What are Invisalign aligners made of?

Invisalign retainers are a series of hard, clear plastic, custom, and customizable retainers. They are similar to, but much tighter than a custom bleaching tray. ( In fact, we encourage our patients to bleach while wearing them to increase their positive results.) Each tray has grooves that resemble waves to aid in movement. Some teeth that need additional rotation even have a bit of bonding material added. The aligners allow for this. Recently, Align technologies has added root aligning grooves on the trays which give results closer to those of conventional orthodontics, as well as wear guides for the teen products to make sure they are actually being worn at school. Most people find each tray tight at first, but very comfortable and unnoticeable to others.

What do "aligners" look like?

The aligners look like cloudy bleaching trays. They are actually made of clear plastic, but there are so many layers of grooves to guide the teeth, that they take on a cloudy appearance. Another comparison, could be made to a really thin athletic mouthguard.

How often will I have to wear my aligners?

You should wear your aligners at least 22 hours/ day, taking them out only to eat and brush. Each aligner should be worn for about two weeks, but I have often extended this time due to stubborn teeth or non-compliance.

Is this a new way to straighten teeth?

No. It is not a new way. It has been around for well over a decade. Dentists have also been using the clear material to hold teeth in place for far longer.

Who should consider using Invisalign?

This product should be used on adults who are absent from major periodontal concerns, but is excellent for compliant, mature teens. I do not recommend it for underbites (class 3), cross bites, or large overjets (class 2). Some licensed orthodontists are combining the great aesthetics of the product with more conventional techniques, but those treatments need to be treated by someone who solely treats bite issues. In short, Invisalign is perfect for most people over 15 who want an attractive way to straighten teeth.