Nowadays, more than 5 million Americans are going through some kind of orthodontic therapy. One of the most popular methods, used in orthodontics, are braces. However, many adults are concerned about wearing them, mainly because they are visible and could cause some irritation and discomfort. Invisalign is a great alternative to braces, which also delivers great results and almost doesn’t influence your everyday comfort.

If you think Invisalign could be a good solution for you, here are the most important things you need to know about this dental treatment:

What is Invisalign all about?

The Invisalign system consists of a series of transparent, removable aligners that you change every two weeks for the next set of aligners, until you achieve the desired results. Each aligner is customized and manufactured particularly for your teeth. As you replace each aligner, your teeth will move little by little, until they have straightened to the final desired position.

Before starting Invisalign treatment, your Burien dentist is going to make a virtual treatment plan for you, generated by a unique 3D software. In this way, you will be able to see upfront what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of your Invisalign treatment. Your custom-made aligners are going to be produced in accordance with the results of the software plan.

While every case is unique to each patient, the treatment with Invisalign typically takes approximately one year for adults. For teens, the length of treatments is comparable to that of braces.

What differs Invisalign from traditional braces?

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are made from clear plastic and do not involve any wires, elastics or brackets. They are much more comfortable to wear and in the same time – very discrete and unlikely to be noticed by other people, who don’t know about your dental treatment. Invisalign braces are removable, which makes them easier to clean than traditional braces. In addition, Invisalign treatment allows you to see upfront what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of your Invisalign treatment – an option that is not available through orthodontic treatment with traditional braces.

How will I benefit from Invisalign?

Some of the most important benefits of Invisalign include:

• It is an effective solution for a wide variety of cases, including crowding, spacing, crossbite, overbite and underbite.
• The Invisalign aligners are very comfortable and almost invisible, so the treatment almost doesn’t influence your everyday comfort.
• The aligners can be removed for easy cleaning and convenient dining.
• Invisalign treatment can deliver great, life-time results that will boost your self-confidence and improve your overall life.

Is Invisalign the right solution for me?

Invisalign is a great orthodontic solution for a variety of alignment problems: misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, underbite, overbite or crossbite, and narrowed tooth arches. Burien dentists usually recommend Invisalign for patients with mild to moderate alignment issues.

In some more severe cases, however, your Burien dentist can recommend traditional braces or other dental solution as more appropriate than Invisalign. Therefore, it is best to consult a dental specialist to find out what is the perfect solution for your individual needs.