Invisalign is a modern teeth straightening system built around a series of clear, custom-fitted plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth into a straighter position. Many patients choose it as an alternative to traditional metal braces, and most people finish treatment in under two years. Below is an overview of how the process works.
How the Invisalign Process Works
The Invisalign process starts with an initial visit to discuss treatment with your dentist. At this appointment, your dentist checks for active gum disease and confirms that all of your adult teeth have come in, while also examining your mouth, teeth, and gums to assess your overall oral health. Your dentist will then let you know whether Invisalign is a good fit for your smile. In many cases, Invisalign can straighten teeth just as effectively as traditional metal braces, though some more complex orthodontic situations may still call for metal braces.
Once you are approved for treatment, our team captures a series of comfortable digital scans of your teeth and mouth to build a 3D digital model. From there, our dentists use advanced planning software to map out a treatment plan designed to gradually move your teeth into their new positions. You will have the chance to view this digital model in our office, so you can see how your alignment is expected to progress and get a preview of what your smile can look like once treatment is complete.
After your treatment plan is finalized, your custom set of discreet, comfortable, and removable aligner trays is created. From that point, you will wear the trays for most hours of the day, taking them out only to eat or to take part in activities with a higher risk of facial injury, such as football, rugby, or other sports that call for a mouth guard.
Each set of trays in the series is worn for a few weeks before you move on to the next one, following a schedule your dentist establishes for you. Many patients start to notice visible changes in as little as six weeks.
Tips for Getting the Best Results With Invisalign
As you work through your Invisalign treatment, keeping a few habits in mind can help you get the most out of the process.
- Keep your aligners clean Discretion is one of the biggest advantages of Invisalign, since the trays are subtle enough that most people will not notice you are wearing them. To keep that low profile, daily cleaning matters, since trays that are not cleaned regularly can start to look dull or cloudy. Cleaning your aligners alongside your regular brushing and flossing routine each day is a simple way to stay on top of it.
- Wear your aligners consistently Even though the trays come out, your treatment plan typically calls for wearing them about 20 to 22 hours each day to stay on track. Take them out only for meals or high-contact activities, and try to avoid leaving them out for extended stretches, since that can slow your progress.
- Stick with regular brushing and flossing Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign lets you brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Take advantage of that convenience to keep your oral health in good shape while your smile is being straightened.
Book an Invisalign Consultation in Huntersville
The Smile Architects in Huntersville holds Gold Invisalign Provider status, reflecting our extensive, ongoing experience with Invisalign treatment. If crooked, uneven, crowded, slanted, or gapped teeth are a concern for you, Invisalign could be a good option, and for some patients, it can even help correct a misaligned bite. Set up a no-obligation consultation with our friendly, experienced Invisalign team in Huntersville, NC, by calling 704-875-1621 today.