If you have been facing bite problems, crowded teeth, or a smile that is just not straight, your dentist might have recommended an Invisalign treatment. But, what is Invisalign? How does it work and how much does it cost? Also, does it hurt? Read everything you need to know about Invisalign treatments in this article!
What is Invisalign?
When your dentist finds you eligible for an Invisalign treatment, you will want to know everything about Invisalign, what is it and how it works, how much it costs, if it can fix overbite or if it hurts. How Invisalign works is simple. It is a process where you wear clear, removable aligners that will straighten your teeth in a gradual way. Unlike braces, you won’t need brackets or wires.
What is Invisalign made of?
The Invisalign aligners are made of flexible plastic. They are subtle as they are nearly invisible and fit on your teeth in a way that doesn’t bother you as much as braces. A bonus point is that you can also remove them to eat and clean your teeth. Also, the cost of Invisalign compared to braces is not very much higher. You can check all details about the cost of Invisalign here (Invisalign cost article).
What is Invisalign used for? 3 dental issues Invisalign can help with
Invisalign is a treatment that improves your smile by moving your teeth into the right position for them to be aligned. If you are wondering what are Invisalign treatments exactly for, here are dental issues that can require an Invisalign treatment:
Bite problems
Bite problems occur when a patient’s jaw and teeth are not aligned properly and don’t fit well together. It can be underbite, overbite, open bite, or cross-bite. Invisalign aligners can fix this problem and the average Invisalign duration for that case is 12 to 24 months. You can read all about Invisalign and overbite here (Can Invisalign fix overbite? article).
Crowded teeth
Having teeth that overlap means you have crowded teeth. Invisalign treatment is used for most crowded teeth cases. However, in some cases, your dentist will judge braces as more beneficial. Depending on your teeth and how crowded they are, as well as if they need rotating or inclination or jaw-enlargement to create sufficient space, fixing crowded teeth with Invisalign can take up to 18 months.
Gap teeth
Gaps between teeth (known as diastema) are one of the most common problems treated with Invisalign. Having gaps between teeth make it hard for someone to clean their teeth properly, leading to tooth decay. It can take the Invisalign treatment as little as 3 to 6 months to close a gap between teeth in simple cases. In more complex and severe cases, the average time for Invisalign to close a gap between teeth is 18 months.
How does the Invisalign treatment work?
What is an Invisalign treatment and how does it work? Once your doctor and you decide to proceed with the treatment, you will be provided with aligners. Invisalign aligners are aimed at moving your teeth gradually with minimal pain (Does Invisalign hurt? article). Every 2 weeks, you will need to switch your aligner trays to a different size. This continues until your teeth are straightened. It is important you wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day. You can remove them to eat and clean your teeth.
What are Invisalign success rates?
Invisalign can treat mild, moderate, as well as severe cases. It is up to your orthodontist to assess whether you need an Invisalign treatment or braces. Most, if not all, orthodontic cases treated by Invisalign are a success. The Invisalign treatment success rate is over 96%.
How long does Invisalign take?
Based on various factors (like age and severity of your case), as well as whether you follow your dentist’s instructions (keeping with your appointments, wearing aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, and switching trays on the time agreed with your dentist), Invisalign treatment can be as short as 6 months or last up to 18 months. It can take 24 months in more severe cases.
What do Invisalign braces cost on average?
If you are not using dental insurance, Invisalign costs 3,500 to 5,000 USD on average. It also depends on your location, needs, and dentist expertise. We outline everything you need to know on Invisalign’s cost in this article (Invisalign cost article).
Final Points about Invisalign teeth
Straightening your teeth with Invisalign comes with many advantages. It is definitely easier than braces and can fix a wide array of dental issues. From crowded teeth to overbite, mild to moderate cases, dentists increasingly recommend Invisalign.
