What is Invisalign?
Invisalign treatment is the most popular brand of aligner therapy used to straighten smiles in orthodontics. The aligners are essentially a series of clear trays that fit your teeth very tightly, with each set designed by your dentist to be slightly straighter than the last. Slowly and safely, your teeth will move into proper alignment without any need for braces.
Why should I get Invisalign?
Invisalign treatment is a fantastic choice if you want your teeth straight, but do not want the feeling of metal braces in your mouth. It's extremely easy to get used to Invisalign aligners, as the clear trays are very comfortable and you can remove them anytime you want to eat or brush your teeth.
What issues can aligners treat?
- Spacing
- Crowding
- Open Bite
- Deep Bite
Will Invisalign clear aligner treatment hurt?
With any orthodontic treatment, your teeth will feel sore while they're actively moving. During your Invisalign treatment, your teeth will be in active movement mode over the first 3-5 days after switching to a new set of aligners. After that, you will finish wearing your aligners until your dentist has instructed you to switch to the next set, while the teeth rest and settle into place in passive mode.
What's the Invisalign process?
The process of getting Invisalign aligners is very easy. It starts with a digital scan of your teeth and bite at your consultation. That scan is sent, along with some photos and an X-ray, to a fabrication lab, where your dentist will instruct the technicians there precisely how each of your aligners should be made according to their prescription for you.
Once the aligners are shipped to Tend, your dentist may glue a few tooth-colored attachments to your teeth that act as special grips for your aligners. They may also polish between some of your teeth. This creates a tiny amount of space that no one will ever notice and helps move your teeth into their planned positions. The polishing process may feel (and sound) a little strange. But it only takes a few seconds, and it will make your treatment quicker and easier.
The team will then show you how to put your Invisalign trays in and take them out, as well as the best ways to care for them.
How long will treatment take?
The average length of Invisalign treatment is 6-15 months, but every smile is different. At your consultation, your dentist will show you what movements your teeth will need to align to perfection and let you know exactly how long your Invisalign treatment will last.
As your treatment progresses, you will see your smile transforming, getting straighter and straighter each week. Once you've reached your last set of aligners, your smile will be perfect, and your dentist will remove any attachments. They will provide you with a set of clear orthodontic retainers, very similar to your Invisalign trays, that you'll wear while you sleep at night, keeping your teeth in their perfect position forever.
How long will the results of Invisalign last?
The results of Invisalign aligners last forever, as long as you wear your retainers!
Questions?
Reach out any time via email or by calling (212) 686-3686.