A hallway between treatment rooms at Town Center Dental

Invisalign

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners: custom plastic trays you wear over your teeth and change in a planned series. They can help with many cases of crowding or spacing, but not every bite problem. Your dentist examines and scans your teeth, then explains your options, your timeline and your retainer plan.

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Removable trays

You take clear aligners out to eat, drink, brush and floss.

Wear time matters

Aligners only work when you wear them as directed. Your dentist tells you how many hours a day and when to switch trays.

Not right for every case

Aligners treat some bite problems and not others. The first visit is where your dentist sorts out which one you have.

Retainers keep the result

Teeth can drift back after treatment. A retainer helps hold them in place.

Invisalign is a popular form of cosmetic dentistry which our team at Town Center Dental help our patients with. Invisalign can be used to treat misaligned teeth of many forms including teeth with spacing issues, underbites, and overbites. It offers a virtually invisible treatment for straightening teeth by using a series of clear aligners. Traditional braces use metal and wires to straighten your teeth. This form of treatment is highly visible, cannot be removed, and can be hard to maintain. Invisalign’s clear aligners are made of thermoplastic materials that are smooth and removable.

Why Invisalign Treatment?

Not only is Invisalign the most aesthetically pleasing treatment for misaligned teeth, but Invisalign is also popular for many other reasons. Invisalign offers the fastest treatment for crooked teeth. With biweekly aligner changes you can achieve your desired outcome faster than ever.

Invisalign offers the most comfortable treatment for misaligned teeth because aligner trays are both smooth and removable. This means you can enjoy the same functions that your teeth provide normally. Invisalign offers the most convenient treatment for teeth with visits to the dentist only being necessary every six weeks.

How Can I Start Invisalign Treatment?

The first step in receiving your clear aligners is the initial consultation. During this meeting, you can discuss your goals. Next, we will use a digital scanning system to create a precise model of your teeth. Then we can map out your individual treatment plan including the exact movement of your teeth and how long your treatment will take. You will receive a new set of clear aligners every week.

As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth will gradually begin to shift into alignment. In order to gently shape your smile, you will wear your Invisalign clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. Only take them out when it is time to eat or when brushing and flossing. With an Invisalign treatment plan, you can have straight teeth in up to six months. When your Invisalign treatment is complete it is important to maintain your progress by wearing a retainer. We recommend wearing your retainer every night for the first year after treatment. Following that, you should wear your retainer three to five nights a week in order to maintain your perfect smile.

Now Is The Time To Straighten Your Teeth With Invisalign

With Invisalign, there is no better time to achieve the smile that you have always wanted. Our experienced dental professionals at Town Center Dental are proud to offer Invisalign to our patients, the most advanced remedy for misaligned teeth. Call us now at 636-273-5866 to discuss your treatment plan, and allow us to be your trusted healthcare provider.

Clear aligners and traditional braces side by side

Question	Clear aligners	Traditional braces
Can you take them out?	Yes. You remove them to eat, drink, brush and floss.	No. They stay on your teeth during treatment.
Food rules	You take the trays out to eat, so fewer food limits.	Some foods are off limits, and you may need new cleaning tools.
Who keeps them on?	You do. They only work when worn as directed.	The brackets and wires stay on without your effort.
Speed	Some cases take more time and tray changes for the same result.	May fix some problems more quickly.
Who they suit	Many cases of crowding or mild to moderate bite problems.	Used for a range of bite problems. Your dentist advises which one fits.

Is Invisalign right for my teeth?

It depends on your bite. Cleveland Clinic explains that clear aligners treat crowded or crooked teeth and some mild to moderate bite problems, and that the treatment is not an option for everyone. Your dentist decides after an exam.

What the dentist looks at: how crowded or spaced your teeth are, how your upper and lower teeth meet (called malocclusion when they do not line up), the health of your gums, and whether you have old dental work that affects movement. Healthy gums and teeth matter before any tooth movement starts.

If aligners are not a good match, your dentist can talk about other options, such as braces, or about referring you to another dental provider for a complex bite problem. You can read how the options compare in the Invisalign vs braces guide, or see the related clear aligners page and the teeth straightening overview.

What happens after the aligners come off?

Your teeth need support to stay where they are. Cleveland Clinic says that wearing a retainer helps keep your teeth in the correct place so they do not move. This holds for braces and for aligners.

A retainer is a custom-made device. Your dentist tells you how long to wear it each day and how that changes over time. Follow that plan, even when your teeth feel settled. Teeth can drift when a retainer is skipped.

Bring the retainer to your checkups so the dentist can check the fit. If it cracks, warps or goes missing, call the office. Our blog post on why you still need retainers goes deeper. You can also read the glossary entry for retainer.

What does day-to-day life with aligners look like?

You switch to a new tray on a schedule your dentist sets. The new tray may feel tight for a few days. Cleveland Clinic notes that pressure or soreness typically eases within a few days.

You take the trays out to eat and drink anything other than water, then brush and floss before you put them back. Keep them in their case when they are out.

Brush your teeth and floss as usual. Clear aligners hold food and drink against your teeth, so cleaning matters. Come to your regular checkups and cleanings. Your dentist checks that your teeth are moving as planned.

Tell the office if a tray cracks, fits poorly or goes missing. Do not guess about the next step. Request an appointment or call (636) 273-5866 to start with a consultation.

Questions about invisalign

Read the guideInvisalign vs Braces: Which Is Faster, Easier, and Better for Your Bite?

Invisalign vs braces: which is faster?

It depends on your teeth. Cleveland Clinic says traditional braces may fix some dental issues more quickly than clear aligners, and that none of these treatments is a quick fix. Your dentist can tell you which fits your case and give a time estimate after an exam.

How long does Invisalign take to straighten teeth?

Length depends on how far your teeth need to move. Cleveland Clinic says more serious issues need several more months than a few slightly crooked teeth do. After a scan, your dentist maps your plan and gives you an estimate for your own teeth.

Does Invisalign hurt?

You may feel pressure or soreness, especially when you start a new tray. Cleveland Clinic says it typically eases within a few days. If pain lasts or a tray rubs your gums, call the office so your dentist can check the fit.

Can adults use Invisalign?

Often, yes. The American Dental Association notes that healthy teeth can be treated with braces or aligners at any age. Your teeth and gums need to be healthy first, so your dentist checks for decay and gum disease. Your dentist decides whether aligners suit your bite.

Do I need a retainer after Invisalign?

Yes, your dentist will likely recommend one. Cleveland Clinic explains that teeth can move on their own after treatment, and a retainer helps keep them in the correct place. Your dentist sets how long to wear it.

What if I lose or crack an aligner?

Call the office. Do not skip ahead to the next tray or wear a damaged one without advice. Your dentist can tell you whether to go back a step, wait, or have a new tray made.

Related services

Sources

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