How Invisalign Moves Teeth

How Invisalign Moves Teeth : Straightening your teeth doesn’t have to be a drag. In fact, if you’re looking to avoid traditional metal brackets and wires, Invisalign is a great option for adults and teens alike. But how does it work?

In this article, we look at what Invisalign is and some of the science behind how it straightens your smile.

How do teeth move during orthodontic treatments?

During orthodontic treatment, the elasticity of the periodontal ligament creates a force that moves your teeth. After all, your teeth are attached to your jawbone by this periodontal ligament. When stretched, it stimulates the bone cells, which remodel to reposition the tooth in its new location.

By applying this principle to move teeth, Invisalign gently pushes on your teeth and uses clear aligners to guide them into place. To do this, a dentist or orthodontist will use Invisalign software to digitally detail how you want your smile to look at the end of treatment and create a plan for every stage of your transformation. Using specialized technology, they’ll design custom-made aligners for you based on these plans and send them straight to an Invisalign lab or printing facility. When complete, these aligners will be shipped off so you can begin your journey toward straighter teeth and a more beautiful smile!

Each Invisalign tray moves the teeth slightly.

The Invisalign aligners are designed to apply a small amount of force to your teeth in order to move them into the desired position. Your first aligner will be slightly different from the second, which will be different from the third, and so on. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, then replace it with the next in your series. The gentle movement provided by these aligners is what moves your teeth into their final position.

Trays are changed every two weeks.

The teeth-moving process is precisely calculated using a computer to design the treatment plan for your specific needs. Usually, a 3D digital model of your teeth is used to map out the ideal movement of each tooth at every stage until you get your final smile. The precision and exact detail of Invisalign results in even the most complicated cases being successfully treated with this system.

Each set of clear aligner trays is worn for about two weeks, then changed out for the next ones in the series. By changing them out every two weeks, they gradually apply just enough pressure to move your teeth into their new position by gently pushing and pulling on them until they “settle” into their new place.

Invisalign trays are custom made for each patient and can move teeth in different directions individually.

Invisalign trays are custom made for each patient from smooth, comfortable plastic that is virtually invisible. This means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. The aligners gradually and gently move your teeth until they’re straight.

Invisalign can move teeth vertically, horizontally, and even rotate them when necessary to achieve the desired result. In addition, Invisalign’s unique SmartForce® attachments can be used to apply targeted force to specific teeth in order to move them in different directions individually.

Invisalign uses a natural process to relocate teeth

Invisalign uses the same process that your body already uses to move teeth naturally. By consistently applying pressure in the right direction, we can guide your teeth into a straighter position over time. If you’re thinking about Invisalign, talk to your orthodontist about what you can expect from the treatment process.

Does Invisalign hurt?

The short answer is no, Invisalign doesn’t hurt.

After years of wearing braces and dealing with an uncomfortable mouthful of metal wires and sharp brackets, you’re probably relieved to know that Invisalign treatments in Victoria BC are pain-free. And for good reason: the aligners are made from a smooth, medical-grade plastic that’s comfortable to wear, and they don’t have any metal parts that could cut or scrape your gums and cheeks.

But here’s the thing: while your treatment will feel virtually painless at the start, you may experience some slight discomfort as your teeth go through the process of being straightened. This happens because your aligners are gradually shifting your teeth into their new positions, and when this happens, it can cause a mild pressure on your teeth that may lead to slight soreness around your jaws. For some people, this feeling can last for about 2-3 days after changing to a new set of aligners; however, it usually goes away quickly and is minimal compared to how braces affect some people.

Dental conditions treated with Invisalign

Overbite

Overbite, or “buck teeth,” happens when the upper jaw is too far forward. This can cause the top teeth to bite into the gums behind the bottom teeth, which is painful and can also damage your gums and make them recede. It also can happen that your teeth are so far forward that there’s no space between your upper and lower jaws for your bottom teeth to sit in, which can cause you to bite the roof of your mouth.

Invisalign will reposition these teeth by moving them back toward their proper alignment.

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower jaw protrudes further than the upper jaw, giving a person a “bulldog” or “pug dog” appearance. This malocclusion can be caused by improper growth of the jaws, which can lead to crowding or uneven wear of the teeth. It may also be caused by an accident or injury to the face. The good news is that Invisalign can help!

Underbites are typically treated with a method called skeletal anchorage, where tooth-supported screws are placed in the jawbone to reposition it and allow for proper growth and alignment. Because Invisalign aligners can be removed at any time, they’re a safe and easy alternative to bulky headgear that’s traditionally been used to correct underbites.

Crossbite

Crossbite is a condition in which the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It may affect only one side or several areas of the mouth. The extent of the misalignment varies from case to case—some people have teeth that overlap slightly, while others have teeth that bite together abnormally at the front, back, or somewhere in between. Invisalign can move your teeth into a more normal alignment so that they fit together properly.

Open bite

An open bite is a condition where the teeth do not make contact when the back teeth (molars) are biting together. The open bite can be anywhere in the mouth but is most noticeable in the front. The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when the back molars are biting together. The lips cannot close together and there is an opening between the upper and lower front teeth.

Open bite is typically seen in patients that had prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits, which caused the teeth to erupt with improper jaw relationships. Oftentimes, this leads to an anterior crossbite as well. Other causes of an open bite include teeth grinding or trauma to the upper or lower jaw.

To correct this condition, the Invisalign treatment program is used to close the space between the upper and lower front teeth by moving the upper and/or lower jaws into proper relationships. This may require tooth extraction to allow for full correction of the bite problem (usually only a few extractions are needed).

Overcrowded teeth

Overly crowded teeth are a relatively common problem and can be painful. If your teeth are too close together, you might have difficulty chewing and brushing them properly—which can lead to a whole host of problems. Food particles that become trapped between the teeth can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and enamel erosion. Those effects may be compounded if you already have a misaligned bite, which can increase the pressure on your teeth during chewing. Invisalign clear braces will fix all of these issues by straightening your teeth and creating enough space between each one so that they can be brushed properly. Your oral hygiene will improve dramatically once you’ve used Invisalign to straighten your smile!

Widely spaced teeth

People with widely spaced teeth often appear to have teeth that are too small for their mouths, and this can be corrected by a cosmetic dentist, who has several options for treatment.

For patients who are looking for a less noticeable treatment option, Invisalign is a great choice. By using a series of clear removable aligners, Invisalign is able to gently reposition the teeth into the desired position.

Conclusion

Thanks to advances in technology, Invisalign is able to achieve results quickly and conveniently. The aligners are customized for each patient’s needs and lifestyle, so treatment is tailored specifically for them. It’s never too late to correct your smile—with Invisalign you can be proud of your smile at any age.