Want a straighter, more confident smile without the look and inconvenience of traditional braces? Invisalign® may be an excellent option for you.
Many adults assume orthodontic treatment is primarily for children and teenagers, but clear aligners have made achieving a straighter smile easier and more discreet for patients of all ages. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth into their ideal positions—without the metal brackets and wires associated with traditional braces.
Because the aligners are virtually invisible and removable, you can continue eating the foods you enjoy and maintain your normal brushing and flossing routine throughout treatment. Invisalign can also require fewer office visits than traditional braces, making it a convenient option for busy patients.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Your Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation at Summit Dental Excellence. Our team will evaluate your teeth and bite and use advanced digital technology to create a precise 3D model of your smile.
Using this information, our doctors will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific alignment and bite needs. Your custom treatment plan is then used to create a series of clear aligners designed specifically for your teeth.
Each set of aligners is typically worn for about two weeks before progressing to the next set, although your treatment schedule may vary based on your individual needs. Throughout treatment, we’ll schedule periodic appointments to monitor your progress and make sure your smile is moving according to plan.
Benefits of Invisalign
Clear aligners offer several advantages over traditional braces, including:
- Virtually invisible: The clear aligners are discreet, making them difficult to notice when you’re wearing them.
- Removable: Take your aligners out when eating, brushing, flossing, or for special occasions.
Easier to maintain oral hygiene: Removing the aligners allows you to brush and floss your teeth normally. - Enjoy your favorite foods: There are fewer dietary restrictions because you can remove your aligners while eating.
- Comfortable design: Smooth plastic aligners eliminate the brackets and wires that can irritate the cheeks and gums.
- Convenient treatment: Invisalign may require fewer dental visits than traditional orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
Both Invisalign and traditional braces can be used to address a variety of orthodontic concerns, including crowded teeth, gaps and spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. The right treatment option depends on your individual smile and orthodontic needs.
For many patients, Invisalign offers the advantage of discreet, removable treatment. You can maintain your regular oral hygiene routine, enjoy your favorite foods, and avoid the metal brackets and wires associated with traditional braces.
If you’re considering a straighter smile, our team at Summit Dental Excellence can help determine whether Invisalign is right for you. Schedule a consultation with our Oconomowoc dental team to learn more about your treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost is typically comparable to traditional braces but again varies on a case by case basis. If a longer course is needed to correct the malocclusion, pricing can increase.
Invisalign treatment is great for both teens and adults whose malocclusion is ideal for treatment. Other problems may exist with a patient’s bite that may require a more traditional orthodontic approach. Each patient should be evaluated on a case by case basis. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Typically each aligner is worn for a period of two weeks. However, each course is specific to the patient and therefore your doctor will outline a specific plan or cycle for each patient.
The length of your Invisalign treatment depends on the patient. Sometimes it is only necessary to use the system to close a few spaces or treat minor malocclusion. Because each case is different, treatment can last anywhere from as little as 3 months. In some cases, treatment can last a little longer than 16 months.
