The adult-friendly Invisalign approach straightens teeth with customized aligners created specifically for the patient by our dentists at Washington Center for Dentistry. The clear aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, virtually invisible plastic that are worn over the teeth. Wearing the aligners, over time, gradually—and gently—shifts the teeth into place. The orthodontic changes are the result of exact movements planned just for the patient. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. Patients just pop in a new set of aligners every 2 – 3 weeks, until treatment is complete. A brand new, straighter smile emerges—with little interference in a patient’s daily life.
Invisalign treats the majority of common alignment problems for adults and teens, whether a smile needs minor improvements or more dramatic change with cosmetic dentistry. From crowding or excess spacing to complex overbites, under bites and cross bites, an Invisalign cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic treatment plan can improve any smile.
Patients who would prefer a less obvious solution instead of metal braces might be excellent candidates for Invisalign treatment. This choice can be well-suited for fixing dental malocclusion (an underbite, crossbite, open bite, or overbite), a narrow arch, crowded or crooked teeth, and gaps between teeth. Taking care of such complications could allow for enhanced comfort, jaw function, and speaking and eating abilities. Clear teeth aligners arealso simple to remove from the mouth, letting teens and adults savor their favorite meals without dietary limitations and care for their teeth without cumbersome appliances standing in the way.
Many patients ask us: What are the benefits of Invisalign? In the past, straightening your teeth meant wearing metal braces. And although traditional braces are very effective, they can interfere with your day-to-day activities and even cause discomfort. Fortunately, you now have a choice, and many patients choose Invisalign for convenience, comfort, and appearance.
There are many benefits of Invisalign. It is a tooth-straightening treatment in which a series of clear, custom-made aligner trays are progressively worn to straighten your teeth. You wear each tray for about two weeks, and after about a year, your teeth will have moved into their final positions. The main benefits of Invisalign are:
Invisalign trays are virtually invisible and easily removable.
Because you remove the aligner while you eat, there are no food restrictions. You can eat whatever you like.
You can brush and floss normally to maintain good oral health.
The smooth plastic aligners are less likely to cause discomfort than metal braces.
Because the aligner trays are made just for you and are fabricated from a nearly invisible plastic, the only thing others will notice is your smile.
Consultation: From your first appointment to the final confident, new smile, it is important to select a doctor who you feel comfortable with. During your consultation, you and your doctor will talk about your case in detail, to determine if Invisalign is right for you. The features of your unique smile will determine the plan that will correct and straighten your teeth. This is an excellent time to ask questions about the entire Invisalign experience. Invisalign can easily tackle cases—from simple adjustments to more complex conditions.
Customized plan created just for you: Invisalign uses X-rays, photos, and impressions of your teeth to create a digital 3D image of your mouth and smile. From these images, your doctor maps out a precise plan of the exact movements of your teeth. The plan itself dictates how long the treatment will take. Using the same technology, your doctor will show you a virtual picture of how your teeth will move in each stage of treatment. While every case is unique, Invisalign treatment usually takes about 12 – 18 months.
Get custom aligners based on your personalized plan. The plan to move your teeth calls for a series of custom, clear aligner trays created just for you. Most patients get between 18 – 30. The comfortable BPA-free plastic doesn’t irritate teeth and gums like regular metal braces. Just wear them throughout your day. Remove them to eat or to brush and floss. As you wear each set of clear trays, your teeth gradually shift into place. And the whole treatment takes place without anyone knowing but you!
Change aligners every few weeks. A new set of aligners every 2 weeks advances you to the next stage. Your doctor monitors progress every 6 weeks or so. Wear aligners 20 – 22 hours a day. At every stage, you can track them moving closer to the straighter smile of your dreams.
Your new smile revealed. This is the moment! Big “High-Five!” Celebration! You have reached the last aligner, the end of treatment, and you will smile more now more than ever.
Protect your new smile. Once your plan is complete, if your doctor recommends retainers to keep your teeth in their straight new position, Vivera® retainers are custom made with the same state-of-the-art technology as Invisalign. Vivera retainers lock your new smile into position.
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You might be like many other adults who think about having straighter teeth, but at this stage of your life, metal braces are a total “deal-breaker.” Enter Invisalign: A convenient, flexible alternative to metal braces that will give you a better smile every day.
No, wearing Invisalign aligners doesn’t hurt. Some patients may experience minor soreness as their teeth get used to a new tray, but it typically goes away quickly as their teeth adjust.
Most patients will need to wear their Invisalign aligners for 12 — 18 months to achieve optimal results.
For the best and fastest results, most patients will need to wear their aligners for at least 20 — 22 hours every day. You can remove them to eat and brush your teeth, but then they should be put back in no longer than 15 minutes later.
In most cases, you’ll change trays every two weeks. Checkups to monitor progress are typically scheduled every six weeks.
Cross bite: When the upper back teeth fit inside the lower teeth.
Crowding: When teeth grow close together, and in some cases, overlap.
Deep bite or extreme overbite: When the upper front teeth hide the lower teeth.
Malocclusion: Improper alignment of the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Open bite: When the teeth don’t close or come together in the front, side or back of the mouth.
Over bite: When the upper jaw and teeth overlap the bottom jaw and teeth.
Spacing: When there is too much space between teeth.
Under bite: When the lower jaw and teeth protrude beyond the upper teeth.
Straight, beautiful teeth can be achieved in a fraction of the time and without the cumbersome fuss of metal braces with Invisalign. This highly effective treatment can take your teeth from a 1 – 10 in less than a year with a set of customized aligner trays. Our dentists will personalize your treatment for your unique needs to give you the best results possible. We will work with you closely at every step to ensure you achieve your dream smile. We highly recommend that you give our office a call to find out if Invisalign is right for you.
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