For decades, braces were seen as the most viable option for people who longed to don a smile with straight teeth. While it’s great to have a straight smile, many adults don’t like the look of braces. This is mainly because braces are not very inconspicuous. They’re also extremely inconvenient to clean and maintain. Still, they get the job done.
Thankfully, Invisalign is one of the most beloved alternatives to braces. There are many facets of this tooth-straightening tool that individuals love.
Installation and Fit
Upon visiting the invisalign dentist or an orthodontist, individuals sit for a full consultation and fitting for their aligners. The aligners are clear, removable and custom-tailored to fit each person’s mouth. No two aligners are the same.
During the full consultation, the orthodontist takes photos and x-rays of the mouth. There’s also a 3D digital scan of the teeth that occurs. This digital scan uses the Invisalign software in order to get accurate before/after look at how a person’s teeth will look once the process gets completed.
In many cases, an individual puts their mouth in a contraption called an impression tray. Inside of the tray is impression material. The impression material is there to get a good outline of the mouth, so a person must sink their teeth into the tray. The impression material gets sent to the company when they’re ready to make the mold for the aligners.
Once the individual approves of the look, the photos, x-rays and software are sent to Invisalign’s headquarters for the creation of the aligners. At the Invisalign headquarters, the aligners get created by the week. In most cases, a new aligner is installed each week. This is important to help the teeth move gradually yet efficiently.
Gradual Process
As the teeth become straighter, the aligners need to change in order to adjust to the future mark for straightening. For many people, in comparison to braces, Invisalign aligners are relatively painless because the aligners gradually bring the teeth into alignment.
As this gradual process happens, it’s easier for a person to feel less pain than they would if they installed a new set of braces. If a person is feeling pain, it’s typically because they have sensitive teeth, or they are experiencing some mild pressure that comes along with the Invisalign process.
Attachments
Even though the aligners are removable, there is a process of installation. Attachments are bonded to the sides of the teeth on both sides of the mouth. These attachments help to secure the aligners, and they also ensure that the process moves forward as it should. They’re a tool for proper positioning. The orthodontist installs them in the office.
Maintenance
One of the reasons why so many people love the idea of using aligners to straighten the teeth is because, unlike braces, they can remove the aligners. However, you don’t want to remove them for long. In fact, it’s best to keep the aligners on between 20 to 22 hours every single day. This basically gives you room to remove them when you’re ready to eat.
Because they are removable, the aligners can be much easier to accidentally misplace or throw away if you’re not extremely careful or responsible. This is why it’s best to wear them more often than not.
Home Care
There are a few moving parts to proper home care. For starters, maintaining proper oral hygiene is mandatory. This includes brushing, flossing and the rest. The aligners require cleaning as well.
When an individual receives their aligners, a package of cleaning crystals comes as well. These cleaning crystals are meant to do the job that toothpaste would. Toothpaste is far too abrasive for the aligners. The aligners also require thorough rinsing with water.
Talking
For some people, there’s an adjustment involving the talking process. When a person first gets used to aligners, the talking process can feel cumbersome and tedious. After all, a person will adjust.
Overall, Invisalign provides an amazing alternative for those who don’t want to wear braces. It can take up to a full year or more in order to get the right results. With Invisalign, the key is to maintain consistency. When a person is able to keep up with the maintenance of wearing and cleaning the aligners, it’s much easier to get the desired results in due time.
To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.
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