20 years ago, the only way for an orthodontist to straighten out crooked teeth was through rendering braces. Nowadays, there are alternative options. With the combination of different technologies such as 3D stereolithographic scanning and robotic system, orthodontists work with companies such as Align Technology to design and fabricate custom-made clear aligner trays called Invisalign. Through wearing these aligners, with constant supervision of an orthodontist, teeth are gradually straightened out and the bite get corrected.
Based on reports by the American Association of Orthodontists and Aligner website, currently there are more than 5 million people wearing Invisalign and it is gaining popularity rapidly. Here are a summary of how Invisalign treatment works.
Invisalign patients use a series of trays and sometimes elastics to guide their teeth to final results. Invisalign is a good option for those who do not want to bring any attention to their teeth during orthodontic treatment. It is a good option for busy adults who have to travel a lot and don’t have the time to see an orthodontist on a regular visit. It is a great choice for college students who are away from home for school and can only come in to for orthodontic check-ups a few time a year. Invisalign treatment is also a good option for those who do a lot of public speaking and want the ease and convenience of not having accessories attached to their teeth. Invisalign aligners cut down risks of emergency such as pokey wires, loose brackets, loose band, or discomfort from wearing braces.
Consultation with an Invisalign provider:
To use Invisalign treatment, you first need to choose an orthodontist who is certified in providing this type of treatment and who has plenty of experiences in this field. At the end of the day, Invisalign material by itself is just plastics. It is up to an orthodontist to apply the correct force and ideal movement to move and shape teeth into ideal alignment, proper occlusion, and esthetic outcome.
At Care Orthodontics, Dr. Nancy Phan diagnoses your teeth conditions, your bite, you facial features, then combined with your concerns and input to synthesized into a virtual treatment plan and set up to best fit your needs. Just as in painting, you need quality paint and a great painter to create a master piece of art. Similarly with Invisalign treatment, the combination of applying different technologies and skills and experience of your orthodontist, together correct and transform your smile. Similar to painting, the virtual scan, the software for teeth movement, the robotic technology to print, trim and fabricate trays are all analogous to the quality of paint. The orthodontist is comparable to a painter. Ultimately, you need a great orthodontist who can work with all these tools and use a sound treatment plan to design and monitor your teeth to correct and render beautiful results.
Retainers to maintain that beautiful smile!
After wearing all the Invisalign trays and completed your smile transformation, then it’s time to enjoy your beautiful smile. At the end of treatment, Dr. Phan will order your retainers to ensure that your teeth settle into this new position. It seems like there were a lot of work to go in creating straight teeth…but at the end of the day, the entire process is all worthwhile as you get to keep your smile for the rest of your life!
Whether you want braces or Invisalign, give our office a call if you want to schedule a complimentary consultation. Dr. Nancy Phan is a Board-certified orthodontist who has treated many children and adults and served the San Jose community are for over a decade. Visit us www.CareOrthodontics.com for more education materials and office information.