The Invisalign technique involves the use of an aligner and template that are applied to the teeth. Special UV light is used to activate the composite material. Once the composite material has cured, the template and attachments are removed. The excess composite material remains behind and is called flash. The technique was developed by Dee Holloman, an orthodontist at Perelmuter and Goldberg Orthodontics. She first published the technique in the Orthotown journal.
Attachments
Invisalign patients wear a series of aligners that are attached to their teeth. These aligners are meant to resemble natural teeth. They are comfortable to wear and are bonded to teeth. Patients should brush their teeth regularly to prevent staining. They should also avoid smoking, which can discolor their Invisalign trays.
After the teeth have been prepared with the Invisalign technique, the dentist will place attachments. The process is simple. The dentist will use a template that has small bulges corresponding to the locations of the attachments. The dentist then fills in these bulges with a tooth-colored composite.
Aligners
The benefits of Invisalign are many. The first is that you don’t have to deal with Invisalign technique wires and metal devices in your mouth. This allows you to eat and drink whenever you want. It also helps you keep your oral hygiene in tip-top shape. Keeping the aligners clean and well-maintained is important to the success of your treatment.
The Invisalign system involves a series of clear aligners that are custom-made for each patient. These aligners are made by the Align Technologies dental lab using CAD/CAM processes. They are dispensed by a dentist in groups of one or two aligners. These aligners must be worn for at least two weeks each. They work by gently moving the teeth one millimeter at a time. The aligners are worn for at least 20 hours a day and are removed at night.
Duration of treatment
The duration of treatment with Invisalign varies from case to case. In general, patients are expected to wear the aligners for about 22 hours a day. Occasionally, they can remove them for special occasions. Although, this treatment is very discreet and is often considered more comfortable than traditional orthodontic hardware.
Treatment with Invisalign is relatively quick, but it can take as long as 18 months for severe cases. This timeframe can vary according to the severity of the overcrowding. Minor crowding can be corrected within six months. More complicated cases may take up to eight to 18 months. In severe cases, a surgeon may suggest an invasive procedure known as interproximal reduction, which involves removing a thin layer of enamel from between the teeth. Nevertheless, this treatment can successfully treat most cases.
