Common Questions Patients Ask Their Invisalign Dentist

Invisalign braces are a popular alternative to traditional orthodontic braces because their transparent design makes them discrete, they are removable, and they are more comfortable than bracket-based braces.

Continue reading to learn the answers to frequently asked questions about Invisalign, such as treatment length and maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign

We will address some of the most common questions about Invisalign, but meeting with an Invisalign dentist can help you decide if Invisalign is the right option for you.

How Do Invisalign Teeth Aligners Work?​​​​​​

Invisalign uses a system of clear, removable aligners that can correct issues with bite occlusion and teeth alignment.

The splints are renewed every two weeks as the teeth are gradually moved into the desired position.

Invisalign aligners exert less force on the teeth than traditional metal brackets. Because of this, the aligners may need support from special attachments to move the teeth successfully.

What Are The Attachments For?​​​​​​

Attachments are small reliefs made of composite resin that are adhered to the teeth to add force since the aligners are not strong enough to move the teeth by themselves. These attachments are clear or color-matched to the shade of your teeth.

The types and placements of attachments used vary depending on how the teeth need to move.

Once treatment is complete, the attachments are removed from the teeth.

In What Cases Can Invisalign Be Used?​​​​​

Invisalign can be used to treat any issues with tooth alignment or bite, including:

• Crowded teeth
• Diastemas
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Overbite

Keep in mind that the more complex the issue, the more time the treatment will take to correct.

Does Invisalign Hurt?​​​​​​

Invisalign aligners are not painful to wear, but you may feel discomfort the first four or five days as you adjust to the pressure the aligners and attachments put on your teeth. This adaptation period is shorter than the adaptation period for traditional braces.

Overall, Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces because they do not involve any metal brackets or wires that can sometimes cause chafing, sores, and wounds.

How Are Invisalign Aligners Made?​​​​​​

The manufacturing process for Invisalign aligners involves the following steps:

• Diagnosis and mold-making: The orthodontist takes X-rays, provides a diagnosis, and determines the malocclusions or misalignments that need to be corrected, the attachments that need to be placed, and the duration of the treatment plan.
• Sending records to Invisalign: Your orthodontist’s office will send electronic or physical copies of your X-rays and the technical instructions for the treatment to Align Technologies, the company that manufactures Invisalign.
• Data processing: The Align Technologies laboratory technicians will digitally reproduce your upper and lower arches, recreating the movement of the teeth following the instructions provided by your orthodontist.
• Orthodontist review: The technicians will show your orthodontist the treatment plan online.
• Fabrication of the aligners: Once your orthodontist approves the treatment plan, all of the sets of aligners for the entire duration will be made.
• Shipping to your orthodontist’s office: Once the aligners have been manufactured, Align Technologies will ship them to your orthodontist’s office.

What Material Are Invisalign Aligners Made Of?​​​​​​

Invisalign aligners are made of medical-grade polymers or plastics with additives that make them clear, flexible, strong, and thin. This material is biologically stable and hypoallergenic.

What Are The Three Types Of Invisalign?​​​​​​

The type of Invisalign your dentist will choose for you depends on the degree or complexity of the malocclusion or misalignment and your age. The 3 types of Invisalign available are:

1. Invisalign Lite is used for the most uncomplicated cases, with a maximum treatment duration of one year. This is the version used by people who have worn orthodontics in the past but whose teeth have become misaligned again This type is usually only used to treat the alignment since the bite was already corrected by other orthodontics treatments and is still correct.
2. Invisalign Full is best for patients who have never had braces before and need to correct both alignment and bite. Treatment with Invisalign Full typically lasts one to two years, but it can be used for longer if necessary.
3. Invisalign Teen is a version of Invisalign Full specifically designed for children and adolescents between the ages of nine and eleven years old. This type of Invisalign includes wear indicators so parents can ensure their child is wearing the aligners for the required 22 hours per day.

When Will I Start To Notice The Effects Of Invisalign?​​​​​​

Many people who choose Invisalign are anxious to notice changes quickly, but the duration of the treatment plan will affect how long it takes to see a difference.

As a guideline, you can expect to see changes after three or four weeks of using Invisalign Lite or three to four months of using Invisalign Full or Invisalign Teen.

How Is Invisalign Placed & Removed?​​​​​​

One thing that sets Invisalign apart from other methods of tooth realignment is that the aligners can be taken out and put back in by the patient.

Your orthodontist will teach you how to remove the aligners and put them back in correctly. It is not complicated or difficult, but it does take some getting used to.

At first, you might feel like the aligner is too tight, that it does not fit well, or that it may break while you are putting it on, but these feelings will pass as you adjust to the aligners and become more comfortable with taking them off and putting them on yourself.

How Long Do I Have To Wear The Aligners Each Day?​​​​​​

Although Invisalign aligners are removable, they will not be effective if you do not wear them enough. To get the desired results, you will need to wear your aligners for 22 hours every day. You should only take them out to eat and brush your teeth and then put them back in as soon as you are done brushing your teeth.

How Do I Care For & Clean The Aligners?​​​​​​

You will need to clean the aligners every time you remove them so that they are clean when you put them back in place. The best way to clean them is to use a brush, mild soap, and lukewarm water, but you can also soak them in a glass of water and add a denture-cleaning tablet to the water.

Keeping your aligners clean ensures they will not develop stains or unpleasant odors.

When you are not wearing your aligners, keep them in the box your orthodontist gave you so they will not get lost or damaged.

Trust Eriks Dental Group For Your Invisalign Treatments

Eriks Dental Group offers various dentistry services in Boynton Beach, you can trust us with all your dental care needs, including:

• Cosmetic dentistry
• Dental crowns
• Dental fillings
• Dental implants
• Family dentistry
• Invisalign
• Root canal therapy
• Teeth cleanings
• Teeth whitening
• Veneers

You can request an appointment online or call us at 561-733-4004 for more information.