Approved for use in 1998 by the Food and Drug Administration, Invisalign® is the aesthetic alternative to traditional braces. Made of clear plastic, the aligners are custom-designed to fit inside a patient’s mouth and adjust their smile. With gradual pressure, the aligners shift the teeth into alignment, just like braces, providing the patient with the smile they desire.
Compared to traditional braces, treatment tends to be more comfortable for the wearer and requires fewer dental visits. However, there are other factors that make Invisalign® unique in the world of dentistry.
While they may appear to be composed of regular plastic, aligners are made of an FDA- approved material called thermoplastic. Known as SmartTrack®, this material was specifically created for these aligners. It is free from chemicals like BPA and BPS, and it does not contain latex or gluten for those patients with allergies. Since the thermoplastic reacts and molds into shape with heat, the aligners should not be placed under hot water when cleaning or caring for them. This could alter the custom fit for the patient’s mouth.
Invisalign® has its own 3-D computer program that allows dentists to take accurate images and measurements of a patient’s mouth. Called ClinCheck®, this program allows the doctor to reposition and shift the teeth on display in small increments until the desired adjustment is reached. From this image, the dentist can create custom aligners to fit the patient. As an added benefit, this program gives patients a glimpse of how they will look after their newly adjusted smile.
The aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours out of the day to ensure they are moving the teeth into the proper position. The only time they should be removed is when eating or drinking, brushing or flossing and during special circumstances such as contact sports. If they are out of the mouth for an extended period, the aligners will no longer fit into the mouth properly, and the dentist may need to construct new aligners. Before placing them back into the mouth, the teeth should be brushed to decrease bacteria and plaque buildup within the aligner.
Traditional braces contain brackets and wires that must be gradually tightened over visits to shift the teeth into position. Although not necessary in all cases, Invisalign® has attachments called SmartForce® that anchor the aligners to the teeth. Just as the wires and brackets help add pressure to shift the teeth, when the aligner is placed over the attachments, they apply the proper amount of force to reposition teeth. The SmartForce® attachments are typically placed on the teeth at the beginning of the treatment, and the doctor will remove them when they are no longer needed for adjustment.
Both adults and youth can benefit from Invisalign® treatment. By providing an opportunity for an improved smile in an invisible manner, the aligners can decrease self-conscious feelings in wearers as they receive necessary dental treatment.
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