Invisalign treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. No brackets and wires, and none of the restrictions that come with metal braces.
The question of time Invisalign takes to work is determined to a large extent by the individual. Invisalign can be a little uncomfortable at first and you may feel tempted to remove it frequently while you’re getting used to the feel of the trays. Talking, with your new oral apparatus, can feel a little clumsy in the beginning, creating temptation to remove the trays. The good news is, Invisalign is discreet and you can remove the trays at any time, though dentists advise wearing them for the recommended 22 hours a day to see a significant improvement within 12 months.
This is also specific to the individual. Hopefully, you’ll be so happy with the results of your Invisalign, you’ll be eager to follow the schedule recommended by your dentist, to complete the alignment and retention processes. After the 9-12 month corrective phase of your Invisalign, your dentist will advise the best schedule for wearing the retainer, to ensure you maintain the results you’ve achieved. Fixed retainers are popular – discuss with your dentist what’s right for you.
The cost of Invisalign is usually around $5000 in the US.
Good candidates for Invisalign are mature adults (over 25-30). Invisalign is not recommended for children - as young teeth are still growing and moving. Other options exist to fix junior teeth. The benefits of Invisalign include closing gaps and correcting alignment in adult teeth, as well as improving over and under bites. Scope for improvement varies from one person to another - your dentist will tell you what’s possible for your teeth and what the likely outcome will be.
You can eat and drink anything you like with Invisalign. The clear trays are easy to pop in and out anytime you want to eat. Brushing after you’ve eaten, before you put the trays back in place can at times be a little inconvenient, though it’s great to know your teeth are extra clean and fresh while you work on improving their overall appearance.