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Invisalign attachments are tooth-colored bumps that are bonded to the teeth temporarily to help the aligner trays move the teeth in the right direction.
You will come in for a consultation with Dr. Dennis Lee, who will examine your mouth and determine if you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign. Considerations such as the severity of your malocclusions and your willingness to comply with wearing your aligner will be taken into account.
X-rays and impressions will be taken of your teeth. These are sent to the Invisalign lab and used to create a custom-fit tray that can fit snugly over your teeth. A computer model is used to track the planned movement of your teeth and the subsequent aligners that will achieve this movement.
It will take about 4 weeks for your aligners to be ready. When they’re here, you’ll come back to pick them up. If you need attachments, we will bond composite resin in specific shapes and sizes on your teeth to encourage movement in certain directions. You will return to our office about every 6 weeks to check on your progress. During these appointments, you will receive enough aligners to change them out every 2 weeks.
After your treatment has been completed, it’s important to check how well your teeth have shifted. If you need a few additional sets of aligners for refinement, we can order more. When your teeth have completely shifted into their official alignment, it’s important to maintain these results with a retainer.
This depends on the patient’s age, the severity of their orthodontic problems, and how well they comply with treatment. Younger patients whose jaw is still developing have the best chance of obtaining fast and effective results.
Wearing your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day is a must for your teeth to shift according to the treatment plan. While severely crooked teeth and a misaligned jaw can take longer to correct, Invisalign attachments and elastics have enabled us to treat these problems without the need for traditional braces.
Overall, treatment can be as short as 6 months or as long as a few years. The average length of treatment is 12-18 months.
Invisalign is a fantastic alternative to traditional braces because clear aligners shift your teeth without clunky and noticeable metal wires and brackets. Metal braces tend to be more painful, noticeable, and difficult to clean and eat with.
In comparison, Invisalign is transparent, removable, enables you to eat whatever you want (as long as you remove the aligners first), and the pressure is gentler. In the past, it was thought that Invisalign could only correct minor malocclusions. However, with the advent of attachment buttons and elastics, those with moderate to severe alignment issues can now benefit from the convenience and flexibility of Invisalign treatment.
The removability of the aligners enables patients to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth in a way that is extremely difficult to do with traditional braces. This reduces the risk of developing plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Over 8 million smiles have been transformed with Invisalign.
The aligners are designed from molds and built in layers with photo-sensitive liquid resin. When exposed to a laser, the resin cures into a hard, yet flexible, thermoplastic. This plastic is called SmartTrack®, and it was created exclusively for Invisalign treatment. It’s FDA-approved and contains no BPA, BPS, latex or gluten.
The simplest way to keep them clean is to brush them with a toothbrush and toothpaste as often as you brush your teeth. If you don’t have access to your toothbrush, you should rinse them with lukewarm water. Never use hot water as you may warp the plastic. You can also purchase an Invisalign Cleaning System for a more thorough clean.
Invisalign aligners are made from clear plastic, which makes them virtually invisible. Many people may not notice that you’re wearing them. All sets of aligners are custom-made to fit snuggly to your teeth, and are trimmed to fit to your gum line for a more seamless wear. There are no metal brackets or wires, or restrictions that come with braces, so you can feel confident in your smile throughout treatment.
Invisalign treatment is usually similar in cost to that of braces. But pricing fluctuates depending on your case. A consultation with your doctor will determine your needs and help establish the cost of your treatment.
Your insurance may also cover orthodontic treatment, so be sure to check with your insurance provider to better understand your coverage and options.
Average treatment times for Invisalign are just 1 year.
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