Invisalign, invisible orthodontic appliance

Transparent orthodontic appliance, Invisalign, was the first to enable something that no appliance has succeeded in so far: only you and the orthodontist know about your orthodontic therapy.

What will you learn in this article?

In this article, read about the following topics:

• What is Invisalign, a transparent orthodontic appliance?
• What is the Invisalign appliance made from?
• Is Invisalign as effective as other orthodontic appliances?
• Should I wear a retainer after Invisalign?

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the name for the system of transparent plastic aligners or splints with which we successfully solve the problem of uneven teeth and irregular bites.

Therefore, Invisalign has an equal role to any other orthodontic appliance, but performs it in a completely new and technologically advanced manner.

How did Invisalign come about?

Invisalign arose out of an effort to make orthodontic therapy as simple as possible for the patient on the one hand, and to solve the problem of unsatisfactory aesthetics of orthodontic appliances, on the other.

Namely, the creators of Invisalign were aware that most people regardless of age avoid wearing orthodontic appliances due to frequent visits to a specialist, also because ordinary dental orthodontic appliances are very conspicuous.

No frequent visits to the orthodontist and no conspicuous appliances on teeth

The first problem was solved by patients being able to swap Invisalign orthodontic splints by themselves and in this manner follow the treatment plan without too frequent orthodontic controls.

On the other hand, Invisalign splints or aligners are completely transparent and practically invisible. Patients no longer feel exposed to other people’s gazes due to their dental orthodontic appliances.

After many years of research and technological development, in 1999, the orthodontic appliance Invisalign by American company Align Technology entered the market.

Rapid spread of Invisalign

Although initially greeted with scepticism by part of the industry, it soon proved to be a valuable tool in the hands of orthodontics specialists.

According to Align Technology, 75% of today’s American orthodontists and increasingly those from the rest of the world use Invisalign in their therapies.

Invisalign was particularly well received by teenagers and young people, who take great care of their appearance among their peers, but also among adults, who take care of their own business image.

Therefore, it spread very quickly across the US market and then into the world. The number of Invisalign therapies among teenagers and adults worldwide has exceeded 8 million.

What is the Invisalign appliance made from?

Invisalign transparent aligners are made of harmless and very durable special plastic. The material is completely transparent and does not cause allergies.

Align Technology owns almost 1000 patents which are the result of more than 20 years of research and development invested in finding the optimal solution for making a transparent orthodontic appliance.

Among the revolutionary technologies behind the most famous and most successful invisible orthodontic appliance, the following stand out:

• SmartTrack: a patented Invisalign material that applies gentle but constant and even force necessary to move teeth. “Only” 260 different materials had to be tested before this solution was reached.
• SmartStaging: planning the movement of each individual tooth in a specific sequence, at the most appropriate time, in order to optimize and more easily predict the outcome of therapy.
• SmartForce: accessories and features, such as anchor ridges, precise slots and struts, and many other specialist tools which enable the solution of a wide range of orthodontic irregularities.

iTero scanner and 3D diagnostics

Among the innovative technologies that accompany Invisalign, the iTero intra oral scanner deserves a mention. It is a device that records a stunning 6000 images per second to provide the most detailed possible image of the oral cavity.

iTero is equipped with a digital display and a recorder with an optical element. The orthodontist is able to reach and record your every tooth. The orthodontist will show the final image to the patient on the screen in the form of a 3D display, and the whole scan will be done in less than 10 minutes.

Based on this scan we can use 3D technique to instantly show you how your future smile will look.

Is Invisalign as effective as other orthodontic appliances?

Despite the advanced concept and decades of development, people still wonder if Invisalign really is effective, since it has only been on the Croatian market for a few years.

Apolonija Dental Clinic, as a dental institution with half a century of operation, specializing in orthodontics, and as a Platinum Invisalign Provider, meets all the criteria for answering this question.

First of all, it should be borne in mind that orthodontic appliances are only tools in the hands of an orthodontist.

As a skilful master reaches for the tool that will serve him the best, so we in Apolonija apply various orthodontic appliances to make orthodontic therapy successful.

As specialists with over a hundred Invisalign therapies per year, and thousands of successfully completed orthodontic therapies, we can say that Invisalign is in most applications equally successful as any other orthodontic solution.

Should I wear a retainer after Invisalign?

Because Invisalign itself is reminiscent of a retainer, patients wonder if retention is still needed after Invisalign.

Yes, after Invisalign, as well as after every orthodontic appliance, a retainer should be worn. With our retention program and guarantee on the success of the therapy, you will go through that part of orthodontic therapy a lot more comfortably with us.

Have you found everything you wanted to know?

In this article you will learn more about Invisalign. You may also be interested in other topics, such as:

• Are you a candidate for Invisalign?
• Aesthetic orthodontic appliances
• Our orthodontic protocol
• Retention: how to preserve the results of therapy?