Invisalign has solved misaligned teeth for millions of people in North America. Invisalign’s clear, removable, and discrete system of aligners custom-made for your current and future smile are an effective alternative for people reluctant to undergo orthodontics with traditional metal and wire braces.
Invisalign in South Edmonton has several advantages, but two stand out. First, the aligners are clear and nearly invisible to observers. The stigma sometimes associated with orthodontic work — perhaps especially for adults tired of misaligned teeth but who don’t want to look like teenagers — is nearly eliminated by Invisalign’s process.
Second, Invisalign aligners provided by our South Edmonton dentists are removable. You’ll wear them for 20 or 22 hours every day, but will remove them to eat and brush and floss your teeth. Life can continue uninterrupted while you undergo Invisalign treatment.
If Invisalign treatment from a dentist near you seems like it may be a good fit, you may have questions about the process. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the six steps of Invisalign treatment. If you have questions about any of the steps — or just whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign — reach out to a dentist near you and ask.
First Step – A Consultation
At the initial consultation, a dentist will evaluate your teeth and recommend whether Invisalign is a good option for achieving your goals. If Invisalign is not the appropriate solution, alternatives may be recommended.
Second Step – Designing Your Treatment Plan
Using Invisalign’s system, a scan will be taken of your mouth and impressions made of your teeth. The data from that scan and those impressions are then sent to Invisalign to create a customized set of aligners. These aligners will guide your teeth through the stages of Invisalign treatment, gradually adjusting their position over time.
Third Step – Waiting
Once Invisalign has confirmed the specifications of your aligners, it will take approximately one month for your set of aligners to be manufactured and sent to your dentist.
Fourth Step – Putting on Your Aligners
Invisalign will produce a set of aligners. Each aligner is designed to be work for two weeks before you switch to the next one in the set. You’ll visit the dentist’s office before switching from one set to another to ensure your progress. You’ll wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, but will take them out to eat, brush your teeth, and floss. That commitment to wearing your trays for up to 22 hours a day will ensure your teeth shift toward their new position in your jaw… slowly but surely.
Fifth Stage – After the Last Aligner
Once you’ve finished with the last aligner that Invisalign designed for you, your dentist will examine your teeth and compare their new position to the original goal. Sometimes, adjustments are needed, which are accomplished by ordering additional trays to complete the transformation of your smile. If additional trays are required, there is the same waiting period of approximately one month for those refinement trays to arrive. When refinement trays are needed, they’re provided at no extra cost to you.
Sixth Stage – Preserving Your New Smile
While your jaw adjusts to the new location of your teeth, you’ll need to wear a retainer while sleeping. This is especially important immediately after your Invisalign treatment is completed. To maintain your new and hard-won smile, though, your dentist in South Edmonton will recommend that you wear that retainer for several nights a week for the rest of your life. That way, your new smile will last just as long despite your teeth’s natural tendency to move around.
Are you ready for Step One? If so, Step Zero is easy. All you need to do is contact a dentist about Invisalign and ask to arrange an assessment to find out if Invisalign may be right for you.