If you're considering straightening your teeth but want to avoid traditional metal braces, you’re not alone. As of June 2024, more than 18 million Americans have transformed their smiles with Invisalign® clear aligners.
It’s not surprising why it’s so popular. Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten your teeth — without any metal brackets or archwires. This makes Invisalign more discrete as well as more comfortable.
But how exactly does it work? Take a moment as Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro and the The Dental Center of Hercules team in Hercules, California, explain the process.
Your consultation is your first — and arguably the most important — step in the Invisalign process. It’s this appointment that gets you officially started on your Invisalign journey.
During your consultation with Dr. Teodoro, she will evaluate your teeth, discuss your goals, and determine if Invisalign is the right option for you.
If you’re a good candidate, she’ll create a custom treatment plan for you. If Invisalign isn’t right for you, you’re not out of options. The Dental Center of Hercules offers several orthodontic treatments, including FASTBRACES®.
Using digital scans and X-rays, Dr. Teodoro maps out the precise movements of your teeth. This information is used to create a series of custom aligners that are designed to move your teeth into their ideal position over time. Thanks to the advanced planning software. You also get a preview of how your teeth will look after the treatment.
This means that there are no surprises. Everything is planned out from your very first aligner tray to your final tray.
Once your trays are made, it’s time for your trays to transform your smile. As you wear a new tray, your teeth are gently shifted a tiny bit closer to their final destination.
If any teeth require significant movement, you may have a small tooth-colored button or attachment — the SmartForce ™ attachments — added to your teeth. These attachments are positioned in such a way that your aligner trays are directed even more so when extra pressure or direction is needed. Not every tooth needs a SmartForce attachment, but they can be part of what makes Invisalign work for you.
For the best results, you need to wear your Invisalign trays for 20 to 22 hours a day.
You wear each set of aligners for about one to two weeks (or as directed) before switching to the next set in the series. Each new set gently shifts your teeth closer and closer to the desired position. That’s the secret to their success!
You should remove your trays to eat and drink everything except for plain water. Once you’re done eating, simply brush your teeth and place your aligner trays back into your mouth. That’s it! The trays do the rest!
Throughout your treatment, you’ll have regular check-ins with Dr. Teodoro to make sure your treatment plan is progressing as planned. These appointments are typically every six to eight weeks, and if needed, Dr. Teodoro can make changes to your treatment plan at this time. (This is more likely to happen if you’re not wearing your trays consistently, so be sure to follow all usage instructions carefully.)
Once you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, it’s time to maintain your results with a Vivera ™ retainer. Similar to your Invisalign clear aligners, your retainer is a clear tray that easily pops into your mouth. Wear your retainer while you sleep to keep your teeth from shifting back.
Invisalign clear aligners can help straighten out crooked teeth, close gaps, correct crowding, and correct bite issues like overbite and underbite. Correcting orthodontic issues like this can enhance the appearance of your smile, boost your confidence, make it easier to chew and speak, and even help avoid cavities. (Crowded teeth can increase your risk of interproximal cavities.)
With all these benefits, don’t hold back! If you’re ready to experience Invisalign for yourself (or for your teen), give us a call at 510-254-3328 to book your Invisalign consultation.
Or, simply click here to get started.
