How Invisalign Works
Orthodontics

How Invisalign Works: The Step-by-Step Process

Dr. Sahota

Dr. Sahota

16 January 2025

Understanding the Invisalign Process for a Perfect Smile

Your smile is not a reflection of your joy. It is an expression of your confidence, liveliness, and self-esteem. Teeth with gaps and misalignment can make you reluctant to laugh your heart out in public or smile for the camera. Before you know it, it starts impacting your professional life. If you are someone who has been self-conscious about their smile but is not sure about braces, there's good news for you.

A modern and discreet solution to help you embrace a radiant smile — Invisalign. Their popularity has grown over time due to their clear and pain-free nature. They are versatile solutions for a variety of dental concerns. From crooked teeth to overcrowding, these 'invisible braces' can move your teeth to ideal positions. They are excellent for teens and adults who prioritize convenience and comfort. The best part about them is that you can enjoy optimal oral hygiene without compromising on your favorite food.

 

How Invisalign Works

Your Step-by-Step Invisalign Treatment Explained

  • Customized Treatment Planning: Your Invisalign process will begin with a detailed consultation and examination. During this session, your dental professional will take 3D images of your teeth to customize a treatment plan for your unique needs. It is crucial to correct your specific problems, including your bite issues. The dentist will even suggest any additional help that your jaws might require.
  • Creating Invisalign: Once your issues have been addressed and the treatment plan is final, the dentist will use advanced technology to create a precise and accurate fit for your jaws. The dentist will perfect the scans and send them to a laboratory where aligner trays will be created.
  • Receiving Your Invisalign: The dentist will provide you with your first tray and check for fittings. They may even place small attachments on your teeth to help the aligners stay in place. The dentist will walk you through the process of how to wear Invisalign correctly. They are invisible and temporary but do a great job of shifting your teeth through gentle pressure. Every few weeks, you will visit the dentist to place an order for new Invisalign and monitor progress.
  • Wearing Your Invisalign: The ideal amount of time to keep your aligners on is between 20 and 22 hours. Moreover, the dentist schedules follow-ups based on your treatment goals. Every set of teeth is different and needs a different time period before coming to an ideal point. However, with every visit, you will notice a visible difference in your alignment and teeth condition. Seeing your dentists on time will help you get the results quicker. It will also enable the dentist to time your progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan accordingly.

Invisalign technology has been around since 1997, and it has blessed over 10 million patients with flawless smiles. Most Invisalign patients are satisfied with their choice because of reduced hours at dental clinics and overall ease of functionality. 

Preparing for Your Invisalign Journey

Starting your Invisalign treatment process requires a lot of preparation on the patient's end. You must begin by researching the process and what to expect from it. Checking Invisalign before and after photos will help you visualize what the results would look like. Once you have made up your mind, start searching for experienced dental professionals around you. For that, you can ask for referrals or read reviews online. Evaluate the costs and make adjustments in your budget to avoid any problems later. Lastly, getting used to invisible aligners may take time, but following your doctor's advice will make it easier.  

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces or Dental Veneers

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is transparent and almost indetectable. They do not rely on uncomfortable wires or brackets, which makes them perfect for adult orthodontic solutions. The added benefit is that your teeth do not require invisible aligners for extended periods of time. So, they do not irritate your gums or the insides of your mouth. If you have mild misalignments in your teeth, we suggest you prefer them over metal braces.

On the other hand, dental veneers or Lumineers are ideal for minor cosmetic adjustments in your teeth. Most people lean towards them if the gap exists only between a few teeth. Moreover, they can fix minor chips and cracks, whereas Invisalign cannot help you with such issues. While both options are popular among patients for different reasons, you must weigh the pros and cons with your dentist before choosing your option.  

Invisalign technology has been around since 1997, and it has blessed over 10 million patients with flawless smiles. Most Invisalign patients are satisfied with their choice because of reduced hours at dental clinics and overall ease of functionality.  

How Invisalign Works

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How are Invisalign Aligners Made?

A durable, medical-grade, BPA-free plastic is used to construct your Invisalign trays. The smoothness and clarity of the material make it a popular orthodontic solution. It is designed to fit snugly over each tooth and apply just the right pressure to move it. Most people claim that these solutions are so comfortable that one might not even feel there is something extra inside the mouth. You will get a new tray on every visit, and the dentist will discard the old one. However, if you happen to damage your Invisalign before the scheduled appointment, reach out to your dentist for a fresh one.  

Final Word

Invisalign is not only amazing for straighter teeth but also for easy maintenance of oral hygiene. They are easily removable, which makes brushing, flossing, and cleaning absolutely effortless. Also, these trays are not hard to maintain. All you need is a cleaning solution and a soft brush. Soak in the cleaning liquid according to your dentist's advice and rinse with fresh water. In short, it is safe to say that they are one of the best investments in your oral wellness.

 

Important notice: Invisalign might not be an effective treatment method for people with severe dental issues, such as large gaps, extreme overcrowding, or complex bite problems. Such issues require extended and complex orthodontic solutions. Moreover, patients with untreated gum disease, significant tooth decay, or missing teeth might need prior dental work to Invisalign trays. Young children, especially those with developing teeth, might also not receive them. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out if it is the right choice for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s what people generally ask about Invisalign treatment:

Does the Invisalign process hurt?

Absolutely not! Getting Invisalign treatment for your teeth must not hurt during any of the molding, fitting, or wearing steps. Your mouth might take a couple of days to adjust to the feeling, but it settles down eventually. The process is not invasive and does not require any injections to have them fitted.

Can I play sports while wearing Invisalign?

Invisalign must not be used as an alternative to a mouthguard. They do not protect your teeth against rough activities. So, it is better to remove the trays when you are on the field. Taking the invisible aligners off will not affect your progress.

What happens after finishing Invisalign treatment?

Once your teeth are in the desired position, your dentist will advise you to get rid of the aligners. To maintain the achieved look, they will provide you with retainers. You will wear retainers 24/7 for a few months and gradually reduce the usage to a few hours at night. 

Will my teeth shift after Invisalign?

With proper care and maintenance, your teeth retain their ideal position. You can schedule follow-ups with your dentist to check everything is great. If you feel a change in alignment, consult with your dentist and get prompt care.

 

Contact your dentist today in Oakland, Dr. Sahota, at One Dental Livermore, to learn more about Invisalign.

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Disclaimer

*This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition. *

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