How An Invisalign® Dentist Has Aligners Created

As an Invisalign® dentist, we use aligners to straighten teeth instead of traditional metal braces and orthodontics.  This is a modern and innovative way to straighten teeth that uses the same basic theories as braces.  By applying pressure to specific teeth, the aligners move them slowly into position, one at a time until the teeth are perfectly straight.  This can take time but by wearing all of the aligners in the series, your teeth will move rather comfortably.  There are many benefits to straightening teeth with aligners including the ability to take them out to eat and clean your teeth, eliminating some of the common inconveniences associated with wearing braces like getting food stuck in between teeth. 
If you are interested in using this option to straighten your teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation to have your teeth examined.  We will want to examine both your teeth and your jaw to ensure that the procedure will be effective.  If your jaw misalignment is severe, you may need traditional orthodontics instead, but typically, aligners will work just fine.  We will also be sure that you don't have any cavities, infections, or gum disease since we will need to correct those first, prior to starting the procedure.
Once you are cleared for the procedure, as an Invisalign® dentist, we will take measurements of your teeth and create an impression of them.  This information is then sent to the Invisalign lab so that the aligners can be created.  This process starts by turning the physical impression into a digital one that is placed into the software that can project what your teeth will do over time.  Since the aligners work by wearing each one in the series for two weeks at a time, the entire treatment is designed so that each aligner is slightly different than the last one in the series.  The software is what enables the lab to design each aligner to focus on moving specific teeth without causing unnecessary irritation.  As an Invisalign® dentist, we can see what the aligners are supposed to look like and request any changes we want to be made prior to them being created.
Once the aligners are ready, we will have you come back in so that we can have you try on the first one in the series and show you how to use and care for them.  You will be given all of the aligners at the same time and need to switch them out every two weeks.  You will know when it is time to do so because the aligners start out very tight and will eventually become loose as the teeth move like they are supposed to.  In order for teeth to move, the aligners must be worn for 22 hours per day which leaves plenty of time to eat your favorite food and brush your teeth.  This level of convenience is what makes Invisalign stand out from traditional braces.  To learn more, schedule a consultation.

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