Treatment with Invisalign begins with impressions of the teeth. These impressions are sent to a lab that specializes in Invisalign aligner fabrication. At the lab, the impressions are scanned into a computer using special imaging technology and a series of 3D models are created that show how the teeth need to move to come into proper alignment. The aligners are fabricated based on these models. During treatment, the aligners are worn in a specific sequence determined by the 3D modeling to ensure the teeth move correctly during treatment. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being “swapped out” for the next aligner in the series. The number of aligners will depend on the issues being corrected and the length of treatment.

Invisalign offers several advantages over traditional braces:

• The plastic aligners are clear, meaning they’re almost impossible to detect while they’re being worn.
• The aligners don’t have any sharp edges or wires to irritate the inside of the cheeks.
• The smooth design makes them very easy to care for, and they can be removed when brushing and flossing so teeth stay healthy during treatment.
• The aligners can be removed when eating, so there are no dietary restrictions.
• Because of their custom design, most treatments can be completed faster than with traditional braces.

Most patients can complete an Invisalign treatment within 18 months.

While Invisalign can be very effective in treating many alignment issues, it’s not always the ideal choice. The initial consultation and evaluation visit will be able to determine if Invisalign is the best option or if another approach would be better.