Invisalign® is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that our Santa Rosa Orthodontists use as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces.
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that our Santa Rosa Orthodontists plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.
Advantages
Cosmetic concern is the major benefit of the Invisalign treatment: the aligners are completely transparent, hence they are not as visible as traditional wire and bracket braces. The is why this treatment becomes particularly popular for adult patients who desire to straighten their teeth but not the look of traditional metal braces, which are commonly worn by children and teens. In addition, the aligners are marketed as being more comfortable than braces. Nevertheless, as the device is removable, food can be consumed without the encumbrance of traditional metallic braces.
Aligners avoid clinically many of the side effects of traditional fixed appliances, for instance the effects on the gums and supporting tissues. Fixed appliances are believed to lead to shortening of the roots of teeth for most patients, and tooth decay affects up to half of patients as they cannot be removed during eating and cleaning, and also because they do not allow accurate x-rays to be taken. Patients “graduate” to a new set of aligners in their treatment series every two weeks approximately. There is less force per week and less pain from the aligners than fixed appliances (traditional metal braces). Fixed appliances also needs to be adjusted approximately once every six weeks and apply greater forces.
Computerized treatment planning is compulsory as part of the Invisalign protocol. As with other forms of orthodontic treatments that incorporate a computerized plan, this allows the prospective patient to review the projected smile design, learn how long the treatment is likely to take, compare different plans, and make a more educated decision about whether or not to use Invisalign.
Pricing
The treatment price for Invisalign is often the same, as or more than traditional braces. Doctor fees are usually determined by the complexity and length of each individual treatment. The price of the treatment also depends on your geographic location. As conclusion, the costs of invisalign treatment may vary from case to case.
Treatment
In the initial stage, an orthodontist begins by collecting dental impressions, x-rays and photographs of the patient’s teeth and sending them to Align Technology. The impressions are put through a CT scan from which a computer creates a three-dimensional model. Technicians then individualize the teeth in the computer model and move them to their final position as prescribed by the orthodontist. Custom software then simulates the movement of the teeth in stages. The orthodontist reviews the simulation online using Align Technology’s ClinCheck via a web browser and approves or modifies the treatment. Once approved, a plastic resin aligner is manufactured for each stage of the computer simulation and shipped to the orthodontist.
‘Attachments’ are sometimes bonded to teeth that need to be “rotated” or moved more than other teeth. Clients can expect as many as thirteen attachments. They are tooth-colored and made of a glass-like substance.
‘Reproximation’ is a process by which the contacts between teeth are sanded down to allow for a better fit. This may also be a part of treatment.
The average treatment time for Invisalign is about 1 year, and again it depends on the complexity of the treatment. Simple treatments (minor crowding, minor spacing) may take as short as 140 days. Although the aligners are removable, they must be worn at least 20 to 22 hours per day to avoid delaying the treatment process. If they are not worn consistently, treatment time will increase.
After the regular aligner or braces treatment is complete, retainers composed of a similar plastic material are usually required to be worn, at least at night.
Like other orthodontic systems, the patient has some flexibility. The final position of the teeth is not completely determined by the last aligner. If the patient wants to change the end position because the actual position is not optimal, new aligners are ordered, which are usually included in the originally quoted cost, called a ‘Refinement.’
To learn more about the Dental Treatments and Services we provide, or to schedule an appointment please contact your Santa Rosa Dentist Dr. Sullivan Today at (707) 545-5260!