Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign and Its Effectiveness

InvisalignⓇ is a clear aligner that has grown popular due to its effectiveness and subtlety. This aligner is less noticeable and easily removable compared to traditional braces. They can also be safer as they do not have wires that can cut or hurt your gums and teeth.

If you are planning to get Invisalign near you for your teeth, you may wonder how long the treatment will take and if it can fix your orthodontal issues. Read on as we explain how it works and the benefits of choosing these clear aligners.

How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?

On average, Invisalign treatment takes 3-18 months. However, the length of your treatment depends on how fast your teeth align. When you visit your dentist in Encinitas, they’ll determine how many trays you’ll use and how long you’ll wear them. Typically, you’ll be required to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 hours a day.

How Effective is Invisalign Treatment?

Although there’s limited research on the effectiveness of clear aligners, the newer versions manufactured since 2010 have significantly produced better results. In addition, a study published in 2017 showed that clear aligners have been effective in treating mild tooth misalignment, and Invisalign has proven to be more effective than other brands of clear aligners.

However, some factors can affect how the treatment works for you. For starters, you must ensure you wear the aligners for 20-22 hours daily. You should remove them only when cleaning, eating, drinking, or brushing and flossing your teeth.

Use warm water when cleaning them, as hot water can warp the plastic and affect how well it fits and its effectiveness.

Invisalign has also been found to be more effective for people aged 35-50 as they experience more teeth movement than younger people. This was based on a study that was done on 30 volunteers.

Lastly, although Invisalign aligners are used to fix various issues, they don’t work for severe orthodontic problems like severe bite issues. Below is more information on the dental problems that can be fixed using Invisalign.

What Type of Dental Issues Can Invisalign Correct?

According to Invisalign’s website, these aligners can generally straighten your teeth. Additionally, they can also treat the following issues:

• Overbites, underbites, and crossbites – Overbites occur when the front teeth extend forward over the lower teeth when you shut your mouth. An underbite, on the other hand, is when the lower teeth are the ones that extend outward more than the upper teeth. Crossbites also manifest in the same way as underbites, and the difference is that, unlike underbites that affect all your teeth, crossbites only do so with a group of teeth.
• Gap teeth – This refers to spaces between your teeth.
• Open bites – People with this condition have misaligned upper and lower teeth that do not touch when they close their mouths. Their teeth generally slant forward and outward. The condition is mostly caused by thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, TMJ disorder, or skeletal issues.
• Crowded teeth

How To Know If Invisalign Is Right For You

If you are considering Invisalign in Encinitas, there are a few questions you can ask yourself first to determine if you are a suitable candidate. The first one should be if you feel disciplined enough to commit to wearing them for the required number of hours a day.

The treatment is costly and isn’t always covered by medical insurance, so you should check with your insurance provider first. Also, if you or your child are self-conscious, Invisalign can be a good choice.

Lastly, your dentist is the one who will advise you if your orthodontic problems are best fixed using Invisalign of braces. For example, if you have severe crowding or bite issues, the dentist may recommend braces as they apply more force in realigning your teeth properly.

Conclusion

At Steve Horne, DDS, Invisalign is an excellent way to treat various teeth malocclusions. These aligners are excellent choices as they are easy to care for, pose fewer potential problems since there are no wires, and are generally more aesthetic. However, it’s important to care for your aligners properly to avoid damaging them. For example, ensure you remove them while eating or drinking, so that food particles don’t get inside them and cause bacteria to build up or stain them.