Invisalign®
Invisalign® clear aligners prove that effective orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. These ingenious appliances have helped millions straighten their teeth and achieve better-looking smiles, and they can help you too.
Invisalign® Aligners
Invisalign® aligners are an effective and discreet orthodontic treatment option that are worn comfortably over your child’s teeth to continuously adjust alignment and spacing.
Invisalign® aligners are custom-made using models of both your current teeth and the end result you hope to achieve. With Invisalign® aligners, your child will switch to new aligners about every two weeks with each set shifting the teeth slightly—this continues until they have achieved their final results, which usually takes about two years.
Your child will remove the Invisalign® aligners for eating, drinking and cleaning only. At first, they will feel very tight, but they will begin to loosen and feel more comfortable after a few days.
Orthodontic treatment in children can often be preventative, saving them from other oral health issues later in life. If you suspect that your child needs orthodontic treatment, it’s best for them to get evaluated between the ages of 7 and 9. Even if all of their permanent teeth are not in yet, we can check on the child’s jaw and palate and evaluate the loss of baby teeth.
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How does the Invisalign® process work?
To begin, we will take photographs of your teeth and face, dental impressions of your teeth and x-rays. Those records are sent to Invisalign® with detailed instructions on how we want the final result to appear. Invisalign® will scan the impressions to create a 3D model of the teeth and work with your dentist to get the mold to its exact proportions. Once final, the trays are made and mailed to your dentist office. You will wear a set of trays for two weeks at a time for approximately 2 years, or the length of time determined by your dentist.
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What are the differences between Invisalign® and braces?
There are many differences between Invisalign® and braces, we’ve listed some of the largest ones here. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but the introduction of Invisalign® to the market introduced a more efficient, less painful way to straighten teeth.
- Invisalign® uses clear transparent aligners, while braces use wires and brackets.
- Invisalign® aligners can be removed by the user at any time, while braces can only be removed by a professional.
- Invisalign® allows a user to eat whatever they would like and not make changes to their oral care practices, while braces restrict what the user can safely eat and require special maintenance and care.
- Invisalign® aligners do not present any injury risks, while braces can lead to cuts and other injuries.
- Invisalign® aligners are nearly impossible for others to notice, while braces are almost impossible to miss.
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Who can use Invisalign®?
Most teens and adult patients requiring mild to moderate orthodontic corrections can use Invisalign®. This includes patients with teeth that are crooked and misaligned or teeth that feature noticeable spacing problems. Invisalign can even help patients with minor bite issues—however, not all orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign®. More extensive problems will require additional treatment.
A Kid-Friendly Dental Experience
We specialize in providing first-class dental care to children of all ages. What’s more, we are parents too! Therefore, we understand the busy lives of families and have created an experience to make your dental visits simpler. Learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today.
