Suwanee Orthodontist Discusses Invisalign Results

Firstly, Invisalign is a fabulous system. The advantages of Invisalign are many. However, it works in a totally different way than normal braces does. It “pushes” teeth.

“Pushing” forces directed at attachment

The Invisalign aligner tray fits snugly over the teeth and imparts a pushing force against the teeth to cause them to move. Similar to squeezing a water melon seed out from between your index finger and thumb. As such, tooth movement with Invisalign needs to be planned out precisely. This implies that not all teeth are moving at the same rate or speed. Some teeth won’t be moving at all.

Generally the hardest tooth to move ( customarily the most crooked or twisted tooth ) is going to be staged to move the slowest. Thus , it could take longer with invisalign to see correction in certain problem areas. You’ll usually see faster primary results with braces because all teeth are moving in a comparatively random manner at the same time. Even teeth that are straight, at first are moved out of alignment with braces by the more crooked teeth only to be moved back to their or original position later on in treatment. In orthodontic circles, this less than desirable mode of treatment is named “round tripping”. This isn’t faulty treatment…it is just the way teeth react to braces and wires. Due to this inherent inefficiency in standard braces, Invisalign treatment often ends up taking less time to finish. I know this does not make sense but our average invisalign case takes roughly twelve months or so to finish. Obviously, more complicated cases are going to take longer.

Full braces cases average eighteen months to 2 years. Please note that there are limitations associated in any treatment option. It is crucial for patients to ask queries so that their treatment goals are met.

Dr. Matt Walton