Invisalign® Can Quickly Correct Minor Deviations in the Alignment of Your Teeth

Invisalign® is a teeth straightening system that uses a custom-made series of aligners made from clear plastic to straighten your teeth. The aligners fit over your teeth and gradually move them into the right position. The aligners are removable, so you can take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Invisalign® aligners are virtually invisible. No one but you will know that you're wearing them.

Invisalign® can treat minor to moderate misalignment issues, but it cannot address major alignment concerns. If you have severe alignment problems, you may require orthodontic surgery to correct your smile.

During a consultation, we can help you determine whether Invisalign® is an effective option for you. 

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign®?

Invisalign® offers several benefits that are appealing to both dentists and patients alike. Patients enjoy being able to remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss their teeth before replacing them. Since the aligners are removable, cleaning the teeth is also much easier for the patient. The aligners are also virtually invisible when worn, so no one will be able to tell that the patient is wearing braces at all. Invisalign® is more comfortable than traditional braces, as well. There is no risk of wires poking the patient's cheeks or gums as the teeth change position. Clear plastic aligners also do not cause irritation to the lips and mouth like metal brackets can, which also makes Invisalign® more comfortable for patients.

Dentists love offering this treatment to patients because the process is simple. They simply take the impressions of the teeth using 3-D imaging technology to create a digital model of how the teeth will shift and straighten during the treatment. Then, they send the order for the aligners to a specialized lab that uses a computer to create custom aligners for every patient. Once the dentist receives the final aligner from each patient, they will switch it out for the next in the series every one to two weeks, depending on the patient's needs. The process takes about a year total in most cases, but most patients complete their treatment in about 12 months.

A dentist will typically recommend Invisalign® if a patient has a relatively minor misalignment in their smile. For example, if an anterior crossbite is present, then Invisalign® can be a great choice to correct the issue. However, patients with more significant alignment issues may need traditional braces instead. Typically, an orthodontist will be able to determine the best treatment method for a patient after a thorough consultation. 

Call us at 773-880-2310 or email us at office@sheffieldsquaredental.com to schedule your appointment. Visit Sheffield Square Dental Care at 2835 N. Sheffield Ave, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60657.