In 1997, Zia Chishti was just like any other adult dealing with misaligned teeth. He was fitted with an inconvenient metal retainer that looked awful and couldn’t help but think that there had to be a better way. So he went home, drew up a few sketches and InvisAlign was born.
At first it was panned by the orthodontic community because Chishti himself had no background in dentistry or orthodontics. But consumers didn’t care about that because this solved their biggest problem: how to straighten their teeth without looking like they’re straightening their teeth. By 2001, three-quarters of North America’s orthodontists were trained on this system; and later that year, dentists started offering this treatment.
InvisAlign’s Benefits
Designed to treat most of the conditions braces have traditionally been used for, InvisAlign has a number of distinct advantages:
Impermanence
Instead of one set of braces that is regularly readjusted, the InvisAlign system consists of a series of virtually invisible, removable, computer-generated trays to be worn in succession.
Comfort
Braces can irritate and rub against the inside of your mouth. A tray based system has no wires or brackets, so soreness is reduced. As well, brackets can be hazardous for sporty kids as they have been known to nick a lip or cheek with the impact of a ball.
Hygiene
Much cleaner than braces, InvisAlign features trays you can simply take out and wash.
Food options
When you have braces, you can’t have corn on the cob or candy floss or even gum. With InvisAlign, you can just remove the trays and enjoy any food you desire!
Duration
While it’s common to wear braces for around two years, InvisAlign treatments usually last between 9 and 15 months – and with improvements to the system we are always trying to reduce that time.
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth without the hassle, discomfort and long-term commitment of braces, book an appointment to talk about InvisAlign.
