Straighten Teeth with Invisalign

What is Invisalign

Invisalign is a method of straightening your teeth with a series of clear plastic aligners. Invisalign is the original clear aligner company with decades of experience over the competition. Because Invisalign requires that its providers complete a rigorous certification process, our doctors have extensive education in orthodontic treatment with their aligners.

Invisalign offers treatment options for adults, teens, and adolescents. We are able to treat orthodontic cases that range from minor crowding to severe overlapping of teeth. Some treatments last only a few months, whereas more complicated cases take up to three years to achieve desired results.

What are the Pros and Cons of Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative orthodontic option to traditional braces that use brackets and wires to move the teeth.

Pros of Invisalign:

• Virtually Invisible - Straighten your teeth without the embarrassment of brackets and wires.
• Removable - You can take them out as needed for special occasions, photo sessions, or speeches.
• Better Oral Hygiene - Because you can remove them, you can reach every area of the teeth for great oral hygiene.
• Lower Risk for Cavities and Gum Disease - Because Invisalign patients are able to remove plaque more effectively than those with traditional braces are, they carry a lower risk for dental problems.

Cons of Invisalign:

• Greater Responsibility for Patient - Because the aligners are removable, the patient has more control over the outcome. The aligners only move teeth while they are on the teeth. If you consistently forget to wear them, your treatment is less successful.
• Limitation of Tooth Movements - There are some movements that braces accomplish much more easily than aligners can. For example, repositioning molars and changing the way the upper and lower teeth bite together is much more difficult with aligners than with traditional braces.

What Does the Invisalign Process Involve?

The first step in the Invisalign process is an orthodontic evaluation and consultation with one of our dentists. Assessing your current situation and discussing the potential straightening to be accomplished, your dentist will describe the projected length of treatment and the expected outcome.

To begin treatment, the dentist takes a digital scan or mold of your teeth and sends it to the Invisalign laboratory. Using CAD/CAM technology, your dentist works with a lab technician to prescribe the exact tooth movement into the aligners. It is possible to get a digital preview of the projected outcome of your orthodontic treatment. The lab technician then takes the approved treatment, fabricates the series of aligners, and sends them back to the dental office.

We will schedule your official “start” of treatment, which involves many instructions for proper use and any necessary preparation of the teeth. Sometimes this includes creating tiny spaces between crowded teeth or attaching tooth-colored material on the outer surface of a tooth to aid in a specific movement.

Throughout the duration of your treatment, you will see your dentist every four to six weeks for an evaluation of the tooth movement, the fit of the aligners, and overall health of the teeth and gums. These quick appointments are essential for proper monitoring of the orthodontic treatment. If any complications or barriers to tooth movement arise, your dentist will intercept them at these visits.

At the completion of tooth movement, when both you and your dentist approve of the outcome, we smooth and polish the teeth, make any necessary bite adjustments and finalize your retention options. Most Invisalign patients opt for the clear plastic retainer that resembles an Invisalign aligner. In order to prevent any relapse, you must wear your retainers nightly to keep the teeth in the post-treatment position.