The virtually invisible aligners, which are made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the treatment plan, look similar to teeth-whitening trays. A series of aligners are custom-made for you, to move your teeth in the sequence determined by your doctor.
Over the course of treatment, you will be supplied with a series of aligners. Each aligner will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is mapped out in advance by your doctor, specifically for your situation. When the aligners are placed on the teeth, they cause the teeth to gradually shift from their current position. After approximately two weeks, you will begin using the next set of aligners, which will continue the teeth straightening process.
Through the use of our patented thermoplastic design, these aligners move your teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force. The main difference is that these aligners not only controls the force, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move. These movements are determined by your doctor as he or she maps out your unique treatment plan.
These aligners are virtually invisible. No one may even notice that you're wearing them, making them a seamless fit with your lifestyle. They are removable. For the best results and a timely outcome, aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. However, unlike with braces, you have the flexibility to remove your aligners to eat and drink what you want during treatment. And you can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would, for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. There are no metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth, an advantage over traditional braces. Plus, since your office visits during treatment don't involve metal or wire adjustments, you'll likely spend less time in the doctor's chair. These aligners allow you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start so you can see how your straightened teeth will look when your treatment is complete. Instead of imagining how much better it can be, you'll be able to see it for yourself.
The length of treatment depends on the severity of your case and can only be determined by your doctor; however, the average case takes about 12 months for adults. The length of time necessary for a teen patient may vary and can be determined by the doctor.
Most doctors recommend that anyone who has completed orthodontic treatment, whether braces or Invisible alingers treatment, use a retainer to prevent teeth from gradually shifting back towards their initial position. Because every case is different, please speak to your doctor to confirm if you need post-treatment retainers, and if they are needed for both upper and lower teeth.
With experience, they can be used to treat malocclusion for a majority of adults and adolescents who want a better smile. For teenagers, talk to your Dr Kharma to check for the right treatment option for your child.
If you smoke while you wear Invisalign®, the tobacco product will likely stain the aligners—they won't be clear anymore. Aligners are worn for two weeks at a time, so each set aligners you wear can be stained from cigarette smoking. It is recommended that you wear the aligners 22 to 24 hours a day.
Invisalign will still work even if you have crowns on your teeth. It actually might even be a better option (as opposed to regular braces), because the crowns can be damaged in the braces removal process, whereas Invisalign does not require removing anything from the teeth.
While some dental professionals believe patients may be able to eat soft foods with Invisalign in place, we don't recommend it. Still, drinking is possible, but it is essential to remove the aligners for brushing as soon as possible because liquid will seep between the tooth surfaces and may cause decay.
Invisalign treatment is an investment. Although many dentists are offering Invisalign, everyone should be seen by a board certified Orthodontist, like Dr. Kharma, before making the decision to start treatment. An orthodontist is a specialist who has two to three years of additional education following dental school, and is an expert in aligning your bite and teeth and choosing the treatment option that's best for your desired results.
Like braces, Invisalign effectively straightens teeth. Dr. Kharma has treating various cases of Invisalign and guarantees an excellent result.