For adults in Akron, Ohio, considering orthodontic treatment, understanding how Invisalign clear aligners work is a crucial first step. Dietrich Family Orthodontics, a practice that has treated adult patients since 1992, has provided a detailed explanation of the Invisalign system, from initial digital scan through final retention, to help patients make informed decisions.
The Invisalign system uses a series of removable plastic trays, each shaped slightly differently, to apply controlled pressure and shift teeth incrementally toward a planned final position. Patients progress through the sequence on a schedule determined by their orthodontist, typically moving to the next tray after a set number of days. For the system to function as intended, aligners must be worn for the majority of each day and removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing and flossing. Wearing time significantly affects the pace and outcome of treatment, making patient consistency a central factor.
At Dietrich Family Orthodontics, Dr. Todd Dietrich uses a digital iTero scanner to capture a precise three-dimensional model of each patient's teeth at the outset. The iTero scan replaces traditional putty impressions, which required patients to hold trays of material in their mouths while the impression set. The digital model is used to design the full sequence of aligners before treatment begins, giving both the patient and the provider a clear picture of the planned tooth movement from start to finish.
For adults considering Invisalign in Akron, OH, one common concern involves how the treatment accounts for existing dental restorations such as crowns or bridges. Because crowns and bridges are fixed restorations with surfaces that differ from natural tooth enamel, the planning process must account for how they interact with the aligner trays and the forces applied during treatment. Dr. Dietrich assesses each patient's existing dental work as part of treatment planning, designing the aligner sequence around those restorations rather than treating them as obstacles. This is a routine consideration for adult patients, whose dental histories often include one or more restorations.
This kind of individualized planning is a defining characteristic of Invisalign for adults in Akron, OH. Adult orthodontic cases generally differ from those of younger patients not only because of existing dental work, but also because mature bone remodels more slowly and gum tissue may have receded, factors that inform how tooth movement is sequenced and paced.
Once a patient completes the aligner sequence, the active phase of treatment ends, but the retention phase begins. Teeth that have been moved orthodontically have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions over time. To maintain the results of treatment, retainers are provided after the aligner sequence is finished. Retainers hold teeth in their corrected positions and are typically worn according to a schedule the orthodontist specifies. Retention matters even more for adults, as Dr. Dietrich emphasizes.
Dr. Todd Dietrich has been treating adult patients at his Akron practice since 1992. Adults seeking an orthodontist in Akron, OH who understands the full scope of adult treatment, from handling prior dental restorations to managing long-term retention, can schedule a consultation with the practice. Consultations allow patients to review their iTero scan results and understand the proposed aligner sequence before committing to treatment.
