Smiling is the most pleasing thing about humans; it radiates positivity. The main element which makes it bright is the teeth. If you have perfectly aligned teeth, then your smile is naturally magical.
Unfortunately, some people do not have the luxury of straight teeth. Due to this reason, they experience low confidence while smiling. But thanks to the advancement in technology, today you have numerous options that can help straighten your teeth.
One such option is invisalign. Earlier, people used to have metal braces to align their teeth. However, the process of installing the braces was painful.
Now you have invisalign, so you do not have to go through that pain as invisalign are customised trays you wear to straighten your teeth. If you want to know more about this treatment, then ahead is a step-by-step guide for the same.
About Invisalign Treatment
The name invisalign is a combination of two names: invisible and align. Thus, the title invisalign is self-explanatory. It means a tool that is invisible and helps align the teeth. They are also known as invisible braces.
These invisible braces or trays are the substitute for metal braces. The whole process of installing and maintaining the metal braces was daunting and painful. To make it easier, invisalign trays or braces are introduced.
You will need to set up several appointments with your dentist during the treatment. The dentist will then help you choose the best possible treatment for your teeth. They will also check whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the treatment.
Once everything is agreed upon, and you are up for the treatment, the dentist will make a mould of your mouth, and according to that mould, the invisalign braces will be made. The material used in making invisalign braces is a flexible plastic.
After the braces are made, the dentist will show you how to wear them. You will have to wear them for around 20 to 22 hours a day. This amount of time is required for you to wear so that the tension is created among the teeth, which are ultimately responsible for repositioning them according to the shape of your invisalign.
How Invisalign Works?
Repositioning Of Teeth
If you want to get into the nitty-gritty details about how invisalign reposition your teeth, then you need to start from the basics. There is a periodontal ligament in your mouth that connects your jawbone with your teeth. This periodontal ligament is composed of various fibres that have collagen. These fibres are responsible for anchoring the jaw and teeth together securely. Collagen fibres are usually found in the root. They deposit cementum to the bone’s one side in living cells.
These fibres are also inserted in the periodontal ligament, which is connected to the jawbone. This phenomenon together creates a sling around the teeth which holds them in one place. The sling allows slight movement for the teeth as your teeth might need a little space because of chewing movement in your mouth. Invisalign treatment takes advantage of this sling to manipulate the placement of the teeth, which helps in repositioning them.
Constant Change
The human body is in a constant state of change. There are several factors that influence this change; the leading factor is the process of aging.
Your mouth is constantly in action due to constant chewing and talking. These changing activities and pressure make the periodontal ligament, jawbone and cementum react to it. For example, if you bite something, it creates tension and compression in your mouth.
With the increase in tension in the mouth, the deposit of cementum in the bone also increases. This results in the dissolution and resorption of the bone. Both of these things are contradictory, which helps maintain a certain balance among the teeth to keep them in place.
With the use of invisalign trays, these actions are used in favour of moving the teeth to a certain position gradually.
Slow And Natural Process
Now if you are wondering about the Invisalign treatment results, then this section will clarify everything for you.
The whole focus of Invisalign braces or trays is to manipulate the tension and compression in your mouth. Both these forces are captured by an invisalign tray which helps in repositioning the teeth gradually. Due to this reason, you are required to wear the trays for at least 20 to 22 hours a day.
The additional force exerted into your jaw, teeth, and periodontal ligament helps in bone resorption and deposition of cementum.
The Step-by-step Guide To Straighter Teeth
Are You A Suitable Candidate?
If you have partial misaligned teeth, then invisalign is an excellent option for you. However, to know whether or not you are a suitable candidate for it, you need to consult a dentist. A dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth and assess your situation. If invisalign doesn’t help your case, then the dentist will provide you with several alternative treatments as well.
What To Expect From The Whole Process?
The initial stage for invisalign treatment includes x-rays, photos and digital scans. All of these things are important to know the condition of your teeth. According to the digital scans, your aligner trays will be created. After that, your dentist will give you your first tray and advice you to wear them for 2- to 22 hours a day and only to take the tray out while eating or brushing your teeth.
You will have to go for periodic checkups. Through the treatment, you will have to change several invisalign trays through the treatment as your teeth structure will change after a particular time.
Final Thoughts
Going through any sort of dental treatment is certainly not an easy task. You will be constantly met with obstructions. It can also be painful at times. Thus, before going into the treatment completely, you will need to make up your mind. However, once you decide, the results you will have after a few months will be worth all the trouble.