Is Invisalign® Right for You?
We recommend Invisalign® for the following orthodontic issues:
- Overcrowded teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Bite problems (including overbite, open bite, crossbite, and underbite)
Invisalign® works best on teens and adults with mild to moderate alignment issues. Severe cases or certain bite problems may be better treated with traditional braces — and the only way to know for sure is a consultation. During your visit, we’ll take a quick scan, review your goals, and let you know whether Invisalign® is the right fit, along with a clear sense of timeline and cost.
Invisalign® vs. Braces
The obvious benefit of Invisalign® over traditional braces is aesthetic — bulky metal braces vs. nearly invisible aligners. You can’t hide brackets and wires, so every time you speak or smile, they will be seen. Invisalign®, on the other hand, will likely go unnoticed. But invisibility isn’t its only advantage:
- Comfort — Braces’ wires and brackets can poke your gums and cause irritation. Invisalign® is comfortable and will not scrape or rub against your mouth.
- Food — Food can become stuck in braces, and you aren’t allowed to eat certain foods like gum, sticky candies, etc. Invisalign® can be removed before eating, so you can eat anything you like.
- Health — Brushing and flossing require more dedication with braces. With Invisalign®, you can brush and floss normally. Plus, because it’s easy to miss spots when brushing with braces, tooth decay and gum disease are a greater concern.
Perhaps most importantly, Invisalign® will not affect your appearance or change the way you feel about yourself during treatment. In fact, teens using Invisalign® are two times more likely to have a boost in self-esteem during treatment than teens wearing braces. When you complete your treatment, you will likely be more in love with your smile than ever.
How It Works
As an Invisalign®-trained provider, we have the tools and experience to create a customized treatment plan for you. We can also determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign® and help you understand what the process will be like, the costs involved, and how your dental or orthodontic insurance might factor in.
Then, we will take x-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth so that Invisalign® can create a digital 3D image. Using this technology, a series of custom-made aligners will be sent to you. You will wear them for the majority of the day (20 to 22 hours for best results), removing them only when you eat and brush/floss your teeth. Every two weeks, you will receive new aligners that are subtly different, and each set will gently push your teeth into place.
When you achieve a straight and beautiful smile, your treatment will be complete. To ensure that your teeth don’t shift out of place, you may need to wear retainers, which will lock in your new smile and protect your investment.
Caring for Your Teeth During Invisalign®
Because aligners sit snugly against your teeth for 20 to 22 hours a day, keeping up with cleanings and exams during treatment is more important than ever. We’ll check that your teeth and gums stay healthy as they shift, and catch any issues early — so you finish treatment with a smile that’s not just straighter, but healthier too.
