Have you ever wondered how it would feel to wear Invisalign to help align your teeth? Well, you’re in the right place because we’re about to discuss just that. Invisalign has grown quite popular in the last decade because of its effectiveness. Imagine getting your teeth fixed without the unappealing brackets and metal wires that come with braces!
In this article, we will discuss what Invisalign is—its perks, why you need it if you have crooked teeth, and everything you need to know. So if you are curious about this amazing teeth-straightening procedure, feel free to read this write-up.
Why is it Important to Fix Uneven Teeth?
Many people who want to fix their teeth are mainly concerned about their appearance. Crooked teeth and other dental issues negatively impact our self-esteem as they make us overly self-conscious about our looks. However, we have to remember that teeth straightening is far more than just correcting insecurities about our appearance.
Fixing the structure of our teeth also helps minimize the risk of serious dental problems. Like a periodontal disease that causes our jaw tissues to deteriorate over time. This is because you can easily remove harmful bacteria with straight teeth.
Having straight teeth can also eliminate the chances of you grinding your teeth when asleep due to an unaligned jaw. You can eat your food properly without feeling any pain when chewing. And if you suffer from sleep apnea, straightening your teeth can help open your airways so you can easily breathe at night [1].
What is Invisalign?
The Invisalign system was developed by Align Technology 25 years ago. Invisalign uses a clear SmartTrack thermoplastic aligner to help adjust people’s teeth. Since it was introduced, Invisalign has helped fix the smiles of millions of people from all over the globe [2].
Wearing transparent, removable aligners while receiving treatment with Invisalign allows your teeth to shift gradually over time. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can straighten teeth without limiting your diet. Since the aligners must be taken out before eating, you can eat crunchy, chewy, sticky, or sweet foods freely.
Additionally, Invisalign is far less noticeable than traditional braces with their metal brackets and wires due to their transparency.
Invisalign: How Do They Work?
Having a consultation and examination with a dentist or orthodontist who has received Invisalign training is the first step in the procedure—According to Align Technology’s global clinical senior vice president and resident orthodontist, Mitra Derakhshan, D. D. S..
The patient’s teeth are photographed and subjected to a 3D digital scan during the initial examination. After the 3D model of the patient’s teeth structure is made, the clear aligners are constructed using 3D printing technology.
According to Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., a board-certified orthodontist and proprietor of Skin to Smile in Morristown, New Jersey—Invisalign involves wearing a series of clear aligners which gradually moves the teeth a quarter of a millimeter every time. Once the patient’s teeth have adjusted with the current set of aligners, they switch to the next set of trays.
Before or during your Invisalign treatment, your dentist might attach SmartForce attachments to your teeth. These tiny buttons are the same color as your teeth, giving your aligners leverage by acting as handles [3].
Over time, your teeth will eventually be straightened out. The final results will vary based on how severely your teeth were misalignment initially. But if you wear your aligners properly and as directed, rest assured that you’ll have straighter teeth in the future [4]!
The Benefits of Using Invisalign
Invisalign hasn’t gone viral in the past decades for nothing. Since it was introduced to the public, it has garnered attention because of its plethora of benefits that people loved. Here are the main reasons why Invisalign has marked its way in the teeth straightening scene [5]:
They are transparent.
The thought that immediately comes into people’s minds when thinking of Invisalign is that it’s INVISIBLE (Well mostly, since it’s made of transparent material). For people who dislike the constricting appearance of braces, clear aligners like Invisalign are a fantastic substitute.
You can eat any food that you like.
If you have ever tried wearing braces before, you might know that it can limit your food choices. So when wearing braces, you must avoid eating foods that are either hard, crunchy, or sticky. But when using Invisalign, you can choose anything you want to eat without restrictions. Simply take off your aligners, and you can enjoy any food as you please!
Maintaining it isn’t difficult.
Compared to regular braces, people who have tried Invisalign had lesser issues with proper oral hygiene. This is because Invisalign’s aligners don’t have wires and brackets that can trap food. Now don’t get me wrong, Invisalign doesn’t exempt you from brushing your teeth and flossing. You still have to do those regularly!
So technically, the main advantage Invisalign has over braces is that it’s easier to do your oral routine with it. Since you can remove them anytime without hassle.
Less frequent dental appointments.
When you wear braces, you are bound to make several visits to your dentist’s clinic. Your dentist appointments could include bracket bondings, rewiring, putting rubber bands on the wires, and connecting springs, just to name a few. So you will undergo multiple manual checkups and maintenance just to keep them in good shape.
But with Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about any of those. On average, Invisalign appointments typically last just ten minutes!
Costs of Invisalign
Treatment generally costs in the range of $3000 to $7000, though this could depend on the complexity of your condition and the duration of treatment.
You may be able to claim up to $3000 from your insurance company, so it’s best to check with your insurance agent if your policy covers this treatment.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign may take anywhere from 6 to 12 months or even more than that. On average, it takes under 2 years before you’ll start seeing results. And depending on the complexity of your condition, it could take as little as 6 months.
On that note, you’ll need to wear Invisalign for at least 22 hours per day for the treatment to be effective. Of course, you can remove it when you need to eat. But other than that, it’s important to keep it in to prevent any delay in treatment completion.
Bottomline
If you have issues with the current structure of your teeth, Invisalign is indeed a great option for you. But at the end of the day, you also have to consider the severity of your dental issues before you make a decision. Invisalign might have been proven to be effective in fixing people’s teeth, but it also comes with a hefty price—literally.
So before you make a final choice, think carefully. And as always, do not forget to ask for professional advice from your doctor or local orthodontist.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Ramar K, Dort LC, Katz SG, Lettieri CJ, Harrod CG, Thomas SM, Chervin RD. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring with Oral Appliance Therapy: An Update for 2015. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Jul 15;11(7):773-827. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.4858. PMID: 26094920; PMCID: PMC4481062.
- Weir T. Clear aligners in orthodontic treatment. Aust Dent J. 2017 Mar;62 Suppl 1:58-62. doi: 10.1111/adj.12480. PMID: 28297094.
- Kravitz ND, Kusnoto B, BeGole E, Obrez A, Agran B. How well does Invisalign work? A prospective clinical study evaluating the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009 Jan;135(1):27-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2007.05.018. PMID: 19121497.
- Robertson L, Kaur H, Fagundes NCF, Romanyk D, Major P, Flores Mir C. Effectiveness of clear aligner therapy for orthodontic treatment: A systematic review. Orthod Craniofac Res. 2020 May;23(2):133-142. doi: 10.1111/ocr.12353. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31651082.
- Kuncio DA. Invisalign: current guidelines for effective treatment. N Y State Dent J. 2014 Mar;80(2):11-4. PMID: 24851387.