What Is The Invisalign® System ?
Invisalign clear aligners are a modern and popular choice for straightening teeth, offering a revolutionary alternative to traditional metal braces. At Dental Plus in Mount Maunganui, we are dedicated to providing this innovative orthodontic treatment, giving our patients a comfortable, subtle, and very effective way to achieve a healthier, more confident smile. So, what exactly is Invisalign? It's a significant advance in dental care. Unlike conventional metal braces, this system uses a series of custom-made, clear aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. Each aligner is carefully made using advanced 3D printing, designed to gently and gradually move your teeth into their desired position. These invisible braces are made from a smooth, flexible, BPA-free plastic, which means there's none of the discomfort often linked with metal brackets and wires. Because they're transparent, they're much less noticeable, making the whole teeth-straightening process a discreet and pleasant experience. The idea for Invisalign actually came from a patient's own thoughts. In 1997, Align Technology was founded by Zia Chishti, who was an adult orthodontic patient himself. He imagined a way to straighten teeth that was not only virtually invisible but also completely removable, addressing the main drawbacks of fixed braces. This fresh approach used advanced 3D computer imaging and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to create these custom-made clear aligners – a big change from traditional metal brackets and wires. This innovation made Invisalign a true game-changer in the world of orthodontics, appealing directly to people who wanted a more pleasing and convenient orthodontic treatment option in places like Mount Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty region. Your personalised Invisalign treatment plan at Dental Plus Mount Maunganui starts with a high-precision 3D digital scan of your mouth. This advanced scanning technology lets us create a detailed map of your teeth and gums. Using this digital blueprint, our experienced Dental Plus dentists then precisely design and create a series of transparent plastic aligners just for your unique smile goals. Each clear aligner puts a small, controlled pressure on your teeth, moving them gradually over time. You'll typically switch to the next set of aligners every one to two weeks, and you'll see your smile steadily improve. While the exact number of aligners varies depending on your specific case (some patients might need around 20 to 30 sets, others more or fewer), our team at Dental Plus closely monitors your progress at every stage. We make sure your teeth are moving exactly as our virtual Invisalign simulation predicts, aiming for excellent results. Invisalign technology is always progressing, meaning what might not have been possible yesterday could be achievable today. We're always happy to tell you about the latest advancements and how they might help your smile! A key advantage with Invisalign treatment (or any similar clear aligner brand) at Dental Plus is our "design-first" method. We precisely plan your finished result before your treatment even starts. This means we have a clear path for where your smile is headed, giving you an exciting preview of what to expect – something that's often tricky with traditional bracket systems. Our thorough digital planning, using principles similar to Digital Smile Design, helps ensure your smile transformation is both predictable and impressive. One of the greatest features of the Invisalign system is that the aligners are removable. Unlike fixed braces, you can simply take them out before meals, allowing you to enjoy all your favourite foods without any restrictions. This also makes it much easier to keep your teeth clean; you can brush and floss thoroughly without having to work around wires and brackets, which can trap food and make cleaning difficult, potentially leading to stains later on. With Invisalign, you don't have to worry about food getting caught, and you can smile confidently without a mouth full of metal! The aligners are also easy to put in and take out, so you can remove them for important presentations or social gatherings, although they blend in so well you might not even need to! Invisalign became popular as a subtle orthodontic solution because it addressed the issues and discomfort often linked to traditional braces, particularly for adults. It introduced a level of customisation previously unknown in orthodontics, allowing each aligner to be precisely shaped for the individual's mouth using advanced 3D computer imaging. This not only improved how well the treatment worked but also gave patients a clear understanding of their entire journey. Plus, Align Technology's clever use of modern technology to streamline manufacturing and treatment processes meant they could offer Invisalign as a competitive and effective option. This made orthodontic care more accessible and appealing to a wider range of people, including those who might have otherwise avoided treatment due to the downsides of conventional braces. Invisalign is a powerful way to correct many minor to moderate orthodontic problems, including crowded teeth, gaps, and certain bite issues. However, if your specific case is severe, traditional metal braces remain a dependable choice that can effectively correct most complex bite problems. To find out which teeth straightening treatment is best for your unique needs and smile goals here in Mount Maunganui, we truly encourage you to book a thorough consultation at Dental Plus today. Our experienced team will carry out a full assessment and discuss the most suitable path to achieving your desired healthy, confident smile.
The Invisalign® Treatment Process
Getting your straighter smile with Invisalign clear aligners follows a clear series of steps, all designed to give you precise and effective results. At Dental Plus in Mount Maunganui, we'll guide you through each stage, making sure you feel well-informed and comfortable about your orthodontic treatment. Here’s what you can expect when choosing Invisalign with us. Step 1: Your Initial Consultation ⸻ Your smile change begins with a thorough chat. At Dental Plus, you'll meet with a dental professional who knows a lot about Invisalign care. While some general dentists offer Invisalign, choosing a specialist often provides extra reassurance, as they've had more university training specifically in orthodontics. During this visit, we'll carefully check your teeth, talk about what you hope to achieve with your smile, and work out if Invisalign is the right choice for you. This is also the perfect time to ask any questions you have about teeth straightening. Step 2: Creating Your Personalised Treatment Plan ⸻ If Invisalign turns out to be a good fit for you, we'll take high-resolution digital scans and a full set of photos. This creates an exact 3D model of your teeth. Using this precise model, we'll then design a custom treatment plan, showing you exactly how your teeth will move, step-by-step, and what the finished smile will look like. We'll also take X-rays at this point to make sure we don't miss any hidden issues during our diagnosis and planning. A really neat part of this is that you'll get to see a digital preview of how your smile will change even before you start wearing your aligners. This clear look ahead helps you understand your whole Invisalign Treatment. Step 3: Production of Your Custom Aligners ⸻ Once your personalised treatment plan is all set and approved, it goes straight to the Invisalign laboratory. Here, your aligners are precisely made using advanced 3D printing. These aligners are created from flexible, medical-grade, BPA-free plastic, designed to be comfortable and effective throughout your treatment. Step 4: Placing Attachments and Starting Aligner Wear ⸻ When your aligners are ready, you'll come back to Dental Plus. We'll bond small, tooth-coloured attachments onto your teeth. These tiny little bumps, made from a composite material, come in different shapes and sizes and act as anchor points. They help to gently guide your teeth more effectively as the aligners do their work. After you get your first set of clear aligners, it's important to wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day. You should only take them out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and for brushing and flossing your teeth. Step 5: Aligner Progression and Regular Check-Ups ⸻ You’ll typically switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, with each set designed to keep moving your teeth into their ideal positions. We'll give you clear instructions on when to change your aligners. Regular check-ups, usually every six to twelve weeks, are a key part of your journey. These visits allow us to keep an eye on your progress, make any adjustments needed, and give you your next series of aligners. Each new set will feel slightly different at first, which is normal as your teeth begin to shift to fit the aligner's shape. Step 6: Treatment Completion and Retention ⸻ Once you've used all your aligners and your teeth have reached their final positions, your active Invisalign treatment is finished. However, to stop your teeth from moving back over time, we'll talk to you about retainer options. Wearing retainers is a crucial step in keeping your beautiful new smile looking great for many years to come. In some cases, if small adjustments are still needed after you've worn all your initial aligners, we might do an updated 3D scan and order extra aligners. These refinement aligners help to fine-tune your teeth's position, making sure your smile reaches its very best alignment. Understanding Your Invisalign Treatment Timeline ⸻ "How long does Invisalign treatment take?" is one of the most common questions we hear. Knowing the likely timeframe can help you feel prepared for a rewarding orthodontic journey. The time it takes for Invisalign treatment varies quite a bit from person to person, mainly depending on how complex their orthodontic issues are. Generally, simpler alignment problems take less time to fix than more involved cases. Just as traditional braces often take an average of 18 months to two years for full results, a typical Invisalign treatment course often runs for a similar length. However, some simpler cases could show clear improvements in as little as six months, while more complex situations might need more than two years for the best results. You'll likely start to see exciting changes in your teeth's alignment surprisingly quickly – most patients notice a difference in as little as two to three months into treatment. This early visible progress can be very encouraging and helps confirm that your teeth are moving in the right direction. It's also important to remember that how quickly your treatment progresses depends a lot on how consistently you wear your aligners. You must wear them for 20-22 hours every day, and not doing so can slow down the alignment process, making your overall treatment longer. Regular visits to Dental Plus are a big part of your treatment timeline, as these appointments allow us to monitor your progress closely and make any adjustments needed. Ensuring Your Best Results with Invisalign at Dental Plus ⸻ As your treatment moves forward, the pressure from each new aligner is strong enough to move most teeth. However, some might need a little extra help. In these situations, we can add attachments to guide your teeth into place. An attachment is a small dot of tooth-coloured liquid bonding material that's applied to a specific tooth and then hardened with a special light. This tiny dot helps the aligner make better contact, putting extra force on teeth that might not shift on their own. Adding and later removing this bonding material is a simple process that doesn't need any anaesthesia. At Dental Plus, our Invisalign process includes several important steps for your peace of mind: Initial Discussion: ⸻ We'll talk about your concerns and what we can achieve for your smile with Invisalign. Your Agreement: ⸻ If you decide to go ahead, we'll ask you to sign an Invisalign Consent form. Clincheck Simulation: ⸻ Invisalign and our clinic will create a digital simulation of your teeth, showing them moving to their new positions. We'll go over this Invisalign simulation with you, making sure you fully understand your entire Invisalign Treatment plan. Fitting Appointment: ⸻ This is when we place any necessary attachments (sometimes called "buttons") on your teeth to help with movement. We might also give you other systems we use alongside Invisalign, like Dental Monitoring, if it's right for your case. Reviews & Monitoring: ⸻ We keep a close eye on your progress, often using smart remote monitoring systems. This means you're in regular contact with us, and we can avoid unnecessary trips to the clinic for checks, saving you time. Retainers: ⸻ At the end of your active treatment, assuming no further Invisalign refinements are needed, we will provide you with retainers, such as Invisalign Vivera night retainers, to help maintain your beautifully straightened smile for the long term.
Invisalign® vs. Traditional Braces
It's a common question: Invisalign® vs. Traditional Braces – which is right for you? At Dental Plus, we're here to help you figure out the best option for your unique needs. Both are super effective at straightening teeth, but they get the job done in different ways. Invisalign ⸻ When it comes to appearance, Invisalign aligners are practically invisible. These clear, thin plastic aligners are really discreet, meaning most people won't even notice you're wearing them. A key advantage is their removability; you can take them out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and for brushing and flossing. This means you have no food restrictions and keeping your teeth clean is a breeze. In terms of comfort, Invisalign is generally much smoother and comfier than braces. You won't have any sharp wires or brackets rubbing against your cheeks and gums. For predictability and visualisation, advanced 3D technology allows us to show you a precise digital preview of how your teeth will move, step-by-step, and exactly what your finished smile will look like before you even start treatment. Invisalign generally has less impact on your daily life, making them a popular choice for adults and teens who prefer a flexible and discreet option. Regarding treatment suitability, Invisalign is great for a wide range of cases, from mild to complex, offering a really versatile solution for many patients. Traditional Braces ⸻ In contrast, traditional braces are generally more noticeable, featuring visible metal (or sometimes clear ceramic) brackets and wires on your teeth. As for removability, they're fixed; once they're on, they stay on until your treatment is complete. This can make eating certain foods and cleaning your teeth a bit more challenging. When considering comfort, you might experience some initial soreness or irritation from the wires and brackets rubbing against the inside of your mouth, especially after adjustments. Regarding predictability and visualisation, traditional braces are very effective, but you'll typically see the visual changes as your treatment progresses over time. Their impact on your daily life includes potentially needing to avoid certain sticky or hard foods, and you'll need to be super careful cleaning around the brackets and wires. For treatment suitability, traditional braces are highly effective for even the most severe and complex orthodontic cases, and sometimes they're the preferred choice for specific types of tooth movements. At Dental Plus, we offer both options. We'll have a thorough chat about the pros and cons of each, specifically for your unique situation. Our main goal is to help you make the most informed decision for your smile journey, so you get the best possible results!
Conditions Invisalign® Can Fix
Invisalign clear aligners are incredibly versatile and can effectively treat many of the same issues traditionally addressed by braces. At Dental Plus, we commonly use Invisalign for a range of orthodontic needs. For instance, if you have crowded teeth where there isn't enough room, causing them to overlap or twist, Invisalign can gently create the necessary space to align them properly. Similarly, if you have noticeable gaps between your teeth, Invisalign can bring your teeth closer together, giving you a more uniform and attractive smile. If your upper front teeth excessively overlap your lower front teeth, a condition known as an overbite, Invisalign can help align your bite for improved function and aesthetics. Conversely, for an underbite, where your lower front teeth sit in front of your upper front teeth, Invisalign can work to move them into their correct positions. A crossbite, which occurs when some of your upper teeth bite inside your lower teeth, can also be corrected by Invisalign, helping to prevent uneven wear and potential gum issues. Even an open bite, where your upper and lower teeth don't meet at all when your mouth is closed, can be treated as Invisalign brings them into proper contact. Overall, Invisalign is excellent for general tooth straightening, improving both your smile's appearance and your oral health by aligning teeth that are out of place or mildly crooked.