Invisalign

What Is Invisalign?

Understanding The Basics

Invisalign is a clear, transparent alternative to traditional metal braces. Instead of using wires, brackets, and rubber bands to shift your teeth, Invisalign uses special thin, hard plastic aligners. These aligners look a lot like a retainer or night guard and are built to gently shift your teeth into a straight, even, and healthy position over time.

Once Dr. Bancroft approves you for treatment, she will take images, impressions, and x-rays of your mouth and work with Invisalign to develop your treatment plan. You’ll come back in a few weeks to get your first several sets of aligners.

Each set of aligners is usually worn for 20-22 hours a day. You’ll swap to a new set about every two weeks. About every six weeks, you’ll come in for a quick checkup with Dr. Bancroft, and she will examine your mouth to ensure that your treatment is on track.

Most patients require between 20-24 sets of aligners to correct their smiles. However, the treatment time may be shorter or longer depending on your own needs for orthodontic correction. 

Why Choose Invisalign Instead Of Braces?

The Benefits Of Clear Aligners

First, clear aligners like Invisalign are virtually invisible when worn. They are made of very thin, transparent plastic that fits perfectly over your teeth and does not affect your speech. This makes Invisalign very popular with adult patients who wish to avoid wearing braces due to their highly visible nature.‍

Invisalign is also completely removable. You can take out your aligners to eat, so there are no dietary restrictions. You’ll also be able to take them out to brush and floss, making it easier to continue to care for your teeth. Invisalign is more comfortable than braces because there are no metal brackets or wires to poke your mouth. These aligners also exert even, gentle pressure to move your teeth, so there is less discomfort during the process of straightening your smile compared to braces.

Retainers After Invisalign

After you’ve finished your Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to continue to wear retainers at night to prevent your teeth from shifting back towards their original positions.

‍If you do not wear your retainers at night, your teeth may start to shift, potentially undoing your entire treatment. Be diligent about wearing your retainers to ensure that your smile always looks its best.