Clear aligner therapy is a system of virtually invisible aligners used to move the teeth, rather than fixed braces. At GPA Dental we use Invisalign.
In consultation with your dentist you will determine which system is the better alternative for your treatment, depending on the complexity of your needs.
With clear aligner therapy, there are 4 primary benefits:
Depending on the severity of individual cases, treatment may vary from 6 months to 2 years with an average treatment lasts around 12 – 14 months.
With controlled force on the teeth, Invisalign aligners are able to move teeth through the appropriate placement. The main difference is that Invisalign also controls the timing of the force application. At certain stage, only specific teeth are allowed to move, and these application are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.
Your Invisalign-accredited dentist will determine if Invisalign is a suitable treatment for you.
Three types of tooth movements have been found to be less predictably achieved with clear aligner therapy alone:
• Complex extrusions
• Severe derotations of cylindrical teeth
• Closure of large spaces usually associated with extraction of teeth other than lower incisors.
Almost everyone over the age of 14 is eligible for the treatment as long as their second (12 year old) molars are fully erupted.
Some form of combination of braces and aligners are being used on many patients, however you should consult your dentist to evaluate and suggest the best possible treatment for you.
Yes, these aligner systems can correct mild to moderate overbites. The aligners create a force on the front teeth causing them to intrude, thus correcting the overbite.
Crowns are usually not a factor in Invisalign treatment. However small composites call attachments are sometimes bonded onto teeth to help achieve certain movements. In these cases the location of crowns must be carefully evaluated.
Yes, both systems can close spaces between teeth easily, however the location and size of spaces will need to be evaluated.
In the early of each stages of treatment, most people experience temporary, minor discomfort. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure when the aligners are sequentially moving your teeth. This discomfort normally goes away a couple of days after you insert the new aligner in the series.
