Here are some Frequently Asked Questions I have received from people and from what I have researched on the internet, and also the sorts of questions I wanted answered when I was looking into getting Invisalign. Hopefully these will be of help to someone. If you want to ask anything please do so in the comments section.
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. - http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
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. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
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 or wires means you spend less time in the doctor’s chair getting adjustments.
•Invisalign allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start?so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
What are aligners made of?
Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
Does it hurt?
Personally I’ve had no real pain using Invisalign. I’ve had minor aches from using and usually if I’ve started a new tray the first couple of days it is more comfortable leaving them in than taking them out, as your teeth move back to the original position and so it can hurt. I’ve read reports however that some people have been in great pain, but I would have thought it’d be no different from using traditional wire braces. To summerise if you have a low pain threshold, please be prepared for some pain/irritation for the first couple of days for each new tray.
How often do I need to change my trays?
Usually it’s every two weeks, so if you’ve been given 16 trays, that’s 32 weeks or 8 weeks worth of treatment. Some Orthodontists however may ask you to keep them in for longer than the two week period. This can be for a number of reasons, like a tooth isn’t moving as planned.
Can I drink alcohol with Invisalign?
Depending on the Orthodontist you’ll get different information. Mine said it’s fine in moderation, but to be sure to clean the teeth thoroughly at the end of the night to avoid any wearing of the enamel.
What about refinements?
Refinements are done at the end of the treatment if you’re teeth have not moved according to plan. It comes free with the full Invisalign treatment, however if you have the quick Invisalign plan you don’t get these included.
What’s IPR?
No it’s not Intellectual Property Rights, it stands for Interproximal Reduction. Which to put it bluntly is teeth shaving. The Orthodontist will take a little of the enamel off the edges of the teeth to make room when they’re moving. Initially this can look unsighly, and feel weird when being done, but it doesn’t hurt, and the gaps created will close up – this is often an area where people worry, but there’s nothing to worry about. I’ve had it and my teeth have closed up fine.
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 teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth.” – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
Is this a 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. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
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. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
How old is this technology?
In 1945, Dr. H.D. Kesling envisioned that one day modern technology would enable the use of a series of tooth positioners to produce the kinds of movements required for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Technology has made this vision a reality. Using advanced computer technology, Align generates Invisalign®, a series of customized clear appliances, called “aligners.” Each aligner is worn sequentially by the patient to produce extensive tooth movements in both upper and lower arches. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
How many patients are being treated with Invisalign?
Worldwide, almost 480,000 patients have been treated with Invisalign. The number grows daily. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
Do doctors 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. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
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. – http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/gb/en/faq.html
Adam
Hello. I am into my third week of Invisalign treatment. I am wearing my first liners for another extra week, then my next liners will be the regular two week switch. I got my bonding placement this past week. My question is i noticed on the aligner packages it say U0 L0 then U1 L1 and so on until 18. My dentist started me with the U1 L1 aligners. Those it matter which aligners are used first?? Also i noticed you have posted your 3d models, which the Doctor did show me in the office. Do they email you a link of some sort with your 3D pictures before and after?? I really should have asked my dentist about this but i am going to my next aligners on Tuesday. I figure i go to the 0 0 package next. Thank you for your time on this matter.
I’m not sure about which aligners to use first, but I know I started on U1 and L1 to begin with so I think you should be fine there.
As for the pictures I got a CD from Invisalign with the moving video of how my teeth would progress with the treatment and from here I simply too a screen shot of before and after and hosted it on-line.
If you have any other questions please ask
Adam
Hi! I’m going on my 13th month with Invisalign. Unfortunately, I’ve been a little slack in how often I have them in. What would you say is the most allotted time allowed for them to be out of your mouth? An hour?..two??
I would say as advised, 2 hours a day. If you leave them out for longer, it can slow down your progress and you may need to wear a tray for a week longer to catch up. That being said there have been days I’ve had them out longer than the two hours, over Christmas for example, and I had to catch up for an extra week.
Adam
Hey Adam,
What whitening gel do you use? Do you use this with the invisalign?
- Timmy.
Hi Timmy. I use nitewhite gel and I do use it withthe invisalign trays. However it does make my teeth a little sensitive when using it.
Adam
I’ve just started my Invisalign treatment and discovered your blog. I am so worried now because I have 2 of teeth (1 upper and 1 lower) pulled to fix overbite. I have 25 sets for my upper and 29 for my lower. Do you know anything about Invisalign closing off the large space? I should have trust in my orthodontist but …. Anyway, any advise will be appreciated!
Maggie,
Sure, your orthodontist wouldn’t have recommended Invisalign if he didn’t think it could close the gap, they would have recommended traditional braces as it would just equal more work for him as the refinement process is all covered in the cost, so the more refinements you have, the more you’re going to be in his surgery.
Good luck
Adam.