Invisalign
What is Invisalign ®?
Invisalign ® is a teeth-straightening system that relies on a series of clear aligners to move teeth, rather than on metal wires and brackets. These aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position. Each Invisalign ® aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of your treatment plan.
Your first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign is right for you.
After we send precise treatment instructions, Invisalign ® uses advanced computer technology to translate these instructions into a sequence of finely calibrated aligners.
Each aligner is worn for about 10 days and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to gradually move until the final alignment is in place and your goal is achieved.
Who is Eligible?
Invisalign treatment can be a great solution for both adults and teens looking for a virtually invisible method to improve their smile. As Invisalign ® is a removable appliance, the key to a successful treatment is your cooperation. The aligners have to be worn at least 21 hours a day.
- Aesthetic Elevation: Invisalign ® aligners are made from a clear transparent material making them virtually invisible
- Patient Comfort: Invisalign aligners are custom-made (thickness only 0.75mm) to fit your individual teeth and do not utilize any metal, wires or brackets which can cause irritation to your mouth
- Maintaining good oral hygiene is much easier compared with conventional brackets. The aligner can be taken out for brushing your teeth
- The pain level is reduced compared to braces due to the weekly aligner change, a so-called ‘soft pressure’ is applied
- Easily removable: It is crucial to wear your aligner 21 hours a day, however you can take them out for special occasions or photos
- Less visits to the Orthodontist are needed. Typically we see a patient every 6 weeks (good compliance is needed to achieve that)
- The end results can be visualized through your 3D Clin Check before starting your treatment
- Due to thickness and protection, the aligners are very convenient for athletes and can be easily taken out for musicians such as brass players
Keep in mind: Complex tooth movement still needs the help of brackets or a so-called hybrid therapy, meaning an initial phase with a few brackets positioned at your back teeth and then after successful tooth movement a switch to Invisalign ®
iTero Scanner
An important part of a reliable treatment is the integration of advanced technology, including our brand-new iTero Element 2 3D intraoral scanner.
The iTero Scanner
Our goal is to create the most effective and comfortable orthodontic treatment possible for our patients. This is why we use the up-to-date iTero digital impression system.
The digital scanner eliminates the need for the uncomfortable old school dental impressions.
By using this digital scanner, we’ll be able to take 3-D digital images/ impressions of your teeth and your bite. This will allow us to formulate a personalized treatment plan based on your needs and desires. After we’ve agreed upon a treatment plan, the digital impressions will help us create your customized treatment plan.
Digital impressions have numerous benefits over traditional impressions
- Better accuracy – These impressions will capture the exact contours of your teeth.
- Efficiency – You will not have to spend as much time in the treatment chair.
- Comfort – There’s no need for messy and uncomfortable putty that can often make patients gag. Taking impressions of a patient’s teeth with digital images is much less invasive.
- Customization – They can provide a digital plan and make aligner trays that are specifically tailored to meet the individual needs and desires of each patient.
- Visualization – Even before the orthodontic treatment has begun, the iTero scanner can provide images of what the patient’s teeth will look like after the treatment is completed!