Many of our patients who come to Mistry Dental to learn about straightening their teeth want to know how Invisalign aligners work and how they are different from regular braces. We love explaining how these clear aligners work and what you can expect during treatment. We’ve helped many patients in Mississauga get straighter smiles with Orthodontics.
Invisalign aligners are clear plastic trays designed specifically for you and fit snugly over your teeth. Each aligner is designed to apply gentle, controlled pressure to certain teeth, slowly moving them into place. The aligners are made of smooth, soft plastic that you can barely see when you wear them. If someone looks closely at your teeth, most people won’t even notice you have them on.
The first step is to take a close look at your teeth and bite. We use state of the art digital scanning technology to make a very accurate 3D picture of your teeth. This eliminates the need for messy traditional impressions that many people don’t like. The digital scan shows us every detail of your teeth so we can plan your whole treatment with precision. We can use special software to figure out exactly how your teeth need to move and create a step by step treatment plan to get them there.
One of the best parts of the process is that you can see the results before treatment even starts. The software lets you see what your smile will look like after treatment is complete, so you can see the end result and feel good about moving forward. This technology also allows us to find any potential problems and change the treatment plan as needed.
We will make your custom aligners for you once we have completed your treatment plan. Each aligner is a little different from the one before it and is designed to move your teeth. You will get multiple sets of aligners at once and you will change to a new set every 1-2 weeks. Your teeth will move a little closer to where they will end up each time you switch to a new aligner.
The aligners work by applying controlled pressure to your teeth. Invisalign aligners are different from regular braces because they use plastic trays that click over your teeth and gently push them into place. Regular braces use brackets and wires to pull teeth into place. You need more than one set of aligners during your treatment because they are designed to reposition teeth a little at a time. Moving them slowly is better for your teeth and gums than trying to move them too fast.
One of the best things about Invisalign aligners is that you can take them out. You can take them out to eat so you don’t have to worry about what you can eat like you do with regular braces. You can eat all your favourite foods without worrying about hurting your brackets or getting food stuck in the wires. You can also take out your aligners to brush and floss your teeth, which makes it much easier to keep your mouth clean while you’re in treatment. We do ask that you wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day but many patients love being able to take them out when they need to. Pediatric dental care focuses on building lifelong oral health habits for children. Gentle, personalized care ensures every visit is positive and stress-free. Early prevention sets the foundation for a healthy smile that lasts.
Another good thing about the aligners is that they are made of smooth plastic. There are no sharp metal wires or brackets that could hurt your mouth, cheeks or gums. You may feel some pressure when you first start wearing a new set of aligners but most people find this much more comfortable than having to change their traditional braces. The pressure you feel means the aligners are working and your teeth are moving in the right direction.
It’s easy but important to take care of your aligners. Every time you take them out, rinse them and clean them at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or the Invisalign cleaning system. Don’t use hot water as it can change the shape of the plastic and make the aligners fit differently. You should also clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in after every meal so food and bacteria don’t get stuck between your teeth.
During your treatment at our Mississauga office, you will come in often so we can check on your progress and make sure your teeth are moving as planned. Most of the time these checkups are quick and easy. We will check your teeth, make sure you are wearing your aligners correctly, answer any questions you have and give you your next sets of aligners. We can change your treatment plan if we see things aren’t going as planned.
At Mistry Dental we have seen how well Invisalign aligners can fix a wide range of orthodontic issues from simple spacing to more complex bite problems. The technology is getting better and better which means what used to require traditional braces can now be treated. Book a consultation with us to learn more about Invisalign aligners and see if they would be right for you. We can take a look at your teeth, explain how the aligners would work for you and answer any questions you have about the treatment.