Technology & Services
Invisalign®
Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It's virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you're straightening your teeth.
Clearly Different
The Invisalign System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position prescribed by your orthodontist. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign is right for you. After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign uses advanced computer technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of finely calibrated aligners - as few as 12 or as many as 48. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to move gradually - week-by-week until the final alignment prescribed is attained. Then you'll be smiling like you never have before!
If you want to learn more about Invisalign and how it works, please visit the Invisalign Homepage.
To ensure the best possible results, only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign. Invisalign is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. Only an orthodontist can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you. To see if Invisalign can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, contact us to make an appointment.
Invisalign® FAQs
_18ca.jpeg)
Q: How often must I wear my aligners?
A: You must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.
Q: Are there any restrictions to what I can eat while in treatment?
A: 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.
Q: Will wearing the aligners affect my speech?
A: Like any orthodontic treatment, there is a short adjustment period. The more you speak with the aligners on, the quicker you will adjust.
Q: Is there any discomfort with Invisalign® treatment?
A: 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.
Q: Can I chew gum?
A: It is recommended that you remove your aligners prior to chewing gum as the gum will stick to the aligners.
Q: Can I smoke with the aligners in?
A: We discourage smoking with aligners as the cigarette smoke will tend to discolor them.
Q: How do I keep my aligners clean?
A: Brushing them with toothpaste will keep them fresh and clean.
Q: How often do I see an orthodontist while wearing Invisalign®?
A: Regular office visits are every five to six weeks. This will ensure that your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned.
Q: What happens after my treatment is complete? Do I need retainers?
A: 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.
Q: How long does Invisalign treatment take?
A: Treatment time varies depending on the severity of the misaligned teeth. Treatment time can be shorter than traditional braces, between six and 18 months.
Q: Does Invisalign work for kids?
A: Yes, if their teeth, including second molars, have grown in completely.
iTero®
Our office uses the most state-of-the-art technology available to help create the smile you want, which is why we use the iTero® digital impression system, by Align Technology. Our digital impression system replaces the uncomfortable, unpleasant-tasting, messy and sometimes inaccurate traditional putty impressions. No bulky trays or sticky putty needed!
Using a digital scanner, we will take three-dimensional (3-D) digital images, or impressions, of your teeth and bite. These impressions will help us formulate a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific orthodontic needs and desires. We can also use them to visually show you your treatment options and help us keep you up-to-date on your treatment progress.
After your specific treatment plan has been chosen, the digital impressions allow us to create customized bracket trays that we use to place your brackets onto your teeth, all at one time, with increased efficiency and overall effectiveness.
Some benefits of iTero digital impressions over traditional putty impressions include:
Accuracy: They capture the exact contours of your teeth.
Efficiency: They require less time in the treatment chair.
Comfort: Taking the digital images is less invasive. No putty is used, and patients are more at ease without fearing they will gag on the impression putty.
Customization: They provide a digital plan and allow for trays that are tailored to meet the individual needs and desires of each patient.
Visualization: They provide each patient with a definite picture of what their teeth will look like before, during and after orthodontic treatment.
Innovation: They use the most advanced 3-D video technologies.