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History of Invisalign

Although we tend to believe that Invisalign was a recent invention, it has been around since 1997. The original idea for Invisalign was created by Zia Chishti who at the time was wearing a removable retainer. He noticed that his teeth would change alignment once removed and came up with the idea of straightening teeth using multiple clear removable aligners.

From there, Align Technology (the now creators of Invisalign) was established. Now, the company has over 3000 employees and annual total revenue of $500 million. Although the idea was created and company was formed in 1997, the concept of invisible removable aligners didn’t take off until 2000 where they created a massive $31 million TV campaign. As the result of great interest from the TV, the popularity of Invisalign began. 

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The Invisalign Process

Before having the aligner produced, an initial consultation will be required to determine whether your current oral health situation makes you a suitable candidate for Invisalign. Following the consultation, a scan will be taken of your mouth and teeth using state-of-the art 3D scanning technology. By using this technology, you and your orthodontist can get an accurate look at your teeth without requiring any impressions. The technology can also show how your teeth will move during every stage of your treatment. 

Once the scan has been completed, the scans will be sent to Invisalign HQ where your aligners will be custom made using the same technology which was used to produce the scans.  Aligners will be replaced every two weeks and you will receive new aligners to ensure that your teeth will move into the desired positions. 

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What are the benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign has several benefits that can outweigh the benefits of choosing other traditional braces for your orthodontic treatment. These include:

• Virtually invisible – Being virtually invisible, makes it the perfect option for patients with special upcoming events including formals, weddings and graduation.
• Removable – One main benefit with choosing Invisalign is that it is removable. This means you can remove it when eating or cleaning your teeth. Just remember, you have wear for at least 22 hours per day (including when you are sleeping).
• Comfortable – No brackets or wires that can obstruct your smile or no more rubbing metal on the inside of your cheek area.

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Invisalign at Ocean Orthodontics

If you are considering orthodontic treatment but do not like the idea of traditional braces, contact us to find out more about Invisalign and how you can benefit from this treatment. 

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