Invisalign Treatments for Adults and Teens in Swampscott, MA
Invisalign aligners help patients address a variety of orthodontic issues. They are an extremely effective treatment for straightening teeth, but are not always recommended for more complex/serious orthodontic concerns. In this guide, we will discuss the efficacy of Invisalign and similar treatments, some factors that can decrease that efficacy, and when Invisalign might not be the right call for a patient.
For an orthodontic consultation, please give our office in Swampscott, Massachusetts, a call. Our team would be happy to set up an appointment or answer your questions about any of our treatments.
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How Does Invisalign Work?
Traditional metal braces pull teeth into alignment using tension. Each tooth is given a bracket, and wires are threaded through those brackets. The tightness of the wires pulls the teeth into their correct positions. This can address both functional and aesthetic concerns.
By comparison, Invisalign and other clear aligners work by creating multiple sets of clear aligners that look similar to removable retainers. These aligners are placed over the teeth and push teeth into proper alignment. While braces require routine tightening over time, aligners require multiple sets to be switched out. Each set brings a patient closer to their final results. In order for this treatment to be effective, patients need to wear their aligners for 22 hours each day.
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How Effective are Invisalign Aligners?
Clinical studies have shown Invisalign to be successful more than 90% of the time, as long as patients wear their aligners. Likewise, when surveyed, Invisalign has a high satisfaction rate from previous patients. That said, the efficacy of Invisalign has some important caveats. First and foremost, Invisalign is only effective if patients follow the instructions. With metal braces, patients do not really have to remember to do anything specific for the treatment to work. With aligners, you have to actively wear them every single day, for the majority of the day. Orthodontists will be very clear that when patients take their Invisalign out for long periods of time, it completely stalls out the results. This is often a concern for parents, since teens might forget to wear them or intentionally remove them during the school day.
Another important factor is the complexity of the orthodontic treatment. Invisalign and other aligners are great for handling small to moderate orthodontic issues like misalignment, gaps, and crowding. Patients with significant orthodontic challenges will often be required to use traditional braces or other traditional orthodontic treatments.
Set up an Invisalign Appointment in Swampscott, MA
If you are interested in getting Invisalign aligners or other orthodontic treatments, please contact our team. We would be happy to set up an appointment at our office here in Swampscott and discuss your orthodontic options.
