Invisalign® is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Many patients favor them for their discreet, almost invisible appearance. For many patients, Invisalign can deliver results almost as quickly and as efficiently as traditional metal braces.
Invisalign is available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. We can help you achieve the smile of your dreams without a mouth full of metal. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
The research on Invisalign
Invisalign is the world's most popular and advanced clear aligner system. With over twenty years of innovation on its side, it has delivered smiles to over nine million people and over 2.3 million teens. Each patient receives a set of custom-made aligners. The system includes proprietary virtual modeling software, rapid manufacturing processes, and mass customization, and the aligners consist of a patented material.
To achieve the best results, patients must wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only when necessary. Such instances include eating or drinking anything other than cool water. Patients must also keep regular visits to both the dentist and the orthodontist. The dentist can ensure the mouth is in optimal health, reducing the risk of Invisalign irritating any conditions. The orthodontist can ensure the treatment's overall success while also switching out the patient's aligners.
“With over twenty years of innovation on its side, it has delivered smiles to over nine million people and over 2.3 million teens.”
Who uses Invisalign
While orthodontic treatment is commonly associated with youth, Invisalign is appropriate for both teenagers and adults. The primary difference between Invisalign for teens and Invisalign for adults is a little dot that changes color based on how often the patient wears their aligners. This keeps younger patients accountable for their treatment. Invisalign Teen aligners tray are blue, then turn clear or white throughout their lifetime. The bluer the circle is, the longer the patient must prolong their treatment.
Invisalign for adults is like Invisalign for teens, just without the color-changing circle. Both systems use aligner trays consisting of SmartTrack® material, a patented blend of plastic made exclusively for the Invisalign brand. Invisalign appeals to both teens and adults because their virtually invisible nature makes for a less awkward-looking orthodontic treatment.
“While orthodontic treatment is commonly associated with youth, Invisalign is appropriate for both teenagers and adults.”
What to know about Invisalign
As mentioned above, many teenagers and adults are good candidates for Invisalign. However, as metal braces tend to deliver more precise results, Invisalign is best for patients with mild or moderately crowded teeth. Patients with minor teeth spacing issues may also benefit from clear aligners. Anyone who wants to start Invisalign treatment must also first address any gum disease or other dental disease, making dental appointments essential.
Furthermore, patients with more complicated issues with crowding or spacing (such as severe underbites, overbites, or crossbites) may require more intensive treatment. Invisalign is also typically unsuitable for children, as their mouths are usually still developing. Their teeth are still growing and changing, making them too unpredictable for clear aligners.
“…Invisalign is best for patients with mild or moderately crowded teeth.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Does Invisalign Really Work in Poway, CA
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Invisalign vs. traditional braces
There are a few differences between Invisalign and traditional braces. The most obvious is aesthetics. When used appropriately, Invisalign is almost entirely inconspicuous, making it perfect for more self-conscious patients. Aligners are also removable, making them more convenient for eating and upkeeping oral hygiene.
Metal braces consist of two main components: brackets and wires. These place consistent, gentle pressure on the teeth to shift them gradually. Brackets are attached to the teeth, meaning they cannot be removed. As a result, many patients find them less comfortable than Invisalign, and it is typically more challenging to maintain oral hygiene. Patients will also need to avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods to prevent breaking the brackets or having them get stuck between the braces.
“When used appropriately, Invisalign is almost entirely inconspicuous, making it perfect for more self-conscious patients.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. Is Invisalign backed by research?
Q. What age groups use Invisalign?
Q. Am I a good candidate for Invisalign?
Q. What is the difference between Invisalign and traditional braces?
Q. Is there anything I need to avoid with Invisalign?
People also ask
Q. What are the pros and cons of Invisalign?
Q. How can someone find the right Invisalign Dentist?
Q. How long will my teen need to wear Invisalign?
Q. Are clear aligners a time-saving treatment?
Q. How effective is Invisalign in treating overbites and underbites?
Invisalign & lifestyle changes
One of the many advantages of Invisalign is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes. Patients will have to switch out their aligners every one or two weeks, and they will need to come into the office to pick up their new set of aligners every six to eight weeks. In most cases, Invisalign patients require fewer orthodontist visits than braces patients.
Still, there are some things patients should know to complete Invisalign treatment safely. They must care for them properly to avoid staining or other undesirable results. This involves rinsing the aligners nightly, brushing them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep them clean. If possible, patients should rinse them whenever they take them out. As mentioned earlier, patients should only remove aligners when necessary, such as when eating, brushing, or drinking anything other than cool water. Patients who play high-contact sports should ask Oak Tree Dental if it is safe to keep the aligners in the mouth while playing.
“One of the many advantages of Invisalign is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes.”
Frequently asked questions
Invisalign is not for patients with severe dental or orthodontic conditions. It may not be suitable for patients who have difficulty with self-reliance or know they may not adhere to necessary protocol. Lastly, patients with several prior dental treatments or surgeries may not be good candidates due to weakened bone.
During the initial consultation, patients are examined using a 3D scanner that takes hundreds of photos per second and creates an accurate digital image. We also conduct a physical oral exam and check for any signs of wear-and-tear or gingival decay. The Invisalign system interprets the findings and helps us determine whether the patient is a good candidate for treatment.
Once a patient qualifies for Invisalign, we curate a treatment plan using the smile scan conducted during the consultation. The 3D renderings are sent to a lab that creates the custom trays for the first few weeks. The patient will have follow-up appointments every 4 to 6 weeks to check progress and are given their next sets of aligners.
As with all orthodontic treatments, it is highly advised that patients wear a retainer to avoid relapse or shifting. Teeth tend to naturally shift back to their original placement without a device applying a specific amount of force. However, wearing a retainer even once a week for at least a year can make a big difference in long-term results.
The length of treatment varies with each case. Patients may take as little as six months or as long as three years depending on the severity of their condition. It also depends largely on patient adherence to their individualized instructions and proper care and maintenance.
Invisalign® terminology
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.
Learn more today
Invisalign can help you get the smile of your dreams without a mouth full of metal. We at Oak Tree Dental can help. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.