Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Many patients dream of achieving straighter teeth, but the thought of wearing noticeable, metal braces is just too much. At The Smilist Dental Medford, we understand this concern and want to help you improve the aesthetic value of your smile without having to sacrifice its natural appearance for months or even years in the process. That’s why we offer Invisalign, a method for straightening teeth that is effective, discrete, and convenient. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our preferred Invisalign providers, Dr. DeSivo or Dr. Yang!

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign eliminates the traditional bracket-and-wire model from orthodontic treatment entirely, replacing it with a series of clear, custom-made aligners. Our dentists will start the process by capturing detailed impressions of your smile and sending them to the Invisalign lab, who will fabricate a series of aligners. Each aligner will gradually move your teeth, and with time, they’ll shift into their proper positions.

For Invisalign treatment to be effective, it’s important that you follow a few simple guidelines:

• Wear the trays as directed for at least 20 - 22 hours a day. Take them out only to eat and clean your teeth.
• Keep your aligners clean. You can do this by gently rinsing them before you put them back in your mouth, using a toothbrush to clean them once a day, and not drinking anything but water while you’re wearing them.
• Attend routine checkups. These appointments are to ensure your treatment is on the right track and continues to be effective. You can also take the opportunity to ask any questions or express any concerns you have about your treatment.

Indications for Invisalign

The best way to find out if Invisalign is right for you is to come into our office for a consultation, but the chances are good that it will be a fit for your situation. This treatment is effective for most orthodontic issues, including crookedness, malocclusion (a bad bite), and gaps between the teeth. However, some severe problems may require traditional braces. Situations in which we may recommend clear aligners include:

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth can not only make you feel a little less confident about showing off your smile, but they can also impact your oral health by providing hideouts for plaque and tartar and increasing our risk of developing cavities.

Gaps Between Teeth

While some people feel confident and comfortable having a gap between their front teeth or find their misspaced teeth give their smile character, others may not feel this way. If you find the spaces in your smile unappealing, Invisalign can help shift your teeth together, making your smile appear more symmetrical.

Bite Alignment

Mild and moderate overbite, underbite, and crossbite can lead to jaw pain and even conditions like bruxism and TMJ disorder. Invisalign clear aligners can address malocclusion and restore harmony to your oral function to reduce your risk of developing other problems down the road.

Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign is an outstanding alternative to braces and has been used to help more than 8 million people achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. But one of the most common questions we hear is, “Does Invisalign work for teens?” The answer is yes! In fact, we offer an option called Invisalign Teen that addresses the unique challenges teenagers face to help them get the fantastic results they’re looking for.

The Benefits of Invisalign

Unlike with traditional braces, you won’t have to worry about any dietary restrictions while you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment. If you feel like snacking on popcorn or having some corn on the cob, you can do that without worrying. All you have to do is take your aligners out, enjoy your food, and put them back in.

And while we urge you to wear your aligners as much as possible, it’s okay to remove trays for a couple of hours if you’re attending a special event, like a wedding or graduation. We understand that you don’t want even clear braces to interfere with your photogenic nature.

Here are some other perks of Invisalign:

• It’s generally faster than traditional braces, taking an average of just 12 to 18 months. Of course, exactly how long your treatment will take depends on how far your teeth need to move.
• You might be able to start seeing results in just a couple of months.
• Many insurance plans are willing to pay at least part of the cost of Invisalign.
• Quite a few patients have noted that Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces because there are no metal parts to irritate the mouth.
• It’s easy to keep your teeth clean. You’ll be able to brush and floss as you normally would without trying to maneuver around brackets and wires.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Invisalign sounds like an excellent way to achieve the straighter smile you’ve always wanted, but how much does it cost? You may be surprised to know that Invisalign is comparable to the cost of traditional orthodontic treatment; however, because each case is unique, your final cost is determined during your consultation with your dentist based on the length and complexity of your specific treatment plan.

Our treatment coordinator is happy to help you determine how to fit Invisalign treatment into your budget without breaking the bank.

Invisalign FAQs

Even with all this information at your fingertips, you may have some questions about Invisalign. Keep reading to get some of our responses to the most common questions we receive from our patients. If you have more concerns than what we address here, please contact our office and schedule a consultation. We would be more than happy to discuss Invisalign treatment in greater detail with you in person.