subject: Invisalign- Creating Straight Smiles Metal-free [print this page] Do you wish that your smile was straighter but don't want to deal with the hassle and burden of having to wear braces for an extended period of time? Since 1999, millions of patients have used the Invisalign system to effectively straighten their teeth while not having to wear uncomfortable braces. Using a series of clear aligners that you will change out every two weeks, your teeth will slowly begin to move into a straight position. With a cost that is comparable to braces, anyone should seriously consider the Invisalign system before undergoing an orthodontic treatment.
How Does Invisalign Work?
After discussing with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for Invisalign, the first thing he or she will do is to take impressions, pictures and X-rays of your teeth. From this, your dentist will create a digital image of your teeth. Using this, he or she will be able to create a detailed plan of the rest of your treatment. Your dentist will provide you with a set of clear plastic aligners that you will wear for 20-22 hours per day. About every two weeks you will switch to the next pair of aligners in your treatment plan and little by little, your teeth will begin to move until they have moved to their final position. Every six weeks, you will have an appointment with your dentist to make sure the process is moving along according to plan. The average Invisalign user wears the aligners for 9-15 months although cases vary on an individual basis.
Invisalign Express Offers Shorter Treatment Time
For some people who have minor orthodontic issues, braces or a full Invisalign process are not required. To treat these patients, a new program called Invisalign Express has been created. For a fraction of the cost of braces or a normal Invisalign procedure, Invisalign Express is able to correct minor issues in your mouth. It is administered in much the same way as traditional Invisalign. Your dentist will still use imaging technology to create a 3-D model of your teeth. The main difference is that you will only receive five sets of aligners for Invisalign Express 5 or ten for Invisalign Express 10. Generally the treatment time for these procedures is less than six months.
Invisalign Express is used to correct minor spacing or crowding issues in the mouth. If there is too much damage, you will have to use traditional braces or Invisalign treatment to solve the problem. For patients who only have a small amount of damage to their teeth, this short-term procedure makes getting orthodontic treatment an easy choice. Instead of paying large sums for a service they don't need terribly, patients with minor problems can pay less for a service that better fits their needs.
To learn more about Invisalign or Invisalign Express, talk to your Shakopee dentist.
