For many teen and adult orthodontic patients, popping their Invisalign® aligners into place every day is the kind of treatment they prefer. However, before you do the same, our Sparta and Grand Rapids Invisalign orthodontists will first take into account your specific needs so we can pair you with the most complementary Invisalign type that works for you.
Here’s what you need to know about each form of Invisalign treatment.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Despite featuring no metal brackets or wires, clear aligner treatment functions much in the same way as traditional braces. For instance, the components of braces apply controlled pressure on the teeth to encourage their movement into a better position.
Invisalign clear aligners are worn over the top and bottom teeth and are also designed to gradually shift your teeth over time. This is great for teens and adults alike who want to change the appearance of their smile without the “metal mouth” look.
Ideal Invisalign Candidates
As mentioned above, Invisalign can be a good fit for teenage and adult patients, but a commitment to treatment is crucial. Because the aligners are removable, some may be tempted to take them out more than they should which can lead to progress delays.
Our local Invisalign orthodontists also recommend that patients interested in wearing clear aligners be diligent about cleaning them regularly in addition to daily toothbrushing and flossing. If ignored, your aligners can accumulate bacteria and possibly stain, thus ruining their nearly invisible appearance.
Read More → How to Clean Your Invisalign® Aligners
Varieties of Invisalign Treatment
Most people who hear about Invisalign only think there’s one type, but just like regular metal braces, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for everyone. Each patient has different dental needs and issues that need to be personally addressed in a calculated way by our orthodontists.
After reviewing your specific situation and examining your mouth, we will scan your teeth with our iTero® digital scanner to help with the planning stage and eventual creation of your aligners. We’ll then use the information gathered from the oral exam and digital scans to choose the right for you.
Invisalign Express
For those fixing mild tooth crowding or other issues that tend to be more minor, Invisalign Express is a great way to do so quickly. Your treatment with this type of Invisalign will involve our orthodontists providing you with about 10 sets of aligners and having you wear them for roughly 6 months to achieve ideal alignment.
Invisalign i7
Compared to Invisalign Express, Invisalign i7 is an even faster orthodontic solution which consists of 7 aligner sets, hence the name. This method is best for patients who have mild alignment problems and want to finish treatment quickly.
Invisalign Lite
If your smile needs more correction than what the Express option entails, our orthodontists may recommend Invisalign Lite to you instead. This option is still relatively quick but features 14 sets of aligners that patients are to wear over the course of 6 months or more.
Invisalign Teen
A form of Invisalign for teens and young adult patients, this option works best with teeth that are still shifting. While the act of wearing the aligners is the same, Invisalign Teen can feature a helpful “Blue Dot Wear Indicator” on the aligners themselves that fades over time to let patients know when they should change into the next set.
Invisalign Full
Our orthodontists will recommend Invisalign Full if you have moderate to complex teeth issues that can still be corrected without traditional metal braces. This comprehensive form of treatment spans up to 18 months and aligners must be worn nearly full-time for desired results.
Call Today to Discuss Invisalign
No matter what type you choose, our Invisalign orthodontists in Grand Rapids and Sparta, MI, are dedicated to providing you with the smile you’ve always wanted – no metal brackets or wires involved! Call our orthodontist office in Sparta at (616) 887-4002 or Grand Rapids at (616) 942-9320. You can also contact us online to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.
