How Does Invisalign® Work?
Our orthodontists are certified Invisalign and Invisalign Teen® providers in Illinois!
Invisalign is a breakthrough product in teeth straightening technology. This is a trending method in orthodontics growing in popularity every day.
Don’t you wish you had a brighter smile and straighter teeth, but didn’t have to wear metal braces?
Invisalign® might be right for you! Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® usually takes less than a year to deliver amazing results. Invisalign® uses a series of clear aligners that gently move your teeth into place for a healthier, straighter smile and improved oral health.
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign Treatment uses virtually invisible, removable aligners to straighten your teeth. These aligners are made from a clear, thermoplastic material that looks similar to over the counter teeth-whitening trays. Our orthodontist will design a graduated series of aligners that are made especially for your particular alignment needs. Each aligner is worn on your teeth for a period of about two weeks, and then the next aligner takes its place. Every Invisalign aligner moves your teeth closer to their correct position in your dazzling new smile.
Our orthodontist, your Invisalign® specialist in Illinois, will make your aligners to conform to the existing alignment of your teeth, with each aligner one step closer to your final smile. In order for the aligners to work effectively, they have to be worn for 20-22 hours per day. Unlike metal braces, you can completely remove your Invisalign® clear aligners at any time. You’ll be required to remove them before eating or drinking, and when brushing and flossing your teeth. This will also keep your aligners from becoming stained by food or beverages.
It’s perfectly okay to take out your aligners for short periods for any reason. If you’re playing a sport, or having your picture taken, you can slip your aligner out and then put it back in easily and quickly. As long as you keep the aligner in for the majority of the day, there’s no problem with removing whenever you need to.
Unfortunately, not all patients can benefit from Invisalign®. There are some severe misalignments of teeth that can’t be helped by Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen®. For the most part, if your teeth are severely misaligned, and especially if your teeth require rotation in place in addition to simple realignment, Invisalign® might not be right for you. Our orthodontists are highly skilled in both conventional metal braces as well as Invisalign® Treatment techniques, and they can make a recommendation best suited for you after your initial consultation at no cost.
While Invisalign® can’t treat every dental problem, it does help with many of the same conditions that metal braces are used to treat. If your teeth are crowded, unevenly spaced, or you have an underbite or an overbite caused by improperly angled teeth, Invisalign® Treatment may be right for you.
Benefits of Invisalign® Treatment Over Braces
Our Orthodontist will suggest either metal braces or Invisalign® clear aligners depending on a patient’s particular needs, but in general, Invisalign® is recommended over metal braces for the following reasons:
- You can remove your aligners while eating.
- You can eat any kind of foods you like, including foods like corn on the cob.
- Invisalign® is nearly invisible while worn
- Invisalign® increases overall periodontal health during treatment because you can brush and floss normally instead of working around metal braces.
- Invisalign® has no sharp metal parts that can irritate your gums, lips, or cheeks.
- Invisalign® requires fewer follow-up office visits than metal braces
- You can remove your aligner to play contact sports or for any other reason.
- The Invisalign Teen® program provides up to six replacement aligners if they’re lost or broken.
Our orthodontists advise patients that good dental health is the key to good overall health. Many orthodontic issues can lead to serious periodontal issues, and misaligned teeth can affect your ability to chew and digest food properly. Misaligned teeth can cause headaches, and they can lead to further jaw problems. With Orthodontic Experts and cutting-edge treatments like Invisalign® available at a price everyone can afford, there’s really no reason to wait to improve your smile!
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Invisalign® Instructions
Congratulations on Getting Your New Invisalign® Clear Aligners!
At Orthodontic Experts, we want to be sure your treatment proceeds as smoothly and effectively as possible. Please follow these instructions to ensure the success of your treatment. Your Invisalign clear aligners come in a container that hold one upper and one lower aligner. The aligners are worn in sequence, and the number can be found on the aligner container. We will typically give you two sets of aligners each appointment. The easiest way to insert your Invisalign® clear aligners is by seating them on your front teeth first, and then pressing them down over your back teeth.
The aligners will snap into place, and you shouldn’t see any space between the aligners and your teeth if they are seated correctly. To remove your Invisalign® clear aligners, start in the back and pull them up with your fingernails. They can then be pulled off of your front teeth. Removing them is usually more difficult than inserting them, but you will find it gets easier as your treatment progresses.
You will wear each set of Invisalign® clear aligners for 2-3 weeks. Wear the first one for 2-3 weeks, then take it out, put it back into the original container, and move on to the 2nd aligner. We will typically see you at the office every 4-6 weeks and give you 2 sets of aligners at a time.
When To Wear Your Invisalign Clear Aligners:
You should wear the Invisalign® aligners at all times, except when you are eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. It is okay to drink water with them in, but if you eat or drink anything other than water they should be removed. This will reduce the chances of developing cavities. When you do take them out, be sure to store them in one of the cases that we provide you. The easiest way to lose them is to wrap them in a napkin and throw them out with the trash. Replacing them costs $100 per aligner so try not to loose them! When you take them out to eat, it is best to brush your teeth and to clean the aligners before putting them back in. Clean your Invisalign® aligners by brushing them with a toothbrush under running cold water. Do not use toothpaste to brush them, and do not boil them or soak them in any cleaning solution. They are sensitive to heat and will absorb cleaning solutions. Using the Invisalign cleaning system is okay, but usually brushing them well is adequate. Store them dry inside your case.
If you do lose your Invisalign® aligner, use the previous one and call our office so that we can order a new one for you. NEVER GO WITHOUT AN ALIGNER! Wear your Invisalign® aligners 22-23 hours a day!
We are proud to be a Diamond Invisalign® Provider for the residents of Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Avondale, Bucktown, Burbank, Chicago, DeKalb, Harwood Heights, Hillside, Homewood, Mundelein, Pilsen, and Rockford and their neighboring communities.
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Orthodontic Experts: Your Premier Invisalign® Provider!
Any orthodontist who offers Invisalign® Treatment is trained by the manufacturers of Invisalign® to become a certified provider. At Orthodontic Experts, we rank as a Diamond Invisalign® Provider! This means that our orthodontists have treated at least 200 cases of Invisalign® total and perform 100 cases every six months. Schedule your FREE Invisalign® consultation today!