Invisalign

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign is an orthodontic system that has revolutionized the way adults and teens straighten their teeth. The Invisalign system relies on a series of clear plastic trays to straighten teeth, eliminate spaces between teeth, and correct misalignment issues such as overbite and underbite. Since Invisalign is made of clear plastic, you get all the benefits of traditional braces, without any of the metal.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign customizes treatment for each patient. Dr. Deca takes an impression of your teeth and develops a plan showing how the position of each tooth should be adjusted to correct your misalignment problem.

Those plans are sent to a lab that specializes in making the Invisalign clear plastic aligners. They also serve as the basis for creating your personalized series of aligners. At the lab, a computer scans the impressions to create a series of 3D models of the teeth and a roadmap for moving the teeth into alignment.

Most patients wear between 18-30 aligners during treatment, with each aligner following a specific sequence to keep teeth moving in the right direction. You wear the first one for 1-2  weeks, then replace it with the second tray in the series, continuing the same process until you’ve worn all the aligners.

How is your progress tracked?

You’ll have regular appointments with Dr. Deca while you wear Invisalign to be sure you don’t have any problems with the aligners. She also verifies that your teeth are adjusting as planned.

You can remove the aligners to brush and floss, but it’s still important to wear them consistently – all day and night – to keep the pressure constant. If you take one aligner out for an extended period, the next one in the series won’t fit properly, and you won’t get the expected results.

How does Invisalign compare to traditional braces?

Invisalign offers several unique advantages over traditional braces. The aligners are:

• Clear, so they’re almost impossible to detect while they’re in place
• Smooth, with no sharp wires or metal parts to snag lips or cheeks
• Removable, so it’s easy to eat and to brush and floss
• Timely treatment, less than two years to achieve results

Invisalign can be an ideal solution for teens and adults who want to have straighter teeth without the hassle of traditional metal or ceramic braces. To find out if Invisalign is the best choice for you, schedule an office visit and evaluation today to learn more.