Patient Information Leaflet

Dental Treatment List

Invisalign
GIF_Aligners

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Q What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires.

Q How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign uses 3-D computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment plan from the initial position to the final desired position, from which a series of custom-made clear “aligners” are produced. Each “aligner” moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Q What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign is clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you can eat and drink what you want during treatment. You can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene.

Invisalign is comfortable. There are no metal brackets or wires as with braces to cause mouth irritation, and no metal wires means you spend less time in the dentists chair getting adjustments.

Invisalign allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start so you can see how your teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

Q What are aligners made of?

Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

Q What do aligners look like?

Aligners are clear and look similar to tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made for a better fit to move the teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth”.

Q Is this the new way to straighten teeth?

For years, orthodontists and dentists have used removable appliances for limited treatment. Today, with the application of computer technology and custom manufacturing, Invisalign treats a broader range of cases with greater precision.

Q How old is the company?

Align Technology,Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign, was founded in 1997. Since then, Align has manufactured over
10,000,000 aligners and 480,000 patients have been in treatment.

Q Do dentists need special training in order to use Invisalign?

While Invisalign can be used with virtually any treatment philosophy, specific training is needed. All orthodontists and dentists interested in treating patients with Invisalign must attend training before cases will be accepted from their office. Close to 30,000 orthodontists and dentists worldwide are certified to use Invisalign.

Q How does Invisalign effectively move teeth?

Like brackets and arch wires are to braces, Invisalign aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign not only controls forces, but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.