How Does Invisalign Work for Your Family?
If you’ve ever asked the question— “How does Invisalign work for my family?” — well, wonder no more. We created this guide for all you wanted to know about this orthodontic treatment. Read below for answers to the following key topics, and please feel free contact us when you are ready to talk more.
At Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, our experienced doctors have successfully treated more cases with Invisalign than 99% of doctors in all of North America. This makes us the #1 provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen within the state of Indiana. Both Dr. Gorman and Dr. Bunch were even selected specifically by Invisalign to teach this orthodontic method to new orthodontic residents and future Invisalign doctors at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
WHAT IS INVISALIGN?
Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of clear, removable, custom-made appliances. These are called aligners, and they are used to straighten your teeth. When combined with our extensive knowledge of the 100-year-old science of orthodontics, the aligners shift your teeth in incremental steps to the final desired position for a healthier smile.
We begin the invisalign process by taking a digital scan of your teeth and creating a 3D model. We then create a treatment plan based around the exact shape of your mouth. Invisalign then uses the most advanced of technologies to translate this digital plan into a series of customized aligners that you wear for one week at a time.
Your teeth will shift gradually into their new positions as you continually wear and transition your aligners. After about 12-24 months, we will achieve a new and healthier smile.
HOW DOES INVISALIGN WORK?
Before you receive treatment, we want you to fully understand the answers to these common questions: “What is Invisalign” and “How does Invisalign work?” We use state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology to create a unique set of aligners made specifically for you and your needs. You will switch to new aligners every week as your teeth shift. Throughout the process, your teeth will shift gradually with each new aligner, resulting in a beautiful new smile.
The Invisalign System
The Aligners
Instead of the wires and brackets used with braces, Invisalign will straighten your teeth with a series of clear, custom-designed, and removable appliances called aligners. The aligners are nearly undetectable, and they are created to move your teeth in small increments into the desired final position. Because they are customized to fit your mouth, you wear each aligner for one week — for desired results, you can only take it out to eat, brush and floss.
The Scanner
We use a digital imaging scanner called iTero Element, to create a 3D image of your teeth in just a few minutes. This scan informs us on how to create the customized shape for your aligners
The Software
In the next step, we use software called ClinCheck to design the digital treatment plan directly from your scans. We can create the entire plan — from your first set of aligners to your beautiful new smile all by using this software.
The Material
Invisalign aligners are developed with a material called SmartTrack. They are comfortable, transparent, and easy to put in and take out. The SmartTrack material has been shown to apply a gentle, comfortable, pressure to your teeth in order to help shift them to the desired position.
The Attachments
We are able to make complex shifts to the positioning of your teeth without the use of traditional braces by using Invisalign attachments called SmartForce. These are small, tooth-colored, pieces that connect to your teeth during treatment. Your aligners can fit snugly around the Invisalign attachments and this gives your aligners a little something extra to gently push on. Quick Note: These attachments are not necessary in every treatment plan.
The Retainer
Once treatment with your aligners is completed, we develop a retainer within our offices so that we can help to keep your smile straight and in place. These retainers are as clear as the aligners, and they maintain a healthy smile without noticing anything over your teeth.
If you are still curious about the product or process, give our office a call and ask the front desk for some Invisalign reviews of past patients who can tell you more personal details about their experience with Invisalign.
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