Whether you’re an adult who’s experienced their teeth shift or a teenager looking for an alternative to metal braces, Invisalign in Hamden can fulfill your needs. Thanks to its advanced, patented technology, you can get a healthier, straighter smile in less time than ever. However, if you’ve just started treatment or you’re considering it in the future, you may not entirely understand how the process works.
That’s why your dentist is here to make it easy. Once you learn the process and the science behind this revolutionary orthodontic treatment, you’ll be confident knowing a new smile is possible!
How Does Invisalign Work?
Clear aligners are designed to push small amounts of force on your teeth. This moves them into the right place based on the plan your dentist creates. To create your treatment plan, your dentist digitally maps out all the predetermined shifts in your teeth, which occur over several months. This allows your dentist to monitor each stage of your treatment and ensure your teeth are shifting to their new, correct location.
When you get Invisalign treatment, you are given a series of clear aligners to wear. Each pair of clear aligners is designed to match a future next stage in your orthodontic treatment. Thanks to the SmartTrack thermoplastic material Invisalign uses, your dentist can easily create customized and detailed paths to your straighter smile.
What is the Treatment Process?
It’s very important that you stay committed to wearing your clear aligners during treatment. After your series is created, you’ll need to wear them between 20 and 22 hours every day to ensure you stay on schedule. Since clear aligners from Invisalign in Hamden are removable, you can take them out to eat, brush and clean them normally.
After wearing your first pair for 1 to 2 weeks, you’ll move to the next pair in the series. You’ll also visit your dentist every month and a half or so to confirm that the treatment is working and that your teeth are shifting into the right positions. If not, your dentist can correct by creating a new pair in the series.
How Long Does Treatment Take? What Happens After Treatment Ends?
Typically, Invisalign treatment takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months. This can fluctuate depending on how complex your case is and how your teeth respond to treatment. The amount of time you spend wearing dramatically affects this, so it’s important to only take them out when you need to.
Once you’ve complete treatment, your dentist will give you a retainer that you only wear at night. This is intended to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original crooked position. One of the most common reasons patients seek Invisalign in Hamden is because they failed to wear their retainer after wearing traditional braces, so this last step is important to avoid wasting your investment.
Have more questions about the Invisalign process and how it works? Schedule a consultation with your dentist today to learn more and make your teeth straight for life!
About the Author
Dr. Ronald J. D’Andrea earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. After attending a General Practice Residency Program at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, he was eventually elected a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, which recognizes dentists for their achievements in dentistry. To learn more about his Invisalign treatments and practice, contact him at (203) 288-0951 or visit his website.
