How Does Invisalign Work to Straighten Teeth?

Invisalign® is gaining a large following because of its comfort and efficiency. More and more patients want to know how this system works. Knowing how this type of teeth straightening works can help motivate you to set your next appointment. Here are the details about how Invisalign straightens teeth.

The introduction of Invisalign

Research shows that this dental straightening system was created by the five founders of Align Technology in 1997. These individuals met up in Redwood City, California. They wanted to have the technology to straighten teeth. About two years after the meeting, Invisalign debuted. This dental straightening system has been used since 1999. Research reveals that it has helped at least 6.4 million patients around the world.

Dental structure basics

Understanding how Invisalign works needs familiarization with some structural basics. The gums have a periodontal ligament that attaches the teeth to the jawbone. This ligament contains collagen. These collagen fibers serve as an anchor that fixes the teeth to the bone underneath.

These collagen fibers on one side of the jawbone deposit cementum into the bone’s living cells. The collagen fibers on the other side penetrate the jawbone. This created a sling-like support around the teeth. The teeth stay stable while reacting to the bite forces.

A natural process in shifting teeth

Invisalign is efficient because it supports and uses natural dental shifting. It takes the compression and tension forces in the mouth. Then, the system maneuvers these forces to change the position of each tooth in a gradual way. New aligners every two weeks during the treatment period can keep the movement consistent. In most patients, each new set can shift the teeth about 0.22 millimeters within the first few days. This does not include the jawbone’s movement.

The jawbone must move as well when Invisalign repositions the teeth. This is necessary because the jawbone will keep the teeth in place after the treatment. Clinical studies show that it may take about two weeks for the periodontal ligament’s fibers to stay in their new place. That is why the patient must wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day for two weeks before replacing them.

Maintaining the new position of each tooth is important. The teeth will shift back to their crooked places if the patient does not wear the Invisalign aligners for the necessary number of hours every day. This can prolong the treatment period. The patient must remove the aligners while performing dental and aligner cleaning. It is also necessary to do so during eating or drinking.

How Invisalign moves teeth

The patient will receive transparent aligners during an Invisalign treatment. These aligners will not be very visible to the untrained eye. They are custom-fit as well. This allows the patient to achieve straighter teeth without feeling awkward. The transparency encourages the wearer to keep the aligners in the mouth. This is key to the effectiveness of the Invisalign system.

Traditional braces will need 18 months to two years to move the patient’s teeth into place. The patient does not have the power to shorten the treatment time. The monthly visits to the dentist will be the time to tighten the elastics and the wires. Adjusting the braces once a month will push the target teeth into place.

With Invisalign, the patient is in control of the teeth straightening process. Each aligner will have a slightly different shape. The goal is to move the target teeth into their correct positions over time. Studies show that wearing the aligners for a maximum of 22 hours every day can speed up the treatment period. This is an advantage over traditional braces that have a fixed treatment period.