Invisalign®

young blonde woman holding up Invisalign

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign, part of our cosmetic dentistry services,  is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear, acrylic orthodontic aligner trays instead of braces to align and/or straighten teeth, correct a variety of malocclusions, and produce straight healthy smiles. Invisalign is used to straighten teeth that are crooked, expand overcrowded teeth, or treat any other orthodontic issues that qualify for correction using clear acrylic aligners as an alternative to regular braces.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign works much as braces do. The system consists of a series of treatment trays that are designed to gently and gradually shift the position of your teeth over a period of time. The Invisalign treatment trays are prepared from impressions taken of your mouth and easily snap onto your teeth much like a mouthguard. They are generally comfortable to wear after you adapt to them over the first few days. As you wear the Invisalign aligners, your teeth are gradually being pressured to naturally shift into a new, healthier position over the course of time.

Every six to eight weeks, you will need to visit your dentist for a follow-up exam and to replace your treatment trays with the next level of correction trays. This process will be repeated several times until full orthodontic correction is achieved. Once your teeth are fully aligned with Invisalign, you’ll want to protect your results by using a retainer or night guard to keep your teeth from returning to their original, misaligned position.

Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?

Almost anyone may be a suitable candidate for Invisalign orthodontic treatment as long as they have healthy teeth that need an orthodontic alignment. Age is not a factor, and neither is gender, nor the severity of the orthodontic condition being treated in most cases. Almost all typical orthodontic conditions may be treated using the Invisalign treatment system with great results.

The only individuals who would likely not make good candidates for this treatment are those that are too forgetful and absentminded to remember to insert their aligners after eating meals and brushing their teeth. In some rare cases, malocclusions may be caused or exacerbated by structural problems in the jaw that may require a more complex orthodontic device or surgical intervention. Otherwise, Invisalign can help almost anyone align their teeth.

How long will it take to straighten my teeth with Invisalign?

Depending on your orthodontic condition and your discipline in wearing the treatment trays, you may see a full correction in as little as six months, while other cases may require more than a year’s time. Be patient. The wait will be worth it once you see your beautiful, straight healthy smile after you conclude your Invisalign orthodontic treatment.

Will I have to stop eating certain foods during Invisalign treatment?

Not at all. The best thing about Invisalign is that the trays are removable, so you can eat comfortably, as well as attending to your normal brushing and flossing routine. This is one of the most significant advantages that Invisalign offers over regular braces.