What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign Process
The Invisalign process begins with a consultation appointment. During your consultation, our Cooley Smiles dentists will determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. Once we have determined that Invisalign is right for you, we will gather photographs of your teeth and face, take dental impressions, and take x-rays. This information, along with a detailed set of instructions, is then sent to the Invisalign headquarters. There, they will use this information to develop an appropriate treatment plan. We will review their plan and ask them to make any necessary changes until we achieve the desired results.
Once we are satisfied, Invisalign will fabricate a series of aligner trays and ship them to our office. The process typically takes about four weeks, from the time we send them your information to the time we receive the trays.
What Is Invisalign®?
Each aligner tray is designed to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. You will wear each tray for a period of two weeks. When you put in a new tray, the position will be slightly straighter than your actual teeth. This will apply pressure and cause your teeth to move until they match the position of the tray. It is important to wear each tray as much as possible. We typically recommend having the trays in for at least 20 hours a day. The trays should only be removed to eat and clean your teeth. The success of your treatment depends largely on the amount of time you wear each tray.Throughout treatment, you will be asked to come in for follow up appointments every six weeks or so. During your appointment, we will check to make sure that your teeth are moving to the proper position.
After your final tray, we highly recommend a retainer. It is important to protect your investment. Without a retainer your teeth may drift out of position, undoing all of your hard work. Most patients opt for a clear retainer very similar to an Invisalign tray.
Benefits of Invisalign
The biggest benefit of Invisalign is the appearance. Most people may not even notice you are wearing your trays. Invisalign is much more discrete than traditional braces. They are also more comfortable. Traditional braces can lead to the irritation of your cheeks and gums. They also pull on the teeth in a much more painful way.
Traditional braces need to be tightened and repaired, which requires more office visits. With Invisalign, you simply move on to your next tray if one is lost or broken. Invisalign also makes it easier for you to clean and maintain your teeth. Traditional braces require the use of special brushing and flossing methods.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are interested in Invisalign treatment, call (425) 249-3509, and schedule your appointment today!
