INVISALIGN ^® is a technological approach to orthodontics for those patients who do not want to wear the brackets and wires of conventional "braces". Invisalign^® uses a series of very thin, clear plastic trays to move your teeth incrementally to the desired position. These nearly invisible trays must be worn 23 hours a day, and should only be removed at meals and for brushing and flossing. Most treatment times are between 8 to 15 months. INVISALIGN^® is at its best when used with mild to moderate crowding, spacing problems, and in cases where previous orthodontics has relapsed (usually from not wearing retainers as directed).

It is used for late teens and adults. Most orthodontic problems are best addressed during their pre-teen and early teen years. Unfortunately, INVISALIGN^® cannot be used with children who are still growing or those who do not have all their adult teeth.

THE BENEFITS

It's removable for good hygiene- you can brush and floss normally, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Some orthodontic appliances, like braces, can cause gingivitis (usually reversible once the braces are removed.)

Your gum health may improve- Research has shown that periodontal tissue health may improve with use of Invisalign^® Aligners during your orthodontic treatment.

You can still eat what you want- because the Aligners are removable you don't have to worry about what you eat

Cleanings are quicker and easier than with traditional orthodontics!

STRAIGHTER TEETH LEAD TO:

Healthier Gums- properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart. As you age, straight teeth will not be as prone to gum disease.

Decreased risk of dental trauma and abnormal wear- Properly aligned teeth are less stressful on the supporting bone and jaw joints.

More beautiful smiles- Straightening your teeth with Invisalign^® will make you feel less self-conscious and more confident as you age, there is no sense having teeth that look 20 years older than you do.

THE PROCEDURE

Initially, we complete a comprehensive exam of the health of your teeth and gums. You cannot have active gum disease, or active tooth decay. If your teeth are in stable condition, we will evaluate your "bite" and decide whether INVISALIGN^® can address your chief complaint. If you are not a candidate for INVISALIGN^® in our office because of the difficulty of your dental situation, we can send you to an orthodontic specialist to assess your options

After determining our goals, we take the photos, models and X-rays that are necessary to fabricate the series of trays. We send these records to ALIGN TECHNOLOGIES and their high-tech facility makes your trays using some of the most advanced computer aided diagnostics and manufacturing in medical science.

About a month from your initial visit, you begin your treatment by receiving the first 3 trays. After that, you will visit us every 6 weeks for a check of your progress and to receive the next trays in the series. It is critical to understand that this methodology only works if you are absolutely committed to wearing the trays 23 hours each and every day of your treatment time.

When the final tray has brought the teeth to the desired position, it can be used as a retainer at night for several months. In most cases, the lower teeth will need a discrete, permanently bonded wire on the inside of the dental arch to prevent relapse and the patient will need to wear conventional retainers of some sort at night indefinitely.

What are the limitations of Invialign^®?

Invisalign^® cannot move the whole tooth through bone. To correct moderate-severe mal-occlusions, or severe crowding, you may need conventional braces to do the job effectively. Invisalign^® is best used for the correction of cosmetic problems with crowded front teeth because it is only effective at "TIPPING" teeth. This limits the kinds of problems it can correct. In our office, we always recommend that you have a consultation with an orthodontist if you have problems with your bite that are more complex than simple cosmetic complaints.