what is invisalign?

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a modern and innovative form of orthodontics.  Using a series of clear, custom fit, removable aligners, teeth are shifted and gradually repositioned to a more desirable position. When using Invisalign, the end result is the same as what would have otherwise been achieved conventionally through the use of metal braces.

 

What is the Invisalign Process?

First you will come in to take all of the necessary records at our office, once complete they will be shipped to Invisalign.  Once Invisalign has received the records taken at our office, they will be scanned and reviewed by an Invisalign dental professional.  Then Invisalign will fabricate a depiction of the complete treatment plan with their 3D computer imaging technology.  This will then be e-mailed to Dr. Mello to illustrate to her every position and movement (from your starting point to your final desired position) that will take place throughout the process of treatment.  Once she gives her approval, Invisalign will then make the series of custom-made "aligners" and ship them to our office.

 

 

 

How do the Invisalign aligners work?

Once the aligners (clear trays that will shift your teeth) have arrived, the patient will come in to visit with Dr. Mello for their first Invisalign appointment.  At this visit, we will review with the patient everything they will need to know to properly proceed with and maintain their Invisalign.  On average, patients will be given anywhere from 2-4 aligners per arch (This will depend on weather you are having top, bottom, or top and bottom corrected and how often Dr. Mello feels she needs to monitor the progress) and will be asked to wear each aligner for 2 about weeks.  Your Invisalign visits will be approximately every 4-8 weeks, depending on what Dr. Mello recommends.  Each aligner is numbered, so there is never any confusion about what your next step should be. Each new aligner will impose a new shift to your teeth with controlled force (teeth will move in modest increments, week by week) and represents one more step towards the final result. The patient will continue to do this until the final position is achieved.

 

Will Invisalign shift my teeth effectively?
Does Invisalign really work?

Some skeptics have questioned weather Invisalign is an effective method of orthodontics (movement of teeth). It has been our experience that Invisalign is a very accurate, and effective form of orthodontics for those who are candidates.  Treatment can range from anywhere between minor tweaks to complex correction.  The ability to treat more complicated cases through Invisalign stems from years of experience and advanced training.  The doctor has to have enough experience to know what can and cannot accomplish through the use of Invisalign. On average, about 90% of patient who visit with Dr. Mello requesting Invisalign are candidates. Upon completion, all of Dr. Mello’s Invisalign patients are pleased and ecstatic about the results.  We are certain you will be too.

 

What kind of problems can be corrected with Invisalign?
Is Invisalign right for me?

Invisalign can resolve a broad range of orthodontic issues.  Those most commonly corrected are (but is not limited to) crowded teeth, crooked teeth, spaces and gaps, crossbites, overbites and underbites.

 

What do Invisalign aligners look like?

They certainly are clear, practically invisible.  In fact, some common names for Invisalign are invisible braces, clear braces, removable braces, translucent braces or hidden braces. Invisalign aligners look somewhat like clear custom made bleaching trays (except that Invisalign aligners are solid and are a much tighter and accurate fit, assuming you have seen bleaching trays). Click here to see a series of custom-made aligners.

 

What are the Invisalign aligners made of?

The aligners are fabricated from a sturdy, clear, medical grade plastic.

 

How often will I have to wear the Invisalign aligners?

The answer is pretty simple… If you are not eating, drinking, brushing or flossing, you are wearing the aligners.  It is very important that you wear the aligners day and night, full time.  The aligners do not work if they are not in your mouth. 

You should also know that teeth love to move on there own (and not in the direction Dr. Mello wants them to move).  So if you do not wear them consistently, your teeth will shift in the wrong direction.  If this happens, and they drift beyond what your current aligner allows for, new aligners will need to be made.  This will incur additional Invisalign fees.

 

Is there any pain involved with Invisalign?

NO! There is no pain!  What you can expect to sometimes feel is some mild temporary discomfort or a little achyness when you move on to a new aligner. This subsides as your teeth adjust to their new position.  This is perfectly normal and is a good indication that the aligners are working.

 

Will wearing Invisalign aligners affect my speech?

 In most cases, it will not affect your speech at all.  However, there are some who do experience a slight change in there speech, rest assure that most people adjust to the aligners in a few days.

 

What will happen if I lose an Invisalign aligner?

If you lose an aligner, you should contact us immediately! If you have been in the “lost” aligner long enough and we see that the next one will fit well, then you’ve lucked out and will be able to proceed as usual.  If you do not fit properly yet into the next one, then you will have to go back into the last aligner you used.  We will then have to reorder from Invisalign the specific aligner that has been misplaced.  In this case, you will incur an Invisalign fee.