The Technology Behind Invisalign: How It's Made

TL;DR: In this article, readers get a clear look at the advanced Invisalign technology behind today’s most popular clear aligners—how they’re made, what they’re made of, and why they offer such a personalized, comfortable alternative to traditional braces. You’ll also discover how dentists use digital tools to ensure each patient gets a precise, custom fit.

Key takeaways:

• Invisalign aligners are made from SmartTrack, a medical-grade thermoplastic engineered for comfort and effective tooth movement.
• Digital scanning (often with the iTero Element scanner) creates a 3D model of your teeth for customized treatment planning.
• Aligners are 3D printed, heated, and pressure-formed to match the patient’s exact gumline and tooth shape.
• Each set is adjusted and fitted chair-side to ensure accuracy and smooth progress throughout treatment.
• Invisalign offers a discreet, modern, and highly personalized approach to orthodontic correction.

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Today’s dental patients have it easy compared with even those of just a generation ago. Those in need of even the most rigorous dental corrections have options to move your teeth that are amazingly pain-free, simple, and discrete. And leading the charge in the gradual shift away from metal brackets and wires is a patient-popular product, Invisalign.

At our dental practices in Chicago and Seattle, we find great pleasure in recommending Invisalign as a personalized dental solution. And our patients seem to love it.

In this article, we’ll touch upon how this miraculous technology is made. We will also delve into how it can be personalized for your comfort and for a more effective correction of your smile. Read on to discover how are Invisalign aligners made.

What Are Invisalign Aligners Made Of?

Before we break down their fabrication, let’s first discuss the material from which Invisalign is made.

So, what are Invisaligns made of? According to Invisalign, the brand’s retainers and aligners are both made from “medical-grade, high molecular weight, thermoplastic polymers.” The materials were selected for their effectiveness, safety, and FDA-approval.

The material, dubbed “SmartTrack,” feels flexible to the touch and barely noticeable in the mouth when properly in place.

How Are Invisalign Aligners Made?

Now, onto why you’re reading this article! Let’s break down how are Invisalign made for each patient.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, Invisalign aligners are made as a bespoke solution for each patient. And they are fabricated using state-of-the-art technology.

First, the patient’s mouth undergoes digital scanning to create a 3D imaging model of the teeth and gums. This is often done using a piece of proprietary technology called an iTero Element scanner. This process is usually followed by a series of X-rays to ensure your symptoms and care plan can be aligned.

Next, an Invisalign lab will take that scan and begin a 3D printing process to mold the SmartTrack material to fit the dimensions of the scan.

Using pressure and heat, the fabricator will finish the aligner and trim to match the patient’s gumline for maximum comfort.

Finally, the Invisalign aligners are placed on the teeth with the help of your neighborhood dentist, with any necessary adjustments being made on the spot.

And that’s really it! How Invisalign are made comes from a high tech, precise, and cutting edge methodology that has helped transform the mouths and lives of countless patients. And, if you are in need of corrective action for your smile, it can stand to benefit yours as well!

Visit Chicago & Seattle’s Best Invisalign Provider

Now that you know how Invisalign are made, visit a convenient location to try this wondrous smile-changer for yourself.

Your friendly neighborhood dentists at Dentologie aren’t just here for your routine cleanings and implants. We’re also a leading provider of Invisalign services for our patients in need of teeth straightening.

With efficient fittings, unbeatable pricing, and the chair-side care you’ve come to expect from Dentologie, we do Invisalign right. With us, you can get your routine cleanings, oral surgeries, and necessary sets of aligners conveniently in one place!

Book your visit today!