People wanting a better way to straighten their teeth without compromising their self-esteem now have the option of using Invisalign. Current Invisalign users were surveyed with 47% of teen users saying Invisalign boosted their self-esteem, while only 22% of teens using traditional braces mentioned any boost at all, according to Docplayer.net. Keep reading to understand how Invisalign can straighten your teeth and boost your self-esteem at the same time.
First, a series of flexible, clear plastic trays are created to fit your teeth. Then, gradually, customized trays are used to shift teeth into the desired position. You can expect to receive new trays about every two weeks. It’s clear that Invisalign has become a popular way to have teeth straightened, but how do those clear trays really work?
Understand How Invisalign Aligners Can Straighten Your Teeth
The trays you receive every two weeks are all customized to fit your teeth. Each new tray changes to gradually shift teeth about 0.25 to 0.3 millimeters using gentle pressure. Treatment times may vary, but typically it takes 12 to 18 months to achieve straight teeth and a brilliant smile using Invisalign aligners.
Attachments Are Used for Optimal Alignment
Many patients require Invisalign attachments to help with their teeth-straightening experience. Attachments, which are tiny, tooth-colored bumps bonded to specific teeth, are meant to provide pressure points. Those pressure points help Invisalign aligners better grip to teeth and ensure that they are shifted into the right position.
Elastic Bands Assist in Straightening Teeth
Did you think wearing Invisalign aligners wouldn’t require elastic bands as traditional braces do? With Invisalign, those tiny rubber bands hook onto attachments. The number of elastics needed varies from patient to patient and customized treatment plans.
Interproximal Reduction Helps Teeth Move as They Should
Sometimes a small amount of space is needed between teeth so they move as they should during treatment. The process to create that space is called Interproximal Reduction (IPR). Specific teeth are resized or reshaped in cases of tooth crowding. IPR reduces the need to extract teeth and can eliminate black triangles. The procedure itself is minimally invasive and doesn’t cause any discomfort.
Now that you have a better idea of how Invisalign aligners work, contact Nowlin Orthodontics, a trusted local orthodontist, to schedule a consultation. We will examine your teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Start your journey to achieve beautifully straight teeth today.
