How Does Invisalign® Work?

It is never too late to start taking care of your teeth. Oral health has become a prevalent issue today as more people are learning the importance of looking good to feel good. The need for cosmetic improvements has affected the field of dentistry. Fortunately, innovative technology has introduced newer and better ways of fixing teeth. Of the many dental issues patients suffer from, malpositioned teeth continue to be a problem for most.

What is Invisalign?

It is a dental device that is used in orthodontic dentistry to correct the positioning of teeth in the mouth. The devices work by applying controlled pressure on teeth so that they can shift to the correct positions. Technically, Invisalign can be considered similar to the traditional braces, given that they serve the same purpose. However, they differ in their visibility. And Invisalign dentist will offer this treatment in a situation where you do not want the attention that comes with wearing traditional braces. It is why they are sometimes called Invisible braces. In most cases, the invisible aligners are used on adults because they are more cosmetically appealing than traditional braces.

What Oral Issues Can Invisalign Clear Aligners Correct?

A dentist in Heath, TX, will examine your teeth to determine what kind of procedure would work best for you. Often the treatments range from restorative to cosmetic. Regardless, by the time you are done with your dentist, your teeth will look much better than they were before. Like other teeth aligners, Invisalign clear braces are used to correct different teeth problems, including the following:

• Straightening teeth: this is the most common use for these aligners. They are placed over teeth for a certain duration to institute a movement of the crooked teeth in the right direction.
• Gaps between teeth: some teeth can be too small so that they leave spaces between teeth. In other cases, the structure of the bone and teeth affects how the teeth sit on the jaw, leaving gaps in between. An Invisalign specialist will recommend these aligners to put pressure on teeth so they can move to close up the gaps.

How Invisalign treatment works

If you visit a dental clinic for Invisalign in Heath TX, it won’t be long till you know how the treatment works. The procedure takes time but works differently for different patients. The first step usually involves a dental exam. The exam allows your dentist to study the structure of your teeth and bones. This is the best way to determine which treatment will work best for you. Before anything is done, your dentist will also check for underlying oral issues. The issues have to be sorted out before the dental aligners are used.

After a thorough dental exam, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. The impression will help him/her come up with the best tray of aligners that fits your teeth. From the dental impressions, your dentist will come up with a treatment plan for your teeth. Following through with this plan is how you get your teeth aligned correctly.

The first tray of aligners is used to start off the treatment. Your jaw and gums might be sore because of the controlled pressure that makes the treatment work. Afterward, you have to check in with your dentist in a week or two to get the aligners adjusted. The entire process of your treatment will involve using different trays of aligners adjusted differently for new shifts in your teeth. Depending on the treatment plan, you may have to visit your dentist between every 2-6 weeks. These visits will include changing the trays.

For the procedure to be successful, you must be disciplined with following your dentist’s instructions. The most important factors are:

• Wearing the invisible aligners for 22 hours every day
• Removing the aligners when you eat
• Brushing your teeth every time you eat – to avoid staining the aligners

How Long Does The Treatment Take?

The longevity of the treatment differs from one patient to another. Considerations for the duration include the bone and tooth structure, the complexity of the malpositioning, the discipline in wearing the aligners, and the rate of healing unique to every individual.