Invisalign®: Straighten your teeth effectively without the hassles of braces
Invisalign® aligners blend in with the smile. So, unlike braces, their hue and hardware are not noticeable. In addition to being highly cosmetic, they are comfortable. Each aligner (tray) is made from a clear plastic that is also smooth and flexible. Plus, they are removable. Patients do not have to re-learn how to eat or how to brush and floss effectively. They maintain their nutritious, varied, and tasty diet and good oral hygiene throughout treatment.
These are wonderful features for modern orthodontic treatment; however, what good is Invisalign® if it doesn’t work to straighten teeth? As a proud certified Invisalign® provider, the office of Chase Patton, DDS in Columbia, Missouri, stands by this discreet, hassle-free, and, yes, effective treatment.
A time-tested treatment
Invisalign® first achieved FDA approval in 1998. Since then, it has been used by dental professionals worldwide to transform more than 17 million patients’ smiles. While other clear aligner products and businesses have entered the market, Invisalign® is the pioneer in correcting crowded, gapped, crooked, and unevenly-spaced teeth with these oral appliances. It is also considered an innovator; over its more than 25-year history, Invisalign® has evolved from treating primarily minor cosmetic cases to now resolving complex underbite, overbite, and other bite-related imbalances.
Until Invisalign® came on the scene, options for correcting malocclusion between the opposing upper and lower teeth (and jaws) were limited to conventional braces. This orthodontic treatment involved using metal hardware to place consistent pressure on the teeth. These forces helped guide the teeth’ movement, thus correcting crowding and other misalignment. In addition to being unmistakable in the smile, an orthodontist or dentist can only remove and adjust these braces. Adjusting to braces wear can be challenging. Treatment can only move forward with the doctor’s intervention.
Invisalign® really works by placing the same consistent force on the teeth. The aligners are custom-fitted to your teeth. So they can effectively facilitate the necessary movements to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign®, you are also in the driver’s seat. Treatment progresses as long as you wear the aligners for the recommended time and in the correct order. That means the aligners should only be removed from your mouth so you can effectively clean them when eating, brushing, and flossing.
Each aligner is also but one in a series. Every tray conforms to a different step in your treatment plan. You will wear them for around one to two week(s), and then progress to the next aligner tray that corresponds with your treatment. The total number of trays and, in turn, the total treatment time depends on various factors – ranging from the nature and severity of your teeth/jaw malocclusion to patient compliance.
To learn more about this effective and hassle-free way to straighten teeth, schedule a consultation with your certified Invisalign® provider in Columbia, MO, today. Call Chase Patton, DDS at (573) 875-7040.