The Latest Invisalign Technological Developments
You might not believe this, but before the seventies, brackets used to be attached to metal bands, and we don’t mean a Rock n’ Roll band, but a metallic strip adhered around the tooth’s front, back, and lateral surfaces.
Also, braces used to be uncomfortable. Everett Orthodontic treatments used to last an eternity; worse, they used to be painful. Fortunately, later on, orthodontists started cementing brackets to the tooth’s surface, making teeth displacements easier and eliminating the struggles of having metal bands covering teeth.
Also, in the seventies, an orthodontist imagined a new approach by cementing brackets to the back of the teeth. Lingual braces were like not having braces at all, and many celebrities used them to make treatment pass inadvertently, despite having crooked teeth. However, they make practicing oral hygiene more challenging.
An outstanding attempt to make braces less conspicuous uses materials developments for sophisticated braces made from clear ceramics. Yet ceramics are not as sturdy as metal. Ceramic brackets tend to break easier than their metal counterparts.
Other evolutionary advancements focused on comfort and efficiency, with self-ligating braces providing active and passive traction. However, none of these systems account for a solution that covers all of the patient’s needs, including comfort, aesthetics, hygiene, and time efficiency.
Luckily, in 1997 an orthodontic patient used systematic modeling of plastic trays with 3D technology to create Invisalign. Since then, orthodontics entered into the Clear Alignment Systems era that keeps evolving, offering patients an increasing number of advantages, making them popular amongst teens and adults nowadays.
Here we will discuss the most evident Invisalign benefits and its latest developments.
What Are the Main Benefits of Invisalign?
Since its appearance in 1997, Invisalign has been a revolutionary treatment that has transformed orthodontics and become a success in the Clear Alignment Systems market globally. By January 2020, over two million patients wore Invisalign for malocclusion treatment.
The American Dental Association – ADA, identified seven Invisalign advantages over traditional metal braces. Here we mention some of the most relevant of them:
Aesthetics
Invisalign comprises several sets of clear thermoplastic invisible aligners that perfectly fit dental arches. Transparent materials allow us to see through the aligner trays, making them almost invisible.
Your social circle will hardly notice you are wearing an orthodontic appliance. Even better, patients might detach their appliances before attending a special event.
On the other hand, conventional braces include pieces of chunky metal permanently attached to teeth. Some severe malocclusion cases require patients to use rubber bands that make braces more conspicuous.
Hygiene
Invisalign Aligners allow patients to practice their regular hygiene routine, which is outstanding. Patients can brush their teeth as usual and include an additional step soaking their trays in a sanitizing agent for several minutes, rinse them, and they will be ready to be worn again.
Conversely, Everett braces patients must implement a rigorous hygiene routine to avoid tooth decay or gum disease that could delay orthodontic treatment times. Food particles and debris get stuck in the brackets, nooks, and crannies and between wires.
Trapped food particles make oral hygiene challenging, requiring additional tools like interdental brushes to mechanically remove particles or a water irrigator to unclog difficult access areas with a splash of pressurized water.
Comfort
Invisalign snuggly adapts to the teeth’ arches, smoothly adapting to the gum line. Approximately every two weeks, patients receive a new set of aligners that apply gentle pressure on teeth producing a mild and tolerable strain that lasts for a couple of days.
Patients wearing braces must attend control check-ups for adjustments that also cause mild stress on teeth for a couple of days. However, braces patients might reflect increased discomfort from strain or having lacerations on the cheeks and lips.
Diet
Patients wearing Invisalign don’t need to restrict their diet. This means they can eat their favorite foods. This does not account for sugary added product consumption. On the other hand, braces-wearing patients must also be alert of dietary restrictions to prevent having a broken or derailed wire or a loose bracket that might require immediate emergency intervention.
Efficiency
Invisalign is an excellent option for treating mild, moderate, and most severe malocclusion cases. Some mild cases might take as little as six months, while more complex cases might last up to eighteen months on average.
Orthodontic braces are quite effective, especially in solving severe malocclusion cases. However, treatment duration with braces tends to be higher compared with Invisalign.
Emergencies
Invisalign does not account for any foreseeable emergency in Everett. Contrarily, to lessen exposure to accidents, braces patients must avoid playing contact sports without a guard.
What Are Invisalign Latest Developments for Patients?
So far, we’ve revised some of the most evident advantages Invisalign brings to patients. But yet, there are also state-of-the-art technology advancements that make the Invisalign system an integral orthodontic offer without match. Let’s revise some of its most relevant cutting-edge developments.
Enhanced Comfort and Efficiency With Smarttrack Technology
Invisalign is the leading Clear Alignment System worldwide. The Invisalign system accounts for hundreds of patents, including nanomaterials developments that reduce patients’ pain intensity and duration and make pressure upon insertion less uncomfortable.
From an efficiency perspective, SmartTrack materials provide constant and gentle traction, which allows teeth to move safely, applying a controlled strain on periodontal ligaments.
3D Scanning Technology With Itero Scanner to Improve Comfort and Modeling Effectiveness
The iTero scanner is a digital imagery device developed by Invisalign that uses an intraoral optical system that reveals a rotational, expandible 3D image of the patient’s mouth and teeth with a high grade of detail.
The iTero device allows orthodontists to evaluate a malocclusion and develop an orthodontic plan. Additionally, Dr. Katz can present patients with a 3D perspective of how the patient’s mouth looks before starting treatment.
Software Developments That Allow Patients Anticipate Treatment Progression and Results With Clincheck
The Invisalign System uses an exact prospective software named Clincheck that creates a digital image of the staged progression of the treatment and the final results before starting with orthodontic treatment.
Increased Force Improvements for Complex Cases With Smartforce Attachments
The Invisalign system evolved to include elements like SmartForce Attachments that produce additional strain on identified areas allowing an orthodontist to resolve case-specific complexities.
Attachments are tiny tooth-colored pieces Dr. Katz attaches to previously determined teeth that will increase strain when the patient places the aligners back in their mouth. The good part is that SmartForce Attachments are unnoticeable, and not all patients need to wear them.
Sanitizing Products for Better Hygiene With Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Invisalign Aligners allow patients to practice their regular oral hygiene routine, minimizing the possibility of developing tooth decay or gum disease. However, plastic aligners are not exempt from catching bacteria.
Patients can soak their appliances in a mix of water and cleaning crystals, leaving them for fifteen minutes before rinsing them and then reattaching the appliances back to their mouths. Patients can leave their plastic trays to soak in this solution before eating and while brushing and flossing.
Transform Your Smile With Invisalign Treatment Everett
The most decisive and paramount reason to start orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is, without a doubt, having professional accompaniment throughout the entire treatment process.
Dr. Fedora Katz has broad research experience, particularly in digital imaging, diagnosis, and orthodontic stability. Also, Dr. Katz achieved a Diamond+ Invisalign Top 1% Provider in 2021.
Contact Our Everett Orthodontist at Silver Lake Orthodontics
Schedule an initial consultation and give yourself a chance to see digital images of your teeth progression for a healthy and beautiful smile.