Dentistry has advanced, and nowadays, you can achieve aligned teeth without drawing attention to the orthodontic appliance. Invisalign is a popular alternative to braces treatment, and it offers a discreet and comfortable solution to eligible patients. So, how does Invisalign work? It can be confusing to understand how a clear aligner can achieve effective results without the need for brackets or wires. We will talk about it in this article!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that involves a series of clear aligners that are customized according to your teeth. They move your teeth into the proper position by applying constant pressure. Invisalign is made of clear plastic material, unlike braces, and does not need brackets or wires to smoothly move your teeth into correct alignment.
They are a popular choice thanks to the benefits they offer in comparison to traditional braces. One of the most significant advantages of Invisalign, apart from the discreteness, is its removability. You can easily take them out when you have to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Therefore, Invisalign makes it easy to maintain proper oral hygiene and eliminates the risk of developing cavities.
How Does the Invisalign Process Work?
You might be wondering about the process and science behind the Invisalign treatment. Once your dentist clears you for the Invisalign treatment and, take the scans of your teeth to design the custom aligners. It takes around two weeks for the aligners to arrive. The dentist will call you for a fitting appointment to make sure the Invisalign fits well. Every two weeks, you will receive a new aligner that is created according to the new positions of your teeth.
The dentist will instruct you to wear the clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day; the longer you wear them, the faster they will work. It will depend on the alignment of your teeth and how long the Invisalign process requires to work, but it could take as little as three months. After your treatment is complete, you will need retainers to stop your teeth from moving back to their old position!
The Science Behind How Invisalign Works to Move Your Teeth
Invisalign procedure involves the use of clear plastic aligners to move your teeth. The clear aligners might move, tip, rotate, pull, and push your teeth to correct their alignment. The series of aligners will differ in shape depending on the positions of your teeth.
You must be thinking about how Invisalign manages to move your teeth through solid bone. To answer, the roots of our teeth are set in bone, but there is a ligament between them. Known as the periodontal ligament, it contains busy cells that remove the bone in the direction your teeth are moving or add new bone in the space that your teeth move out of. When pressure is exerted from the Invisalign, it starts the remodeling process, and you may even notice wobbly teeth during your Invisalign treatment.
The bone will harden all the way around the teeth once your treatment has finished. This is why it is important to have immediate retention after Invisalign treatment!
In a Gist
You can opt for Invisalign treatment if you are eligible, as it works to move your teeth to the right position. You will have correctly aligned teeth by the end of this treatment.
Talk to our experts at DentaLand Dentistry of Houston and dial (832) 674-8377 to schedule an appointment with us.