What Is Invisalign?

While braces remain the most popular choice for orthodontic adjustment, there is an even more subtle and comfortable way to get the smile that you have always dreamed of—Invisalign! Invisalign is a customized progression of clear aligner trays that gradually adjust your bite and make your teeth as straight and aligned as possible. What is Invisalign and what are the benefits of using it for your orthodontic treatment?

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign refers to a brand of thin, clear aligners used in the mouth to adjust the teeth. Invisalign uses specialized thermoplastic material to create their trays, which makes them both more effective and more comfortable. Unlike braces, which involve brackets molded to the surface of each tooth, these clear aligners are a more subtle way to get the orthodontic treatment that you need.

Who Is Invisalign Appropriate For?

These clear aligners can help correct a broad range of dental problems, including everything from crowded teeth to mild bite problems. Some of the different dental issues that can be addressed include:

• Gapped teeth 
• An open bite
• Certain types of underbite, overbite, and crossbite issues
• Crowding 
• And more!

Some patients are more suited to Invisalign than others, and more severe issues may require braces to correct instead of aligners.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Treatment?

While some benefits of Invisalign treatment are obvious, like a smile that is more attractive, others might surprise you. Some of the biggest reasons why patients prefer Invisalign treatment include:

• Invisalign trays are virtually invisible. This means that they are far less likely to distract from your face when you are wearing them, unlike braces. If you do not want to have brackets and wires on your teeth, these clear aligners are the best choice. 
• Because Invisalign uses a proprietary material to create the aligners, they are often more comfortable than other orthodontic treatments. Your trays will have smooth, rounded edges and be designed to perfectly fit in your mouth. 
• You take your Invisalign trays out when you need to eat and drink, and you’ll also clean them regularly. This makes them a clean and hygienic choice that will not negatively impact your oral health. 
• Compared to braces, most Invisalign treatments are completed more quickly. If you want to minimize the length of your treatment, that is a huge benefit. 
• Invisalign aligner trays are removable when you eat or drink. You need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day for them to be as effective as possible, but you can get away with taking them out for your headshot at work or slipping them out for lunch. That simply isn’t possible with braces. 
• Braces come with many different food restrictions that some patients, especially kids and teens, can find challenging. When you choose Invisalign, you will be able to eat anything that you want, as long as you are able to brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligner trays back into your mouth. 
• Optimal dental health is the ultimate goal of all orthodontic treatment, and these clear aligner trays will help you meet your goals. 

How Are Invisalign and Invisalign Teen Different?

While Invisalign is designed for use with adults, there are also aligner trays available for children and teens known as Invisalign Teen. These aligners have slight modifications to make them more appropriate for kids and overcome some of the obstacles that might arise during treatment.

For example, Invisalign Teen aligners have a small dot located on the back of each aligner. These dots are designed to gradually change color after a certain number of hours. If your teen’s dot disappears, it means that they have been following guidance and wearing their trays enough. However, if the dot is still there at their next orthodontic visit, it will mean that the tray should remain in longer before being swapped out.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Invisalign?

Providing that you are able to adhere to your treatment plan, there are virtually no downsides to Invisalign. However, one of the biggest challenges that people have is wearing their trays enough. There is no replacement for time in your mouth, and trays must be worn for at least 22 hours every day. Some people who are used to snacking or drinking sugary drinks throughout the day can have trouble adjusting.

The other downside to Invisalign treatment is that it is not appropriate for every type of orthodontic issue. If you have complex bite issues or spacing problems, there is a chance that braces would work faster and more effectively. Additionally, there are some types of orthodontic challenges that Invisalign is simply inappropriate for. Contact the team at Aloha Orthodontics to schedule an appointment. We’d love to see if Invisalign treatment is right for you!