Invisalign® Orthodontics” – October 2005 – Michael A. Tessier, DDS

The Invisalign® system straightens teeth using a series of virtually invisible trays. Many patients prefer Invisalign® to traditional braces. In this article, Dr. Tessier explains how the Invisalign® system works.
 Invisalign® Orthodontics
I am neither afraid nor embarrassed to admit that I don’t know how the computer works. I’ve heard the explanation about “on and off switches,” but that doesn’t tell me how moving the mouse makes the cursor move on the screen…

So I really don’t know how the “Invisalign®” computer can make straightening teeth work. BUT IT DOES! We take an impression of the teeth; Invisalign® scans that impression into the computer; the computer generates a progression of “aligners,” each of which moves the teeth 0.25 mm. The aligners are worn for at least 22 hours per day; each one for two weeks. Over the course of what is usually less than a year, the teeth become straight.

The results are amazing. Adults who wouldn’t bother with conventional orthodontic braces are getting their teeth straightened and correcting smile-hampering crooked teeth that have bothered them all their lives.

I guess I don’t have to know how the computer works, just that it does, and it’s making people’s teeth straighter.