Can General Dentists Apply Invisalign Aligners?

If your teeth are not straight, then general dentists may recommend that you get Invisalign aligners. You may have some questions about Invisalign and how it works. The good news is that general dentists, as well as orthodontists, can give you Invisalign aligners. Read on to learn more about these.
What are Invisalign aligners?
Invisalign can straighten the teeth. Unlike braces, Invisalign is nearly invisible. The aligners can be removed while the patient eats, drinks or cleans the teeth. It consists of a set of incremental aligners that will slowly move the teeth over a period of time. The patient will get new aligners every two weeks.
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that patients can remove the aligners during cleaning. This can help the patient maintain better oral hygiene during treatment.
General dentists can take impressions of the teeth for the patient. The dentist can then send these impressions to the Invisalign company. A technician will digitally scan these impressions to create a digital model. The technician can then use the software to move the teeth. Each time the teeth are moved in this model, a new aligner will be created.
The general dentist can then look at the digital model and make any necessary changes using the software. This may go back and forth a few times until the dentist is satisfied with the model. Each set of movements will move the teeth about a quarter of a millimeter.
Invisalign attachments
To speed up the treatment, sometimes the patient may need small attachments on the teeth. This may be necessary if a tooth needs to be pulled down or rotated. These attachments are tooth-colored, but the attachments can make Invisalign more noticeable to patients. Sometimes, a patient may need to wear rubber bands with these attachments to create additional pressure on the tooth that needs attention.
General dentists vs. orthodontists
While orthodontists specialize in straightening teeth, both general dentists and orthodontists can provide Invisalign aligners. In some cases, the general dentist has even more experience with Invisalign than an orthodontist. This means that these general dentists can be a better choice in these cases.
Patients should choose a general dentist who has many Invisalign cases each year. Invisalign has created different categories of their providers to help patients make an informed decision. A Preferred provider has at least 10 cases of Invisalign each year. A Premier provider has had at least 50 cases in total and has 25 every six months. Finally, a Premier Elite provider has had at least 300 cases in total and has 50 every six months.
Visit a dentist today
Invisalign can give you a beautiful smile without you having to deal with unsightly braces. Invisalign also makes it easier to properly care for your teeth during your treatment. Choosing an Invisalign provider with experience will ensure that your treatment will result in a beautiful smile for you. This is true whether you choose an orthodontist or a general dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.
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