Invisalign®

There are many options for patients who want to avoid metal braces! The most popular alternative orthodontic treatment is Invisalign®, which are clear plastic aligners designed to straighten teeth. After an examination of your teeth, your dentist will determine which option is best suited to your wants and needs.

According to the Invisalign® website, the cost for treatment is approximately the same as the cost for metal braces. A portion of this cost may be covered by your insurance. Please call us to set up a consultation and discuss potential payment plan options.

The first step is to schedule a consultation with your doctor, so they can devise a treatment plan that is best suited to your individual dental needs. Once approved, you will receive your first set of aligners. Your doctor will then regularly monitor the movement of your teeth and new aligners will be ordered according to the progress made in your treatment plan.

Invisalign® aligners are made of clear, flexible plastic. The company received a patent for this material – SmartTrack® – to be used exclusively for Invisalign treatment purposes. These aligners are FDA approved and nearly invisible!

Your doctor will give you an estimate regarding how long your Invisalign® treatment should take, which will depend on your specific needs. The average length of time for treatment is approximately 12-18 months. However, some patients may see results far sooner. Remember to wear your aligners exactly as instructed by your doctor to obtain the best results.

Your doctor will most likely recommend that you wear retainers following your Invisalign® treatment. This is a precaution that will prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positioning. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly to ensure long-lasting results.

You must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.

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.

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

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.

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

We discourage smoking with aligners as the cigarette smoke will tend to discolor them.

Brushing them with toothpaste will keep them fresh and clean.

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

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.

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

Invisalign is a clear aligner system used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues without traditional metal brackets and wires. Treatment uses a series of custom-made, virtually invisible plastic trays that apply gentle, controlled forces to move teeth into planned positions. Your treatment plan is developed from detailed 3-D imaging that maps the entire sequence of tooth movements from start to finish.

Each aligner is worn for a specified period and then replaced with the next in the series to continue the progression toward the target alignment. Regular checkups with your dental provider allow for adjustments and monitoring of progress. The removable nature of aligners also makes oral hygiene and eating less disruptive compared with fixed appliances.

Many adolescents and adult patients with mild to moderate alignment and bite issues are good candidates for Invisalign treatment. Candidates should have healthy teeth and gums and be committed to wearing their aligners for the recommended daily time, typically most of the day and night. Complex skeletal discrepancies or very severe tooth movements may require alternative or adjunctive orthodontic approaches.

An initial consultation with a licensed dental professional is needed to determine if Invisalign can meet your treatment goals based on clinical exam and diagnostic imaging. The provider will evaluate tooth position, bite relationships, and oral health to propose the most appropriate plan. If Invisalign is not the ideal option alone, your clinician can explain alternative treatments or combined approaches.

Treatment begins with an examination and a digital scan or impressions to create a customized treatment plan and series of aligners. You will receive multiple aligners that are worn sequentially, with each set typically changed every one to two weeks as directed by your provider. Periodic appointments are scheduled to assess tooth movement, exchange attachments if needed, and ensure the treatment is progressing as planned.

Patients may notice minor pressure or soreness for a few days after switching to a new aligner, which is a normal sign that teeth are moving. Good compliance with wear time and care instructions is essential for predictable results. Your dental team will explain cleaning protocols, wear schedules, and any use of attachments or elastics that may be required to achieve specific movements.

The duration of Invisalign treatment varies depending on the complexity of the case and individual biological response to tooth movement. Many straightforward alignment cases complete in several months, while more involved corrections can take a year or longer to reach the planned outcome. Your provider will estimate a timeline after evaluating your teeth and bite and will update that estimate as treatment progresses.

Factors that influence treatment length include the severity of misalignment, the need for additional tooth movements, and how consistently aligners are worn. Skipping wear time or losing aligners can extend the overall schedule, while good adherence helps treatments remain on track. Regular follow-up visits enable your clinician to monitor progress and make any necessary refinements.

Proper aligner care and daily oral hygiene are important for comfort, oral health, and treatment success. Clean aligners according to your provider's instructions using a soft toothbrush and mild, nonabrasive cleanser or manufacturer-recommended cleaning crystals, and rinse them thoroughly before reinserting. Brush and floss teeth after meals before putting aligners back in to reduce plaque buildup and staining.

Store aligners in their case when not in use to avoid loss or damage, and avoid exposing them to hot water or heat sources that can warp the plastic. Attend routine dental cleanings and checkups to ensure gums and teeth remain healthy throughout treatment. If you notice persistent soreness, discoloration, or damage to an aligner, contact your dental office for guidance.

While Invisalign addresses a wide range of malocclusions, there are situations where fixed appliances or combined treatments are preferable. Severe skeletal discrepancies, large tooth rotations, or cases requiring major vertical changes may be better managed with traditional braces, orthognathic surgery, or other adjunctive therapies. The presence of untreated periodontal disease or insufficient tooth support can also affect candidacy for aligner therapy.

A thorough clinical evaluation including X-rays and diagnostic records is required to identify any limitations and to determine the safest and most effective approach. Your provider will discuss whether Invisalign alone is appropriate or if other methods should be incorporated. Treatment planning focuses on achieving a healthy, functional, and stable outcome rather than fitting a particular appliance to every case.

Invisalign offers a discreet and removable alternative to traditional braces, which many patients prefer for aesthetic and lifestyle reasons. Clear aligners allow for easier brushing and flossing and fewer dietary restrictions because they are removed during meals, whereas braces are fixed and can complicate oral hygiene and food choices. Traditional braces can provide certain mechanical advantages for complex tooth movements and may be recommended when those forces are required.

Both systems aim to achieve healthy alignment and bite function, but the choice depends on the specific orthodontic goals, the mechanics needed to produce tooth movement, and patient preferences. A qualified dental professional can explain the clinical differences and recommend the option that best balances effectiveness, comfort, and treatment objectives. Treatment monitoring and patient compliance are key factors in achieving a successful result regardless of the appliance used.

Treatment goals and expected outcomes are reviewed during the initial consultation, where a digital simulation often shows the projected final tooth positions. Progress is monitored through scheduled follow-ups and periodic scans or impressions to ensure tooth movement aligns with the planned sequence. If refinements are needed, additional aligners or modifications can be added to reach the desired result.

Clinical assessments focus on tooth alignment, bite relationships, and oral health throughout the process to confirm that movement is occurring safely and predictably. Patients should report any unusual pain or fit issues so the team can address them promptly. Maintaining consistent wear of aligners and attending appointments helps ensure the outcome matches the treatment plan.

After active alignment is complete, retention is essential to preserve tooth positions and prevent relapse. Your provider will recommend a retainer regimen, which may include removable or fixed retainers, and will provide instructions on how long and when to wear them to maintain the new alignment. Follow-up visits are scheduled to check retention and address any settling that may occur after treatment.

Good oral hygiene and routine dental care remain important to protect the health and appearance of your smile. Retainer wear typically starts full-time and transitions to nighttime use according to the clinician's guidance. Long-term retention strategies are individualized based on how teeth respond after treatment and the specific movements that were made.

To explore whether Invisalign is right for you, contact the office of Wonderful Smiles Dental to request a consultation and diagnostic evaluation. During the visit, a dental professional will examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and perform necessary imaging or scans to develop a personalized treatment plan. This appointment is an opportunity to review the recommended approach, ask questions about care and compliance, and understand the expected treatment timeline.

If you decide to move forward, the team will outline the next steps for start of care, including aligner fabrication and appointment scheduling. Ongoing monitoring and support are provided throughout treatment to help you achieve a healthy, well-aligned smile. The practice will also explain any preparatory needs such as periodontal care or restorative work that may affect the treatment plan.