5. Invisalign® treatment is generally
proceeds faster by about 20-30% than conventional braces.
Q:
What are aligners made of?
A:
Aligners are made of thin, clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually
invisible when worn.
Q:
What do aligners look like?
A:
Aligners are thin and clear. They fit over the tops and sides of the
teeth. Some dentists refer to them as “corrective contact lenses
for teeth."
Q:
Is Invisalign® a new way to straighten teeth?
A:
For years, dentists have used removable appliances (active retainers)
for various forms of tooth movement. Today, with the application of
Invisalgn’s® new
computer technology and custom fabrication process, Invisalign® can
do most things that can be done with wires and brackets in a very precise
and
predictable fashion.
Q:
How long has the Invisalign company been around?
A:
Align Technology, Inc. is the parent company that manufactures Invisalign® It
was founded in 1997 and services dentists from all around the world.
Q:
How many patients have been treated with Invisalign®?
A:
Invisalign® has been successfully used on over 135,000 patients
worldwide and this number grows daily.
Q:
Do doctors need special training in order to use Invisalign®?
A:
Specific training and experience is needed to provide Invisalign® treatment.
A dentist must be certified by Invisalign® as well. An esthetically trained
restorative dentist like Dr. Henny can provide you with Invisalign® treatment
as well as plan for and properly address other inter-related dental issues.
Q:
How can Invisalign® effectively move teeth?
A:
Like brackets and archwires, Invisalign® Aligners move teeth through the
appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference
is that Invisalign® not only controls forces, but also controls the
timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are
allowed to
move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan
for that particular stage.
Q:
Has the FDA cleared Invisalign®?
A:
Yes, the FDA has reviewed Align’s application and in August 1998 determined
that Invisalign® is exempt from 510(k) pre-market notification.
Q:
What is the minimum age of a patient that Dr. Henny can treat with Invisalign®?
A:
Dr. Henny can treat the vast majority of patients who have fully erupted molars.
This commonly occurs by the age of 14.
Q:
I have crowns on some of my teeth. Is this a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
A:
No, crowns typically do not prohibit the use of Invisalign® .
Q:
Can Invisalign® be used to close gaps between teeth?
A:
Yes. Unless the spaces between the teeth are unusually wide, they can
be closed easily with the Invisalign® System.
Q:
I have a bridge. Is this a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
A:
Because bridges firmly link two or more teeth together, they can prevent those
teeth from moving. Dr. Henny can determine if pre-existing bridgework will
be an issue during the treatment process.
Q:
Is Invisalign® treatment painful?
A:
Most people experience minor discomfort for a few days at the beginning of
the use of each new Aligner. This is normal and is typically described as
a feeling of pressure or soreness which goes away after a couple of days.
In virtually all cases, this soreness can be successfully managed by the
use of Tylenol or Motrin.
Q:
How often must I wear my aligners?
A: At all times except when eating,
drinking, and cleaning your teeth. Aligners should be worn all day and
all night, except when eating, brushing
and flossing.
Q:
Will wearing Invisalign® Aligners during the day affect my speech?
A:
Like all orthodontic treatments, Aligners may temporarily affect the speech
of some people. In the beginning, you may have a slight lisp for a day or
two. However, as your tongue gets used to having Aligners in your mouth,
any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the Aligners should disappear.
Q:
Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
A:
No. Unlike traditional wires & brackets, you can eat whatever you
desire while in treatment because you remove your Aligners to eat and
drink. Thus,
there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite
foods, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Also, it is important
that you
brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your Aligners
to maintain proper hygiene.
Q:
Will smoking stain the aligners?
A:
We discourage smoking while wearing Aligners because the Aligners to become
discolored.
Q:
Can I chew gum while wearing aligners?
A:
No, gum will stick to the Aligners. We recommend removing your Aligners for
all meals and snacks.
Q:
What's the best way to clean my aligners?
A:
The best way to clean your Aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm
water.
Q:
How often must I see Dr. Henny while I am under active Invisalign treatment?
A:
Dr. Henny will schedule regular appointments – usually about
once every two to six weeks. In this way, Dr. Henny can monitor your
progress and make
sure that the treatment is proceeding as planned.
Q:
Can anything be done after Invisalign® treatment to prevent my teeth from
moving again?
A:
Most patients will need to wear retainer at night only following treatment
to prevent any possibility of the teeth shifting of the teeth over time.
shifting. Retainers will be made for you as part of your initial treatment
fee for this purpose.
