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Invisalign® can give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works through a
series of invisible, removable, and comfortable
aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So
you can smile more during treatment as well as
after. Thousands of adults have already
benefited from treatment in America where over
3000 orthodontists have treated their patients
with Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten
teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series
of clear, removable aligners to gradually
straighten teeth, without metal or wires.
How does
Invisalign work?
Invisalign uses 3-D computer imaging
technology to depict the complete treatment plan
from the initial position to the final desired
position from which a series of custom-made,
clear "aligners" are produced. Each "aligner"
moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about
two weeks, then replaced by the next in the
series until the final position is achieved.
What are the
primary benefits of Invisalign?
Invisalign is clear. You can straighten
your teeth without anyone knowing.
Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces,
you can eat and drink what you want during
treatment. You can also brush and floss normally
to maintain good oral hygiene.
Invisalign is comfortable. There are no metal
brackets or wires as with braces to cause mouth
irritation, and no metal or wires means you
spend less time in the doctor's chair getting
adjustments.
Invisalign allows you to view your own
virtual treatment plan before you start—so you
can see how your straight teeth will look when
your treatment is complete.
What are
aligners made of?
Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade
plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.
What do aligners look like?
Aligners are clear and look similar to
tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made for a
better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and
dentists have referred to them as "contact
lenses for teeth."
Is this a new
way to straighten teeth?
For years, orthodontists and dentists have used
removable appliances for limited treatment.
Today, with the application of computer
technology and custom manufacturing, Invisalign
treats a broader range of cases with greater
precision.
How old is the
company?
Align Technology, Inc., the company that
manufactures Invisalign, was founded in 1997.
Since then, Align has manufactured over
10,000,000 aligners and 250,000 patients have
been in treatment.
How old is this
technology?
In 1945, Dr. H.D. Kesling envisioned that one
day modern technology would enable the use of a
series of tooth positioners to produce the kinds
of movements required for comprehensive
orthodontic treatment. Technology has made this
vision a reality. Using advanced computer
technology, Align generates Invisalign®, a
series of customized clear appliances, called
"aligners." Each aligner is worn sequentially by
the patient to produce extensive tooth movements
in both upper and lower arches.
How many
patients are being treated with Invisalign?
Worldwide, almost 250,000 patients have been
treated with Invisalign. The number grows daily.
Do
doctors need special training in order to use
Invisalign?
While Invisalign can be used with virtually any
treatment philosophy, specific training is
needed. All orthodontists and dentists
interested in treating patients with Invisalign
must attend training before cases will be
accepted from their office. Close to 30,000
orthodontists and dentists worldwide are
certified to use Invisalign.
How does
Invisalign effectively move teeth?
Like brackets and arch wires are to braces,
Invisalign aligners move teeth through the
appropriate placement of controlled force on the
teeth. The principal difference is that
Invisalign not only controls forces, but also
controls the timing of the force application. At
each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to
move, and these movements are determined by the
orthodontic treatment plan for that particular
stage. This results in an efficient force
delivery system.
Has the FDA
cleared Invisalign?
Yes, the FDA has reviewed our application and in
August 1998 determined that Invisalign is exempt
from 510(k) pre-market notification.
What is
Invisalign Express?
Invisalign Express is an orthodontic treatment
designed to correct mild orthodontic problems
such as minor crowding and spacing. Since it's
designed for mild problems only, treatment time
is generally less than six months. Ask your
Invisalign certified doctor for more information
on this new treatment.
For more details
www.invisalign.com
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