Invisalign is a set of clear plastic trays that are designed to straighten your teeth without metal braces. You wear the trays for about two weeks at a time and then replace them with the next set of trays, which gradually straighten your teeth over time until you have the smile you've always wanted!
What Is Invisalign?
It should be noted that Invisalign and braces are two different things. Invisalign is a type of dental treatment that uses forces to move teeth. The aligners are the key element, and they need to be replaced as your teeth move. As your teeth move slowly into place, you'll need to change the aligners; at least once every 2 weeks. The replacement process is simpler than with braces, though braces use wires as well. Composite buttons can be added throughout the treatment for even better results.
A clear plastic aligner is attached to your teeth when you get Invisalign. This goes on for about 20 hours a day. However, the length of time to wear the Invisalign sprint is determined individually by the dental on a case-by-case basis. In order to practice proper oral hygiene and clean the tray yourself, you need to remove the tray before eating. Dental professionals and their teams or assistants place compound buttons on their teeth to create areas of force or pressure.
Invisalign: Does It Really Work?
Some people still wonder whether or not Invisalign actually works. The short answer is yes, it absolutely does. Another gray area for many people involves the user demographic of Invisalign. For a lot of people, it's merely appealing to the older demographic who are looking for discreet straightening appliances or braces. However, teenagers are actually getting actively interested in Invisalign as well.
Invisalign will work for as long as the person wearing it is responsible and takes steps such as:
- Clean the trays
- Listen to the dentist
- Switch them out as instructed
- Wear the trays for the time recommended
Are You A Good Invisalign Candidate?
In truth, a dentist will be the one to decide whether your specific case makes you ideal for Invisalign. The factor that you can settle on from your end, however, is whether or not you're ready to commit and be responsible. As mentioned above, there is a lot of personal responsibility involved with just how well Invisalign will work.
Since Invisalign aligner trays can get dirty, for example, they really have to be cleaned regularly. It is critical to put the trays in temporarily before you eat, so you avoid any potential issues related to plaque and bacteria that can build up on the trays themselves. A lot of mindfulness is involved when it comes to Invisalign wear.
Ultimately, you should express your desire to wear Invisalign to your dental professional and move forward from there.
Conclusion
Invisalign is an alternative to braces that is more discreet and requires more personal responsibility from the wearer. It's important to wear the trays for the time recommended, switch them out as instructed and clean the trays regularly. See a dentist to determine whether Invisalign is feasible.
Planning to get Invisalign in Ann Arbor? Reach out to Dental House MI today! We offer a wide range of dental services such as dental implants, dentures, oral surgery, advanced dental technology, cosmetic dentistry and more.