How Does Invisalign Work?

13th February 2023

How Does Invisalign Work?

How Does Invisalign Work? The Quick and Effective Way to Get a Straighter Smile

If you are asking how Invisalign works, then you probably know what it is. But if you don’t, Invisalign is a treatment method used for straightening teeth. Unlike old-school metal braces, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to help you achieve a straighter smile.

Invisalign is almost invisible in the mouth, making it a perfect treatment option if you are looking for a more discrete way to straighten your teeth. But how does Invisalign work? And what are the things to expect in the treatment? All these questions are what this post will address in the meantime. 

But First Things First!

Yes, Invisalign is great for straightening crooked and misaligned teeth, but it doesn’t work for all orthodontic cases. There are some cases that require traditional braces for effective treatment. That means before you make up your mind to go for Invisalign, you need to first check with your dentist to be sure it is right for you.

What usually determines this is the severity of your case. If you have badly misaligned teeth, you may need to consider more advanced procedures to correct them.

So, what cases can Invisalign treat?

Invisalign is great for treating most common dental conditions, such conditions as: 

• Gapped teeth
• Mild overbite
• Crowded teeth
• Crossbite
• Underbite
• Open bite, etc. 

If you think you are a candidate for Invisalign, then you should know how the treatment works. But before that, let’s see how traditional braces move the teeth to get straighter teeth first.

How Braces Move Teeth 

Traditional orthodontics makes use of wires and brackets to move the teeth to correct imperfections. We will use glue to bond the brackets onto the flat side of the teeth. We will now carefully fits the orthodontic wires to each bracket. 

Each wire is carefully molded in such a way that they apply a specific amount of force to specific areas. When we connect the wire into the bracket, it exacts a pulling force onto the teeth. It is this force that activates the bone removal and rebuilding of cells that facilitates the straightening of the teeth.

The wires will be changed periodically to make sure that a certain amount of pressure is used to shift the teeth – and in the right direction.

How Invisalign Works to Move Your Teeth

Invisalign works slightly differently from traditional braces. Instead of wires and brackets, it uses clear aligners to move the teeth. We will first take x-rays, photographs, and digital scans of your teeth and mouth. 

We will then send the information to an orthodontic lab technician who uses the information to produce sets of aligners that are bound to move the teeth in a certain direction and at a very slow pace.

The movement is usually very small with each set of aligners. When the aligners are placed over the teeth, they produce a prescribed amount of pushing force on each tooth to move it in a particular direction. It is also this force that activates the bone removal and rebuilding cells necessary to move the teeth into the right positions. 

As the teeth move with each aligner, you will need a new set of aligners that are designed to put a bit more pressure on the right teeth to move them to the proper position. 

Typically, you will be wearing each aligner for two weeks before you get a new one. And this will continue until you achieve a perfect smile. 

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Invisalign?

Well, Invisalign has several benefits over traditional metal braces. Some of them include:

They are almost invisible

It is called Invis-align for a reason. Because it is almost invisible when in the mouth. People would hardly take note of it, so you don’t have to worry about wearing it to school or office.

It is removable

The aligners are easy to remove and fit back into the mouth. That way, you can always get them out whenever you feel like it – such as when going on your date for instance.

It is very comfortable

The aligners are made from PBA-free plastics and so they don’t irritate your gum or the inside of your cheeks. 

Have no food restrictions

Yes, you can eat any type of food – you can even chew gum if you want. Just that you will need to remove the aligners before you eat or drink anything aside from water. 

Fewer appointments with your dentist

Since you are not working with wires and brackets here, you don’t have to visit your dentist every time to tighten anything. After the first appointment, you only go to after 6 months for a follow-up check. 

Easy to clean

Unlike with traditional braces where brushing and flossing are hard work, dental hygiene is much easier with Invisalign – thanks to the removable nature of the aligners. That’s another plus for your gum health, too.

How Long Does it Take Invisalign to Correct Your Smile?

Well, this varies. How fast Invisalign will shift your teeth to their perfect positions depends on your specific condition. If you have dental conditions such as overly crowded teeth, gapped teeth, etc., your treatment duration should be shorter.

However, Invisalign will typically take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to give you a perfect smile. So, you should schedule an appointment with us first to help you determine how long your treatment might last.

Is Invisalign Painful?

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign produces less pain or discomfort. The pain usually happens as the teeth gradually move into position. Sometimes, it can also be as the aligners press and run against your mouth. 

The pain is usually heightened in the first few days of getting a new set of aligners. But the pain will definitely fade away after a couple of days when your teeth gradually get comfortable with the new aligners. 

Final Note on How Invisalign Works

It’s okay to ask how Invisalign works when you are considering the treatment option for a straighter smile. Although it works slightly differently from traditional braces in that it uses clear aligners instead of wires and brackets, it still produces the same result as traditional braces – a straighter and more beautiful smile. 

Thinking of starting your journey to a more beautiful smile with Invisalign in York? Give us a call right away! Call us at 01904 937 041