Invisalign® Express: Faster Invisible Orthodontic Treatment
In the past, braces and traditional orthodontic treatments were the only options for treating crooked teeth. Major advances in dental care technology led to the development of Invisalign®, an invisible alternative to traditional braces. It’s a popular orthodontic procedure at our Virginia Beach, VA, and perfect for adults and teens.
Invisalign® has been evolving and innovating in the last few years. One of the recent development is Invisalign® Express, which accelerates the treatment process. Let’s consider how this faster version of Invisalign® works and if it’s right for you.
What Is Invisalign® Express?
Invisalign® Express is a variant on traditional Invisalign® treatment. It allows people with minor tooth alignment to undergo expedited orthodontic treatment while experiencing all of the benefits associated with traditional Invisalign®.
How Does Invisalign® Express Work?
Invisalign® Express works just like normal Invisalign® treatment. Patients wear their Invisalign® Express aligners at all times except when they are eating, drinking, or cleaning their teeth. That’s a grand total of about 22 hours a day. Every two weeks, patients will replace their old Invisalign® Express aligner with the next one in sequence, which helps with the gradual straightening of the teeth.
How Fast Is Invisalign® Express?
Invisalign® Express is around twice as fast as normal Invisalign® treatment. A full Invisalign® Express treatment can be completed within 6 months, sometimes less.
Invisalign® Express Costs Less Than Normal Invisalign®
Since Invisalign® Express uses fewer aligners than traditional Invisalign® treatment, the cost of Invisalign® Express is lower. To put it in perspective, normal Invisalign® takes about 20 to 30 aligners to achieve the final results; Invisalign® Express requires 10 or fewer aligners.
Candidates for Invisalign® Express
Good candidates for Invisalign® Express are people who meet very narrow criteria with regard to their tooth alignment issues:
- Less than 2 mm of spacing/crowding per dental arch
- Minimal rotation of the incisors, cuspids, and bicuspids
- Less then 2 mm of midline correction needed
- Less than 1.5 mm of dental expansion needed per dental arch
If patients do not meet the above criteria, an alternative treatment can be considered instead.
The Results of Invisalign® Express
Thew results of Invisalign® Express can be quite remarkable, allowing people with minor tooth misalignment issues to experience perfectly aligned smiles. This can improve your overall self-confidence and sense of self. Dental health is enhanced as well, reducing your risk of conditions such as teeth grinning (bruxism) and TMJ disorders later in life.
In addition, people who have jobs that involve a lot of public interaction may be able to improve their job performance thanks to Invisalign® Express treatment.
Alternatives to Invisalign® Express
If Invisalign® Express is not an ideal option for you and your needs, your dentist may recommend traditional Invisalign® treatment. Normal Invisalign® can achieve excellent orthodontic results without the need for the brackets and wires of braces.
For minimally invasive treatment, you might benefit from undergoing a smile makeover with porcelain veneers. These thing shells of dental ceramic can mask minor cosmetic imperfections from view, making your smile appear pristine and perfect in the process.
Learn More About Invisalign® Express
For more information about Invisalign® Express and how it can help you smile with renewed confidence, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. We will work with you to ensure your smile is straight, healthy, and looks great.
