Invisalign is a new, state-of-the-art alternative to traditional braces that is undetectable to other people. Brackets and wires do not straighten the teeth but clear, removable aligners do. Each aligner will be worn for 24 hours a day for 2 weeks at a time before moving on to the next aligner, gradually straightening teeth into the final position Dr. McCombs prescribed. There could be anywhere from 12 to 48 aligners needed. Aligners should be taken out for eating, brushing, and flossing.
In order to begin the Invisalign process our office needs to take records of you to send to the Invisalign company. Records consists of a panorex and ceph x-rays, digital photographs, and extensive Invisalign dental impressions. Dr. McCombs will develop a detailed treatment plan for the movement of your teeth. After about 4 to 6 weeks, the aligners are delivered and your treatment begins!
The majority of people who get Invisalign need to have attachments placed on some of their teeth. Attachments are tooth colored and are bonded to teeth that need a little more pressure to move – they act as a "handle" for the aligner to grab onto the tooth to rotate it.
Some Invisalign patients who have crowding may need to have "polishing" done between their teeth. Polishing is something that we do if we need to make a little bit of space between the teeth. The doctor uses a hand piece that has a little file on it that rotates and slides in between the teeth. It takes the friction between the teeth away and allows the teeth to move freely.
You are given 3 to 4 sets of aligners at a time and are seen by Dr. McCombs every 6 to 8 weeks until treatment is complete. At that time, nighttime retainers are made to keep the teeth in a stable position.
