How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign can be a great option for adults who want an invisible way to get straight teeth. The process is short, between six months and two years long. The end result is a beautiful, straight smile! But how does something invisible make visible changes to your teeth?

Invisible Aligners for Your Teeth

The Invisalign dental system utilizes clear aligners, similar to clear retainers you may already sleep with. Aligners stay on your teeth all day but do not affect your smile or how you talk. You get to remove them for eating, so you do not have to worry about changing your diet for your new straight teeth.

These aligners are custom to your teeth, making them a comfortable orthodontic solution, without brackets or sore gums.

What Can Invisalign Do?

Invisalign can rectify gaps, straighten crooked teeth, or align an off-center smile. It can also fix small occlusions, where the jaw is set slightly forward or backward.

Invisalign is a great option as part of our smile rehabilitation treatment. Fixing a jaw occlusion can relieve pain in your jaw, help with sleep apnea, and prepare your smile for other restorative treatments.

What Can’t Invisalign Do?

Invisalign is often not able to handle large dental issues such as teeth behind other teeth, or severely set back jaws. We recommend other orthodontic treatments for severe orthodontic needs.

The Invisalign Process

Invisalign places light pressure on your teeth to move them into a beautiful smile. You will switch to a new aligner set approximately every two weeks. The process of getting straight teeth is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Get a Consultation

You can meet with me to discuss goals for your smile. During the consultation, I will give you an estimate of how long your personal Invisalign journey will be, as well as the cost of the treatment. Be sure to ask about our Invisalign package deal.

If you are experiencing gum disease, even gingivitis, we will recommend treatment for that before we move forward with Invisalign. Invisalign can be damaging to unhealthy gums.

2. Receive and Wear Your Retainers

We will create your personalized set of aligners and either send them to you or have you come pick them up. Follow the instructions given to you to make sure that your aligners give you the results you want.

If necessary, we may make small adjustments throughout your treatment plan, especially if your teeth respond quickly or slowly to the aligners. This allows us to be as precise as possible.

3. See the Final Results

You will wear your retainers for anywhere between 6 months to 2 years. Since the aligners are clear, you will be able to see your progress in real time. You will come in for your final appointment, where we can take “after” pictures and ensure that your smile has met all of your cosmetic goals.

The Science Behind Invisalign

Invisalign is a science-based treatment. When teeth have consistent, yet gentle, pressure placed on them, they will slowly move in the direction they are being pushed. Our design software does the math for us, allowing us to focus on designing your amazing smile. Each tray has very small differences in shape that will gently push specific teeth into a better position.

Invisalign embraces math to be incredibly precise. Using the scans we have and the design software, we will create progressive sets of aligners that discreetly move your smile to your final smile.

Contact Us to Learn More

Our office in Alexandria, Virginia is an Invisalign provider. To learn more about Invisalign, get started with treatments, or to learn about your options for a beautiful new smile, call us today.