What is
Toronto Invisalign?
Toronto Invisalign is the invisible
way to straighten teeth without braces.
Toronto Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable
aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without
metal or wires.
How does
Toronto Invisalign work?
Toronto Invisalign uses 3-D computer
imaging technology to depict the complete
treatment plan from the initial position to the
final desired position from which a series of
custom-made, clear "aligners" are produced. Each
"aligner" moves teeth incrementally and is worn
for about two weeks, then replaced by the next
in the series until the final position is
achieved.
What are the
primary benefits of Toronto Invisalign?
- Toronto Invisalign is clear. You
can straighten your teeth without anyone
knowing.
- Toronto Invisalign is removable.
Unlike braces, you can eat and drink what
you want during treatment. You can also
brush and floss normally to maintain good
oral hygiene.
- Toronto Invisalign is
comfortable. There are no metal brackets or
wires as with braces to cause mouth
irritation, and no metal or wires means you
spend less time in the doctor's chair
getting adjustments.
- Toronto Invisalign allows you to
view your own virtual treatment plan before
you start—so you can see how your straight
teeth will look when your treatment is
complete.
What are aligners
made of?
Aligners are made of clear,
strong medical grade plastic that is virtually
invisible when worn.
What do aligners
look like?
Aligners are clear and look
similar to tooth-whitening trays, but are
custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. Some
orthodontists and dentists have referred to them
as "contact lenses for teeth."
Is this a new way
to straighten teeth?
For years, orthodontists and
dentists have used removable appliances for
limited treatment. Today, with the application
of computer technology and custom manufacturing,
Toronto Invisalign treats a broader range of cases with
greater precision.
How old is the
company?
Align Technology, Inc., the
company that manufactures Toronto Invisalign, was
founded in 1997.
How old is this
technology?
In 1945, Dr. H.D. Kesling
envisioned that one day modern technology would
enable the use of a series of tooth positioners
to produce the kinds of movements required for
comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Technology
has made this vision a reality. Using advanced
computer technology, Align generates Toronto
Invisalign®, a series of customized clear
appliances, called "aligners." Each aligner is
worn sequentially by the patient to produce
extensive tooth movements in both upper and
lower arches.
How many patients
are being treated with Toronto Invisalign?
Worldwide, over 500,000
patients have been treated with Toronto
Invisalign. The
number grows daily.
Do doctors need
special training in order to use Toronto
Invisalign?
While Toronto Invisalign can be used
with virtually any treatment philosophy,
specific training is needed. All orthodontists
and dentists interested in treating patients
with Toronto Invisalign must attend training before
cases will be accepted from their office. Close
to 30,000 orthodontists and dentists worldwide
are certified to use Toronto Invisalign.
How does
Toronto Invisalign effectively move teeth?
Like brackets and arch wires
are to braces, Toronto Invisalign aligners move teeth
through the appropriate placement of controlled
force on the teeth. The principal difference is
that Toronto Invisalign not only controls forces, but
also controls the timing of the force
application. At each stage, only certain teeth
are allowed to move, and these movements are
determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for
that particular stage. This results in an
efficient force delivery system.
Has the FDA
cleared Toronto Invisalign?
Toronto Invisalign aligners are
classified as Class II medical devices by the
FDA, and Align Technology has held the necessary
510K clearance from the FDA since 1998 to be
able to sell and market the Toronto Invisalign System.
What is
Toronto Invisalign Express?
Toronto Invisalign Express is an
orthodontic treatment designed to correct mild
orthodontic problems such as minor crowding and
spacing. Since it's designed for mild problems
only, treatment time is generally less than six
months. Ask your Toronto Invisalign certified doctor for
more information on this new treatment.
