Removable Orthodontic Appliances

The concept of using removable appliances to move teeth can be traced back to the 1940s when the orthodontist, Dr. H.D. Kesling, explored the idea of using a series of rubber retainer-like appliances to move teeth into better positions. Several other doctors expanded on this idea through the end of the twentieth century, but the treatment was not commonplace because it required significant lab work and could only improve very mild alignment issues. The materials and technology available were simply not advanced enough to make this concept a practical reality.

Align Technology and Invisalign® Orthodontic Aligners

In 1997, the missing piece of this treatment modality was identified. Stanford University graduate students, Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, founded Align Technology with the goal of developing a system that utilized computer technology and 3D printing to design a series of customized clear aligners to straighten teeth. Align Technology debuted Invisalign orthodontic aligners to the market in 1999. Invisalign rapidly gained widespread popularity with consumers who wanted a less noticeable and comfortable orthodontic treatment option.

Technological Advancements and SmartTrack®

Over the years, Invisalign has pioneered significant technological advancements. The introduction of digital scanning and computer-aided design (CAD) allowed for more precise and efficient treatment planning while removing the need for alginate impressions (everyone’s least favorite experience!). Additionally, the company’s development of SmartTrack® material and use of composite attachments has improved the aligners’ effectiveness.

Other Clear Aligner Systems

As the success of Invisalign became evident, other companies began developing their own clear aligner systems. Today, there are several clear aligner companies available in the market, including ClearCorrect, 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners, SureSmile, and Spark Aligners. These systems offer similar benefits and treatment approaches as Invisalign. Each orthodontist chooses to utilize the clear aligner company that works best for their patients and treatment philosophy.

Clear aligner treatment has come a long way since its inception and it continues to evolve. It is popular with modern orthodontists because technological advances have made the product more efficient and effective, leading to treatment outcomes that are comparable to traditional braces. Clear aligners have also gained significant popularity with patients of all ages due to their aesthetics, comfort and convenience. Being able to remove your aligners for eating, brushing and special occasions is something that is a huge advantage compared to braces. Clear aligner orthodontics, pioneered by Invisalign, has transformed the orthodontic industry by providing an alternative way to improve your smile.

Call To Learn More 

Our experienced team at Bluebird Orthodontics is proud to offer Invisalign® clear aligners exclusively for our patients seeking their best smile. Our skilled orthodontist, Dr. Hailee Rask, and her team offer clear aligners to make sure your treatment is both comfortable, aesthetic and effective. Please call 385-500-7082 to learn more about Invisalign® treatment in Salt Lake City, Utah, and schedule your personal consultation!

The post Smiling Confidently: A Journey Through the History of Clear Aligner Orthodontics first appeared on Bluebird Orthodontics.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how Invisalign works and what you can expect from the treatment process. From the initial consultation to the final results, read on to learn more about Invisalign and how it can help you achieve a straighter, more confident smile.

How Does Invisalign Work

Invisalign works by using a series of clear aligners that gradually move your teeth into the desired position. First, an orthodontist scans the inside of your mouth using a 3D scanner that uploads your teeth and structure into a computer program called iTero.

Once uploaded into the iTero program, an orthodontist will virtually move your teeth into the correct position. You can often see an example of how your smile will look during the day of your scan using predictive movements in the software.

The scans your orthodontist took are then submitted to Invisalign where they will design a series of custom aligners based on your 3D scans. After about a week, your new clear aligners will arrive at your orthodontics office.

Since teeth are generally smooth, Invisalign requires small bumps to be placed periodically on your teeth to help with movement. You’ll have another short visit to your orthodontist to get the bumps placed on your teeth and pick up about 8 weeks’ worth of Invisalign trays.

As you wear the aligners, your teeth will gently move into the final position! Treatment time varies based on your specific issues and goals. You will likely visit your orthodontist about once every 8 weeks during your treatment, which is less than with braces.

This cuts down significantly on the time you need to spend missing work or school to visit your orthodontist. It also allows you to travel farther to see the orthodontist of your choosing instead of the closest one to your home or work. This makes Invisalign great for adults or teens who want to avoid the frequent commutes they would have with braces!

What You Should Expect During Your Initial Consultation

When you arrive at Bluebird Orthodontics for your initial consultation for Invisalign, you’ll fill out our new patient paper if you haven’t already. We’ll then take you to our photo and X-ray room to gather some records.

We take about 6-8 photos of each patient’s teeth and bite to have a good record of where you started. We then bring you over to our 3D X-ray machine to get a 3D model of your mouth. This gives our orthodontist a better understanding of what’s going on beneath the surface of your gums and makes sure that you are a good candidate for Invisalign.

We’ll then take you into one of our private exam rooms for our orthodontists to do a full assessment and find out what your goals for your new smile are! We develop a full treatment plan and determine if there is any dental work needed before you can get started.

Then, we’ll go over pricing and what your Invisalign treatment will look like. We’ll give you an estimate of how long it will take and show you models of what your smile will look like once treatment is complete!

Patients can usually get started on the same day if no dental work is necessary!

How Long Does it Take for Invisalign to Work?

Your teeth start straightening from the first set of aligners you wear. You should start noticing changes in your smile within the first few weeks. It usually takes around 6-12 months to complete treatment in Invisalign. However, every case is different.

After Invisalign Treatment

Once you have finished your last tray and both you and the orthodontist are happy with your smile, you’ll come into the office to have your attachments removed and get scanned for a retainer.

We use the same 3D scanner that we used during your initial visit. Invisalign will make you a custom-fitted retainer to help maintain your smile and keep your teeth from retracing.

For a short time after finishing treatment, you may need to wear your retainers for the entire day just as you wore your Invisalign trays. Once our orthodontist feels confident enough in your smile, you can start to wear them only at night. You should plan on wearing them at night forever if you want to keep your teeth extra straight!

Conclusion

Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth without having to wear braces. The process works by using a series of clear, customized aligners that gradually move your teeth into the desired position.

At Bluebird Orthodontics, we take extra care to make sure your teeth look the way you want them before treatment is complete. If you’re interested in finding out if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Hailee today!

The post How Does Invisalign® Work: 4 Things You Should Know first appeared on Bluebird Orthodontics.