How Long Should a Patient Wear Invisalign®?

Invisalign®'s system of clear aligners allows you to improve the alignment of your teeth without having to compromise your smile during treatment. Invisalign® aligners work using the same idea behind traditional braces. The device applies a constant force on the wearer’s teeth, pushing them to a better alignment over time.

Unlike traditional braces, these clear aligners are removable appliances, so they do not interfere with meals or oral hygiene. This makes treatment with clear aligners more convenient than having to deal with braces.

Treatment times are often shorter with Invisalign® aligners when compared to braces. Treatments with clear aligners can be as short as six months and as long as a couple of years. Treatment with braces often requires wearing the appliance for at least a year. Patients with severe teeth alignment issues might have to wear braces for up to three years.

An overview of teeth straightening with Invisalign®

Treatment with clear aligners involves wearing multiple sets of trays during the treatment. Each set is worn for two weeks, which is the time it takes for that particular set to push the wearer’s teeth as far as it can. Another set takes over from there, and it is also worn for two weeks. By the time the patient has gone through all their aligners, their teeth should be properly aligned. The aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day for the treatment to be effective.

Patients who are interested in treatments with clear aligners have to be cleared by a dentist. Clear aligners cannot fix teeth alignment issues caused by poor jaw positioning, so the dentist has to determine the cause of the patient’s alignment issues. X-rays are often used to help make this determination.

The dentist will then take digital images of the patient’s teeth if their teeth alignment issues can be addressed with clear aligners. These images are used to make a 3-D model of the person’s mouth. The model is projected on a screen, and it is used to design the aligners. The model is also used to run projections of how the patient’s teeth will shift over the course of their treatment.

The data is sent to an Invisalign lab where clear aligners are made. It takes a couple of weeks for the patient’s customized aligners to get back to the dentist. The dentist shows the patient how to insert, remove, and clean their aligners during a second appointment.

Some of the benefits of straightening teeth with clear aligners include:

• More precise forces are applied to the patient’s teeth, shortening treatment times
• Clear aligners can be removed for oral hygiene and meals
• The plastic used to make clear aligners feel more comfortable than the metal components of braces
• Clear aligners are virtually impossible to notice when worn

Ready for a straighter smile?

Clear aligners can get you the straight smile you have always wanted. Give us a call or visit our Sterling dental clinic to set up a consultation appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling office.

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