Invisalign treatment has been gaining popularity as an alternative orthodontic treatment to the traditional metal braces. The new technology is just as effective for treating most orthodontic issues and improving your smile, but it uses clear aligners that are more comfortable, hygienic, and discrete.
The Invisalign system uses a series of custom-made removable aligners to gradually move your teeth to the ideal position. Since the aligners are made from clear plastic, most people you interact with won’t even notice you wearing the nearly invisible aligners, so you can maintain your lifestyle during treatment.
If you’re considering getting Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth, you will likely go through the following process:
1. Consultation with an Invisalign Specialist
The first step is a consultation with your Invisalign specialist or other orthodontist to determine whether Invisalign treatment is right for your case. Generally, the treatment is recommended for most mild to moderate orthodontic issues, including closing spaces between teeth, straightening crooked or crowded teeth, fixing malocclusion, and addressing overbites/underbites/crossbites.
2. Creating a Custom Treatment Plan
If you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, your Invisalign specialist will take photos, digital scans, and X-rays, or dental impression to assist in formulating a treatment plan that can address your teeth straightening problem with precision. The specialist will come up with a personalized treatment prescription that will be used together with the records – in the above step to create a customized 3D treatment plan for your specific problem. Using Align Technology, you and your specialist can view the expected final position of your teeth at the completion of the treatment.
3. Manufacturing Your Custom Aligners
This custom-treatment plan will then be used to develop your series of personalized aligners, and will determine the duration of your treatment. Your customized aligners will be fabricated and sent to your orthodontist’s office to initiate the treatment
4. Delivery of Your First Set of Aligners
Once your aligners are ready and delivered to your orthodontist’s office, you will be provided with a series of your custom-made aligners (either 3 or 4 sets) that you can change yourself every 2 weeks. The Invisalign system requires that you wear your clear aligners every day for 20 to 22 hours, removing them only during meals and brushing/flossing. This allows you to maintain your quality of life while receiving orthodontic treatment that will improve your smile and transform your life.
5. Follow-up Visits
Every 6-8 weeks, you will have to return to the orthodontist for the next sets of aligners in the series. These visits are also important to monitor the progress of your treatment
6. End of the Invisalign Treatment
After completing your Invisalign treatment, your orthodontist may recommend that you wear retainers to help maintain the new position of your teeth
Visit your orthodontist in Ocala, FL today to discuss ways to improve your smile.