Invisalign Basics

Invisalign has FDA clearance as a Class II medical device.

More than 1 million patients worldwide have entered treatment with Invisalign.

Typically, an insurance policy that covers traditional braces also covers Invisalign to the same extent.

Like traditional braces, the length of treatment depends on the complexity of the case. Treatment time typically is about the same as conventional braces—about a year.

General dentists can use Invisalign to treat the a growing number of people who want straighter teeth without the braces and wires. According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, two-thirds of American adults have some sort of malocclusion (crooked teeth) and could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

• Nearly invisible: You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.
• Removable: You can eat and drink what you want.
• Better oral hygiene: You can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth.
• Comfortable: There are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasion.

Dentists have successfully used removable appliances for years for limited treatment plans. With the application of 3-D computer technology and mass-customization, Invisalign can be used to treat a growing number of people who wants straighter teeth, without the pain and appearance of metal braces and wires. Please ask your general dentist at Millennium Smile - Crowfoot Dental if you are a candidate.

The patient meets with an Invisalign-trained general dentist who takes orthodontic records of the patient’s teeth, including impressions, x-rays and photos. The general dentist submits an online treatment plan to Invisalign and mails out the appropriate models, x-rays and photos.

At Invisalign, a computer model of the patient’s teeth is created from the models submitted by the dentist. Invisalign then uses its 3-D imaging software to generate a graphical representation of the doctor’s treatment plan—almost like an animated movie of the way the patient’s teeth will move from the current position to the final desired position.
The general dentists then reviews and approves the rendering of his treatment plan (the 3-D movie) and Invisalign produces a series of clear, plastic aligners that correspond to the stages of tooth movement in the 3-D movie.

The patient wears each stage of aligners for approximately two weeks before switching to the next set in the series. The patient will have appointments scheduled every six weeks to deliver the next set of aligners and perform any other procedures as required by Invisalign. Week by week, the patient’s teeth are subtly straightened until a positive final outcome is achieved.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that allows general dentists to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible, plastic appliances called aligners.