Animations showing basic orthodontic techniques used with the Invisalign® system.

This page features simple animations that illustrate the use of basic orthodontic techniques to straighten teeth.

And while the ones we show were chosen because they’re frequently used with the Invisalign® system Intro to Invisalign®, they’re also routinely used with all other types of dental braces too. Other orthodontic systems.

A) Closing spaces between teeth.

Closing tooth gaps.

Here’s a digital smile makeover Before and after. that illustrates the type of tooth gap that the Invisalign® system might be used to close.

B) Crowded teeth are sometimes narrowed first, and then realigned.

Crowded teeth can be narrowed, and then realigned.

With this approach, the dentist will shave down the crowded teeth just slightly using their dental drill or a diamond-coated flexible strip (a process termed “tooth stripping” How it’s done.).

Then, once that’s been accomplished, it’s possible to use Invisalign® to realign the teeth within the same amount of jaw space that already existed.

C) Resolving tooth crowding by “expanding” the patient’s dental arch.

Crowded teeth can be realigned by expanding the dental arch.

With Invisalign® cases, the amount of arch expansion that’s created (the amount of extra space made so the crowded teeth can be realigned) can be as much as 2 to 4 mm.

D) Extraction cases.

The space needed to realign teeth is sometimes created by extracting teeth.

“Extraction” cases are commonplace in the orthodontic world. In most cases, they only involve the removal of back teeth (usually bicuspids), often in right/left pairs.

An example that involves front teeth.

Instead of using that approach, our animation for this section illustrates a case where a single crowded front tooth is extracted, and then the remaining 3 incisors are realigned into the space formerly occupied by all 4.

When this method is used, it almost always involves the realignment of lower front teeth. And yes, the patient will end up only having 3 lower incisors (positioned in a space that’s normally occupied by 4). But the vast majority of people who see this person’s smile will never notice that anomaly.

E) Rotated teeth can be realigned with removable braces.

Realigning rotated teeth.

It’s usually best suited for cases where the teeth have a rotation that’s less than 20 degrees from normal.

“Attachments” What are these? | Pictures may be needed for these cases.

These strategically placed lumps of dental bonding help the aligners direct their forces to teeth in a way that without them Invisalign® might not be able to (efficiently, effectively) make the needed corrections.

F) Treating cases with both Invisalign® and conventional braces.

Invisalign® vs. conventional braces.

• The case might be started with traditional braces, so to accomplish those types of tooth movements that can be difficult for removable aligners to make. Invisalign® limitations.
• And then, once that stage has been completed, the case finished using Invisalign®.

Since both types of braces are involved, the total
cost Braces fees. for this type of treatment plan would be expected to be greater than if it was treated with conventional braces only.