There are so many options to straighten your teeth that anyone can find a method that fits both their lifestyle and their pocketbook! Traditional metal braces aren’t for everyone and that’s where Invisalign can help. Whether you are a teen or an adult, Invisalign and our orthodontists in Raleigh, North Carolina, can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
A Brief History
Align Technology, the company that developed Invisalign, was founded in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth who thought that clear braces could revolutionize the sometimes stagnant orthodontic market. They saw a need for an alternative to the metal-and-wire braces that had been used for decades.
Their early aligners weren’t as effective as metal braces, so the company put their money behind research and development as well as in finding orthodontists who could prescribe their new treatment effectively. This shift in focus has led to new patents in aligner technology and steady growth for the company.
What Sets Invisalign Apart
Invisalign was the first clear, plastic aligner braces alternative on the market. Align Technology has invested more in research and development and hold more patents on the technology than any other clear aligner. They are continually releasing new products, like the iTero Element® scanner, ClinCheck® software, SmartTrack® material, SmartForce® attachments, and Vivera® retainers so that every step of the way, their technologies work together.
Invisalign is prescribed by your orthodontist who then monitors your progression very carefully. Invisalign certifies its providers and offers ongoing education for their existing and new products.
Because these aligners are virtually invisible when worn, they can boost a person’s confidence while straightening their teeth. Since they are removable, there are no limitations on what you can eat or drink, and keeping your teeth clean is as easy as it ever was! Simply take out the aligner and brush and floss like normal.
What Can Invisalign Do?
Invisalign can fix many of the most common orthodontic issues and even some more complex ones:
• Overbite: top teeth close over the bottom teeth
• Underbite: bottom teeth protrude past the upper teeth
• Cross bite: upper and lower jaws don’t line up
• Gap Teeth: extra space between teeth
• Open Bite: top and bottom teeth don’t meet
• Crowded Teeth: there isn’t enough room in the jaw for teeth to fit normally
• Generally Straighter Teeth: when you want your most beautiful smile
How Does Invisalign Work?
Using the iTero® 3D scanner, your doctor will create a 3D image of your teeth in just minutes. There is no need for messy models to be made anymore. From this image, the ClinCheck software designs your aligners based on what you and your doctor are trying to accomplish with your smile. The aligners are then custom made and individually trimmed to make sure they are comfortable.
Once you receive your aligners, you wear them at least 22 hours a day for a couple of weeks and then move on to the next aligner. It’s really that simple. The number of aligners depends upon what corrections are being made. The aligners are designed to put a gentle, constant force on the teeth that need to be adjusted.
At your progress appointments with your doctor, you will be able to follow your smile’s improvement with digital images from the iTero scanner. These appointments also tend to be much shorter than with metal braces because there are no wires to adjust.
Maintaining Your Beautiful Smile:
Once the treatment with your aligners is complete, it’s time to make sure your smile stays beautiful. At the end of your treatment, you will receive a Vivera retainer which is virtually invisible and twice as durable as a normal retainer. Your dentist or orthodontist will prescribe the best way to wear it to maintain your smile.
While Invisalign isn’t for every orthodontic case, these clear aligners can treat many issues. They offer a great alternative to traditional braces and can fit seamlessly into your lifestyle to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Could Invisalign be right for you? Contact Walton & Maready Orthodontics, an Elite Invisalign Provider, in Raleigh, North Carolina, today!
