If you want to straighten your teeth without all the metal of traditional braces, Invisalign is for you. This article explains this new treatment and how it works.
Invisalign is a new dental treatment that offers a wonderful alternative to those old metal braces. It's really great for people who want to get their smile straightened out,
but who don't want to live with metal braces for 2-3 years. Lots of people have put off getting their teeth straightened because they don't want to endure the misery of being a "metal mouth." Those old braces are difficult to clean and take care of, they carry a social stigma (especially for adults), and they can cause long-term problems with your teeth.
Here are a few reasons why this treatment is so popular:
- By using computer imaging, it works better than traditional braces. The devices used to align your teeth are custom made for your jawline only.
- They are almost invisible. People have to get up really close to see that they're there.
- They offer a painless way to get your teeth straightened that involves no tightening or discomfort.
Basically, this method offers a new way to get it done with no pain, no stress and no visible braces.
How the System Works
The first step in treatment is for the dentist to use computer imaging to create a picture of your teeth as they are now, and as they will be when the treatment is done. This is one of the strengths of Invisalign; by creating this computer image, the dentist can show you what you'll actually look like in the end. The method is so precise that they can basically guarantee the results. There is no guesswork involved and you can actually get a glimpse of your future smile.
Once the images are made, they send them off to a laboratory where your custom-fit aligners are made. Aligners are small trays that go into your jawline. They gently push your teeth into the new position. Unlike braces which require routine tightening, these are gentle and make changes gradually over time.
What You Have To Do
You'll get your first set soon and start wearing them. What makes Invisalign unique is that, every two weeks, you'll visit the dentist and they'll remove the old set of aligners and put in the new. This is how it gradually shapes your smile; every two weeks you wear a different set that gets you closer to the way you want to look in the end.
The whole treatment takes around 6 months, depending on the extent of the work to be done. If you've been looking into old-style metal braces, you know that they can take anywhere up to 3 years. Here's another advantage of this system over those bits of metal on your teeth - it gets you there faster.
The Downside
Probably the only downside to this treatment is the price. Because of the technology, the manufacture of your aligners and the extra work that has to be done on the dentist's end, it costs a bit more than metal braces. But people who have had it done will tell you that it was well worth every penny.
If you'd like to straighten your teeth but you're not too keen on having a mouthful of metal, talk to your dentist about Invisalign and see if it's right for you.
