How Do Invisalign Clear Aligners Work?

At 3rd Avenue Complete Family Dental, we’re proud to offer Invisalign as a convenient and discreet solution for those looking to straighten their teeth. The clear, detachable aligners used in this well-liked substitute for traditional braces are intended to gently move your teeth into their proper alignment.
 
Consultation and Assessment:

1. Your journey begins by booking a consultation with one of our Invisalign-trained dentists at 3rd Avenue Complete Family Dental. During this appointment, we’ll evaluate your smile, assess your overall oral health, and discuss your dental goals.
2. To produce an accurate model of your teeth, we will also use the newest technology to acquire digital scans or impressions.

Customized Treatment Planning:

1. After we’ve determined that Invisalign is the right choice for you, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan using digital scans or impressions.
2. You’ll also receive a visual representation of the projected tooth movements throughout the treatment process.

Invisalign Fabrication:

1. Using your personalized treatment plan, a series of customized Invisalign aligners will be created using advanced 3D printing technology.
2. The aligners are specially designed to gradually move your teeth to their desired positions.

Aligners Insertion and Monitoring:

1. Each set of aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours every day; you should only take them off to brush, eat, and drink. To ensure effectiveness, it’s crucial to wear the aligners for the recommended time each day.
2. We’ll schedule regular follow-up appointments, typically every six weeks, to monitor your progress and ensure the aligners are fitting correctly.

Aligners Replacement:

1. Every 1-2 weeks, you’ll switch to the next set of aligners in the series. Each new set makes slight adjustments to the tooth position, following the treatment plan developed by your dentist at 3rd Avenue Complete Family Dental.
2. The new aligners continue to apply controlled pressure on the teeth, gradually aligning them according to the treatment plan.

Refinements (if necessary):

1. If your teeth do not move as expected, we’ll adjust the treatment plan and create a new series of aligners to fine-tune the alignment and ensure optimal results.

Retention:

1. To preserve the results and stop your teeth from progressively moving back toward their original locations after your treatment is finished and the correct dental alignment is attained.
2. We’ll provide you with specific instructions on how often to wear your retainer and for how long.

One of our services that has gained increasing popularity is the provision of clear aligners for teeth straightening.
 
Clear aligners, popular for their discretion and convenience, are typically recommended from the age of 12 onward. We find this age-appropriate as, typically, most permanent teeth have erupted by then, providing a stable base for aligners to work on. However, we appreciate that everyone is unique, hence the optimal age for starting clear aligner therapy varies depending on individual factors.

Age Considerations

Pre-Teen Years (8-12)

At our practice, we typically do not recommend clear aligner treatment during these early years as the jaw and teeth are constantly developing. Premature alignment can hinder natural growth and potentially lead to complications.

Teenage Years (13-18)

This age bracket often provides the ideal window for clear aligner use, due to the completion of most dental development. The teeth and jaw have greater stability, allowing for effective and comprehensive alignment.

Young Adults (19-25)

Starting clear aligner treatment at this age is feasible at our practice, but it may necessitate extra therapy or adjunctive measures, as some developmental changes might have already taken place.

Older Adults (25+)

Clear aligners can be an effective option for adults of any age, even seniors. However, underlying dental conditions or complex bite issues may necessitate more extensive treatment or alternative methods.

Individualized Treatment Planning

Apart from age, our dentists also consider dental health and hygiene, the severity of alignment issues, bite problems, and jaw development when determining the suitability of clear aligners. The effectiveness of clear aligners can also be influenced by the patient’s commitment to care and consistent wear of the aligners.

Consultation and Evaluation

We strongly recommend a consultation with our dental professionals before starting clear aligner therapy. They can evaluate your oral health and developmental stage, discuss your expectations and lifestyle, and provide informed advice on the best time to start treatment.

At 3rd Avenue Complete Family Dental, we understand that each patient is unique, and so too are their orthodontic needs. We offer clear aligner therapy as part of our comprehensive dental services, and we know that the duration for these aligners to achieve your desired results can vary significantly.

The severity of your misalignment, your compliance with wearing the aligners, and the complexity of your orthodontic issue all play a role in determining how long your treatment will last. Typically, most of our patients see their desired results within 12 to 18 months.

In more complex cases, we may recommend additional procedures or appliances to complement your clear aligner therapy. During this initial visit, we’ll assess your orthodontic needs and provide you with a personalized timeline for achieving your desired results. While clear aligners offer a general guideline, remember that the specific duration of your treatment will be unique to you, just like your smile.

At 3rd Avenue Complete Family Dental, we often receive inquiries about the effectiveness of Invisalign in maintaining teeth alignment permanently. We understand that our patients desire long-lasting results from their orthodontic treatments, and Invisalign, a clear aligner system that gradually shifts teeth into a desired position, is a popular choice for its discretion and comfort.
 
Over time, teeth have a natural tendency to return to their initial position; this is referred to as “orthodontic relapse.” Age, adherence to the treatment plan, underlying dental conditions, and lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol or smoking can all have an impact on this.

At our practice, once you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, we strongly recommend the use of retainers to maintain your new tooth alignment. These custom-made retainers, designed to fit your teeth perfectly, are typically worn at night. The duration of retainer use varies for each individual.

Complications such as gum disease or tooth decay can alter the alignment of your teeth. Regular professional cleanings at 3rd Avenue Complete Family Dental can maintain the health of your gums and teeth, thereby assisting in keeping your teeth in alignment. For more information, contact us, or request an appointment online today! We are located at 3330 3rd Avenue Suite 302 San Diego, CA 92103. We serve patients from San Diego CA, Downtown San Diego CA, Hillcrest CA, Mission Valley CA, University Heights CA, North Park CA, and surrounding areas.