Invisalign Aligners – How It Works
Clear aligners are lightweight, clear plastic dental braces, which are used as an alternative to conventional metal braces to straighten teeth. The wearer is required to wear the aligners for a period of time, usually one or two months, at the beginning of the treatment, and then remove them after the prescribed number of months. This is done without any special preparation or ceremony, and patients have reported no negative reactions or changes in teeth alignment while wearing Invisalign aligners. The main advantage to Invisalign is that it allows the dentist to make smaller incisions, enabling less discomfort for the patient, as well as reducing the risk of infections.
The first few weeks following surgery will be the most uncomfortable and possibly stressful for the wearer. The aligners need to be worn for a period of time to build up a comfort level and bond with the wearer. By wearing Invisalign braces during this period, people can expect to see improvements immediately. Many practitioners also advise the removal of braces following meals or at bedtime, allowing the teeth to move more naturally. Also, unlike conventional metal braces, invisalign aligners do not need to be tightened if the patient’s bite isn’t shifting correctly, as this can damage the aligner over time and cause it to loosen.
It is important to note that unlike traditional braces, invisalign aligners cannot be removed. This means that there is no need to be worried about chewing your food or swallowing, as these are tasks that take place unconsciously anyway. Invisalign braces are also designed to improve the oral hygiene routine, as food particles can easily become trapped, reducing the amount of food that is taken out through the mouth. The clear plastic braces can also help to prevent tooth decay by cleaning the teeth thoroughly between brackets, unlike traditional metal bands. This can be particularly beneficial for children, who often suffer from bad breath due to plaque building up in their mouths.
To begin the treatment process, an initial visit to an orthodontist will be made in order to secure brackets and trays and discuss which type is most suitable for your teeth. Invisalign aligners can either be secured to the teeth with adhesive strips or placed in the mouth using specially designed trays. Braces can then be installed using trays fitted with individual aligners, or the entire mouth can be straightened using one large bracket. For an instance, if a patient’s teeth have a slight degree of inward curvature, a straightener can be used, which can be adjusted over time as the patient’s bite changes. Invisalign treatments can be performed by both adults and children.
However, the main advantage of invisalign trays is that they offer a more permanent solution to straightening teeth than traditional braces. Although Invisalign aligners can be removed at meal times, they cannot be removed without the help of a dentist, and in some instances, metal braces may also need to be removed periodically. They can also be very uncomfortable and can sometimes damage the soft tissues around the mouth. Another disadvantage is that treatment can only take place on the teeth, but not on the tongue. Also, because they are completely removable, it may be easy for kids to get stuck them.
If you would like to try out Invisalign aligners but do not want the hassle of wearing braces or removing them, you can also purchase small, clear plastic aligners that make a full set of aligners that resemble a mouth tray. These plastic aligners expand when worn, similar to a mouth guard, and also expand when expanded, similar to a tennis ball. As long as the plastic stays within its recommended pressure range, it can be almost invisible to anyone. As these are almost completely invisible, treatment can take place virtually invisible to anyone, making this the most popular type of Invisalign treatment available.