One of the first things people ask when they come to Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry to learn about Invisalign is how do these clear aligners really move teeth and make smiles straighter. Invisalign’s technology is advanced but the basic idea is simple. Knowing how it works will make you feel better about choosing this treatment for your orthodontic needs.
Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners custom made for you that fit tightly over your teeth. Each aligner applies gentle, controlled pressure to specific teeth which slowly moves them into better position over time. The aligners are made of smooth, soft plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks or gums like metal brackets and wires can. One of the main reasons so many adults and teens prefer Invisalign over traditional braces is that they are clear and fit precisely to your teeth making them almost invisible when you wear them. Oral Habits such as thumb-sucking, nail-biting, or tongue thrusting can affect tooth alignment and jaw development. Understanding and managing Oral Habits helps support healthier long-term orthodontic outcomes.
The first step is a full exam at our Lake Forest office. We look at your teeth, bite and jaw alignment to see if Invisalign is right for your orthodontic needs. Invisalign can’t fix every problem but the technology has come a long way in the past few years and can now fix many different orthodontic problems like crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites and crossbites. We also talk about your goals, answer your questions and tell you what to expect during treatment during this first visit.
If we decide Invisalign is right for you, the next step is to make a digital map of your teeth. We use state of the art 3D imaging technology to get precise measurements and pictures of your mouth. This digital scanning process is quick and easy and doesn’t require any messy impression materials that many patients don’t like. Your digital scans are sent to Invisalign’s lab where advanced algorithms and orthodontic knowledge come together to create your treatment plan.
The treatment preview is one of the most exciting parts of the Invisalign process. We can use the digital scans to show you a simulated version of how your teeth will move during treatment and what your smile will look like when it’s done. You can see the expected results before you even start wearing aligners with this preview. You can see how each step of tooth movement affects the treatment time and keeps you motivated throughout the process.
Once your treatment plan is set, Invisalign makes all of your unique aligners. Each aligner is a little different from the one before it. This is done to slowly move your teeth into their final positions. You will wear each set of aligners for about one to two weeks before moving on to the next set. To work you need to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. You can only take them off to eat, drink anything other than water or clean and floss your teeth.
The aligners work by moving the teeth in a predetermined way and using controlled force. Each aligner applies pressure to specific teeth that need to move at that point in the treatment. Your treatment plan says that certain teeth will move at different times as you go through your series of aligners. Invisalign works because of this sequential movement. The aligners are designed to do more than just move teeth; they also get the roots in the right place which is key to long term results.
You will have regular check-in appointments at Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, usually every six to eight weeks during treatment. We check on your progress throughout each visit to make sure your teeth are moving as planned. We’ll give you your next few sets of aligners and answer any questions or concerns you may have. These appointments are usually shorter and require less work than the adjustment appointments that come with traditional braces. There are no wires to tighten or brackets to examine. Treatment Options help patients understand the various orthodontic approaches available for their specific needs. Reviewing these Treatment Options ensures a customized plan that supports the best possible results.
One of the things that makes Invisalign different is the use of small tooth-colored attachments. These are little bumps that are bonded to some teeth so the aligners have something to grab onto and move the teeth in certain ways. Not every patient needs attachments but they are often used to make treatment work better. The attachments are made of a tooth-colored composite material that is hard to see. At the end of treatment when your teeth are in their final position they are removed.
Invisalign aligners can be taken off so you have to wear them all the time. Invisalign only works when you’re wearing the aligners, unlike traditional braces that work all the time because they’re attached to your teeth. You have to be disciplined and committed to do this. If you often forget to wear your aligners or take them off for long periods of time your treatment will take longer than expected and may not work as well as you hoped.
In Lake Forest how long treatment takes depends on how complex your case is. It could take 6 months to fix simple problems but 18 months or more to fix more complex ones. Your teeth move slowly into place throughout treatment and many people start to see changes within the first few weeks.
We recommend you come in for a consultation if you’re thinking about getting Invisalign and want to learn more about how it works and if it’s right for you. We’ll take a look at your teeth and help you make an informed decision.