If you are an adult or mature teenager and don’t have extreme bite issues, you have the option of removable clear braces like Invisalign® aligners to straighten misaligned or crowded teeth.
For children, metal braces are still the best bet because they are fixed to the teeth so kids cannot lose them.
Achieving a Successful Outcome with Clear Braces
By working off a detailed impression of your bite, the Invisalign technicians craft a precise series of clear, plastic aligners that steadily move your teeth into their proper position.
The key to excellent results with Invisalign® clear braces is a combination of supervision by a certified provider and your commitment to wear the aligners for no less than 22 hours per day.
Because these types of clear braces are removable, you maintain the ability to care for your teeth thoroughly. Metal braces require special tools to clean teeth completely.
How Does It Work?
The impression is obtained at your first visit with an Invisalign dentist. After the lab has digitized your smile and designed the ideal straightening process, a simulation of your planned progress is created and sent to your dentist.
On your second visit, you view the simulation and make your final decision to commit to the treatment or not. In about two weeks, your dentist receives the full series of aligners, provides you with the first few sets, and sets a follow-up appointment.
You are instructed to wear your removable clear braces all day and night, only removing them to eat, brush, and floss.
Metal Braces are Still the Best Option for Some
If you have a severe malocclusion (misaligned bite), you may need metal braces, at least for the first part of your treatment. In many cases, you can switch to Invisalign clear braces after a period determined by your dentist.
Older children with complex problems are best treated with metal braces. Young children at high risk of severe bite issues may receive early intervention with a short course of metal braces.