How Does Invisalign® Work?

Invisalign® is capable of giving you a fantastic smile by treating common orthodontic issues. Invisalign® uses pressure, just like metal braces, to move the teeth into a more pleasing and functional alignment. But to understand how Invisalign® does its job, it’s first important to know how traditional braces work, in comparison:

How Braces Move Your Teeth

Braces are a system that consists of several different components. There are brackets, which are attached to each tooth on the arch. There's also the arch wire, a thin metal wire that connects all of the brackets and is fixed to the brackets with small rubber rings.

The system can be adjusted by manipulating the arch wire to exert the force that pushes or pulls teeth into the desired alignment. Sometimes extra components might be added to better control the direction of the force.

What Makes Invisalign® Different?

Invisalign® also works by moving teeth into new alignment over time, but uses different tools to achieve the desired results. Instead of a collection of brackets and wires, Invisalign® uses customized trays that are extremely easy to wear.

To make the trays, your dentist takes impressions and pictures of your teeth, which are used to create a three-dimensional image of your entire mouth. Your dentist then uses the 3-D images to design a customized treatment plan. Your Invisalign® trays are created according to these images. The very first tray you wear will be only slightly different from your current teeth alignment. By wearing the tray 22 to 23 hours a day, your teeth will be shifted into that new alignment. Every couple of weeks, you’ll switch-out to the next tray in the series. The process is repeated until you reach the final tray and finish the treatment.

How Long Does Invisalign® Treatment Take?

Invisalign® can be used to correct mild to moderate alignment problems, with the typical course of treatment usually taking 12 months. Not only is this a comfortable way of fixing teeth alignment problems, it's also one that allows you to see the ongoing results much more easily, as there's no metal or ceramic to obscure your teeth.

If you have questions about whether Invisalign® is right for you, please contact our Brooklyn Invisalign® dentist for your consultation.