Invisalign is growing as one of the most popular options for straightening your teeth, due to the fact that they are removable and the process can be done more discreetly. If you are new to the process, you may be wondering how does Invisalign work? This is a question that is important to ask your orthodontist to ensure that it is the right treatment to fit your dental needs and your lifestyle.

The Straightening Process

When asking the question, how does Invisalign work, your orthodontist is likely to explain the straightening process. With traditional braces, a wire is attached to brackets and designed to pull or push teeth into the proper position. With Invisalign a series of plastic aligners will be created, one for each step of the process. Your orthodontist will get a 3-D image of your teeth to create the various aligners necessary to complete treatment. The first aligner will be designed to move the teeth a certain amount in a certain direction. Once that position is achieved, then the next aligner will be used to shift them closer to their goal. Once all of your aligners have been worn for the proper amount of time, your teeth should be in your final straightened position.

The Cons of Invisalign

Part of knowing ‘how does Invisalign work’ involves understanding what can happen when it doesn’t work as planned. The primary reason that treatment with Invisalign would fail is if you did not comply with the requirements of the treatment. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can be removed. While it can be ok for them to be removed for a short period of time, such as when eating, removing them for extended periods of time, even just a few hours, can undermine the work that has been done. Often people may find them slightly uncomfortable with certain activities, like they would with a retainer, and may end up taking them out more than recommended. To be an effective form of treatment, they need to be worn the majority of the time, or the teeth will simply shift back and you will be back to square one.

Asking how does Invisalign work is a crucial question to ask your orthodontist when discussing potential teeth straightening options. Find out more about the entire process by contacting Smile Experience Orthodontics today.