Since its introduction, millions of people have undergone Invisalign treatments, but many still have questions about this relatively new teeth-straightening technology. Metal braces were the only orthodontic treatment for a long time, and they are slightly different from Invisalign aligners, so it is no surprise that people want to know how they move the teeth and how the treatment works. Go through our blog post to know how the Invisalign treatment works.
Invisalign aligners and align technology
If you are unaware of how Invisalign works, it may be best to know Invisalign history, as this will help you understand that Invisalign is not one of those treatments that will only be available for only a short period.
Five individuals who discovered the Align technology in 1997 created Invisalign aligners. Invisalign founders launched their discovery for a technology that straightens and repositions the teeth in Redwood City.
After two years, they introduced Invisalign clear aligners to the market. Since Invisalign’s introduction in 1999, over 6.4 million persons, including more than 1.5 million teenagers, have used Invisalign to straighten their teeth.
How do the teeth move during orthodontic treatments?
Most people refer to Invisalign as invisible or Invisalign braces. These terms are correct as Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, offering a discreet option for teeth straightening and smile correction. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are almost invisible.
Referring to Invisalign aligners as Invisalign braces is also acceptable because they move the teeth like conventional braces. Both treatments aim to move the teeth to their right positions gradually.
However, people undergoing Invisalign treatment to improve their smiles can speed up their treatment by wearing the aligners for the recommended 20 – 22 hours daily. This option is not available to people who use traditional braces.
Concept of teeth straightening with Invisalign aligners
If you want to understand how Invisalign straightens the teeth, it will be helpful to know the teeth structure and how it affects teeth straightening.
A periodontal ligament connects the teeth to the jawbone. This ligament consists of a group of collagen-containing fibers. These fibers serve as an anchor that keeps the teeth connected to the underlying bone.
The fibers consisting of collagen attach to the tooth root surfaces by depositing cementum unto the living cells on the side of the bone. The fibers found on the other side of the periodontal ligament are inserted into your jawbone.
These periodontal ligaments create a firm hold around the teeth to keep them in place but allowing limited movement, like when the teeth exert force in biting.
How the teeth move
Your smile may always appear the same, but the teeth move constantly. Although you can’t tell that your teeth are in constant movement, they change positions because the cementum, periodontal ligament and jawbone always react to pressure in the mouth.
While biting down, tension and compression occur in the ligament through several protein fibres. The tension causes cementum to be deposited in the bone, while compression causes the dissolution or resorption of the cementum and bone. These opposing movements help to maintain balance in the teeth and keep them in the right positions.
Repositioning the teeth with natural processes
Invisalign treatment is effective because it involves a natural process that occurs in the mouth. The aligners gently use the force resulting from compression and tension to gradually and gently reposition the teeth.
The movement resulting from wearing Invisalign aligners are due to resorption of the cementum and bone. The teeth movement also occurs after new bone deposits.
Generally, Invisalign patients require new sets of aligners every two weeks during the Invisalign treatment process. Each set of aligners move the teeth about .25mm in the first three days of wearing them.
Although this movement is impressive, the .25mm movement usually represents periodontal ligament movement and may not include bone movement.
Bone movements must occur for your teeth to reposition and last longer because the bone holds the teeth in the new position. It usually takes about two weeks for the fibers in the ligament to deposit sufficient cementum to attach to your bone, so you need to wear each set of aligners for at least two weeks.
Maintaining the new teeth position can be difficult, so your chances of a reverse teeth movement or relapse increase if you do not wear the aligners for the recommended daily wear time. If a relapse occurs, it will increase your treatment time.
For an effective Invisalign treatment, each set of aligners need to work correctly, and you have to wear them for the duration recommended by your Invisalign provider. Generally, Invisalign aligners require 20 – 22 hours of wear time daily. You can take out the aligners to clean them, eat, floss and brush your teeth, but wear them for the remaining hours of the day.
To start your Invisalign treatment, visit this web-site to book your consultation.
