When you want to get straight teeth as an adult, you may believe that the only way to do so is with a metal or fitted brace.
In the 1990s and before, this was the core reason why this treatment was not popular among adult patients. While most children can get away with wearing a fitted brace, it is a bit harder in adult life due to the fact that many adults are self-conscious about their appearance and cannot afford to wear fitted orthodontic options.
Luckily, in the last 10 years, invisible aligners have become more commonplace in dental surgeries, and now, it is entirely possible to use an invisible aligner to straighten your teeth.
Of course, in order to be suitable for this treatment, you need to have a mild or moderate case of dental misalignment, which will need to be determined by a dentist or orthodontist. Here is a quick guide to what you can expect from the process associated with Invisalign Macleod.
The consultation
The first thing that needs to be ascertained when it comes to wearing aligners is whether or not your misalignment would be suitable for treatment.
This can only be determined by a dentist or orthodontist who is trained in the area of this invisible aligner. Generally speaking, if you have a misalignment that involves molar teeth, protruding teeth or teeth that require rotations, you would be more suited to wearing a fitted option.
But if it is deemed that you are able to wear invisible aligners, then your dentist will be able to take an intraoral scan of your mouth. This will then be sent to a laboratory.
Creating the aligners
The aligners will be created using the image of the intraoral scan and also with a bit of computer technology thrown in for good measure!
The technology is able to use the initial scan and the idealised final image to predict how your teeth need to move and will plot each movement digitally. These steps will then be printed using a 3D scanner, and the aligners will be completed. In a standard set, you can expect there to be between 12-14 aligners.
Wearing aligners
When you receive your invisible aligners, you will need to wear them in the set order. Should one of them become damaged or be lost, you will need to order a replacement.
In order for the aligners to work effectively, you need to wear them for 22 hours a day or as instructed by your dental team. If you fail to do so, your teeth will not move as they need to, and your misalignment may worsen. So, keep them in!
Maintenance
With the 22 hours per day of wear, you will have the appropriate time to take the aligners out when you need to eat food, clean your teeth, or drink beverages that are not water. But, it is advisable to carry a travel-sized toothbrush with you if you are at work to clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in. For instance, if you have eaten lunch, to prevent cavities from forming, you should brush your teeth to remove food debris before putting the aligners in. This will stop bacteria from being pressed against the teeth and gums and will keep your mouth healthy.
DISCLAIMER OFFSITE
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
