INVISALIGN

Invisalign®

Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners that are designed and constructed by your orthodontist. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.

Clearly Different Treatment with Clear Plastic Aligners

Teeth don’t know if they are wearing braces or clear aligners.  Clear aligner therapy with Invisalign combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with traditional science and mechanics involved in tooth movement by orthodontists.  Invisalign aligners are designed to move your teeth in small, precise steps that are influenced by the smile design prescribed and carried out by your orthodontist.

Your first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign is right for you.  A simple clinical examination and conversation about your lifestyle will determine if clear aligner treatment with Invisalign is a good fit for you or your child.

Once a decision has been made, your orthodontist sends precise treatment instructions and orthodontic records including photos and a digital 3D scan of your teeth to Invisalign for CAD/CAM processing.  Your orthodontist will “bend” the plastic in appropriate sequences similar to the way they would plan to bend wires for traditional braces in precise increments. Invisalign will also often require clear attachments be placed on the teeth to help keep them in and provide certain movements and often requires rubber bands, just like braces.  It’s still orthodontic treatment, it’s just done with plastic not metal braces.

Each aligner is worn for between 7 days and 2 weeks depending upon the nature of the tooth movement and are only taken out to eat, brush and floss.  Under the supervision of your prescribing orthodontist, you will replace each aligner with the next to allow your teeth will begin to move gradually — week-by-week, aligner-by-aligner, until the your new, beautiful smile is finished as prescribed.

If you want to learn more about Invisalign and how it works, please visit the Invisalign Homepage or ask one of our orthodontists at your next visit.

To ensure the best possible results, only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign. Invisalign  is not appropriate for every patient or orthodontic problem but can be used on a wider variety of patients today than ever before.  In the hands of a well-trained, experienced orthodontist, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners can be a very effective option for you. To see if Invisalign can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, contact us to make an appointment.

No Invisalign Upcharge!

Patients who choose clear aligners pay the same fees as those who choose braces.

Invisalign® Teen

Let Invisalign® Teen help perfect your smile using clear aligners so your teenage memories can be captured with confidence. Invisalign Teen aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. You can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth, and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.

Invisalign went to leading orthodontists, parents and teens themselves to custom-design an Invisalign system just right for the dental needs of teenagers. Each aligner has a blue-to-clear compliance indicator that serves as a gauge to how long each aligner should be worn. The indicator will turn clear when it needs to be replaced. In addition, patients are provided with six free replacement aligners in case some are lost or broken. Invisalign Teen can be the perfect teeth-straightening system for today’s teens’ busy lifestyles, for the right patient!

What is Invisalign Teen?

  • Clear way to straighten your teeth without braces.
  • Series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners.
  • Uses no metal wires or brackets.
  • Custom-made for comfort.

How does Invisalign Teen work?

  • Wear each set of aligners for about two weeks.
  • Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
  • Your teeth will move gradually each week.
  • Visit us every 8-10 weeks.
  • Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
  • Average number of aligners is between 18 and 30.

What conditions does Invisalign Teen treat?

By using its advanced technology, Invisalign Teen can treat a broad range of dental and orthodontic conditions, which, in the past, were usually treated with traditional braces. These conditions include:

  • Overly crowded teeth
  • Widely spaced teeth
  • Crossbite
  • Overbite
  • Underbite

Invisalign® FAQ

Q. How often must I wear my aligners?

A. You must wear your aligners for 22 or more hours daily to achieve successful results. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.

Q. Are there any restrictions to what I can eat while in treatment?

A. No. Unlike braces, you may eat whatever you like as long as you remove the aligners before eating. Prior to placing the aligners back on, it is important to brush your teeth and the aligners after you eat.

Q. Will wearing the aligners affect my speech?

A. Like any orthodontic treatment, there is a short adjustment period. The more you speak with the aligners on, the quicker you will adjust.

Q. Is there any discomfort with Invisalign® treatment?

A. There will be some pressure and minor discomfort for a day or two after each initial insertion. This is a sign that your teeth are moving sequentially into their final position.

Q. Can I chew gum?

A. It is recommended that you remove your aligners prior to chewing gum as the gum will stick to the aligners.

Q. How do I keep my aligners clean?

A. Brushing them with toothpaste will keep them fresh and clean.

Q. How often do I see my orthodontist while wearing Invisalign®?

A. Regular office visits are every six to nine weeks. This will ensure that your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned.

Q. What happens after my treatment is complete? Do I need retainers?

A. All orthodontic patients are instructed to wear their retainers at night indefinitely. Sleeping with your retainers in at night will ensure a healthy bite and maintain the new position of your teeth.

Q. How long does Invisalign treatment take?

A. Treatment time varies depending on the severity of the misaligned teeth. Treatment time can be shorter than traditional braces, between six and 18 months.

Q. Does Invisalign work for kids?

A. Yes, if their teeth, including second molars, have grown in completely.

Make An Appointment

If you have questions, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please call 586-286-0700 or contact us today!