If you’re an older teen or adult and have misaligned teeth, then you may have heard of Invisalign® clear aligners, the alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. Made of clear acrylic, the aligners replace the brackets and wires of orthodontic braces, allowing you to straighten your teeth comfortably and confidently. Since they’re removable, the clear aligners also allow you to eat and brush your teeth more conveniently. Dentists often recommend Invisalign® to image-conscious patients with malocclusion (crooked teeth). Today, we help you determine if the clear aligners can help find the right balance for your smile.

If there are no braces, how does Invisalign® work?

The point of orthodontic treatment is to move crooked teeth into straighter positions so that your smile is better balanced. Braces work by applying pressure through arch wires to brackets attached to your teeth. Invisalign®, however, works through a series of aligners that are switched every couple of weeks, each one designed to gently force teeth closer to their target alignment.

Is Invisalign® treatment faster than traditional braces?

Teeth owe their strength largely to the roots that support them, which are embedded in sockets in your jawbone and secured with periodontal ligaments. To effectively support your teeth in their new position, orthodontics focuses on moving them slowly enough for your jawbone and ligaments to heal around their roots. In most cases, Invisalign® treatment lasts as long as conventional orthodontics. However, since there are no brackets and wires to periodically tighten, treatment with clear aligners requires fewer visits to your dentist’s office.

How do I know if Invisalign® will work?

Most adults and older teens with crooked teeth are candidates for clear braces. However, severe cases of malocclusion might require conventional orthodontics to correct. If you’re ready to straighten your smile and want to learn more about Invisalign®, then visit your dentist soon to determine if clear braces are right for you.

Find Out if You Qualify for Invisalign® Ortho

The beauty of Invisalign® is that the aligners aren’t just invisible; they’re also highly successful at providing comparable results to traditional braces. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Burds by calling Gateway Dental Group in downtown Des Moines, IA, at (515) 244-9565.