The recent pandemic has changed a lot in our lives, but you might be surprised to know that it's also changed the way we see our smiles. After the so-called "Zoom Boom," dentists noticed a spike in demand for orthodontic treatments. With so many of us staring at our own faces during hours of video conferencing, it's no wonder we started noticing the quirks of our smiles!

If you or a family member wants to fix crooked teeth or bite issues, you're likely brimming with questions. Invisalign is popular, but is it worth the investment? How does Invisalign work, and what problems does it fix?

Here at A+ Family Dentistry, we're proud to be Invisalign® Preferred Providers, meaning we're more than able and willing to answer your questions! If you're on the fence about these clear aligners, here's what you should know.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The goal is simple. Your dentist will provide you with clear aligner trays that shift the position of your teeth a bit. Every two weeks or so, you'll come in for a new set of trays that will shift your teeth a bit more.

Here's a more in-depth breakdown:

Initial Appointment

When you reach out to your dentist about getting Invisalign, they'll have you start with an initial consultation. This gives them a chance to do a visual inspection of your teeth. They'll ask you about your goals for your smile, discuss the process, and estimate the length of your treatment.

During this appointment, they'll often do imaging via X-rays, 3-D modeling, physical molds, digital photos, or a combination of all of the above. They'll use this information to design a treatment plan. With this plan in place, they'll order your trays from a dental lab.

Your First Trays

Your first step toward straight teeth begins with your first trays! Once they've come from the lab, you'll come in for another appointment so your dentist can make sure they fit. Your dentist may place small attachments on your teeth to help the aligners stay put.

Follow-Up Appointments

Every two weeks or so, you'll come in for follow-up appointments. These check-ups will look a lot like the appointment for your first trays. During these appointments, your dentist will make sure the treatment is progressing as planned.

Final Results

When you're finished with your last tray, you'll be able to enjoy the smile of your dreams!

Your dentist will likely have you wear a retainer after your aligners come off. Most of the time, you'll wear this retainer during the day for a few months, and then you'll switch to only wearing it at night. This is the best way to preserve your glowing smile.

What Are Common Reasons to Get Invisalign?

Invisalign is a great way to address a huge range of issues with your teeth.

However, there's one crucial truth about Invisalign to keep in mind: it's not for everyone. If you have severe tooth crowding, complex bite issues, or severely rotated teeth, your dentist may recommend a different solution.

That said, here are the most common issues Invisalign will work for:

Crooked Teeth

This is one of the most obvious reasons people get Invisalign. Clear aligners are an easy, discreet way to straighten your smile. This is also ideal for your oral health, as it can help prevent food from getting caught in the hard-to-clean spaces between your teeth.

Bite Issues

Some patients don't realize that Invisalign can also treat bite issues, which often go hand in hand with overcrowding. If you have an overbite (when the upper teeth protrude too far) or an underbite (when the lower teeth protrude too far), try Invisalign! By straightening your top and bottom teeth, your clear aligners can help with these common issues.

Invisalign can also help with crossbite, which is when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth or don't line up well when you close your mouth.

Gaps in Teeth

A frequent byproduct of crowded teeth is minor gaps in any areas with less crowding. These gaps aren't problematic for your oral health like crowding is, but they can still be a frustrating cosmetic issue. If you're self-conscious about a gap between two or more of your teeth, Invisalign can help address this spacing discrepancy.

How Long Does It Take to Get Invisalign?

One of the most frequent questions we get asked about Invisalign is how long the process takes!

This is a tricky question to answer, as it depends on the current state of your smile. Depending on your needs, the treatment time can range anywhere from six months for simple crowding to two years for more complex issues. However, most people need about 12-18 months of treatment.

Your dentist will talk to you about your estimated time of treatment upfront. This treatment time may change as you progress through your aligners. Despite the best-laid plans of trained orthodontists, teeth don't always move in the ways or speed we expect!

In cases where your dentist isn't seeing the expected results during your treatment, you may need something called "refinement trays." These extra trays act as small adjustments to your original plan. Depending on how many adjustments you need, this could add another three to six months to your original timeline.

Don't forget that you also play a role in how fast your treatments go! One of our top recommendations for getting more out of Invisalign is to keep your aligners in. If you fail to use your aligner trays for the 20-22 hours a day that your dentist advises, it may take longer to see results.

Work Toward the Smile of Your Dreams

If you've been wondering, "How does Invisalign work, anyway?" we hope this post has cleared things up! As a discreet and easy orthodontic treatment, Invisalign can help you start working toward the smile of your dreams bit by bit.

When you're ready for treatment, the experienced team at A+ Family Dentistry is here to help. We're proud to be the premier destination for Invisalign in San Diego, Sorrento Valley, Poway, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today with questions or to book your consultation.