The Truth About Invisalign

Just What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign® is a brand of clear removable aligners developed by Align Technology in 1998. Clear removable aligners have been used for decades as “retainers” at the end of orthodontic treatment to hold the teeth in their new positions.  Invisalign® provides software and technology that allows a patient’s crooked and misplaced teeth to move in stages.  Each stage is a new set of aligners.  Typically, patients are required to wear their aligners for 22 hours a day and only remove them for meals and tooth brushing. The aligners are changed every 2 weeks with each set gradually moving your teeth into the prescribed place as planned by your Orthodontist.

Can Invisalign® Really Move the Teeth as Effectively as Braces? 

Yes, absolutely! Since the inception of Align Technology in 1998, more and more orthodontists have been using aligners to treat many different types of cases.   Invisalign®, like braces is a tool to help the Orthodontist to move teeth.  Similarly to braces, the orthodontist diagnoses the patient and plans the treatment.  And in many cases, adults and teens who are committed to wearing their aligners can finish their treatment in the same or a shorter period of time than traditional braces!

Isn’t Invisalign® More expensive than Braces?

Like all new technology, the price for Invisalign® has decreased over the years as more and more patients are deciding to use this appliance to have their teeth straightened.  In our offices, Invisalign® and braces fees are very similar.

Why Choose Invisalign®?

  • Invisable- great esthetics
  • Removable- ease of cleaning and eat what you want
  • Minimal discomfort

Why Invisalign? The Top 10 Reasons to Choose Invisalign® for Your Smile Makeover:

  1. Removable aligners straighten your teeth
  2. Invisible (nobody will know you’re wearing them!)
  3. Customized to fit and move your teeth with no discomfort
  4. Easy to maintain brushing and flossing
  5. Freedom to eat and drink whatever you want
  6. Smooth alignment will not scrape or cut your lips and cheek
  7. Non-damaging to teeth and enamel
  8. Timesaving system requires fewer office visits
  9. Price is comparable to braces (really!)
  10. Most modern & effective way to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile at any age!

Invisalign® Teen

Now teens don’t have to worry about embarrassing metal braces in their yearbook photos or Facebook profiles!  Invisalign® Teen is the clear way to straighten your teeth without metal braces. Aligners are removable and clear, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. You can still eat and drink what you want.  You can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth, and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.  You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks and remove them only to eat, drink, brush and floss.  Your teeth will move gradually each week, and you will visit us every 8-10 weeks.  The average number of aligners is between 18 and 30.

With blue-to-clear color-changing aligners to show how long each aligner has been worn, six free replacement aligners in case some are lost or broken, and other changes designed to accommodate growing mouths.  Invisalign® Teen is the perfect teeth-straightening system for today’s teens’ busy lifestyles!

By using its advanced technology, Invisalign® Teen can treat a broad range of dental and orthodontic conditions, which, in the past, were usually treated with traditional braces. These conditions include:

  • Overly crowded teeth
  • Widely spaced teeth
  • Crossbite
  • Overbite
  • Underbite

Accelerated Invisalign® 

With just 20 minutes of daily use, the AcceleDent® System complements the orthodontic force applied by Invisalign aligners. Through the application of gentle microvibrations, the device accelerates bone remodeling.

The results? Faster tooth movement without any adverse effects.  Research has shown that tooth movement is accelerated by 106% during the initial phase of treatment and up to 50% during the subsequent phase of treatment– potentially shortening conventional orthodontic treatment time.

How does our Accelerated Invisalign® procedure work?

By inserting the Mouthpiece – fitted around your existing Invisalign® aligners – and turning on the Activator for 20 minutes every day, AcceleDent® can speed up tooth movement.  Further tooth movement decreases the duration of your orthodontic treatment – and can even help to make your orthodontics more comfortable.  AcceleDent® has been proven safe in several clinical trials. It is a Class II medical device that has been cleared for use by the FDA – the government agency that approves drugs and medical devices.