The traditional image of braces is one of the “metal mouth,” but times are changing with the help of new clear braces systems like Invisalign in DC. Invisalign was the first company to introduce a completely clear system for teeth straightening. The Invisalign system uses no brackets, no rubber bands, and none of the implements used by traditional metal braces. The Invisalign braces not only look very different, but work very differently as well.
The first thing that a dentist will do when a patient is interested in Invisalign is to take a mold of their top and bottom teeth. This mold is then sent to a special lab where custom Invisalign retaining trays can be created. These trays are made from a hard plastic, one which is durable enough to be worn every day without being damaged. The Invisalign retaining trays essentially snap on to the teeth. They fit precisely and perfectly since the trays were created with patient-specific dental molds.
Patients will wear Invisalign all the time, night and day, in most cases. The only exceptions to this rule are eating and brushing the teeth. In most cases, patients will wear their first set of Invisalign retaining trays for around two weeks. After that initial two weeks, a new set of retaining trays will be used. Most patients will switch out their retaining trays every two weeks thereafter, until the treatment is complete.
The length of time that people wear Invisalign may be anywhere from one year to two years. In many cases, this is less time than is needed for teeth straightening via traditional metal braces. However, it is important to note that Invisalign is not right for everyone. It can correct misalignment of teeth, but in very severe cases of misalignment it may not provide sufficient straightening. Some people may need to have teeth removed before they can use the Invisalign system, especially in the case of mouth overcrowding. Each patient is unique, so each person’s Invisalign will be a little bit different. Interested in Invisalign in DC? You can discover more info here right now.
