By changing just one aspect of their appearance, 70% of people believe their self-confidence can be boosted. For the 1 million Americans with braces last year, that change was their teeth.
It’s a worthwhile endeavor, but I still have nightmares about visiting my orthodontist.
I have straight pearly whites now, but my teeth use being covered in metal wires and brackets, cutting into my gums, scratching up my lips, and scaring off my classmates. I can still vividly remember the horrors of it all. Thanks to innovations in orthodontics, however, there are other, more humane options out there.
Both in terms of comfort and ease of use, Invisalign braces are easily the best option on the market today.
You may have at least some cursory familiarity with Invisalign braces, but you may still have some questions:
How does Invisalign work? How long does Invisalign take to work?
I’m here to answer those questions.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign “braces” function more like a retainer or a mouthguard than like traditional metal braces. Technically speaking, these Invisalign mouthguards are referred to as “trays.” They’re perfectly clear and just sit on top of your teeth, slowly moving them into their ideal position.
What happens is, you have a consultation with your orthodontist and tell him that you want to start using Invisalign braces. Your doctor will then make 3D images of your teeth to map out where he’d like to see your teeth move over the course of your Invisalign treatment.
With these images, your orthodontist creates the a set of “trays,” or “custom-aligners” that will guide your teeth into their final position. These trays are perfectly clear, and so comfortable to wear, that people will hardly even notice that you have them on.
Generally speaking, you wear each tray for about two weeks, until you switch to a new tray that moves your teeth even further. Usually, each tray moves your teeth about 0.25 mm. They’re tiny adjustments that add up into a big result over time.
Once your teeth have moved into their final resting place, your orthodontist will usually recommend a proper retainer to make sure they stay there. Usually, these retainers are made with the same innovative, thermoplastic design that Invisalign is made with.
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?
It’s hard to say, but for adults, Invisalign takes about one year to complete. For children and teenagers, the timeline is more variable, as their mouths are at different stages and need different severities of correction.
Most likely, however, your child would also have to wear traditional braces for the same or a longer amount of time, so you might as well go with the most comfortable options that require the least amount of upkeep. That’s Invisalign.
Does Invisalign Sound Right For You Or Your Child?
With Invisalign, you get the same results that traditional braces provide but with none of the headaches.
They’re comfortable, easy to use, and since you can take them on and off to eat or brush your teeth, you never have to worry about fishing food or plaque out of the metal in your mouth.
If you or a loved want to learn more about Invisalign or other orthodontic options, consider contacting a specialist.