Introduction to Invisalign:
Forget metal mouth -- it's not the only way to get straight teeth. That ,essentially, is the marketing pitch behind a new type of orthodontic device that promises a straight smile while being easy on the eyes.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic molds to gradually move the teeth. They're kept in place 24-hours a day -- except for when brushing, flossing, and eating -- and changed out every two to three weeks as the teeth straighten. The shape of the molds is determined by creating a three-dimensional movie of each patient's mouth. It simulates, from beginning to end, the stages the teeth will go through as they're adjusted. Average total treatment time: a few months to 1 1/2 years.
On simple cases, it worked quite well. With moderate to moderate-difficult cases -- those needing the equivalent of one year of treatment with braces -- it worked very well. And that represents 40-50% of the market. In three short years, about half the orthodontists in the U.S. have learned to use the system -- and patient demand is high
So where's the market? Right here: Twenty or 30 years ago we weren't treating too many adults, says Michael Rennert, , an orthodontist in Montreal and president of the American Association of Orthodontists. Today, I would say 20-30% of the average orthodontist practice is made up of adults. The new adult market has money and believe that a smile is critically important to their success and they're really jumping on it.
Invisalign vs. Braces
While orthodontists say Invisalign can be a good alternative to traditional braces, there are limitations. Invisalign does not do a great job on vertical problems, where the teeth are at different heights, teeth are lower or higher than others. It doesn't not do a good job on teeth that are severely rotated, and it does not do a good job at correcting bite issues. Invisalign would also not be the best option for fixing severely overcrowded teeth. Invisalign can cost an average of $500 more than a one-year treatment with traditional braces.
Case Study
Invisible Braces:
The Orthodontics Industry Goes Wireless
A new high-profile start-up company, Align Technology, says its 3D computer imaging and manufacturing systems are key to straightening adult teeth without uncomfortable metal braces. Their system, called Invisalign (www.invisalign.com), utilizes 3D scanning hardware, automatic surfacing software, 3D animation programs, and rapid manufacturing systems --powered in part by Geomagic technology --to produce customized, removable, clear plastic appliances called aligners.
Combined with an orthodontist's treatment plan, these retainerlike aligners provide an innovative alternative to traditional braces.
Align Technology will make history as the first company to lead the wave of mass customization in the 21st century.
-- Ping Fu, President and CEO, Raindrop Geomagic
How Invisalign Works
- Step 1
An Invisalign-certified orthodontist takes an impression and x-rays of the patient's teeth, prescribes a treatment plan, and sends the impression to the Align Technology lab. - Step 2
A physical model is cast from the patient's impression. That model is then digitized using a 3D scanner. The data is imported into the computer system and produces precise digital models and start-to-finish 3D animations of the patient's personal treatment plan. - Step 3
From these images, Align Technology manufactures a unique set of clear, plastic aligners that are custom-fitted to the patient's teeth and mouth. - Step 4
The patient wears each stage of aligners for approximately two weeks before switching to the next in the series. Week by week, the patient's teeth are straightened, millimeter by millimeter. Total treatment time is similar to traditional braces and usually ranges from six to 24 months depending on the complexity of the case. A single patient's treatment series may contain up to 60 pairs of upper and lower aligners. The Invisalign system has received FDA clearance, meeting all medical device specification.
Imagine viewing a 3D animation of the next two years of changes to your teeth -- the day after your first visit to the orthodontist.
Dr. Thomas Hedge - Providing services in cosmetic dentsitry and invisalign to the areas of West Chester, Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio.
