Invisalign, The Best Alternative Method To Braces

Invisalign, an alternative to traditional metal dental braces, has facilitated the acquisition of perfect smiles in over 500,000 patients worldwide. The treatment entails a partnership between the patient, their orthodontist, and Align Technology. Essentially, the orthodontist provides Align Technology with dental impressions, photographs and x-rays of the patient's teeth from which Align Technology generates a computerized three-dimensional model. This model is then manipulated so that each tooth matches the final position; which is determined by the orthodontist. Special software is used to simulate the movement of the patient's teeth in distinct treatment stages. Once reviewed and approved by the orthodontist aligners, removable clear oral appliances, for each stage are produced.

There are many advantages to using Invisalign. Because the aligners are completely transparent they are more discrete than the traditional metal brackets. The aesthetic of the aligners appeal greatly to adults who wish to straighten their teeth without utilizing a mechanism predominantly associated with children. Aligners are very popular among young adults in careers that require daily face-to-face contact. Many pleased customers report that the product is both comfortable and easy to remove before meals. Additionally, because the aligner is removed prior to eating or drinking there are no dietary restrictions and the patient can brush his/her teeth more thoroughly than he/she could with the traditional metal brackets. Clinically, the removable nature prevents many of the side effects associated with the fixed brackets such as root resorption, tooth decay, and oral pain. Some studies report that Invisalign can produce straighter teeth faster than conventional methods.

It is important to note that, like with any oral treatment or modification, the success of the aligner is highly dependent on the patient's commitment. The aligners must be worn approximately 20 to 22 hours a day and should only be removed when the patient is eating, drinking, or brushing his/her teeth. Additionally, the teeth must be cleaned prior to each reinsertion of the aligner, which may be mildly inconvenient when having a meal outside of the home. Failure to properly commit to the treatment plan can cause a change to the oral shift anticipated for the next stage and require a costly recalibration to produce the next set of aligners in the treatment series. Furthermore, the aligners are made from polyurethane, and while negative reactions are rare, there have been some cases of allergic reactions. Patients experience symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and/or nausea should inform their orthodontist.

Pricing and treatment speed may vary depending on the severity of the prescribed modification and the patient's commitment; however, Invisalign is typically more expensive than the traditional wire brackets. But like many of the recent advancements in healthcare, the numerous cosmetic and clinical benefits could justify the expense.