Invisalign as a Way to Straighten Your Teeth
“A smile is the happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” – Tom Wilson
Have you ever come across someone who smiles with their mouth closed because they aren’t proud of their set of teeth or feel they look ugly when they smile? The truth is almost everyone has some form of insecurities. Thankfully, science is so advanced these days. You can now alter almost any part of your body to your desired outcome or as science will permit. Oh, and everyone always looks better when they smile.
From the early days, man has been looking for ways to straighten teeth and fix other dental issues. This has evolved, and here we are today with Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign, as the name implies (invisible and align), is the use of clear aligners (made out of custom-made thermoplastic material, which contains no BPA, BPS, latex or gluten) to help shift teeth into proper position. This is what we usually refer to as straightening of the teeth. You have to agree that the invisible nature gives it an aesthetic appeal. They do not require the use of metals or wires which though have been proven effective according to several clinical pieces of research, have aesthetic issues. A specialist dentist called an Orthodontist (who is focused on the prevention, and correction of misaligned teeth and jaw) carries out this procedure.
You can get a more detailed description of this process here.
Who is it Designed for?
This treatment is designed for teens and adults with permanent teeth that need to have their million dollars smile in place. It is not ideal for children because with their mouths and teeth still growing and developing, using this can result in some complications. But if you’ve got minor spacing or mild to moderate crowding, this is absolutely for you.
How does it Work?
The process is quite straight forward starting with a consultation. The orthodontist first examines your teeth to determine how to correct your bite. Next, s/he considers how to move your teeth over the treatment time and then designs a treatment plan, which includes clear aligners to fit and work for you. These will apply the right force, at the right time and in the right places.
Once you’ve got them made for you, you have to wear them religiously for a minimum of 22 hours over 2 weeks. Your time off will be when you need to eat and brush or floss your teeth. You will notice your teeth beginning to move little by a little, week in week out as you replace each aligner (usually every 2 weeks) till you get your final result.
The treatment spans a period of between 6-15 months depending on the complexity of the adjustment to be made. You might however need to visit at every 6 week interval to track your progress. Additionally, you might have to go through about 6-48 aligners over the treatment period. This will vary depending on the case involved.
You can watch a visual explanation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O-OovnQs9Q.
6 Benefits of Invisalign
- They keep your confidence intact because they are custom-made for you, clear, thin, and fit perfectly over your teeth. You can therefore smile without worrying about funny stares, as they are pretty much invisible to the onlooker.
- They are removable. You can remove them before drinking, eating, brushing, or flossing.
- They align and fit well due to the grade of material used. This makes them comfortable.
- There is no metal involved, which means less pain. It also eliminates the risk of any breakage occurring, or irritation of the mouth.
- They restore your perfect smile or get you the perfect one you’ve always wanted.
- They also allow you a virtual preview of what your teeth will look like at the end of the treatment and you can track your progress with that.
Types of Invisalign
Invisalign is available in 4 variants depending on your clinical needs. They are:
- Invisalign Full: This is the general type that can treat several orthodontic problems and also give you access to top and bottom aligners for like a year.
- Invisalign Lite: This is for less complex issues and for quick fixes especially if you still need cosmetic dental work after a procedure.
- Invisalign teen: As the name implies, it’s focused on teenagers who need their teeth perfect without getting shamed in the process. This has an indicator light on it which helps parents keep track of how long their teen is wearing it to meet up with the goal.
- Invisalign i7: this is the latest addition and super fast too. It helps with those that have minor issues like 3 or 4 crooked teeth or need to adjust a few after a previous fix.
Cost Implication
Invisalign is reasonably priced considering the technology put in, but note that it might be slightly more expensive than other procedures in dentistry. So generally, the number of aligners needed, the complexity of your case, treatment duration, location, and the experience of the orthodontist can impact the prices. If you have insurance, then it’s time to whip it out. On the average though, it can cost you anywhere from $3500 to $6000.
How do I Care for them?
You can clean them with a solution specially made for them, which you can get from your orthodontist. You can also simply brush with your toothbrush and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not clean with hot water or drink hot water/beverage when you have them on as they can get warped and stained. So take them off before eating.
Where can I get it done?
There would be a few in your city if you look them up online or through a directory. If you are in Australia, you can get clear braces in Melbourne here.
You can get your Invisalign prescribed and done by an orthodontist so long as they are experienced (done at least 10 in a year) in that field.
Happiness is free and smiling shows it. Whenever you decide to get your Invisalign done, enjoy the process, and know it’s more than just straightening your teeth for a better smile; it’s also keeping the health of your teeth intact.