Tuckahoe, NY – Invisalign has revolutionized the orthodontic world since it was first introduced, and for good reason. Orthodontists love the precision the technology gives them, and patients love their ease, comfort and invisibility.
“Invisalign is a great tool that is continually evolving through technology,” says Dr. Sam Polan of Tuckahoe Family Orthodontics. “Since it was introduced, we can now treat many more types of cases with it. While it isn’t an ideal treatment option for everyone, it can do great things for the right patients.”
Invisalign, or clear aligner therapy, is a great option for people looking for a more esthetically pleasing way to straighten their smiles. The aligners are virtually invisible, so many people won’t even know a patient is wearing them.
While traditional metal braces have brackets and wires that can irritate your mouth, the aligner trays are made from a smooth plastic that is comfortable to wear.
But perhaps the biggest advantage to Invisalign over regular braces is that the aligner trays are removable. That means no altering your diet to prevent breaking brackets and pulling wires loose, and not changing your dental hygiene routine. Simply pop the aligners out before eating and drinking, and brush and floss before putting them back in. The aligners are comfortable, and convenient.
But how does Invisalign work?
The modern approach to straightening teeth gradually and gently shifts your teeth into place. Your orthodontist can map out precise movements with Invisalign’s state-of-the-art technology, allowing you to see exactly what your smile will look like at every stage of treatment.
At your first appointment, your orthodontist will take impressions, X-rays and photos of your teeth that will be used to create a 3-d image of your smile. This will be used to create your personalized treatment plan, and to make your customized series of aligners.
During your treatment, you’ll wear a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks. You’ll have occasional check-ups with your orthodontist to ensure your treatment is progressing according to plan. These recall appointments are typically scheduled for every six to eight weeks.
For the best results, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. This will ensure that the pressure needed to guide your teeth is constantly working.
“One of the greatest advantages of Invisalign is also one of its biggest disadvantages,” says Dr. Sam Polan. “The aligners are removable, so you can easily forget to wear them. To work properly and keep you on track, the aligners need to be worn the recommended amount of time. While it can be tempting to remove them for that big date or occasion, I advise my patients to only take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss.”
The treatment time and cost of Invisalign are usually similar to that of standard braces.
While the technology continues to advance, enabling better treatment of a greater variety of cases, more serious malocclusions may still require other treatment plans.
The only way to know for sure if Invisalign will work for you is to schedule a consultation. At your complimentary initial consultation, Dr. Polan will discuss treatment options with you, and will let you know whether Invisalign is right for you.
“Every day, more patients are able to enjoy the benefits Invisalign has to offer,” says Dr. Polan. “While it may not be ideal for everyone, it is an excellent treatment option for many orthodontic patients.”
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