How Does Invisalign Work? Your Top 8 Questions Answered!
Are you self-conscious about your smile? Or do you find yourself wishing for straighter teeth?
Maybe you’ve been avoiding orthodontic treatment because you don’t want to deal with unsightly metal that comes with traditional braces.
But – we have the solution for you.
Invisalign clear aligners work “like magic” to move teeth with a virtually invisible system, so nobody has to know you’re wearing them.
But (spoiler alert) it’s not magic:
It’s innovative dental technology!
Our dentists at Dental Health Care of Woburn are certified Invisalign providers, and we’ll help you understand your biggest question:
“How does Invisalign work?”
Keep reading to learn the answer to that and your top 8 Invisalign FAQs.
1. Does Invisalign work?
Yes, Invisalign works to straighten teeth with mild to moderate cases of misalignment.
The system works as well as braces to move teeth into the desired position, creating a straight smile.
But let’s get into the details:
2. How does Invisalign work?
Invisalign uses a series of custom plastic trays to shift teeth like braces and fix crooked teeth, gaps in teeth, misalignments, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Here’s how the Invisalign process works:
- Step 1: You’ll have an initial consultation with your dentist or orthodontist, receive a 3D scan, and find out if Invisalign is right for you and how it can straighten your teeth.
- Step 2: A custom plan is created, and you’ll pick up your set of aligners and get a fitting to double-check for comfort.
- Step 3: Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day, and only remove them for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene.
- Step 4: Switch your aligners, visit the dentist every 6-8 weeks for a checkup, and pick up your new series of aligners.
In just a few months, you’ll start seeing results, and most treatments are faster than you may think.
3. How long does Invisalign take?
Invisalign treatment time depends on the severity of the case and compliance with wearing the aligners at least 22 hours a day but treatment typically ranges from 6-24 months.
Unlike metal braces attached to your teeth, aligners are removable and require patients to do their part in wearing their aligners for the required hours per day.
For the most part, clear aligners are easy to keep track of and easy to maintain.
4. How do you clean the aligners?
It’s easy to clean your Invisalign aligners, and there are Invisalign cleaning accessories… opens in a new window to Invisalign Accessories website… available to help.
These accessories are optional, and Invisalign can be cleaned by rinsing the aligners and brushing them gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Just make sure your toothpaste is non-abrasive, and when finished, rinse the aligners once more.
Invisalign is much easier to maintain than metal braces, but that’s not all:
5. Which is better: Invisalign vs. braces?
Your decision to get braces or Invisalign depends on the smile you’re looking to achieve and your lifestyle.
Clear aligners give you the freedom to be yourself and are easier to maintain. But they do require you to be proactive and switch out the trays according to your unique plan.
On the other hand, braces make it harder to brush your teeth, and people report feeling discomfort from the metal brackets and wires. But unlike aligners, you have no choice in taking them off or on because they’re attached to your teeth.
The convenience level here is clear…
Literally!
But how about the capabilities of each?
One of the biggest differences between aligners and braces is:
Traditional braces can fix an extreme overbite or underbite, but Invisalign is for mild to moderate cases.
To find out which is best for you, you should schedule a consultation with your local dentist or orthodontist.
In our personal opinion:
We believe Invisalign has more benefits that adults and teens prefer over braces.
This is because of Invisalign’s proven track record of straightening over 11 million smiles and its dedication to improving its product to ensure you get the straight smile you want without dealing with braces.
6. What’s Invisalign made of?
Invisalign clear aligners are made from FDA-approved, BPA-free plastic safe for wear in your mouth.
Their patented SmartTrack™… opens in a new window to Invisalign website… is a multilayer polyurethane blended plastic that creates a nearly invisible aligner.
7. What treatment options are offered with Invisalign?
Invisalign currently offers five different options:
- Invisalign First – From crowding and spacing to narrow arches, these are designed to be a treatment option for children ages 6-10.
- Invisalign Express – For issues like minor crowding, Invisalign Express offers a treatment time of just six months and ten sets of aligners.
- Invisalign Lite – Some patients need a little more treatment than Express but don’t have major issues. Invisalign Lite uses 14 sets of trays and requires just a month or two more treatment time.
- Invisalign Full – This version of Invisalign is for complex treatment plans requiring between 12 to 18 months of treatment.
- Invisalign i7 – Some patients have mild overcrowding and just need a little treatment. i7 uses only seven sets of aligners and only takes about three months of treatment time.
8. How long does it take?
Invisalign’s SmartTrack technology makes treatment faster than traditional braces.
Treatments range from three to 24 months, depending on how many teeth are involved and the complexity of your case.
Invisalign requires you to wear the aligners for around 22 hours a day and only take them out to eat, drink, and clean your teeth.
Set up a free Invisalign consultation with our dentist in Woburn, WA
Dr. Melissa Mancuso is a certified Invisalign® provider. She has taken the specialized training required to provide you with effective Invisalign® treatment.
If you’re ready to love your smile, schedule a zero-risk consultation with us today.
Or contact us by:
- Phone: 781-935-8810
- Email: reception@dentalhealthcareofwoburn.com
Dental Health Care of Woburn is located in Woburn, MA… This text opens a new tab to our Google listing… and is proud to help patients from Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, Stoneham, Reading, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Lexington, Wakefield, and surrounding communities.
