What Is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a teeth straightening and teeth correction system that is sometimes used in lieu of traditional metal braces. The Invisalign® system is composed of see-through plastic aligners that fit closely over the teeth so that they can be gradually shifted into their new positions over time. Since the Invisalign® aligners are clear, it is not obvious that the patient is wearing a teeth straightening device. Dr. Seage and the team at CONFIDENT use this system to provide their patients with straight healthy smiles. 

Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign® Treatment?

Both teens and adults may be good candidates for Invisalign®. The dentists at CONFIDENT are trained and experienced in providing orthodontic care and will help patients choose the best treatment to address their alignment concerns. Patients who want to resolve teeth spacing issues, teeth crowding issues, open bite, underbite or overbite may all be able to achieve an excellent result with the Invisalign® system. People who want a generally straighter smile may be good candidates for Invisalign® as well. However, people with extremely misaligned teeth may not be able to achieve sufficient correction with this device.

How Long Does Invisalign® Treatment Take?

This will vary by patient. The typical range for Invisalign® treatment is anywhere from nine months to a year and a half, with one year about average. During the treatment period, a new pair of Invisalign® aligners is traded for the previous ones. Every new pair of aligners will correct teeth a bit more until the teeth are finally in their ideal position at the end of the treatment period.

Is Invisalign® Worn Around the Clock?

In most patients, Invisalign® is worn nearly around the clock. The Invisalign® device can be removed while eating and brushing the teeth. The Invisalign® aligners can also be removed for cleaning. The usual recommendation is that the Invisalign® aligners should be worn for between 20 and 22 hours per day. This means that patients should sleep in their aligners, something that most people say is very easy to become accustomed to.