of the wires and brackets.

Easy to clean because it is a removable appliance.

Can eat everything you want because it is removable from the mouth.

Patients that are allergic to metals are indicated for this type of treatment.

Disadvantages

It is expensive because it is only made in the united states.

Limited dentists or provider only offers the procedure.

Because it is removable patients most of the time misplaced the appliance.

What to expect?

The dentist will provide the patient a set of aligners and will be instructed on how to use the appliance.

Procedure

Patient assessment will be needed for the first appointment to check if the patient is a candidate for this type of treatment. After assessment the dentist will determine if the patient is a candidate for invisalign. Upon evaluation the dentist will take photographs, x-rays and impression of the upper and lower teeth including the normal bite the patient.

The dentist will then send all the documents and impressions to Invisalign in United States to make 3D of the treatment plan so the dentist can map out, explain and show to the patient the treatment perse. Final approval from the patient will be requested so the dentist can give confirmation to Invisalign to have the treatment package to be sent back. After two to three weeks, the manufacturer will send the set of aligners.

Dentist will hand out the set of aligners to the patient. The dentist will try in the first aligners so patient will know how to place it in, also, instructions and proper care will be given to the patient. The need to change the aligners will be every two weeks, and the patient will have to wear it 20-22 hours per day over the course of treatment. A visit to the dentist every 6 weeks will be necessary to check the progress.

Materials

The aligner is composed of polyurethane, which means it is a plastic or a medical grade polymer with additional compounds that alter the material creating an invisible/clear, flexible, thin but strong appliance.