A straight smile is about more than just looks: Proper teeth alignment supports effective oral hygiene that promotes better dental and overall health. Straight teeth make it easier to properly brush, floss, and remove debris from your gum line, so gum pockets, tooth decay, and gum disease are less likely to develop. When straight teeth make it easier to properly brush and floss, it’s also less difficult to remove plaque from the surface of your teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Properly aligned teeth can also relieve extra pressure on your bite. And that means less jaw pain, headaches, and chipped or worn-down teeth – which can be expensive to repair.
Your Invisalign doctor will create a unique, digital treatment plan that maps out the exact movements of your teeth. Your Invisalign clear aligners are then designed to apply the right amount of force to the right place at the right time based on your plan. We will be with you every step of the way to monitor your progress and ensure your aligners fit correctly.
Using a state-of-the-art scanner, we will quickly and precisely create a detailed, 3D scan of your current smile and map out the custom treatment plan for your new one. So, you’ll know what exactly to expect at every step. Plus, you’ll even see a sneak peek of what your new smile could look like.
When you pick up your first set of Invisalign aligners, we will check them to make sure that they fit correctly and are as comfortable as possible. We will also schedule a series of regular, face-to-face check-ups to give you each new batch of aligners and monitor the progress of your new smile. As part of the process of shifting your teeth during your treatment, you’ll be swapping out your aligners often.
Like all teeth straightening treatments, including braces, once you’re done with your Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth straight. A new scan of your teeth will be taken to create your clear retainers that you will continue to use to maintain your beautiful new smile!
Cost depends on how complex your case is and how many aligners the treatment plan requires. We'll give you an exact quote after your consultation, and many patients find it comparable to traditional braces once you factor in fewer office visits.
Many plans that cover orthodontic treatment will apply that coverage to Invisalign the same way they would to braces, though the amount varies by plan. We'll check your benefits with you before treatment starts so you know what to expect out of pocket.
You wear a series of custom, clear aligner trays that each shift your teeth a small amount, switching to a new set roughly every one to two weeks. Because each tray is 3D-modeled from impressions of your teeth, the movement is precise and predictable from the start.
Invisalign handles a wide range of cases today, including many overbites, gaps, and mild-to-moderate crowding. More severe bite issues sometimes still call for traditional braces, which is exactly what we'll evaluate at your consultation.
Treatment typically runs anywhere from 6 to 18 months, depending on how much movement your teeth need. Wearing your aligners the recommended 20-22 hours a day is the single biggest factor in staying on that timeline.
We go into more detail in Invisalign for adults.
