PRINTED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
November 3rd, 2012
Orthodontics is a type of dental treatment that aims to improve the appearance, position and function of crooked or abnormally arranged teeth. Orthodontic treatment may be commenced for clinical (medical) reasons such as to improve how the teeth meet and therefore function, or for cosmetic purposes such as straightening teeth or closing gaps. There are several systems available to do this, one of which is Invisalign.
Invisalign is a modern system that works by using a series of transparent, removable plastic appliances called aligners that cover the top and bottom teeth and that over time move the teeth into the desired position. This is different to the more traditional, metal braces that are fixed in place in the mouth.
How does Invisalign work?
The treatment begins with the qualified dentist or orthodontist taking orthodontic records of the patient’s teeth. This includes impressions (where you bite onto a special type of plastic material that takes a ‘mould’ of your teeth), photographs and x-rays. The dentist will advise the patient and discuss at length what the patient wishes to achieve from the treatment. This information plus the orthodontic records is sent to the lab and there all the data is input into a computer model.
The lab then produces a 3- dimensional graphic representation of the patient’s teeth. This moving illustration shows the teeth before treatment has commenced, whilst treatment is progressing and the end point where the teeth are in the correct, desired position. It is viewed on a computer and shows angles of the teeth from the front, sides and inside the mouth. Each illustration takes around 2 weeks to produce as it is entirely unique and custom-made, designed for each individual patient based on their personal data. Once is it produced the patient has the chance to view this illustration- and therefore see the end results- before committing to the treatment.
When the patient goes ahead with the treatment, the custom-made clear, plastic aligners are produced and treatment commences. The patient wears that aligners day and night and only removes them for eating and brushing. Every 2 weeks the patient moves to the next set of aligners in the series and thus over time the teeth are moved.
Throughout the course off the treatment, the patient will visit the treating dentist or orthodontist around every 6 weeks at which time the progress of the treatment is checked and new aligners are fitted. When treatment has finished the patient will be required to wear night-time retainers to ensure the teeth remain in the desired position.
The benefits
One of the initial key advantages of Invisalign is that the patient sees the end result of their treatment, as a 3D computer illustration, before committing to the treatment. As the aligners are made from a hard, clear plastic they are hardly noticeable in the mouth and therefore, for many people, are preferable to the more obvious metal braces. The aligners are also designed to be removed by the patient when eating and when cleaning the teeth. Therefore the patient is able to brush and floss their teeth as normal. This means that the potential for oral hygiene problems and possible cavities, which can be a problem with fixed appliances, is eliminated.
Length of treatment
Every orthodontic treatment is individual and the length of treatment time depends upon the complexity of the case. However, many cases take around 12-18 months and some can be as little as 7 months.
Ask your dentist about Invisalign Orthodontics and whether it is right for you.
