The manufacturing process associated with Align Technology's Invisalign ® braces system is surprisingly sophisticated. It involves melding three-dimensional graphic imaging techniques with computer-aided design/computer-aided (CAD/CAM) modeling. In a nutshell, here's how the Invisalign ® invisible braces system and removable orthodontic aligners work.
The dentist initiates the process by taking photographs, x-rays, dental impressions and a bite registration of their patient. They then fill out an "Invisalign treatment form" which documents specifics about the patient's current orthodontic status and the type of alignment changes that are sought. All of these items are then forwarded to Align Technology, Inc. for evaluation.
Using computed tomograph (CT) scanning, technicians at Align Technology, Inc. scan the patient's dental impressions. This digital information is then manipulated by software (which can identify each tooth individually) to create a three-dimensional computerized model of the patient's upper and lower teeth.
Once this virtual modeling of the patient's teeth has been completed, software generates an on-screen, animated simulation of an orthodontic treatment sequence that can produce the desired course of tooth movement that the treating dentist and patient have requested.
At this point Align Technology, Inc. will presents the virtual simulation they have created to the treating dentist (via their proprietary software and the Internet) so it may be evaluated, from any angle. The dentist will make adjustments to the proposed treatment plan as they feel is required. The dentist may also choose to show the simulation to their patient so they can provide their input. Once satisfied, the dentist will give their approval of the proposed treatment plan to Align Technology, Inc.
Once the dentist's approval has been given, Align Technology, Inc. uses stereolithography technology to create a series of molds of the patient's upper and lower teeth that represent specific transitional stages that the patient's teeth will need to take at different points during their realignment. Individual Invisalign ® aligners are then created from each of these molds. Once this manufacturing process has been completed, the patient's complete series of aligners, needed to provide their entire course of treatment, are delivered to the patient's dentist as a single shipment.
With invisible braces it is the manner in which each clear plastic removable aligner fits over the patient's teeth that produces the forces needed to create tooth movements.
When an Invisalign ® aligner is initially worn, one could consider the way it seats over the patient's teeth to be slightly "ill-fitting." This is because each individual aligner has been molded to the specifications of a computer-generated projection of the alignment of the patient's teeth at different stages of a pathway that, collectively, will lead to their more perfect arrangement. As each aligner is worn, in turn, the "mis-fitting" region of the aligner will apply pressure to the teeth that lie underneath. This pressure will gradually shift and guide these teeth into the alignment dictated by the shape of the aligner.
The amount of tooth movement that each individual Invisalign ® aligner is intended to produce is small. In generalities, each aligner is typically designed to move its selected group of teeth about .25 millimeters (on the order of about one one-hundredth of an inch). But as the whole series of aligners is worn, sequentially, the total amount of tooth movement that can be accomplished for all of the teeth of the mouth collectively can be substantial.
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Invisible braces systems.
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