If you are considering orthodontic treatment with clear aligners then you may wonder things like how they actually work. Our Delta dentists share some information about how Invisalign clear aligners are made and how they alter your teeth.
If you're thinking about using Invisalign clear aligners instead of braces for your orthodontic treatment, you might be curious about how they're made.
What Are Invisalign Clear Aligners Made of?
Invisalign clear aligners are a form of orthodontic treatment just like braces but unlike traditional braces, these can be removed to eat and drink. Invisalign clear aligners are made of clear, transparent plastic rather than the metal and brackets found in traditional braces. They're made of BPA-free, USP Class VI medical-grade polyurethane resins with a high molecular weight.
Custom Fitting Invisalign Clear Aligners
As with traditional orthodontic treatment using metal braces, each case is unique and requires a specific treatment plan.
Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit the shape of your mouth snugly and are specifically designed to help you achieve your smile goals.
During the consultation, you'll meet with your dentist in person so that X-rays, impressions, and photographs of your teeth can be taken. Your dentist can create a personalized treatment plan based on these images and X-rays and discuss it with you. Your clear aligners will be made after you approve the expected results.
Your dentists or orthodontist may also use an iTero Impression Scanner (3D computer imaging technology) to create a model of your teeth, capturing images of each tooth for extremely accurate scans. You'll also get a sneak peek at how your teeth will look once your treatment is completed.
Quadrant and full bite scans are completed so the dentist can assess your malocclusion in context with the rest of your mouth.
The complete model and scanned images are then sent to Align Technologies, where the aligners are created.
How Treatment With Invisalign Clear Aligners Works
Throughout your treatment with Invisalign clear aligners, you will be changing your aligners as your teeth slowly shift into their new desired positions.
Invisalign treatment lasts about a year on average, and you'll probably wear each new set of aligners for two weeks before switching to the next. This means you'll most likely use 50 or more sets of aligners throughout your treatment.