Every year, millions of dollars are said to be spent by patients on treating malocclusion. It is because malocclusion is such a common oral concern among individuals of all ages. Getting it treated brings about a massive change in the aesthetics of the smile and the functionality of the mouth. In recent years, dental technology has come up with a revolutionary solution to a malocclusion - Invisalign.

 

What is Invisalign?

 

Invisalign is an orthodontic appliance used to correct the misalignment of teeth. It is fabricated from transparent plastic material and stays under disguise when worn. The transparent aligner walls apply pressure on the teeth in a controlled manner, thereby helping to move them in the required direction. Over time, the teeth get into the necessary alignment, thereby giving you a beautiful smile.

 

How is Invisalign better than its alternatives?

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• Invisalign is metal-free. It doesn't contain any brackets or wires, unlike metal braces.

• The plastic used to fabricate them is dental-grade material. Meaning, it doesn't cause any oral infections and offers superior properties.

• Though the aligners' walls gently apply pressure on the teeth, they do not harm the soft gum tissues.

• Invisalign is especially preferred by teenagers, as it keeps them from going through a whole lot of embarrassment from their friends. Also, they can wear Invisalign to school with confidence, without worrying about the aligner being visible.

• Invisalign is a removable aligner. When you have to eat food or brush your teeth, you can easily take them off and carry on with your activities.

• In the case of dental braces, your hygienist may ask you to avoid eating a few foods, such as hard or sticky eatables. But, there is no such restriction with Invisalign.

 

Usage of Invisalign

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For Invisalign treatment to be highly effective, there are a few things to be kept in mind. Although Invisalign is removable, it has to be worn for at least 22 hours every day. It ensures the aligners are in maximum contact duration with the teeth, during which they can move them as required. They have to be put on even when you go to sleep.

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Since the treatment is divided into various phases, a new set of aligners will be given by the dentist for each stage. Each phase usually lasts for two weeks. Every time you start with a new set of aligners, they may feel slightly uncomfortable against your teeth. But, the feeling will wear off in a couple of days as you get used to them. Every time you wear the aligners, make sure there are no food residues stuck between the teeth as it could affect the treatment. Based on the type of malocclusion and its severity, your treatment period could range between a few months to a couple of years.