How Does Invisalign Work?

If you’d like straighter teeth, there are options other than wearing the metal braces. In this post, our North York dentists explain how Invisalign clear aligners can help to align your smile.

How does Invisalign work?

Have you ever watched your favourite celebrities in movies or on TV and wished you could have straighter teeth, but dreaded the thought of seeing metal brackets every time you looked in the mirror? You’re not alone. Fortunately, Invisalign Clear Aligners are an option for many patients.

Invisalign clear aligners are hard to see when worn, custom-made for your teeth, and have no metal or wires that could poke the inside of your mouth. You’ll be able to straighten your teeth discreetly and treat a number of dental health issues, including:

• Underbites
• Overbites
• Crossbites
• Widely spaced teeth
• Clicking jaws

Step 1: An In-Depth Assessment & Treatment Plan

During an initial appointment, your dentist will conduct an oral exam and assessment to find out whether you're a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. If you are, a treatment plan will then be created for you to gradually shift your teeth into their correct positions.

Before beginning treatment, we’ll take X-rays and utilize various other tools at our disposal to create models of your teeth. Throughout the process, we review your progress and record the movement of your teeth as they change.

Step 2: Start Wearing Your Invisalign Trays

You will receive a series of aligners for your treatment. These will be switched out every other week or so as treatment progresses. With each new aligner, your teeth will be slightly straighter than with your previous tray (your teeth should shift up to 0.25 millimetres per tray).

The aligners are made of clear plastic and worn over your teeth. They will gently and gradually move your teeth into place, following your customized treatment plan.

Once your clear aligners are in, you’ll need to wear them for about 22 hours every day. You should remove them only to brush, floss, and eat. Once you remove your final trays, you’ll complete the process by wearing a retainer full-time for a designated period of time, then gradually cutting back your use on a schedule determined by your dentist.

Step 3: A Straighter Smile

Invisalign can leave you with a more confident smile and straighter teeth (as long as your dentist’s instructions are followed through each step of the process!). Orthodontic treatment can improve your oral health and reduce the risk of tooth decay because you'll have straighter teeth, which are easier to clean.

Are your teeth crooked or widely spaced? Contact our North York dentists to schedule an appointment at York Lanes Dental and find out if you are a candidate for treatment with Invisalign clear aligners.