A Brief History of Invisalign and How It Has Evolved into The Industry Leader for Clear Aligner Therapy

For decades, Invisalign has been the most popular and widely used clear aligner therapy for misaligned teeth. Invisalign uses custom-crafted clear, plastic aligner trays. These trays come to you in a series, and you gradually move from one tray to the next as your teeth are gradually moved into their proper alignment. For patients in the Mesa, Arizona area seeking straight teeth, Drs. Ben Whiting and Scott Stauffer offer Invisalign teeth straightening at Whiting Dental.

Invisalign is incredibly popular thanks to how comfortable the procedure is and, as the name implies, how discreet the near-invisible plastic trays are. Metal braces are bulky, uncomfortable, and most definitely not invisible, making some patients very self-conscious when they wear them.

The Origin of Invisalign

The creator of Invisalign came up with the idea of clear aligner trays when he was watching an orthodontic patient removing their retainer. If a retainer can hold teeth in place, why could custom-made trays not be used for realigning teeth? Invisalign was born!

When Invisalign was first introduced, it was meant for adult orthodontic patients. Because it was viewed as normal and even a “rite of passage” for teens to wear braces, Invisalign was aimed at adults who would feel too embarrassed to wear traditional braces. Invisalign was an amazing new procedure for adults seeking discreet orthodontics. Eventually, Invisalign began to be marketed to teens and adults alike, and the popularity of Invisalign truly exploded.

The Invisalign Process

Invisalign remains the leader in clear aligner therapy because it is consistently looking to evolve and provide better aligners than its competitors. In recent years, Invisalign has chosen to craft its clear aligners using SmartTrack material. This plastic provides a better fit, better comfort, and faster than its competitors. Here is a quick look at how Invisalign has evolved since its inception over twenty years ago.

The Beginning

When Invisalign first came out, the total time for the procedure was a minimum of 12 months, with the patient moving to the next aligner in the series at a two-to-three-week interval. The materials used to craft the aligners were not as comfortable, were less forgiving to the movement of teeth, and did not provide as predictable results as they do now.

Current Advancements

With the constant evolution of Invisalign, most patients can see results in as little as six months (depending on severity). Aligner trays are now changed on a weekly basis, allowing for a faster shifting of the teeth. Invisalign now uses SmartTrack material in the crafting of its aligner trays. SmartTrack has features that allow for a much more predictable result, and they are more comfortable than previous Invisalign aligners.

This is only a brief history of Invisalign that highlights why it is so popular and the industry leader in clear aligner therapy. To learn more about Invisalign, please call Whiting Dental today at (480) 870-4400.