Invisalign® is the first and most effective clear aligner therapy used to straighten teeth and offers a comfortable, removable, and nearly invisible alternative to braces. Records are taken with a 3D digital scanner for more a more comfortable and accurate impression. This advanced technology alleviates the need for messy impression material and allows for a better result.
Patients undergoing treatment wear their Invisalign aligners for 22 hours per day for one week at a time to gradually push the teeth into the proper position. Comfortable to wear, these aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual.
Invisalign® can be used to treat the vast majority of common problems for adults and teens. Whether your smile needs minor improvements or more extensive adjustments, Invisalign® can certainly help. It's successful in treating overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. Invisalign® can also be utilized in more complex cases to create the restorative space needed for restorations when patients have worn or eroded teeth. In our practice, Invisalign® is one of the many tools we can use to enhance the esthetics and functionality of your smile.
A typical Invisalign® case takes about a year from start to finish. You'll see the doctor every month or two to monitor how you're progressing. Every visit you'll be given additional aligners to continue your treatment. Commonly, the number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but treatment time and number of aligners will vary from case to case.
Invisalign® is an invisible solution. So you won't draw undue attention to your mouth while in treatment. In fact, virtually no one will know you're wearing them unless you tell. No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth. Comfortable to wear, the aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors to answer any questions you may have and to see if Invisalign® is the right option for you.
No, Invisalign® will not give you a lisp. Not convinced? Remember, more than 12 million patients wouldn’t have chosen this innovative orthodontic treatment if it permanently altered their speech. Furthermore, the large majority of patients don’t experience any changes to their speaking patterns at all! If you do experience a slight learning curve, don’t worry – that will go away with a bit of practice.
The exact length of your treatment timeline will depend on a few key factors, including the complexity of your case, how long you wear each aligner, and how good you are about following all of the guidelines. With all of that said, the average Invisalign treatment is around 12 months, which is considerably shorter than traditional braces.
Although Invisalign® has a reputation for not being painful, it’s completely normal to experience some soreness from time to time, particularly in the hours following the switch to a new aligner. Don’t let that get you down though! You can easily alleviate any discomfort that does arise with a few simple steps, like sipping on cool water, sticking to soft foods, and taking OTC pain medication. Many patients find that switching to their new aligners right before bed is helpful as well so you can sleep through the majority of the soreness.
Once you’ve worked through your entire series of aligners, and you’re happy with your results, our focus will switch from straightening your teeth to maintaining their positions. After all, the last thing we want is for all of your hard work to go down the drain as your teeth begin to move back into their misaligned places (a phenomenon known as “orthodontic relapse”). For that reason, we will provide you with a custom-made retainer as well as detailed instructions on how often to wear it.
Good news: there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign®! We just ask that you do your best to avoid foods that can damage your teeth or cause an attachment to come loose, like peanut brittle, popcorn, and raw nuts. Be sure to remove your trays and store them properly before eating.
