What is Invisalign? Breaking Things Down
When most people think about straightening their teeth they usually call to mind images of braces connected via a series of wires. This is because most people are familiar with traditional braces and, for years, this was the only effective way to correct a smile and bite.
Invisalign uses a series of small, clear plastic aligner trays that a patient will wear in their mouth like a retainer. Those trays are created using sophisticated 3D imaging to the precise dimensions of someone’s mouth, ultimately allowing them to act as a custom “second skin” for their teeth.
Each set of aligners is worn for one week until they’re swapped out for the next set in the series. Each set gently moves the teeth into the desired position, thus correcting someone’s smile (or bite-related problems like an under or overbite) during the treatment.
Why Would I Want Invisalign, Anyway?
While traditional braces technology has come a long way, aligner therapy has a number of advantages.
REMOVABLE: Aligners are totally removable – meaning that they’re both easy to clean AND that you don’t have to watch what you eat for the duration of your treatment. You can eat absolutely anything you’d like, so long as you A) remove the aligners before you eat, and B) brush and floss your teeth, whenever possible, before putting them back in otherwise at least rinse with water.
DISCREET: Because the aligners are removable, you can take them out for special occasions – like weddings, school dances, or just your family photos.
FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE: Last but not least, clear aligners allow you to be yourself. Whether you have to speak in public for your job, play a musical instrument, play sports or you just want to keep your treatment private, aligners are the perfect alternative to braces.