What is Clear Aligner/Invisalign orthodontic treatment?
Clear aligners, or more commonly known as Invisalign, are an alternative type of orthodontic treatment to braces. They are virtually invisible and are easily removed so patients may eat a regular diet and brush as they normally do.
Clear aligner treatment incorporates a series of custom fit clear plastic trays that gradually move teeth to their desired positions as you progress through successive trays.
Clear aligner treatment also involves the bonding of clear attachments to certain teeth so that the trays may push on those attachments to more effectively guide those bonded teeth. These clear attachments are removed at the end of clear aligner treatment. Also, clear aligner treatment commonly involves removing a small amount of enamel from the sides of certain teeth to create space to better align the crooked teeth. The amount removed is so minor that you will not notice any difference in the looks of the teeth nor will there be any sensitivity issues.
If it is determined that you are a candidate for clear aligner orthodontic treatment, a digital scan of your teeth will be performed. That scan along with detailed treatment objectives will be sent to a clear aligner company to manufacture a certain number of trays that will be designed to gradually move the crooked teeth to their desired positions.
Each set of trays, one upper and one lower, are to be worn for two weeks. In order for clear aligner treatment to be effective, the trays must be worn at least 22 hours per day.
When treatment starts, you will be provided two sets of trays and then you will be seen a month later to assess your treatment progress. At every monthly appointment, you will be provided two more sets of trays and the clear attachments will also be assessed to see if any repair is needed.
If at any time during clear aligner treatment, it is determined that the trays are not fitting properly and/or progress is not being made, a new scan will need to be taken to fabricate the remaining set of trays for treatment. This process is known as refinement.
When treatment is completed, a set of trays, designated as retention trays, should be worn at nighttime for a prescribed period of time.
For adult patients seeking a less noticeable form of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, please be advised that they are more expensive than metal or ceramic braces and treatment times are generally longer.
For whom and for what issue is clear aligner treatment appropriate?
Clear aligner treatment is best suited for adults who present with a healthy bite but have minor to moderate crowding. These adult patients have the maturity to wear clear aligner trays at least 22 hours a day as required.
Patients who present with bite issues and severe crowding are not candidates for clear aligner orthodontic treatment. Correcting bite issues and more serious crowding requires more direct care and control by an orthodontic specialist and that involves treatment with metal or ceramic braces.
Of course, it is wonderful to achieve a beautiful, confident smile. But, the primary goal of orthodontic treatment is to establish a healthy and stable bite to prevent abnormal wear and tear of the teeth and also to better align the teeth for improved oral hygiene in order to better maintain and keep healthy teeth for a lifetime. Braces versus Invisalign is dealt with in more detail under the Clear Aligners/Invisalign section under the Treatments tab.