How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is a type of dental brace that is popular among adults. It is made of clear plastic, and it fits over the teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can be taken out to eat and drink. It also doesn't require any changes to your dental routine. So how does Invisalign work? Let's take a closer look.

How Invisalign Works?

Invisalign is made of a smooth plastic aligner. This clear aligner has been designed to fit over the teeth. The Invisalign treatment consists of wearing each new set of aligners for about two or three weeks until your teeth have shifted into place. Your dentist then gives you a new set of aligners that need to be worn for another two to three weeks.

Every set of aligners is worn for about two weeks. Every two weeks, your teeth will shift slightly into the new position before the next set is applied.

The Invisalign braces have been created to be removed if you need something to eat or drink, which ensures you do not compromise on what you can swallow or how often you brush your teeth. This also prevents unsightly stains on the surfaces of your teeth, as it does with traditional metal braces.

In addition, unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign doesn't require any changes in your daily routine, such as regular dental appointments. So, you mustn't remove them during this time.

What Does Invisalign Do to Your Teeth?

Invisalign adjusts your teeth without using any metal or ceramic brackets that most other braces use. It only uses a series of clear plastic aligners that snap into place on top of your teeth, which you remove when eating or drinking. When doing this, it is replaced by the next transparent aligner until you have reached your desired objective and the treatment ends.

When wearing your Invisalign braces, there may occasionally be times where they are slightly visible. This is because they can reflect light and become more noticeable in certain lighting conditions.

However, there are also times when your Invisalign braces will be almost entirely invisible, especially if you choose to wear them with a pair of clear or sparkling teeth that have been whitened. You mustn't choose to wear your aligners with natural teeth to make them more visible.

What Is Invisalign Made Of?

The Invisalign braces are made from a thermoplastic polymer that is both BPA-free and latex-free. This means that they are entirely safe to wear and will not cause any allergic reactions in your mouth. Invisalign aligners have been designed to be as thin as possible and still offer the necessary strength to gradually move teeth into position over time.

Additionally, the plastic material is transparent, so it will not discolor over time. They do not require any changes or maintenance other than replacing them when needed after wearing them for two weeks and this is how invisalign works.

Can Invisalign Fix Overbite?

Invisalign is entirely made of plastic. The clear aligners are designed to fit the upper or lower teeth, ensuring comfortable when worn for approximately 20 hours per day.

Overbite is one of the most common dental problems. When viewed from the side, it occurs when your upper front teeth are in front of your lower front teeth. Sometimes, it can be so severe that it causes other serious issues such as gum disease and bad breath because food particles get trapped between your teeth, which eventually leads to tooth decay.

Fortunately, braces have been shown to treat overbite effectively by moving the lower front teeth forward using smooth plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth into place.

Problems With Invisalign Braces

A few issues may arise with Invisalign braces, such as teeth shifting once the treatment is completed or having to wear a retainer afterwards. However, if you understand these problems and how you can avoid them, they shouldn't have any significant effects on your treatment. Below are some of them.

Teeth Shifting

After a few months of treatment with Invisalign, you may notice that your teeth feel a little different compared to how they felt before the treatment. This is because once the procedure is completed, your teeth might shift back to their old position.

To avoid this from happening, you must continue wearing your retainer for at least a few hours each day. However, if the problem persists, your dentist may advise you to wear Invisalign retainers during the night before returning to your regular retainer routine.

Can be Uncomfortable

Although Invisalign braces aren't as painful as traditional metal and ceramic braces, they may still cause discomfort and pressure on the teeth and gums during treatment. This is because plastic aligners can place a constant force on your teeth, which causes the muscles in your mouth to contract slightly.

To avoid any pain or discomfort when wearing your Invisalign braces, you should ensure you schedule regular dental appointments where your dentist can monitor your treatment progress.

Expensive

Invisalign braces are expensive when compared to traditional metal and ceramic braces. Although the cost of the treatment is worthwhile, you have to factor in how much money you would have saved if you chose a traditional method of straightening your teeth.

May Not Be Effective

Invisalign braces are effective for many people and can help improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth. However, they may not work effectively in your case, and you should make sure that you keep all options open when choosing a suitable method of correcting your dental problems.

Require A lot of Maintenance and Upkeep

Once your treatment is over, you will have to clean your teeth regularly. Any particles that may have gotten trapped between them could lead to tooth decay if they aren't removed.

To avoid this from happening, you must brush your teeth at least twice a day and use dental floss to clean between them. You can also consider getting a water pick or sonic toothbrush to eliminate any remaining particles.

To maintain your braces, you should ensure you brush and floss twice daily and schedule regular appointments at your dentist's office.

Can Cause Bad Breath

Although Invisalign is made of smooth and hard plastic, it can still become stained if not cleaned carefully. This is because the bacteria in your mouth can accumulate around your teeth and cause bad breath.

To avoid this from happening, you should ensure you brush your teeth twice a day and use antibacterial mouthwash after meals. Your dentist may also recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make it More Difficult to Eat Certain Foods

Although aligners can help you avoid certain foods such as nuts and corn, there are still other foods that may be difficult to eat if you have braces. This is because your teeth may grow weaker and become more susceptible to breakage if they aren't protected by enamel.

To avoid this from happening, you should take care not to bite too hard on complex objects and avoid rubbing your teeth together. You should also ensure that you cut up any food into small pieces before chewing.

Invisalign Restrictions

You may need to make confident lifestyle choices if you choose to wear braces. This is because they can only be worn for 22 to 23 hours a day, and you must refrain from eating or drinking anything during this time. Below are some.

Age Limit

Invisalign braces are only suitable for adults as they can be damaged by chewing and biting. They can also become less effective if taken out to eat or even brush your teeth, which is why you must follow the instructions provided by your dentist carefully.

Foods to Avoid When Using Invisalign Braces

Even though there are some foods that you may be able to eat while wearing Invisalign braces, others should be avoided. The following list contains some foods you should never eat while wearing your aligners.

Hard Foods

Eating hard foods such as nuts, apples or corn can break or damage your aligners, which may cause them to become less effective. This is because the plastic used in manufacturing braces is not very strong and could become more prone to breaking if used on hard foods.

Crunchy Foods

To ensure that your braces do not break, you should avoid crunching on crispy foods such as popcorn. This is because the sound of biting into these types of food can cause a significant amount of force which may damage or snap your aligners.

Overly Chewy Foods

It is better that you avoid eating foods such as gum, marshmallows and caramels because these types of food may get stuck between your teeth. This can be pretty damaging to your brackets and attachments and even prevent them from being cleaned properly.

Cavities and Tooth Problems

If you have any tooth problems or cavities, it is usually recommended that you wait until these are cleared up or repaired before receiving your first aligner. This is because there might be tooth decay or inflamed gums which may cause pain and discomfort if they are not treated first.

How Long Will Invisalign Treatment Work?

Invisalign braces are made from solid plastic that is less elastic than natural teeth. Therefore, you mustn't chew on them as they may break if this happens. This means that your aligners should last for about one year before needing to be replaced with a new set.

Once you have completed all of the steps in your treatment plan, your dentist will discuss the next step. This may involve receiving a set of retainers that need to be worn after your braces or aligners have been removed.

You should also brush and floss your teeth twice a day for at least 5 minutes to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Brushing helps remove food, plaque, and debris that can cause tooth decay, while flossing helps prevent plaque build-up between your teeth.

How Long Does It Take to Realign Your Teeth With Invisalign?

Many people wonder does invisalign work but it depends on how long you have had your aligners. For example, receiving your first set of Invisalign braces usually takes about 13 to 15 weeks before teeth start to realign. This is because the treatment time for this type of appliance is about two months shorter than traditional braces.

However, you should note that this is just an estimate, and the best dentist in West Los Angeles may tell you to wear your aligners for more or less time. This is because teeth can move at different rates in some people, which means they rotate out of position at varying speeds.

Also, if you need Invisalign near Santa Monica and have any questions or concerns about treatment, you must look for Invisalign near me in Los Angeles and speak with a dental expert before making treatment decisions. This is because all dental therapies vary from patient to patient, so any questions or concerns you have should be discussed with an experienced Los Angeles Invisalign dentist familiar with your oral health.

This way, they can help provide treatment options tailored to suit your individual needs and desires. Once you have received your aligners, you must wear them for at least 22 hours every day to get the desired results.

Invisalign should never be taken out unless you eat, brush teeth, or clean them. This is because they might break if not used safely and could cause damage to your gums or other parts of your mouth.

Invisalign are also not suitable for wearing during water-related activities such as swimming, showering and using a hot tub. When you wear your aligners in these situations, they are likely to come out, resulting in them breaking or being misplaced.

You can have more confidence in your decision to wear the aligners by understanding how they work. When you finally get them fitted, it may take time for your teeth to shift into place before you see any results. This is because the process of dental alignment needs some time, which means that there are no quick fixes here. But once everything has shifted and settled into place after a few weeks or months of wearing these clear braces on an ongoing basis, you'll be able to enjoy straight teeth without having anyone know about it.