Prof Dr Ashish Gupta
BDS,MDS,DNB, M OrthRCS(Edin)
FICD,FPFA,FICCDE
He is Senior Consultant Orthodontist n Invisalign Provider , based in Delhi .He can be contacted at
drashishgupta1@gmail.com
Invisalign is currently the hot favorite among those who want to straighten their teeth. This is because of their excellent esthetics and convenience of use in comparison to the fixed braces. Invisalign can be provided by a specialist orthodontist, who underwent additional training and certification in Invisalign .
Did you know that 100% of orthodontists are dentists but only 5-10% of dentists are orthodontists!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign orthodontic system involves the use of clear removable aligners which are designed in such a way that they exert forces on teeth when they are worn. The Invisalign aligners are basically serial-numbered plastic shells, much like teeth guards, which are custom made for your teeth.
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?
Your dentist will give you multiple sets of numbered aligners, each of which has to be worn for about 2 weeks. For best results, Orthodontist recommend that Invisalign aligners must be worn at least 22 hours each day. During this time, the aligner will move your teeth through a predetermined extent.
After two weeks, you will put on the next set of aligners which moves your teeth through another stage. Thus, two to three dozen aligners successively move your teeth through predetermined extents to end up with a perfect new smile. After the last aligner, a retainer is worn for about 8 months to an year , or sometimes even longer periods ,to consolidate the tooth movement realized so far.
Does Invisalign™ Work?
Yes, you may not be ready to believe, but it does. No wires, just plastic, and yet it does correct most cases of teeth misalignment. This is because the aligners are the product of precision measurement, computer-aided visualized planning, and computer-aided design and machining (CAD/CAM). However, it must be noted that the Invisalign orthodontic system is suitable for the treatment of mild to moderate orthodontic problems.
What is the difference Between Invisalign and Braces?
Let’s compare conventional braces with Invisalign aligners:
- Aesthetics – Braces look conspicuous. The Invisalign™ aligners are virtually invisible.
- Convenience– The Invisalign can be removed and put on as many times as you like, and you don’t need to go to the Orthodontist for this. Braces are worn permanently, and they are quite uncomfortable.
- Repeated Visits– With braces, you must visit your dentist monthly or fortnightly for adjustments. However, no such repeated visits are needed in case you are using Invisalign. You just change the aligner after two weeks yourself.
- Irritation to Gums– The ends of wires in the braces may occasionally irritate or bruise the gums or cheeks. No such thing happens with Invisalign aligners. These are precision made to molds of your teeth and gums.
How effective is Invisalign for teens?
The teens are still growing their teeth, especially the wisdom teeth which may come quite late. The original Invisalign design being a complete shell worn over the teeth obstructed the eruption of new teeth.
This problem has been resolved now by allowing removable “eruption tabs” in the shells. When a tooth is erupting, the corresponding tab is removed to allow the tooth to erupt.
Parents have another concern about Invisalign for teens. Will their child wear it regularly for the required 22 hours a day? The aligners now have compliance marks made on them. These marks fade as a child wears the aligner, so the fading can tell whether the child is complying or not. However, it appears that teens would in any case love to wear their aligners because they want to improve their smile fast. Ans the aligners are virtually invisible.
Invisalign is an excellent system for the treatment of mild to moderate orthodontic problems which possesses several advantages over the conventional braces. So, if you want to get your teeth straightened without affecting your smile, or without people noticing, Invisalign should be your first choice.
drashishgupta 