Knowledge Base
Invisalign
Invisalign is a technology developed using computer scanners and virtual reality to move teeth gradually using the construction of clear overlay retainer appliances.
The overlay appliances are constructed via computer with only one-half millimeter movement of the malposed (crooked) teeth for each clear overlay appliance. The treatment consists of a series of these clear overlay retainer appliances. The number of appliances required to straighten the teeth completely varies according to the severity of the malocclusion. They are designed to be worn 24 hours a day, with the exception of eating and oral hygiene.
It is too soon to speculate whether this new technology will revolutionize orthodontic practice as we now know it! The inventors are recommending strict screening of patients and are only accepting mildly complex cases at this time. The remaining patient candidates are remanded to the more familiar brace attachment appliances, even though huge developments by NASA in brace-wire technology (copper-nickel-titanium) are now drastically reducing previous traditional 2-3 year treatment times to the new 10-16 month treatment times!