An Overview of the Invisalign Treatment Process

Jasleeen Brar, DDS, serves as one of two general dentists on staff with AA Family Dental Group in Tustin, California. Patients rely on Jasleen Brar, DDS, and her team for a variety of preventive and cosmetic procedures, including Invisalign braces, which are a nearly invisible alternative to metal braces.

The Invisalign process begins with an initial consultation, which allows the patient to discuss expectations and ensure that the procedure is the right choice. Next, a custom treatment plan is created using scanner technology that creates a precise, three-dimensional image of the patient’s teeth. The desired movement of teeth is mapped, which gives patients a sense of how long the treatment will take. Also, the software gives the patient a chance to get a preview of the final product.

Using the individual treatment plan, a number of custom aligners are made, which should be worn between 20 and 22 hours each day. The SmartTrack Invisalign material is made to be virtually invisible when worn. With each new set of aligners, teeth gradually move into the desired place. The orthodontist keeps track of progress at every stage to ensure success. 

Once treatment is complete, patients maintain their smile by wearing a custom retainer made from the same material as the Invisalign aligners.

How Cavities Form in Teeth

Jasleen Brar, DDS, serves as part of the general dentistry team at AA Family Dental Group. In this role, Jasleen Brar, DDS, draws on an in-depth understanding of tooth decay.

Numerous types of bacteria live inside a healthy human mouth. When a person ingests foods rich in sugars or carbohydrates, some of these bacteria interact with these substances to form acids. With time, these acids begin to wear away the surface of teeth.

Acids work by eating away at the minerals that give enamel its strength. In the early stages of this process, teeth can rebuild lost enamel with help from naturally occurring saliva and additions of fluoride. If this does not occur quickly enough to compensate for the mineral loss, however, the enamel weakens to the point that it becomes soft and eventually develops a cavity.

If left untreated, cavities can penetrate the inner layers of the teeth. This can lead to intense discomfort and can prompt the body to fight the infection through the production of white blood cells, which in turn may cause a dangerous abscess.