Virtual Smile Assessment

Understanding the Use of Invisalign – Part 1

Getting that beautiful smile without heavy metal teeth can happen. Invisalign makes this possible. Have you seen anybody who wears these kinds of braces? They are actually called aligners. They are not just any kind of plastic covers, they are created especially for the wearer. They are personal and from all reports, practical and effective. It just makes sense to try something that is kinder to your mouth than metal braces.

At Grace and Bowman Orthodontics, we provide Invisalign treatments to patients of all ages.  Our patient is our first priority, and we want to help you get your best smile in the most effective way. To find out if Invisalign is right for, contact Grace and Bowman today or visit one of our offices – with locations in Fort Walton Beach and Niceville.

Invisalign aligners are actually clear trays, which have been created in a series of sizes to fit the wearer’s teeth. Nobody else is going to be able to wear someone else’s Invisalign tray. That is good all by itself. Believe it or not, some people do think that it is possible to do so.

Taking the path of least resistance, aligners are much kinder to the mouth. One of the most common complaints about metal braces is the pain. The other is the appearance. For a beautiful smile, with the least amount of detection, Invisalign does the trick. Made of thermoplastics, Invisalign tooth aligners are molded for the stage from start to finish. The progression, as the teeth adapt and change, serves to keep the process active, and 3-D technology makes this possible.

How this works is that the aligners are changed every two weeks. This way the gradual movement and change of teeth can respond to the goal of perfection. The time frame from start to finish varies by person and each patient is evaluated individually. Some find out that after about six months they are ready to go without aligners. The difference between these and metal braces is that the change of trays happens every two weeks. When traditional braces are worn, they have to be adjusted about every six weeks. The pain is lessened when Invisalign is used.

The first step, of course, is an orthodontist appointment. It is important to find an orthodontist who is licensed for Invisalign work. Not every orthodontist has this license. Specialized training must have been passed to perform these intricate services.

After you select an orthodontist, your teeth will be assessed. If you are a good candidate, your orthodontist will make molds of your teeth. This is probably the most uncomfortable part. It doesn’t take long and is just a matter of getting past the goo in your mouth. It is only a short, ten minute process. Next, the orthodontist will send the molds off to the creation lab. After that, a video will be created so you can view how your teeth are estimated to look once your Invisalign process is complete. Once you are happy with this look, the trays will be created. Before you know it, in about three weeks, you will have your Invisalign trays.

Check back next week to read our second installment of Understanding Invisalign!