Metal braces – those who had them growing up don’t have a lot of good things to say about them, while those who didn’t have them spent their entire childhood trying to avoid them. Either way, the consensus on braces hasn’t changed since the turn of the century – in fact, it hasn’t changed in more than 200 years.
Sure, metal braces can help treat a wide range of dental issues and are even necessary in some cases, but this is 2023 – patients expect more. They want a solution that doesn’t result in pain – something that won’t limit what they can eat or complicate the brushing process. They don’t want to be stuck in 1819.
DID YOU KNOW? Modern braces were invented in 1819 by Christophe-Francois Delabarre, but it was the ancient Romans who introduced the concept more than 2,400 years ago.
The good news is you don’t have to be stuck in 1819 anymore. Recent advancements in medicine and technology are giving the Staten Island community – especially those with crooked or misaligned teeth – something to smile about. With that said, we’d like to introduce you to our little friend called Invisalign!
Invisalign – if you haven’t met the new sheriff in town, here he is. While we don’t want to write traditional braces off completely – more than four million people today rely on braces to fix their smile – there are some clear advantages to Invisalign that make it a preferred option among most other smile correctors.
So, what is Invisalign? The best way to describe it is to think of it as a clear mouthguard that fits tight and snug around the teeth – don’t worry, it’s clear and tight enough that no one will know you’re wearing it. It works in much the same way as braces do – using pressure to move the teeth into their intended position.
Unlike braces, Invisalign doesn’t involve metal wires or brackets and is virtually invisible to the naked eye. It’s a non-invasive alternative to traditional braces and has already helped transform more than 16 million smiles across the world. The real question is whether or not you’re going to join those 16 million others!
If you’re still on the fence, then don’t go anywhere – we’re going to explain what all the hype is about!
Invisalign harnesses the power of three unique technologies when straightening your teeth – the iTero Element™ Scanner, the ClinCheck Software, and the SmartTrack Material. These three technologies work together to ensure your clear aligners not only fit comfortably, but achieve your desired smile.
Let’s take a closer look at each technology and how it contributes to straight and aligned teeth:
The iTero Element™ Scanner is a digital scanner that takes up to 6,000 images per second. The scanner uses these images to create a 3D image of your teeth, which allows your doctor to create the perfect mold for your aligners. The more accurate the image, the more comfortable and snug your aligners will be.
Your doctor uses ClinCheck – an outcome simulator – to map out the perfect treatment plan, down to the tiniest little shift in tooth position. It’ll calculate the exact force needed for each tooth and will give the patient a look at what their new smile will look like before treatment begins. Everything is accounted for!
Part of what makes Invisalign aligners so comfortable is the material they’re made out of. SmartTrack is Invisalign’s patented material that’s designed to apply gentle pressure on the teeth and improve the control of tooth movement. They’re comfortable, they’re non-invasive, and they’re easy to take on and off.
The three technologies listed above are the heart and soul of Invisalign, but there’s more to it than that. Over the past two decades, they’ve introduced three advanced features (you can think of them as add-ons) to improve the effectiveness and enhance the results – ultimately creating a better product!
Let’s take a closer look at how SmartForce Attachments, Precision Wings, and the Vivera retainer can help you achieve that perfect smile:
SmartForce attachments help give your aligners something to grip onto and push off of. They’re applied before or during treatment and are attached to the teeth – your aligners fit over the top of them, so no one will notice them. Not everyone will need SmartForce attachments, but some people can benefit from it.
Precision Wings are another advanced feature of Invisalign – they target the mandibular bone and are designed to treat retrognathic Class II malocclusions. Not only do the aligners straighten teeth out over time, but the Precision Wings move the jaw forward to help correct malocclusions and jaw abnormalities.
One of the most common questions we get asked is whether or not the teeth tend to shift back once you finish treatment with Invisalign. While it is possible, they recommend wearing a Vivera retainer to ensure those results last forever. Don’t worry – it’s just as clear and unnoticeable as the Invisalign aligners.
Invisalign has been revolutionizing the industry for more than two decades now. With more than 16 million people transforming their smile with Invisalign since its inception, it has emerged as the most popular alternative to traditional braces and is a preferred treatment option among adults and teenagers alike.
Here are some of the many reasons why you should consider Invisalign over traditional braces:
Are you looking for a simple solution to your overbite, underbite, crossbite, gap teeth, open bite, crowded teeth, or baby teeth? Are you unhappy with how crooked or misaligned your teeth are? Are you actively trying to avoid traditional braces? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then you’re in luck!
At Healthy Smiles, we take pride in helping the Staten Island community feel a little more confident in their smile. We understand how important your smile is – it’s one of the first things someone notices about you. If you want to wear your smile with pride, instead of hiding it everywhere you go, contact us right away!
