With Invisalign, there are no metal brackets pulling on your teeth to get them to straighten. So a big question people have is, how do these removable, clear aligners straighten my teeth? Invisalign braces move your teeth through controlled force. Instead of pulling your teeth to their target position like traditional braces, Invisalign pushes and guides your teeth to its location. Think of it as constant pressure that fixes your malocclusion (crooked teeth). Pressure that you will learn is not drastic or all at once. Invisalign successfully pushes your teeth gradually.
Invisalign pushes your teeth
Invisalign uses this pressure in small doses. That is why patients receive multiple trays, sometimes 30, to get the job done. The reason for this gradual movement is tooth placement. Invisalign’s 3D imaging technology plans out the movement and figures out how many aligners will be needed to get the job done. These trays look somewhat like bleaching trays, but are powerful in their abilities. The aligners usually move teeth about 0.2 mm. It probably seems like this process would take forever. However Invisalign is known for being much faster than traditional braces with most treatment times lasting less than a year.
How Invisalign is made
The computer system called ClinCheck visualizes the movement and figures out how many aligners you need to achieve that goal. Then a series of molds are created. These molds are used to create a series of trays, or aligners. Once the trays (aligners) are cut and trimmed, then polished, all the aligners are sent to the invisalign dentist/orthodontist at once.
The dentist will usually give the patient 3 aligners at a time and they are worn in 2 week intervals. This means the patient will visit the dentist/orthodontist about every 6 weeks, so that they can check your progress, fix any positions and hand you the next 3 Invisible trays.
Invisalign aligners don’t always work
The system allows for great precision. However the aligners don’t always work. Your teeth and bone are an interesting bunch. Sometimes they do not move the way Invisalign’s CAM system says they will, so as Dr, Timmerman says, Invisalign is not a “magic pill” that works for everyone. It is a process and product that is worth talking to your dentist about. It is definitely the best alternative to straighten your teeth, but the alternative is not for everyone. It is a good idea to hear from patients who can share their Invisalign experience and ultimately decide with your dentist.
