How Custom Invisalign Retainers Are Fitted and Made

Invisalign® is a brand of transparent aligners that are custom-made to fit a person's teeth perfectly. Invisalign, like traditional braces, restores correct tooth alignment by delivering different levels of pressure to the teeth. Since no two sets of teeth are identical, you will need a custom-made pair of Invisalign clear aligners. This article provides information on how custom Invisalign retainers are made so you can understand the treatment process.

How are Invisalign retainers made?

Clear aligners are dental trays that are worn over the teeth to straighten them out. The aligners fit over the teeth snugly. The trays will have somewhat different forms compared to a person's teeth. This allows it to apply pressure on misaligned teeth and push them to their correct position.

It might take some time to get used to Invisalign clear aligners. As the aligners begin to function, patients will feel some pressure. They will get used to their aligners over time, and the pain will eventually subside.

During the first appointment, the dentist will evaluate a patient's teeth to determine the best course of action. If a patient opts for Invisalign, the following steps will likely take place:

Taking the patient's dental impression

Some dentists will have their patients sink their teeth into putty-like material. They will create a cast of the patient's teeth from the resultant mold. Nowadays, most dentists take a digital 3D scan and impressions of the patient's teeth using a tiny optical camera.

Designing the Invisalign trays

The 3D scan from the camera will be transferred to software that will create a model of the patient's mouth. The dentist will use the model to plan how each pair of trays will move each tooth to its ideal position. The trays will be custom-made to suit a patient's specific dental configuration.

Constructing the Invisalign aligners

The technicians in a dental lab will use the dentist's designs to manufacture and sculpt the Invisalign trays in a dental lab. The aligner-making machine operates similarly to a 3D printer. It produces a set of Invisalign trays based on the dentist's designs. There may be five or six sets of trays in each Invisalign series, depending on the scope and duration of treatment.

The fitting appointment

The orthodontist will reach out to the patient for a fitting when the aligners are available. The patient will be asked about the aligners' feel around their teeth. The dentist will make any necessary modifications to make the device more comfortable for the patient. The dental professional will also instruct the patient on how to use and care for the aligners. The aligners are typically worn for 22 hours each day. The patient will need to transition to a fresh set of aligner trays after a while, typically two weeks.

Ready for straighter teeth?

If you have misaligned teeth and are considering Invisalign, contact our dental office today to schedule a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://www.carolinasmilesdentist.com or call Carolina Smiles Family Dental at (828) 884-3702 for an appointment in our Brevard office.

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