Invisalign | Athens, GA

Invisalign: Everything You Need To Know

Are you unhappy with your smile due to tooth alignment issues? There is a comfortable and easy solution to that beyond traditional braces. Invisalign is a series of clear teeth aligners that can straighten your smile. Invisalign allows you to eat and drink what you want without worrying about braces or wires. It has been approved by the American Association for Orthodontics.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that utilizes clear, removable aligners to correct the alignment of teeth and create straighter smiles. It is manufactured by AlignTechnology, an American multinational medical device company. Zia Chishti, who founded the company, came up with the patented Invisalign design used successfully worldwide since then.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces for moving your teeth into proper alignment. It has been proven in clinical studies and by thousands of patients worldwide to be an effective orthodontic treatment, showing excellent results compared with traditional metal braces or other forms of orthodontic treatment.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign transforms your teeth by using a series of custom-molded aligners that push your teeth into their intended new positions for 18-24 months. The first aligner is only slightly different from your teeth’s current alignment, and wearing it will cause your teeth to begin shifting position.

After the teeth have adapted to the form of the first aligner, you are given a new one to continue the procedure. It requires multiple aligners because the mouthpiece must fit your teeth comfortably without creating a significant difference between the aligner shape and your teeth.
Every two weeks or so, you get a replacement aligner to help your teeth shift until they’re straight and in an ideal position. Wear a retainer every night after the complete treatment to maintain the results and keep your teeth from moving.

How Is a Treatment Plan Determined?

Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation. As an Invisalign-certified dentist, Dr. Rice will scan the patient’s teeth, gums, and jaw to create a 3D image. He anticipates how they will shift with intelligent software that creates an accurate digital plan and projection of the final results for you to review.

He will prepare dental records to create an initial impression of the patient’s mouth and send them to Invisalign headquarters in San Jose, California. After Invisalign HQ has analyzed the impression, Invisalign will send back a proposed treatment plan that includes the suggested course of action.

What Is Invisalign Made of, and How Are the Aligners Made?

Invisalign aligners are created from a medical-grade plastic material, specifically polyurethane resins, that offer comfort while fitting snugly but gently in your mouth. Each aligner is trimmed to match your gum line.

Invisalign’s software divides the intended alignments into a sequence of “baby” steps, and a 3D printer produces a mold to achieve each step. Then, to create each aligner, a piece of plastic is heated, pressure modified, trimmed, and polished to custom fit the 3D printed mold.

Once you’ve been examined and treatment has been approved, you will have a set of Invisalign trays made that are customized to fit your smile.

What Does Invisalign Treat?

Invisalign is an excellent option for crowded and crooked teeth, underdeveloped jaws, and gap teeth. Invisalign is also perfect for teens whose teeth are still moving. In addition, it works great with patients who have had previous orthodontic work done and want to improve their smile.

Why Choose Invisalign Over Regular Braces?

Invisalign offers several benefits that traditional metal braces cannot provide. The most prominent benefit is the visibility factor. Invisalign aligners are clear and almost invisible, so they won’t be noticeable when you smile at someone or take pictures for your social media accounts.

There are no foods that need to be avoided because you take the aligners out when you eat. It doesn’t get in the way of flossing and brushing your teeth. Invisalign also works well for those self-conscious about their smile or worried about finicky metal braces. You don’t want to go through the hassle of regular braces that can break when eating hard, crunchy, or sticky food.

In addition, treatment takes a more relaxed approach to straightening your teeth so that Invisalign trays can be worn for a more extended time without discomfort. Another reason Invisalign is more comfortable is because it has no wires or brackets. Also, it usually takes less time to work than regular braces, which averages 2 years. Patients using Invisalign end up requiring fewer doctor visits and seeing faster results.

Invisalign gives you more options than traditional metal braces. The American Association for Orthodontics (AAO) has approved Invisalign. You may qualify for up to $3,000 in help from your insurance company to pay for Invisalign.

Taking Care of Invisalign: Maintenance Tips

Invisalign is similar to regular braces in that you should brush and floss twice a day, specifically after every meal. Rinse the aligners, then brush them with a toothbrush every morning and night.

Be sure to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day.

Every 6-8 weeks, go to the doctor for a new set of aligners. There is extra pressure on your teeth for 1-2 days at the beginning of each new aligner set as your teeth begin to move into place.

Invisalign | Athens, GA

Invisalign has many benefits. It’s discreet, comfortable, and maintains excellent oral hygiene while straightening your teeth. There’s a new way to improve your smile without going through the hassle of traditional braces. Dr. William Rice is proud to offer Invisalign® clear aligners, which provide you with a practical option for straightening crooked or crowded teeth in as little as 12 weeks.

With Invisalign, there are no more metal braces on your teeth or embarrassing smile moments. Instead, you get an attractive set of clear aligners that fit comfortably over your existing teeth — even if they’re crowded or crooked.

If you’re curious about Invisalign’s advantages in providing a gorgeous new smile that will last a lifetime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and schedule your consultation appointment.

We look forward to meeting you soon.