The Science Behind Orthodontics: How Invisalign Moves and Aligns Your Teeth
Nov 11, 2024
Invisalign® straightens teeth using custom-made, clear aligners. It’s a popular choice, with over 18 million people saying “yes” to Invisalign!
Invisalign uses clear aligner trays instead of metal brackets and archwires. But how exactly does Invisalign move and align your teeth?
Below, Dr. Laura Llanos and our Llanos Dental Group team explain how Invisalign can help you achieve a picture-perfect smile.
The science behind orthodontics can be summed up in one word: pressure. Orthodontic treatments use pressure to guide your teeth into optimal positions over time.
How they exert that pressure varies.
Metal braces use archwires to pull and move your teeth.
Alternatively, Invisalign uses clear aligners made of BPA-free plastic. Invisalign aligners are made from a special type of thermoplastic material that fits snugly over your teeth.
These aligners apply controlled forces to specific areas, gradually shifting your teeth. Each set of aligners is worn for about one to two weeks. As you progress through the series, your teeth move incrementally toward the desired alignment.
Teeth move through a biological process called bone remodeling. When consistent pressure is applied to a tooth, cells in your bone and tissue around the root of the tooth respond by breaking down bone on one side and rebuilding it on the other.
Invisalign's clear aligners exert precise pressure on your teeth. This encourages a controlled and gradual remodeling process.
Each aligner in your series makes specific adjustments, like tilting, rotating, or pushing a tooth forward. This is all planned using cloud-based treatment planning software (ClinkCheck ® software) and high-resolution digital scans of your mouth.
Dr. Llanos plans your entire treatment from your first tray all the way to your last one.
Treatment planning software and 3D digital scans aren’t the only tools in Dr. Llanos’ toolbox.
In complex cases, she might recommend small attachments or "buttons" temporarily bonded to certain teeth. These attachments help the aligners grip the teeth, improving her ability to control rotations or more intricate shifts.
You might consider Invisalign if:
To find out if Invisalign is right for you, give us a call to schedule your orthodontic consultation here at Llanos Dental Group. Dr. Llanos can review your goals, examine your mouth, and review your scans to determine the best course of action for you.
You can also use our online scheduling system to schedule an appointment today.