How aligners (like Invisalign) move teeth - Time lapse explained!

Have you ever wondered how aligners like Invisalign, Smile Direct Club, 3M Clarity Aligners, etc. work to move teeth? Well sit back and allow a board-certified orthodontist explain the process! I explain step-by-step why we take scans and how that produces a digital model of teeth, how teeth are digitally moved, and how that translates to an aligner that moves teeth.

If you haven't already, check out my video on how braces move teeth here:

Royalty free music from YouTube:
Goat by Wayne Jones

Braces time lapse
How braces work time lapse

[netuser]

I was curious how braces worked and also Invisalign. Your 2 videos explained them well and it was in an entertaining way. Thanks.

[TumblinWeeds]

This is so interesting. You’re the first person to actually explain what attachments do. The manager at my orthodontist office insisted they weren’t important and that we could ignore the attachments in the orthodontist’s treatment plan so that she could get me to sign

[littleman]

Would like a more detailed explanation of how the force is actually applied between the attachment and the aligner please!

[juliehilton]

Thanks for this I’ve just got mine and I wondered how they worked

[cgprelude]

Can you explain how settling would work if the patient is expected to wear a nighttime retainer for the rest of their life which is molded at the current (end position)?

[KBinturong]

What do you mean by « these purple bite ramps allow us to controle someonés bite during treatment » ?

[direalpatriot]

This is a great and comprehensive video. Thank you for sharing. I have a set of invis in but I forgot that they said change every 2wk and instead changed every week. Hence I will be wearing my 4th set for 4 wks before seeing the dentist again. Will I get the same movement? Or am I screwed?!

[JhintendoTwitch]

Thank you very much. It was very informative and interesting. Best

[bali]

Well explained! So would you recommend the high tech Invisalign, 3M or the regular Scheu?

[SaadiaZahoor]

Can we get the clin chek image before printing trays so that we can forsee n make adjustmemt as a patient

[angeleszamorano]

Hi, do you think the age of the patient influences the outcome of the treatment? Do teeth move differently as we get older?

[happy_girl]

I have attachments on my both lower lateral incisors...as they are lingually placed..1 break off..is it emergency

[Matthew_Scan]

I had Invisalign for minor work and didn’t need attachments

[billurulku]

Hello, is it common for the gum to move a little downwards? The gum on some of my upper teeth moved down which was not intended by my dentist. Now the gum line looks a bit disaligned when I smile and it started with the 8th aligner. Now I'm wearing the 10th set.And what is the best thing to do now? Thank you.

[lynram]

Hello! What is the thickness of the plastic you use? Is thicker better or does it matter? Thank you

[Crenga]

in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, severe misalignment after many extractions, tmj that causes tooth breakage, a history of endocarditis caused by streptocauccus sanguis blood infection (occured three times following extractions), and an extremely reduced immune system due to RA+biologics, would you recommend aligners or braces more? my current orthodontist refuses to straighten my teeth despite two of them being so angled they essentially lay sideways, and my jaw is misaligned/hangs off to the side due to improper bite, among other issues - she says braces are too risky but aligners "wouldn't work." i don't know if i should seek a second opinion or not. thanks for the informational videos!

[dhivyag]

Sir,
Can Clear aligners pull down high canine teeth?
Because i have high canine but not very high...
Can u please tell whether clear aligners work for me?

[mohgujai]

Can you be too old for braces or invisalign? I had braces before for overbite and it spring back out years ago

[mounikanalla]

My attachments are literally visible... my dentist said its impossible to make attachments invisible

[Shiznit]

How long does a patient wear a liner? Several weeks, months?