Invisalign, as the originator and leader of Invisalign technology worldwide, has undoubtedly become the hottest topic in China’s orthodontic session in 2012. Although this technology has officially entered China less than three years, but already has a super high popularity, I hope that through this article, can let friends have a more comprehensive understanding and understanding of invisible orthodontics. What is invisible orthodontics? Modern invisible orthodontic technology was first pioneered by the U.S. company Align Technology, whose principle is to use polymer plastic elastic diaphragms to achieve a comprehensive package of teeth, through the rebound force of the plastic diaphragm to move the teeth. Since the elasticity of the plastic film is limited, the movement of the teeth is simulated by computer technology, and the extensive tooth movement is divided into several steps (usually within 0.25mm for each step), and then the Invisalign aligner is created for each step through 3D printing technology (below). Invisalign, as the core brand of Aizi, is currently recognized worldwide as the originator and leader of Invisalign technology. What are the main advantages of Invisalign? Aesthetics, comfort, and little to no impact on daily life are the most prominent advantages of Invisalign. With the absence of steel braces and wires, patients no longer need to worry about lip ulcers and punctured mucous membranes, and the likelihood of needing orthodontic emergency treatment is basically nil. The fact that braces can be removed on their own also minimizes the adverse effects of orthodontics on daily eating and brushing. Due to the elastic restriction of the polymer plastic, tooth movement is broken down into smaller steps, and the pain of the teeth during movement is greatly reduced, essentially making treatment painless. Invisalign treatment procedure After the patient is determined to start treatment, the doctor will collect a high-precision silicone rubber tooth model for the patient. After the processing center receives the impression, a 3D digital model of the teeth will be reconstructed by 3D CT, and then a special technician will simulate the movement and realignment of the teeth according to the doctor’s instructions, and finally the complete set of braces will be made and sent to the doctor, who will instruct the patient in their use. The doctor’s role in the treatment process The doctor is the general director of Invisalign treatment, choosing the most effective treatment plan according to the patient’s treatment needs and jaw condition, and designing the exact sequence and steps of tooth movement; the doctor is also the main executor of the treatment plan, instructing the patient on the correct use of the aligners and making the necessary treatment to the patient’s teeth according to the specific situation. Invisalign does not require less expertise and experience from the doctor as technology advances; on the contrary, as a new orthodontic technology completely different from the previous fixed braces, orthodontists need to constantly learn and practice this technology in order to better master it. Is the treatment of invisible orthodontics effective? From the author’s practical experience in the past two years, the treatment results of Invisalign are satisfactory. The accuracy of Invisalign’s control of teeth exceeds that of any previous braces. According to the latest statistics from Aizi, the satisfaction rate of patients after Invisalign treatment is 96%. What kind of patients are suitable for Invisalign? Different doctors will give different answers as to what kind of patients are suitable for Invisalign. The answer, perhaps, depends more on the doctor’s practical experience and understanding and mastery of this technology. As a brand new technology, it is recommended that beginners start with mild crowding or cases where there are gaps in the teeth. It is worth mentioning that for critical extraction cases (between extractable and non-extractable cases), Invisalign can reduce the extraction rate to a certain extent. Can Invisalign only be used for simple cases? Can Invisalign be used for extraction cases? No. Invisalign can be used for complex cases, including extractions and backward pushing cases, and this has been proven internationally. From the author’s own practice experience, at least for now, the progress of extracted cases is satisfactory. Contraindications to Invisalign Currently, the application of Invisalign technology alone to move the posterior teeth long distances is still a challenge, so use Invisalign with caution in cases where molar teeth are missing and the gap needs to be closed by moving the molar teeth forward a lot. “Which do you recommend more, lingual or invisalign?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions by patients these days. If a patient is a candidate for both lingual and invisible braces, I usually recommend Invisalign to the patient. This is because compared to lingual braces, Invisalign is very comfortable, does not restrict the patient’s daily diet, and does not interfere in any way with the maintenance of normal oral hygiene. Although Invisalign may be slightly less aesthetically pleasing than lingual orthodontics, this difference can often be overlooked when compared to the outstanding benefits mentioned above, not to mention that famous celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Huang Shengyi and Farrah Chen have also used Invisalign, have you noticed? After more than 10 years of development, Invisalign as the representative of the invisible orthodontic technology, has become an important orthodontic technology independent of fixed orthodontics, for patients, Invisalign brings not only satisfactory results, but more importantly, beautiful and comfortable treatment experience, as the title of this article, invisible orthodontic technology, so that orthodontics has a new definition.