When we refer to Invisalign, these are not your grandparents’ braces. After all, over 3,000,000 patients in Canada and the United States use Invisalign’s transparent and removable teeth alignment system to achieve straighter teeth. If you’re tired of crooked teeth but looking for an alternative to metal and wire braces, Invisalign may be a solution. Here’s what you need to know when considering Invisalign in NE Calgary.
How does Invisalign work?
Orthodontists in NE Calgary use Invisalign’s iTeroElement scanner to generate computerized images of your teeth and jaw. Using that information, a personalized treatment plan is developed to slowly shift your misaligned teeth into their proper position. How? Using the computerized data, Invisalign produces a 3D model of your teeth, then a series of clear and removable aligners from a patented material called SmartTrack. That same scanning data is used to generate simulations of your progress and end result; you’ll always be kept informed and motivated.
Each aligner is slightly different. Over time — faster than you think, and much faster than traditional braces — each successive aligner shifts your teeth to meet your goals. Your teeth will move approximately one-third of a millimeter every two weeks. That seems likely a tiny difference, but it has a huge impact on your smile and teeth. You wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily, removing them to floss, brush your teeth, eat, and drink.
When you hear the word “SmartTrack,” don’t think of mere “plastic.” SmartTrack is an advanced medical-grade thermoplastic approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It contains no Bisphenol S, Bisphenol A, gluten, or latex.
What’s the difference between braces and Invisalign aligners?
Braces and aligners have the same goals — improved teeth alignment, better oral health, and more confident smiles. How they achieve those goals is very different.
Invisalign aligners are clear. They’re manufactured from transparent material that is practically invisible to anyone looking at you. Traditional metal braces are not discrete, but immediately visible on your teeth. The obvious presence of traditional braces makes many people shy and self-conscious. Invisalign aligners eliminate that problem.
Invisalign aligners are removable. Only an orthodontist can remove your metal and wire braces. You can remove your own aligners whenever you need to but should wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day to achieve the best results. You won’t have to worry about eating, brushing, or flossing with braces. Before doing all those things, you can remove your Invisalign aligners. When you’re done, just clean them before popping them back in your mouth.
Invisalign treatment is faster. Metal braces can be effective, but take an average of two years to achieve the desired results. Invisalign’s advanced techniques and materials achieve your goals in as little as six months and up to 18 months — invisibly.
There are cost differences. Orthodontic treatment involves a wide range of possible prices. As a general rule, the traditional braces options are less expensive than Invisalign products. However, the difference between Invisalign and the higher range of potential costs of traditional treatment is not significant. And that’s before you consider the convenience, speed, comfort, transparency, and removability of Invisalign’s aligners. On a value basis, many people find Invisalign can’t be beaten.
Invisalign is an attractive and appropriate treatment option for teenagers and adults who are looking to straighten their teeth and improve their smile. For teenagers who may already struggle with self-consciousness, the transparency of Invisalign aligners from an orthodontist near you may be a much more comfortable solution than wire braces.
More and more adults have decided they’re done living with misaligned teeth and are making overdue investments in their appearance, health, and confidence. With Invisalign near you, adults can finally achieve straighter teeth without looking like a teenager of decades gone by. Maintain your professional appearance throughout your orthodontic treatment.
To find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign treatment, contact an orthodontist near you. Ask them how Invisalign can straighten your teeth quickly, comfortably, and invisibly.