About orthodontics - Invisalign

What is Invisalign?

• Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
• Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.

 

How Does Invisalign Work?

• You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
• As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.
• You'll visit your orthodontist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
• Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

 

How Are Aligners Made?

The aligners are made through a combination of your orthodontist's expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.

You may wonder what goes on at Invisalign between the time that your orthodontist takes impressions of your teeth and when you receive your first set of aligners. State of the art computer technology plays a vital role in the process. In fact, Invisalign's high-volume, customised manufacturing process is the first of its kind in the world. The process below shows some of the ways advanced computer technology fits into the Invisalign.

• To ensure a high degree of accuracy throughout the process, impressions are taken of your teeth by your doctor.
• Your doctor sends Invisalign your impressions which are used to make plaster models of your teeth.
• Using advanced imaging technology, Invisalign transforms your plaster models into a highly accurate 3-D digital image.
• A computerized movie - called ClinCheck - depicting the movement of your teeth from the beginning to the final position is created.
• After wearing all of your aligners in the series, you get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
• Your customized set of aligners are made from these models, sent to your doctor, and given to you. You wear each aligner for about two weeks.
• From your approved ClinCheck file, Invisalign uses laser scanning to build a set of actual models that reflect each stage of your treatment plan.
• Using the Internet, the doctor reviews your ClinCheck file - if necessary, adjustments to the depicted plan are made.