Orthodontic advances have allowed for a variety of ways to straighten teeth. Invisalign is one way that has recently become popular lately due to its aesthetic design and ease of use. Invisalign was first made available in the United States in 1999. It is a popular alternative to braces that has many advantages. It is made of clear, BPA-free plastic aligners that fit over your teeth like a mouthguard. Here are some specifics that can help you learn what to expect with Invisalign.
Advantages of Invisalign Compared to Traditional Braces
Invisalign are less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They are also more comfortable than braces because they are smooth and have no metal brackets or wires that can poke or irritate your cheeks or lips. There are also no food restrictions unlike traditional braces because you can remove invisalign for eating.
Invisalign uses state of the art digital mapping to calculate the current alignment of your teeth every step along the way to the final result. Your dentist may be able to show you a digital mock up of what your results will look like. This can be motivating for a lot of people so that they can know what to expect with invisalign from the very beginning.
What to Expect with Invisalign
Most people will be given new aligners every 2 weeks. Each time you receive new aligners they will feel snug at first and be difficult to remove and snap back into place but they will feel looser over time as your teeth begin to move into alignment. Your teeth may be sore for a short time after you receive each new aligner because that is when the most movement takes place.
The success of invisalign relies a lot on the compliance of the wearer and they need to be worn 22 hours a day. It may be tempting to remove them more often, especially in the beginning when you are not yet accustomed to having a dental appliance in your mouth, but keeping them in as much as possible will ensure your progress stays on track. Removing them more often may require more time to straighten your teeth and may cause you to need extra aligners. For parents of teens and children wondering what to expect with invisalign, this is an important consideration in choosing clear aligners or traditional braces.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
There are many advantages to invisalign and as technology progresses more and more alignment issues can be treated with invisalign that in the past could only be treated with traditional metal braces. Consult with your Orthodontist to learn more about what to expect with invisalign, and whether or not it may be a good fit for you.
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