Invisalign® Clear Aligner

Benefits of Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear aligners boast a number of advantages over traditional orthodontics. For instance, clear aligner therapy is:

• Discreet: Because the trays are fabricated from clear thermoplastic materials, they are barely noticeable. In fact, most people will never know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients who choose clear aligners can smile confidently.
• Comfortable: With clear aligner therapy, there are no wires or brackets that can poke, scratch, or irritate the soft tissues. Some patients notice slight tenderness when they first switch to a new set of trays, but this side effect diminishes quickly.
• Convenient: Because aligner trays are removable, patients who undergo this treatment do not have any dietary restrictions. Furthermore, you can brush and floss normally, without having to clean around brackets, bands, and wires.

Am I a Candidate?

Millions of patients have taken advantage of clear aligner therapy. Due to its advanced technology, the clear aligner system can address most of the same issues as traditional metal braces, including:

• Overbites: This condition is characterized by upper teeth that project too far forward.
• Underbites: When the lower teeth stick out further than the upper teeth, it’s called an underbite.
• Crossbites: If the upper teeth overlap the lowers on one side, but the lower teeth overlap the uppers on the other side, it’s called a crossbite. Clear aligner therapy can address this type of horizontal misalignment.
• Open bites: An open bite is present if the front teeth do not come together when biting down on the back teeth.
• Gapped teeth: Gaps or spaces in the smile can easily be corrected with clear aligner therapy.
• Crowded teeth: Overlapped or crowded teeth make it difficult to brush and floss effectively. Clear aligners can address this problem.

Some patients may not be eligible for clear aligner therapy. Candidacy depends on several different factors, including the severity and complexity of your case. Furthermore, if orthodontic misalignment is the result of skeletal discrepancies, oral surgery may be necessary in conjunction with traditional orthodontic treatment.

Treatment Timeline

Many patients want to know how long clear aligner therapy takes. In most instances, this type of treatment takes about the same amount of time as traditional braces. On average, most patients can complete their treatment in 12 to 18 months.

While in the active treatment phase, patients will need to visit the dentist every four to six weeks to ensure the teeth are moving as expected. Once treatment is complete, a retainer is necessary to prevent the teeth from shifting into their old positions.

Maintaining Your Aligner Trays

To keep your treatment on track and your trays clean, proper maintenance is required. Here are a few tips for cleaning your clear aligners:

• Rinse your aligners under lukewarm water anytime you remove them.
• Soak your aligners in a cleansing solution every day.
• Clean your aligners every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap.
• Avoid using toothpaste to clean your trays, as many formulas have harsh abrasives that can damage the thermoplastic material.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily.