For a teenager, few things are more intimidating/embarrassing/uncomfortable than getting traditional braces put onto their teeth. It’s not that it’s unique (roughly two thirds of U.S. teenagers have some sort of orthodontic treatment); it’s just that there’s so much metal. And that metal rubs on the lips; wires poke the cheeks; food gets caught in the bands — braces can be difficult.
But Invisalign can do all the heavy lifting, without all the metal. That’s why Invisalign has become the preferred way for our Implant Dentistry of Florida patients to close gaps, achieve moderate movement, and straighten their teeth.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the latest technology in teeth straightening, utilizing clear plastic aligners in place of the traditional metal brackets and wires. The Invisalign system uses a series of custom-made aligners. Each aligner is designed by computer to move the teeth a certain amount and is worn for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks that aligner’s job is finished and the next aligner takes its place. This procedure is repeated until the teeth are in the proper position.
What are the advantages of Invisalign?
Obviously, the biggest advantage is visual. With Invisalign most people can’t even tell the person is having his or her teeth straightened because the aligners are clear plastic and virtually invisible.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign won’t irritate the cheeks and lips. There are no stray wires to unexpectedly poke the cheeks or tongue.
And hygiene is much easier with Invisalign. The wearer simply removes the aligner to eat, and brush or floss. No need for floss threaders and the like, and there’s no chance of getting food caught in the brackets.
How does it work?
After x-rays and impressions are made, the Invisalign system software creates a 3D map of the patient’s teeth. From there, Dr. Brown plots out the patient’s tooth movement. This movement is broken down into each individual aligner. This information is then sent to Align Technologies, the creator of Invisalign, and the company uses the information to fabricate the aligner trays. When they are finished we receive them in our Melbourne offices. Each aligner is worn for two weeks and then is replaced by the next aligner in the series. When the teeth are into their correct, final position, retainers are worn to keep them there.
Interested in Invisalign for your teenager or yourself? Call us at (321) 372-7700 to schedule a consultation to see if Invisalign would work for you.