What to Expect with Invisalign

Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign works a little differently than it does with traditional metal braces. Part of this is because Invisalign uses a system of clear plastic aligners in order to straighten teeth, as opposed to metal brackets and wires.

Your Invisalign treatment will be completely mapped out before you even put the first set of aligners in your mouth. After your consultation, the doctor will take X-rays, photos, and impressions of your teeth. This imaging will be sent to the Invisalign laboratories, who will construct a 3-D computer model of your mouth. Using this model, your doctor will plan out your treatment aligner by aligner. Each set of aligners is meant to be worn for about two weeks before being replaced with a new set of aligners. Each set of aligners will move your teeth incrementally closer to your treatment goal. Aligners must be worn for 22 hours a day in order for treatment to be effective. Though it depends on each individual case, most patients will start to visibly notice results in about 2 months. To get a better idea on what a typical treatment looks like, it can be helpful to search for Invisalign before and after pictures online.

If you are interested in learning if Invisalign is right for your orthodontic needs, contact our Invisalign provider in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation.