Invisalign

One of the most common reasons people hide their teeth is numerous gaps or misalignment. When your smile is imperfect in this way, it can be incredibly difficult to show it off to those around you. Posing for photos or expressing yourself can feel impossible, however, that doesn’t mean you need to settle for traditional orthodontic braces to make changes. Dr. Amy Crary offers new hope to those looking for alternatives to metal brackets and wires!

If you’re ready to straighten teeth faster without making a dramatic change to your appearance, contact our office to schedule a consultation! Our dentists will work with you to build a treatment plan and get your smile on the right path.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign utilizes a series of custom-made, transparent trays that represent different stages of your realignment. The entire series is created for your convenience, so you don’t have to visit the dentist as often for adjustments. Simply wear the pair of aligners for two weeks, then move on to the next pair. Just make sure to visit our office once every six weeks so we can confirm your realignment is occurring.

The treatment does not use any wires, brackets or rubber bands; only medical-grade plastic to shift teeth. The length of your treatment is shorter when compared to traditional braces, averaging about 8 to 18 months depending on your compliance and the complexity of your case.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Much like traditional orthodontics, Invisalign uses gentle pressure to shift teeth into a straighter and more appealing position. After wearing your first pair, you may notice some minor discomfort, but this is a normal part of the alignment process. As your teeth get used to each pair in the series, their placement will shift accordingly.

Since your treatment is planned from start to finish, our dentists will have a clear roadmap of your treatment progress. If your teeth are not shifting as planned, we can make adjustments to ensure that your teeth are straight as soon as possible. Just make sure to wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours a day for maximum results!

What are the Benefits?

One of the most notable benefits about Invisalign is its transparent qualities. No one needs to know that you’re undergoing treatment and you can maintain your current appearance and still shift teeth into a healthier position!

Another significant benefit of Invisalign is their removability. Unlike traditional braces which are fixed, Invisalign’s clear aligners are designed to be removed for eating, brushing and flossing. There’s no need to learn a new brushing or flossing technique, nor make major modifications to your diet.

How Do I Care for My Aligners?

During your normal oral care routine, allow your aligners to soak twice a day in Invisalign’s own blend of cleaning crystals or denture cleanser recommended by our dentists. This will remove saliva and bacteria from your aligners and make them easier to clean. When not in use, make sure they stay inside their dedicated hard-shell case. By maintaining your aligners, you’ll make sure that they retain their transparency and prevent plaque deposits from interfering with your alignment.

If you’re curious as to how Invisalign can help straighten your smile, contact our office, and we will be more than happy to help!

Invisalign FAQs

How Will Invisalign Clear Braces Affect My Day-to-Day Life?

While other orthodontic treatments require you to change your diet and even how you care for your teeth, the transition to Invisalign is easy. It may take a few days to adjust to Invisalign, but these clear aligners are made to snugly fit around each tooth for a comfortable feel. Soon enough, you’ll get so used to wearing them that you’ll forget they’re even on your teeth.

Can I Receive Invisalign if I’ve Already Had Braces?

Yes! Many patients with severe bite problems turn to traditional orthodontics because it’s the only option that can provide them with the results that they need. Once these bite issues have been fixed and their teeth are just mildly to moderately misaligned, we can use Invisalign to finish up their treatment in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way.

What if There is Still Some Debris in My Invisalign After Soaking?

If you’ve soaked your aligners in Invisalign’s cleaning solution and there’s still plaque or debris stuck to them, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with clear hand soap and water. It’s important to avoid using harder bristles because they could scratch the clear plastic, and you should also only use room temperature water. Hot water can actually warp the plastic of your aligners permanently.

What Happens When I’m Done with Invisalign Treatment?

After about 8 to 18 months, you’ll complete your Invisalign treatment, giving yourself a beautifully straight set of teeth. However, your work isn’t completely finished. In order to ensure the permanence of your results, it’s important to wear a retainer. Typically, we will recommend that you wear it all the time for the first few months, backing off to nighttime use, then only nighttime use for 3-4 days out of the week. This tried and true process makes your investment of time and money worth it for straight teeth that last a lifetime.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

The cost of your Invisalign clear braces will depend mainly on the severity of your misalignment, the condition of your oral hygiene, and your commitment to the treatment plan. Because of these variables, it’s hard to estimate the cost of your Invisalign without examining your mouth first. We will thoroughly examine your mouth and your alignment to develop a treatment plan that includes cost.