Ready to fix your crooked teeth and get a dazzling, confident smile? If that’s your plan, braces might not fit well in the picture, at least not in the short term. But Invisalign can be a popular and suitable option for you if you want to fix your teeth without getting your teeth pulled and wires and brackets put in! But how does Invisalign work?
In this blog, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how Invisalign works and compare them with braces to see if they really are the best invisible braces! No matter what questions you have about getting Invisalign, read up and find all the answers today in this quick read. First things first…
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that first came out in 2000 and instantly gained popularity within the first year. If you’re thinking what does Invisalign even do to gain all this fame, it’s very simple.
The treatment uses a set of clear and custom-made aligners to slowly shift your teeth to a better alignment. Every two weeks, your aligners are replaced with a newer stage so that your progress is active, and your teeth are shifting according to a natural timeline.
Does Invisalign work?
For many patients, the concern lies in the simplicity of this teeth straightener. How does a piece of clear plastic move something as strong as your teeth? And so, one of the questions is always about whether this actually works, or not!
However, with FDA approval, it is known that Invisalign works and millions of patients have benefited from this simple and sophisticated design. The customer satisfaction rate for Invisalign stands at 96%, and you can find thousands of before and after photos online of happy customers.
It does exactly what braces do, just a little bit better!
How does Invisalign work?
The science behind Invisalign allows you to enjoy teeth straightening at home while staying invisible. So how does Invisalign work?
Invisalign technology 3D scans the current position of your teeth and creates a final straightened position virtually based on that. When the scans are complete, the technology maps out a treatment plan and timeline for how long it would take to move specific teeth to achieve the final result.
Then, a series of custom aligner trays are created based on the digital models. These are made out of clear and medical-grade thermoplastic which is smooth enough to cause absolutely no discomfort.
Every few weeks, you’ll receive a set of aligners with instructions on how to use them and care for them. In usual cases, your aligners will be replaced every 2 weeks and each set is a progressive step towards the final result.
When worn, these aligners slowly move your teeth into the aligning moulds and each replacement continues the process till your teeth are in their ideal place. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll get further Vivera retainers to maintain the alignment of your teeth for the rest of your life!
Invisalign vs Braces
As we mentioned earlier, Invisalign is a fairly modern treatment option for misaligned teeth. But what exactly makes it a different, expensive, and better experience than other treatment options such as braces?
Here are a few differences between the two options so you know which option might be a better pick for you:
| Factor to consider | Invisalign | Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Nearly invisible and blends in with teeth | Metal brackets and wires are visible when smiling |
| Removability | Can be removed anytime at home with ease | Can not be removed unless the treatment is completed |
| Comfort | No sense of discomfort, soreness, or pain | Discomfort from brackets, soreness from adjustments, and might cause cuts on the inside of cheeks from wires and brackets |
| Maintenance | Requires regular cleaning of aligners and teeth but no restrictions on food | Requires careful cleaning around brackets and wires, with food restrictions |
| Oral hygiene | Easier to maintain oral hygiene since aligners are removable | Requires extra effort to clean around brackets and wires |
| Treatment duration | Treatment may be faster for most usual cases, taking 1 year in general | Treatment can take between 2–5 years with constant dentist visits |
FAQ
There’s no textbook answer to how long Invisalign might take you because each case is unique. But if you’re looking for a general expectation, it can take around 1 or 1.5 years for the Invisalign treatment to complete in most cases. The best part is that you can instantly notice a difference within the first 3 months of wearing these teeth straighteners!
According to Invisalign’s official website, the average cost of Invisalign can range between $3,000 and $9,000. Mostly, this cost depends on multiple factors since each case is different, such as the severity of the problem, your overall oral health, where you live, and the experience of your doctor.
To get the correct quote for yourself, book an appointment with your Invisalign dentist and get your evaluation done!
No, Invisalign is more expensive than braces in most cases. While braces cost between $1,700 and $3,500, Invisalign costs are at $3,000 at its lowest.
Plus, braces can be a better choice for those who have severe orthodontic issues. However, Invisalign might be the right investment for you if you want to fix a mild misalignment or a discreet treatment option for straight teeth.
Final Thoughts
For many around the globe, Invisalign is where it’s at, especially when you compare it to the details of getting braces. As a painless, invisible, and effective treatment for crooked teeth with a high customer satisfaction rate, Invisalign is one of the top services patients seek at Premiere Dental.
Our team ensures that the smile you get at the end of your treatment is the exact smile you came in searching for. Now that you know the answer to, “How does Invisalign work?”, come in and get a consultation to get all the details for your customized Invisalign treatment plan today!
