Invisalign
Invisalign aligners, developed by Align Technology, Inc. consist of a series of clear plastic, removable appliances that move your teeth in small increments. Invisalign products combine your doctor’s diagnosis and prescription with sophisticated computer graphics technology to develop a treatment plan which specifies the desired movements of your teeth during your treatment. Upon approval of a treatment plan developed by your doctor, a series of customized Invisalign aligners is produced specifically for your treatment.
You may undergo a routine orthodontic pre-treatment examination including radiographs (x-rays) and photographs. Your doctor will take impressions of your teeth and send them along with a prescription to the Align laboratory. Align technicians will follow your doctor’s prescription to create a ClinCheck software model of your prescribed treatment. Upon approval of the ClinCheck treatment plan by your doctor, align will produce and ship a series of customized aligners to your doctor. The total number of aligners will vary depending on the complexity of your malocclusion and the doctor’s treatment plan. The aligners will be individually numbered and will be dispensed to you by your doctor with specific instructions for use. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you should wear your aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, brush and floss. As directed by your doctor, you will switch to the next aligner in the series every two to three weeks. Treatment duration varies depending on the complexity of your doctor’s prescription. Unless instructed otherwise, you should follow up with your doctor at a minimum of every 6 to 8 weeks. Some patients may require bonded aesthetic attachments and/ or the use of elastics during treatment to facilitate specific orthodontic movements. Patients may require additional impressions and/or refinement aligners after the initial series of aligners.
Invisalign aligners offer an esthetic alternative to conventional braces.
Aligners are nearly invisible so many people will not realize you are in treatment.
Treatment plans can be visualized through the ClinCheck software.
Aligners allow for normal brushing and flossing tasks that are generally impaired by conventional braces.
Aligners do not have the metal wires or brackets associated with conventional braces.
The wearing of aligners may improve oral hygiene habits during treatment.
Invisalign patients may notice improved periodontal (gum) health during treatment.
Like other orthodontic treatments, the use of Invisalign product(s) may involve some of the risks outlined below:
Failure to wear the appliances for the required number of hours per day, not using the product as directed by your doctor, missing appointments, and erupting or atypically shaped teeth can lengthen the treatment time and affect the ability to achieve the desired results;
Dental tenderness may be experienced after switching to the next aligner in the series;
Gums, cheeks and lips may be scratched or irritated;
Teeth may shift position after treatment. Consistent wearing of retainers at the end of treatment should reduce this tendency;
Tooth decay, periodontal disease, inflammation of the gums or permanent markings (e.g. decalcification) may occur if patients consume foods or beverages containing sugar, do not brush and floss their teeth properly before wearing the Invisalign products, or do not use proper oral hygiene and preventative maintenance
The aligners may temporarily affect speech and may result in a lisp, although any speech impediment caused by the Invisalign products should disappear within one or two weeks;
Aligners may cause a temporary increase in salivation or mouth dryness and certain medications can heighten this effect;
Attachments may be bonded to one or more teeth during treatment to facilitate tooth movement and/or appliance retention. These will be removed after treatment is completed;
Teeth may require interproximal re-contouring or slenderizing in order to create space needed for dental alignment to occur;
The bite may change throughout the course of treatment and may result in temporary patient discomfort.
At the end of orthodontic treatment, the bite may require adjustment (occlusal adjustment.
Supplemental orthodontic treatment, including the use of bonded buttons, orthodontic elastics, auxiliary appliances/ dental devices (e.g. temporary anchorage devices, sectional fixed appliances), and/or restorative dental procedures may be needed for more complicated treatment plans where aligners alone may not be adequate to achieve the desired outcome.
Teeth which have been overlapped for long periods of time may be missing the gingival tissue below the interproximal contact once the teeth are aligned, leading to the appearance of a black triangle space.
Aligners are not effective in the movement of dental implants.
General medical conditions and use of medications can affect orthodontic treatment;
Health of the bone and gums which support the teeth may be impaired or aggravated;
Oral surgery may be necessary to correct crowding or severe jaw imbalances that are present prior to wearing the Invisalign product. If oral surgery is required, risks associated with anesthesia and proper healing must be considered prior to treatment;
A tooth that has been previously traumatized, or significantly restored may be aggravated. In rare instances the useful life of the tooth may be reduced, the tooth may require additional dental treatment such as endodontic and/or additional restorative work and the tooth may be lost;
Existing dental restorations (e.g. crowns) may become dislodged and require re-cementation or in some instances, replacement;
Short clinical crowns can pose appliance retention issues and inhibit tooth movement;
The length of the roots of the teeth may be shortened during orthodontic treatment and may become a threat to the useful life of teeth;
Product breakage is more likely in patients with severe crowding and/or multiple missing teeth;
Orthodontic appliances or parts thereof may be accidentally swallowed or aspirated;
In rare instances, problems may also occur in the jaw joint, causing joint pain, headaches or ear problems;
Allergic reactions may occur
Teeth that are not at least partially covered by the aligner may undergo supra-eruption.