Invisalign: An Interesting Alternative
Orthodontic treatments have many purposes, including ensuring a better bite, curing jaw disorders, and achieving a more beautiful dental appearance with perfectly positioned and aligned teeth. In addition to traditional methods, Invisalign technology is an alternative that can achieve all these goals.
How Is the Treatment Performed?
The Invisalign treatment is presented in the form of transparent trays affixed to the teeth. These trays, or shells, are changed approximately every two weeks, each one carrying out a light correction of the position of the teeth. A follow-up is done on a regular basis, allowing adjustments to be made as needed.
Everything is done progressively, from the initial position of the teeth to their final position. It is a custom-made treatment according to each patient’s dentition.
After the end of the series of aligners, an overnight device or another retainer is usually prescribed to maintain the results for a long time; this is often a plastic aligner, the last in the series.
What are Invisalign devices?
Invisalign aligners are made of a strong thermoplastic material. The material is transparent and almost invisible; no wires or braces are required for this treatment.
The mouthpiece, which is changed every two weeks, is also removable, whether for eating, brushing or even for a short time when you would prefer not to have anything on your teeth, such as when taking a picture.
Why choose Invisalign?
There are several advantages to this orthodontic approach over traditional approaches. Here is an overview.
Invisalign
Invisible: Since the trays or aligners are made of clear plastic only, they are virtually invisible, unlike the traditional method, where metal and wires are often visible. From an aesthetic point of view, it is also less embarrassing to wear a transparent device.
Comfortable: The shells are almost imperceptible, not only to the eye, but also to the wearer. They are more comfortable than metal braces and generally do not cause inflammation or pain to sensitive oral tissues such as the gums.
Convenient: Because the mouthpiece is removable, it has several advantages, including the fact that it does not limit the patient’s food choices. Some foods may be more difficult to eat with a traditional device, which limits choices or complicates eating.
Hygienic: Once again thanks to its removability, the Invisalign treatment allows the patient to keep his oral habits by brushing his teeth in the same way as before, which can be complicated with fixed braces.
Fast: Invisalign treatments are proven to be effective and fast: on average, the same results can be achieved 20% faster than with traditional treatments.
How to Start a Treatment?
First, you need to make an appointment with your dentist for a check-up consultation to determine if you are a potential candidate for this type of treatment.
Who Is Eligible for the Treatment?
Invisalign aligners are a beneficial treatment, but some people may not be eligible for this treatment. Depending on the position of the teeth, their inclination, the temporomandibular joint and the space for the tongue, there may be certain contraindications.
In general, this treatment is effective in correcting overlapping teeth, spacing between teeth or misalignment of the upper and lower jaws (cross bite).
In some cases, a fixed treatment may be required depending on the problems to be solved. Your dentist will be able to help you understand the situation and indicate the most appropriate type of treatment for your teeth.
Overlapping teeth
Spaced teeth
Crossed bite
(upper and lower jaws are not properly aligned)
If you are active on social media, chances are that you have seen less expensive Invisalign methods that are done entirely remotely, with the aligners sent by mail.
It is essential for any orthodontic treatment to consult with an orthodontist or dentist who can follow up. Unsupervised alternative treatments can have consequences, that vary from mild to severe.
A health care professional will be able to develop a treatment plan, carry out the required adjustments along the way and make exact diagnoses. The team at the Centre Dentaire & D’Implantologie Boucherville is trained according to the state-of-the-art advances and is able to provide an appropriate follow-up for your orthodontic treatment.