Ready to improve the appearance and the alignment and function of your smile? Invisalign may be the perfect solution for you! In today’s short article you will learn from our Toluca Lake Invisalign dentists about the many things that this treatment can accomplish, and you’ll learn about how Invisalign works, step by step.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is simply another tool that is used in dentistry to move natural teeth into better alignment. Like metal braces, Invisalign has the ability to:
- Close gaps between teeth
- Straighten crooked and misaligned teeth
- Make the patient’s smile better balanced and wider
- Correct a number of bite problems, including crossbite, underbite, and overbite
How does Invisalign work?
You probably already know that traditional braces move teeth by using metal brackets (attached to the teeth) and metal wires (attached to the brackets). One of the most exciting things about Invisalign is that it is completely metal-free. Invisalign aligners are actually made of clear plastic resin. These aligners fit completely over the patient’s natural teeth (like mouth guards). These aligners apply continuous pressure to the person’s teeth, so that they keep moving in the right directions!
A key thing to know about these aligners is that they are totally removable; you can take them out and put them back in at-will. In fact, you will need to take your aligners out whenever you need to eat, drink something other than water, and clean your smile. Keep in mind, however, that it is very important to wear your aligners for as many hours a day as possible.
As you go through the Invisalign treatment process, you will receive new aligners to wear every few weeks. These aligners essentially build off of each other—each aligner is designed to move your smile a little more. Once you get to your final aligner (meaning that your teeth are in their final positions), we will make a retainer for you to wear at night, to help you maintain your straight smile.
Our Toluca Lake Invisalign dentists are always here to help you improve your smile using the latest dental technologies. Please call our team to learn more!