History of Invisible aligners: Learn more about Invisalign Technology.

Most people out there think that removable clear aligners have started with Invisalign. Certainly, Invisalign aligners have come a long way, significantly turning the orthodontic industry's weight on its head. Even though the idea of clear aligners started in the 1940s, Invisalign has brought advancements and evolution.  

Overview of the Clear Aligner's beginning.  

An American orthodontist, Harold D Kesling, invented the first non-metal, custom-designed, removable aligners in 1945. The look and feel of the appliance were similar to the conventional mouth guard. This rubber-made appliance was called a "tooth positioner" and used traditional braces to accelerate the tooth alignment procedure. This appliance is now considered the frontrunner of what's known as Invisalign clear aligners.  

Invisalign is a popular, transparent device that has revolutionized the orthodontics industry in teeth straightening. The clear aligners from Invisalign came into existence when Zia Chishti, a student from Stanford University, discovered that a retainer's set could also function like traditional braces. He gathered his partners to develop Invisalign aligners and drew large companies' interest. The Invisalign Align technology was founded in 1997 and brought to the market in 1998.  

Due to its various excellent benefits over traditional braces, Invisalign aligners have grown in popularity immensely. Throughout these years, Invisalign aligners have become a widely accepted orthodontic treatment.  

How did Invisalign aligners get a start? 

The fundamental idea of Invisalign aligners was created in the 1990s when the founder underwent orthodontic treatment. When he got his retainer at the end of orthodontic treatment after taking off his braces. Then, the idea occurred to him that a set of retainers can also serve the same purpose as conventional metal braces, with the benefit of removability.  

1. Within a few years, he founded Invisalign to align technology with the collaboration of a few other university students: Kelsey Wirth, Brian Freyburger, and Apostolos Lerios.  
2. These four Invisalign founders started developing Invisalign systems' underpinning technology in a garage.  
3. After multiple efforts involving research conduction in CAD modeling and employing computer imaging and 3D printing, they developed an essential program owing to their campus lab that was in access to these four Invisalign founders.  

After establishing the Invisalign align technology and getting investors, they got FDA approval for their revolutionary technology in 1998. From here, the new way to straighten teeth revolutionized the orthodontic industry. They developed the removable clear aligners' ground-breaking series. That eventually became a trademark of Invisalign using an original incremental retainers system.   

The Invisalign adaption after FDA approval  

Even after getting hard-earned blessings from the FDA, Invisalign aligners were adopted by dentists and orthodontists. Most of these professionals hesitated to use Invisalign aligners to replace traditional metal braces. It is mainly because they always preferred the techniques that have yielded successful results for years. Those teeth alignment techniques have proven effective, making Invisalign aligner's adaption harder.  

Some orthodontists and dentists were reluctant to use Invisalign because they feared it didn't provide the exact results as traditional metal braces, which would ultimately require the patient to get a second teeth alignment treatment to achieve the desired results.  

Even though orthodontists and dentists were slow to adopt the Invisalign technology, the aligner option got praise and recognition from patients who didn't want to have metal braces treatment to fix their teeth alignment or bite problems.  

Over the years, the consumer demand for Invisalign aligners increased significantly, which led a growing number of orthodontists and dentists to start offering Invisalign alignment treatment to perfect the smile of their patients. 

The Invisalign domination began in 2000.  

The 2000 proved to be the turning point for Invisalign. The align technology launched a remarkable TV advertising campaign, bringing Invisalign great public attention. From the media attention, there was an immediate Invisalign treatment approval as a standard orthodontic process.  

About 75% of dentists and orthodontists across the United States solely received training for Invisalign align technology in 2000.  

Invisalign aligners changed the orthodontic industry.  

The removability feature of Invisalign aligners transformed the orthodontic industry dramatically. People can remove their aligners for eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and other things they want while experiencing the benefits of aligners, just like traditional metal braces.  

1. It was arguably the most significant advancement in the dentistry industry. Invisalign aligners ensured the comfort and convenience of patients by providing them with a less conspicuous method to straighten their teeth.  
2. In addition, the Invisalign aligners also helped the patients who were shy enough to get their teeth straightened with the visible metal braces.  
3. Moreover, the availability of Invisalign align technology also solved various problems that people used to experience with metal braces.  

The creation of Invisalign Teen is another massive achievement of the company. Invisalign Teen is a clear aligner explicitly set and developed to fix teeth alignment and bite problems in teens. Due to this, the clear aligners can efficiently be utilized by younger patients for whom this entire system was initially intended.  

Invisalign materials and technology.  

Invisalign technology and materials have transformed the orthodontic industry over the previous two decades. It has become a great metal braces alternative, a preferable treatment option for people with teeth alignment and bite problems. Even though many people are already familiar with Invisalign clear aligners, only a few know the materials and technology used in the procedure. 

Let's look at the details of Invisalign materials and technology below to learn more.  

So, here we go: 

• iTero Element scanner 

That's where the Invisalign aligners process starts. With the help of iTero Element Scanner, doctors and orthodontists can now create a 3D oral image within minutes. The use of iTero Element Scanner ensures a comfortable and accurate tooth-scanning process.  

It will also help the dentist simulate Invisalign outcomes to predict how your improved smile will look before starting the procedure.  

1. The scanner will let the dentist take high-resolution images of your teeth.  
2. It will track your progress at each point with the Invisalign assessment. 
3. The scanner provides highly accurate imaging.  

• Clin Check  

A software solution will remove the entire guesswork from your Invisalign procedure. Dentists utilize ClinCheck software to map out your perfect smile's path. It will contain everything from your first aligners to the final results.  

• SmartTrack material 

SmartTrack is a patented material that lets you get a perfect smile. All Invisalign aligners are made of SmartTrack material, which makes these aligners highly comfortable and convenient to put off and on.  

The SmartTrack material has been engineered especially for Invisalign aligners. It: 

1. Applies constant, gentle force on teeth.  
2. Improved tooth movement control for the smile you want.  
3. Fits comfortably and snugly around teeth.  
4. Straightens teeth efficiently.  

• SmartForce attachments 

SmartForce attachments are necessary to let your aligners hold your teeth securely. These attachments help you achieve the results you want with aligners. These attachments are small-button-like solutions that are attached to your teeth throughout the Invisalign procedure. These allow your Invisalign aligners to push on your teeth gently and fit tightly and smoothly around your teeth.  

However, SmartForce attachments aren't necessary for every patient.  

Invisalign aligners have reached dramatic popularity state currently. Most people with mild to moderate teeth problems prefer the Invisalign aligner procedure due to its advanced technology, comfort, and removability.  

Contact your dentist in Union City, Dr. Zafar Sayeedi, at Noble Dental Care to learn more about the History of Invisible aligners.

Resource:

Process of getting Invisalign and what to expect during treatment.

*This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.