Understanding How Invisalign Corrects Your Teeth

If you have crooked teeth, you may be looking into Invisalign for several reasons. Not only does this form of braces use plastic aligner trays that are nearly invisible, but they also provide excellent results to correct alignment problems with your teeth. Here is how the process works so that you can better understand what is happening to your teeth when using Invisalign.

The Consultation

The Invisalign process begins by visiting your dentist for a consultation. They'll look at your teeth and determine if you would be a good candidate for Invisalign. This is due to Invisalign not being an option for people that need very major corrections done to their teeth, which will be very easy to identify by a dentist.

The Scan

If you decide to have the Invisalign process done, you'll come back to have your mouth scanned to create the aligner trays. A special camera is used to take a 3D image of your mouth and will relay that data to a specialist that creates a treatment plan for your teeth. Your dentist will approve the plan and start having the aligning trays made if everything looks good.

The Aligner Creation

Your Invisalign trays will be custom made to match the shape of your specific teeth, so it can take a while for those trays to be ready. It is not like with traditional braces where the brackets can be put on your teeth the very same day.

The Return Visit

You'll come back to the dentist's office once the aligning trays are ready. Your dentist will have you put on the first set of trays in the office, and they'll check the trays to make sure that they fit and are set to move the teeth according to the plan created earlier.

The Home Care

It is your responsibility to keep up with wearing the aligning trays and changing them out as recommended by your dentist. It is typical for these trays to be changed every two weeks. You'll need to wear them almost 24/7, with some flexibility given to remove the trays for eating and oral hygiene.

The Follow Up Visits

Expect to return to your dentist every couple of months for an inspection. They'll look at your teeth and determine if they are being moved into the correct position. If not, they'll need to request new aligning trays so that your teeth start to move properly once again.

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