Have you ever wondered how Invisalign treatment straightens teeth without wires and brackets? Our Mississauga, ON, dentists explain how the Invisalign process works and share some reasons the orthodontic treatment option is becoming more popular.
Consistent Pressure Is the Key
Changing the alignment of your teeth requires constant, gentle pressure. Adding a system of wires and brackets to the teeth is the time-honoured way to correct orthodontic issues, but it's no longer the only option. When you wear wire or ceramic braces, subtle adjustments to the wires every 4 to 6 weeks help keep your treatment on schedule.
Because there are no wires with Invisalign, there's no need for adjustments. The Invisalign system uses removable aligner trays made out of clear plastic to help realign your teeth. Your trays are designed based on a digital impression of your mouth. Your dentist will begin by consulting with a 3D image to create a series of trays that will address your bite, alignment or spacing issues.
Each tray in the set is designed to be worn for 2 weeks. Once you reach the end of the 2-week period, you'll swap the set you've been wearing for a new set of trays. Trays should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day.
Invisalign Offers Important Benefits
If you choose Invisalign treatment, you'll enjoy these advantages:
- Low-Profile Appearance: Your appearance won't change when you wear your trays. Unlike metal or ceramic braces, Invisalign trays are virtually invisible.
- Improved Comfort: Pain after adjustments and cut lips or cheeks due to loose wires are common problems when you wear metal or ceramic braces, but they aren't an issue with Invisalign.
- Convenience: You'll likely regret your choice if you eat popcorn or another "forbidden" food when you wear traditional braces. Sticky or hard foods are difficult to remove from wires and brackets and can easily damage them. Food restrictions aren't necessary with the Invisalign system because you'll remove your braces to brush, floss, eat and drink.
- Shorter Treatment Time for Adults: Treatment time can be as short as a year for adults. If you're a teen, treatment time typically won't change.
