Understanding the History of Invisalign

Invisalign braces are the clear braces that have changed how adults look at orthodontic treatments. Invisalign aligners have made it possible for adults to feel confident while improving their smile.

Before Invisalign, your only option for braces were metal braces. Unfortunately, the stigma of wearing metal braces after a certain age kept adults from going to the orthodontist to correct their smiles. Today, more adults than ever are visiting the orthodontist Dr. David Ross in Hanover that offers Invisalign.

What Is an Invisalign Aligner?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option to help correct a wide range of placement problems with your teeth. It is a system that is made up of clear trays that are custom made to address your specific smile goals.

The trays are switched out for new trays throughout the process to gently move your teeth into the proper position. The snug-fitting trays offer a barely-there aesthetic that are “invisible” to most people.

A New Technology Design

The Invisalign braces have been around for about two decades. As the story goes, a Stanford University graduate who also happened to be a brace wearer came up with the idea to create a braces system that was less noticeable. Zia Chishti felt that since the average time of wearing braces is about two years, there had to be a way to make them less noticeable during that period.

Zia Chishti enlisted a friend and fellow Stanford graduate to help him design a system that would straighten teeth without the stigma of metal wiring. It is important to mention neither one of these men were orthodontists, but they knew they were on to something.

They enlisted the help of Stanford graduate students that had access to design software and, after about a year of development, they came up with a usable product. They gathered investors and launched their idea trying to sell it to orthodontists.

In 2000, they took their product directly to the consumer via a $31 million dollar campaign. That same year about 70% of orthodontists signed up for training in this new technology. Over the past 20 years or so, Invisalign has helped over two million people reach their smile goals with confidence.

If you are interested in reaching your smile goals with Invisalign, learn more about the process from the best orthodontist in Hanover, PA. Book your free smile consultation with David Ross Orthodontics today.