Invisalign Aligners for Your Best Smile
Invisalign – Your Alternative to Braces
Straight teeth are essential for a healthy and perfect smile. If crooked or crowded teeth, unwanted spaces or bite problems prevent you from putting forth your best smile, Invisalign clear aligners can offer a discreet way to undergo orthodontic treatment without making you feel embarrassed or conscious about wearing traditional braces. Invisalign is the alternative to braces!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment that provides a more comfortable and discreet method of straightening teeth and correcting some types of bite issues. It uses a series of custom-made aligners to gradually and safely improve your teeth’ position. This advanced clear aligner system is made from a durable thermoplastic called SmartTrack that is free of gluten, latex and BPA.
Why Invisalign Instead of Other Clear Aligners?
Invisalign, developed by Align Technology, appeared on the dentistry market in 1998. It is the gold standard aligner treatment option as it is the oldest and most well-known, backed by years of innovation. As Invisalign’s patents began expiring, competitors started to appear, offering similar products at lower prices but with less dental supervision throughout the course of treatment. With Invisalign, you get supervised treatment from a trained Invisalign doctor, along with all of Invisalign’s latest technology. 
How Invisalign Aligners Work
During your Invisalign consultation, we will review your dental history, complete an oral exam, and take X-rays and a three-dimensional digital scan of your teeth with the iTero Element scanner. The scan is essential in determining tooth movement from current positioning to ideal teeth alignment. This exam also determines your personalized treatment plan that specifies how many sets of invisible aligners you’ll need and how long you will wear each set. It will also specify how many clear buttons your dentist must attach to the front of your teeth to anchor and pivot your Invisalign clear aligners to achieve optimal results.
Although you may feel tempted to remove your aligners for a social function or work meeting, only wearing the aligner trays part-time can prolong or even disrupt treatment. You should wear clear aligner trays except when eating and performing oral hygiene tasks, like when you brush and floss your teeth. Clean your aligners at this time, too.
When your aligner tray sets arrive, we’ll ensure the first set fits properly. Every few weeks, you’ll meet with one of our dentists to check your progress. During these appointments, we’ll note whether you can move on to your next set of aligners. You can expect some mouth discomfort when changing your trays, but most patients report less pain than with traditional braces. In addition, you won’t experience rubbing inside the mouth that metal wires cause.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners can take as little as six months to accomplish sufficient tooth movement. However, the time required for an Invisalign treatment plan depends highly on the initial state of your teeth alignment and how well you adhere to the treatment requirements regarding wear time. Most plans take six to 12 months, but some may take longer if your case is more complicated. At your initial consultation, we will estimate how long your Invisalign treatment plan will last. Most patients notice improvement within the initial weeks of treatment.
The Types of Dental Problems Invisalign Addresses
Depending on the professional providing treatment, Invisalign can help correct these mild to moderate problems:
- Crooked teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Crowding
- Gaps between teeth
- Misaligned and malpositioned jaws
Is Invisalign Permanent?
Yes, Invisalign works. However, you must take care of your new smile by wearing your final set of aligner trays as retainers or purchasing Vivera retainers that are sturdier than the aligner trays. All orthodontic treatment requires wearing retainers to keep teeth straight and stable, especially for adults. Plan on wearing retainers indefinitely and in the same way you would with traditional braces once your treatment has finished. After the initial one- to two-year retention period, try to wear your retainers several times weekly.
Invisalign Aligners vs. Traditional Metal Braces
Both Invisalign and traditional metal braces will give you a brand-new smile, so why should you choose one over the other?
Invisalign Treatment Benefits
The most significant benefit is that when you wear your custom-made aligners, many people won’t even notice them. They’re virtually invisible, thus the name
Invisalign. You won’t need to feel embarrassed that you’re receiving orthodontic treatment or deal with ugly brackets and metal wires.
You can eat anything with Invisalign because you won’t wear the trays while eating or drinking. This differs significantly from regular braces as wearers can’t eat items such as popcorn or sticky foods during treatment.
It’s easier to maintain oral health while undergoing Invisalign treatment because you don’t have to work around wires and brackets, thus reducing bacteria around your teeth and gums.
Patients with traditional braces sometimes encounter problems like a broken wire or brackets that fell off. Such instances lead to an emergency trip to the dentist to remedy the situation.
What if I Have a Complex Orthodontics Problem?
Advanced Align technology isn’t for every patient. Even though the Invisalign process has improved dramatically over the last decade, problems with your jaw, severe bite issues or crooked teeth may prevent you from being a good candidate for Invisalign. Depending on your specific needs, we may recommend braces.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of an orthodontic treatment plan with Invisalign is comparable to those with traditional braces. In addition, if you have a dental insurance plan, it may pay part of your overall costs. Our office staff can help determine a payment plan to fit your budget. Contact us today for more information.