Invisalign® - Who, When, How?

Some Frequently Asked Questions In Our Office

“Invisalign® treatment” consists of a series of custom-made clear molding aligners that are used in a specified order to straighten teeth. The Invisalign® Certified Orthodontist will first determine if the patient is a good candidate for Invisalign® treatment and then will communicate with the company ‘s laboratory through a process called “Clincheck” to make sure the proposed result is accurate and feasible. If so, this result will then be presented to the patient for his or her acceptance, at which point the aligners will be fabricated and sent to the orthodontic office to be delivered to the patient. The number of aligners is worn for approximately two weeks, and then is replaced by the next set of aligners in the series. This process is continued until the teeth are aligned and straight.

It is important that the orthodontist be seen every six to eight weeks to evaluate and monitor the progress, so as to avoid any potential problematic side effects and ensure that the aligners are working correctly. Not all patients qualify or meet the guidelines to be treated by Invisalign®. In order to help determine if Invisalign® may be a good treatment option for you, the following is a list of commonly asked questions we encounter in our office regarding this treatment, and the resulting answers:

Q: Who actually treatment plans, and subsequently treats, the case?
A: The Invisalign® Certified Orthodontist performs his or her diagnosis and treatment plan, and then ultimately has final control and approval over the Invisalign® set up and treatment.

Q: What is the minimum age of a patient that can be treated with Invisalign®?
A: Most recommendations are for the patient to be at least 16-18 years old, at which time all permanent teeth should be erupted and the maturity level of the patient should be at a level of maximum compliances.

Q: Does jaw growth need to be completed before initiating Invisalign® treatment?
A: Yes, our office philosophy of treatment is that skeletal growth should be completed before Invisalign® therapy is initiated.

Q: Can Invisalign® treat extraction cases?
A: Invisalign® has been documented in its use with lower incisor extraction cases. However, in cases of moderate to severe crowding , as well as moderate to severe malocclusion, our office generally recomments a more conventional braces treatment, with or without extractions. Invisalign® treatment is generally recommended for patient’s with only mild crowding/spacing and rotations.

Q: How many hours per day must the aligners be worn?
A: The aligners should be worn at all times unless the patient is eating, drinking, or cleaning his or her teeth. Patients may drink water with the aligners still in place. The ability to remove the aligners when eating leads to much fewer restrictions on a patient’s diet as compared to conventional braces.

Q: Do the aligners make the teeth painful/ uncomfortable?
A: As with anything, the aligners will take some getting used to initially. Some patients may experience some discomfort as the teeth begin to level and align, especially at the beginning of treatment.

Q: Will the aligners affect speech?
A: Initially, there may be a temporary alteration in speech, but the tongue will quickly become accustomed to the aligners and speech should return to normal within 2-3 days.

Q: What if a patient has TMD?
A: It is recommended for the patient’s TMD to be treated prior to beginning Invisalign® orthodontic treatment.

Q: What if the patient loses or breaks an aligner?
A: The patient should immediately contact the orthodontic office for an appointment so that the orthodontist can evaluate and determine if the aligner should be replaced or if it is okay to proceed to the next aligner. If a new aligner needs to be fabricated as a replacement, there will be a fee charged for the manufacturing process.