Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of clear aligners that gradually straighten teeth over time. These aligners are removable and do not have any brackets or wires. They consist of a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® that fits snugly over teeth. Each aligner in the series encourages a slightly different position than the previous one, making the overall correction a steady yet gentle progression.
We will map out a precise, customized digital treatment plan that shows the patient the step-by-step transformation of their smile during this appointment.
We will take digital scans, X-rays, and photos of their teeth and mouth to create an accurate model for custom-fitting trays.
This information goes to the Invisalign laboratory to create custom-fitting trays designed specifically for your treatment plan.
"Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of clear aligners that gradually straighten teeth over time."
The process of receiving Invisalign trays usually takes around four weeks. Once we take impressions or scans of the patient's teeth, we must send them to the Invisalign factory with notes about how the treatment should progress.
The factory will determine the optimal amount of trays and send the specifications back to us for review and approval.
We will make any necessary modifications and then email the changes to the factory for implementation.
Lab technicians trim each tray individually to match the patient's gumline for optimal comfort and effectiveness.
"The process of receiving Invisalign trays usually takes around four weeks."
One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign is its clear, almost invisible appearance. The clear aligners are also easy to remove for eating, so patients can eat and drink without restrictions.
Clear, almost invisible aligners that are barely noticeable when worn.
Easy to remove for eating, drinking, and cleaning without restrictions.
Straighter teeth are easier to clean, improving oral health and preventing cavities.
Works effectively for patients with less severe crowding, spacing, and bite issues.
"One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign is its clear, almost invisible appearance."
People who are interested in Invisalign treatment should conduct thorough research to find the right Invisalign dentist. It is crucial to find a skilled and reliable dentist since the provider will dictate the quality of treatment results.
Research the dentist's education, training, and certifications to ensure they have the right experience and knowledge.
Look at reviews and before and after photos to see if the results align with your orthodontic goals.
The right Invisalign provider will genuinely care for their patient's oral health and create personalized treatment plans.
"People who are interested in Invisalign treatment should conduct thorough research to find the right Invisalign dentist."
When the aligners are ready, patients will return to our office for a fitting. Invisalign dentists can also provide Invisalign attachments, which are small and button-like.
Upon returning for their first visit, we will first conduct a fitting to ensure the aligners fit properly and are fairly comfortable.
Throughout treatment, patients will return for follow-up appointments to monitor progress and ensure proper alignment.
Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of clear aligners that gradually straighten teeth over time using SmartTrack® material that fits snugly over teeth.
After digital scans and impressions, custom aligners are created at the Invisalign laboratory and fitted during your first appointment with attachments if needed.
Benefits include invisible appearance, removable design for eating, better oral hygiene, and effectiveness for adults and teens with mild to moderate alignment issues.
Research education, training, certifications, reviews, before/after photos, and ensure the provider offers personalized care and treatment plans.
Invisalign dentists provide initial consultations, digital treatment planning, custom aligner creation, fitting appointments, follow-up care, and retainer services.
Both are effective, but Invisalign offers advantages like invisibility, removability, and comfort while achieving similar results for appropriate cases.
Yes, Invisalign is backed by extensive research and clinical studies, with millions of successful treatments completed worldwide.
Invisalign Teen is designed specifically for teenagers with features like compliance indicators and replacement aligners for lost trays.
The treatment length depends on the severity of the problem. Slight misalignments take less time, while more significant issues take longer. Our team can offer a more precise estimate during consultation.
Straighter teeth can lead to better oral health. When teeth are crooked, people can find it difficult to clean some areas properly. Having straighter teeth should help people clean their teeth more easily and thoroughly.
Patients may feel discomfort for the first few days with each new aligner. The treatment design shifts teeth with each new aligner. Patients will feel the most pressure at the start of each new position, but this signifies that the treatment is progressing.
Patients can choose to use the Invisalign cleaning system or brush the aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear liquid soap. Avoid using hot water, which may warp the trays. It is also important to soak the trays every day for 15 to 30 minutes.
Although Invisalign moves teeth differently from traditional metal braces, the results are still the same. After treatment, a retainer will prevent teeth from shifting back out of alignment. Patients can discuss retainers with our team for more information.
With Invisalign® treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.
ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient's teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
An iTero Element® scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient's teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient's teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track® material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment and applies a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.
Vivera® retainers are a type of retainer that consists of clear plastic material and helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after a treatment.
Invisalign treatment is a great alternative to metal braces to achieve straighter, healthier-looking teeth. Our team at myDentist El Monte can help.