Clear aligners are a step forward in cosmetic dentistry, specifically in orthodontics. People are used to the image of ugly metal brackets fixed tightly to the teeth, which make the wearer uncomfortable and less confident when talking to others. Now you can choose clear aligners instead: easy to use, highly aesthetic and still effective.
1. What are Invisalign clear aligners?
Invisalign clear aligners are a way to straighten teeth without brackets or elastics like regular braces; instead, they use clear aligner trays to move the teeth.
2. How do Invisalign clear aligners work?
- Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear aligner trays, custom designed for each person's teeth and worn one after another at each stage of the treatment.
- The trays are numbered from tray 1 to the last tray. On average, each tray is worn for about 2 weeks and moves the teeth about 0.25 mm toward the desired position, continuing until the teeth reach the right position.
- Patients usually need a total of about 20 to 40 Invisalign trays, depending on how crooked their teeth are. For Invisalign to work best, you need to wear the trays at least 22 hours a day.
3. Who are Invisalign clear aligners suitable for?
Invisalign clear aligners can be used for most cases that need orthodontic treatment, such as:
- Crooked teeth, gaps between teeth
- Protruding teeth, underbite, misaligned teeth, crowded teeth and more
Invisalign clear aligners are suitable for everyone from children to adults, especially people who care a lot about appearance, talk to people a lot, or are busy and do not have much time for frequent visits to the dentist.
4. Pros and cons of Invisalign clear aligners
Pros
Discreet, easy to take out for cleaning and eating, so they are comfortable to wear; advanced technology tailored to each patient; fewer visits to the dental clinic. You can see the result in advance.
Cons
Higher cost, can be uncomfortable.
5. Do Invisalign clear aligners hurt?
This is something many people worry about when they think about straightening their teeth. When you first start wearing the trays, you may feel a little discomfort, because you can feel the pressure on your teeth.
This is a sign that the aligners are working, gradually moving your teeth toward the final result. The discomfort usually goes away after a few days.
6. Does Invisalign take longer than regular braces?
As with other types of braces, the treatment time depends on how complex your case is. Invisalign treatment for adults usually takes 1 to 2 years.