Technology has changed our lives in so many ways – including our orthodontic treatment options. Metal braces are no longer the only way to straighten a smile. With Invisalign treatment, teeth can be realigned without obstructing your smile or your lifestyle.
Invisalign patients use a series of clear aligners to comfortably straighten their teeth – without covering them with brackets and wires.
Invisalign has been proven effective in clinical research and in practices nationwide for decades. Treatment consists of a series of clear aligner trays that gradually straighten teeth to achieve a straighter, more confident smile. These aligners are crafted via 3D imaging to perfectly fit your teeth and help ensure a predictable treatment process.
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Who Is The Ideal Invisalign Patient?
Invisalign treatment is ideal for teenagers and adults who don’t want to compromise their appearance in order to straighten their teeth. Make the choice to pursue orthodontic treatment that lets you look and feel great throughout the course of treatment. Schedule a consultation to learn more about whether Invisalign could be right for you.
Interested in seeing the process for yourself? Watch our staff member Emily receive treatment and learn more about exactly what’s involved! Just check the #AlignWithEM hashtag on Facebook or Instagram.
Before and After Invisalign
The Invisalign Process
Talk to an Invisalign Provider
Your treatment begins after you select Dr. Hoffman as your Invisalign Preferred Provider and schedule your initial consultation. Keep in mind that not all dentists and orthodontists work with Invisalign, so it’s important to find a doctor who has received the proper Invisalign training and can truly evaluate your needs and determine how Invisalign can help you.
During the consultation, you and Dr. Hoffman will discuss your case in detail to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. This will also be your opportunity to ask any questions about Invisalign as well as to discuss costs and dental/orthodontic insurance options with our patient coordinators.
Create a 3-D Image of Your Teeth
Dr. Hoffman and our treatment coordinators will take a panoramic x-ray, photos and scan your teeth using an iTero intraoral scanner. The iTero intraoral scanner will create a digital 3-D image which Dr. Hoffman will use to create a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth. Using this same technology, he will even be able to show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will move with each stage of treatment.
Receive Your Custom Aligners Based On Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your individual treatment plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners is then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Simply wear them throughout the day, and remove them when you eat or to brush and floss your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place. And because they’re virtually invisible, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Wear a New Aligner Every Two Weeks
Approximately every two weeks, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with Dr. Hoffman, usually only every six weeks or so. At every stage, you will be able to see how much closer you are to having the smile that reflects the real you.
Reveal Your New Smile
While every patient’s case is unique, treatment typically takes approximately a year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of braces, but since your teeth won’t be covered by wires and brackets, you’ll be able to see improvement much sooner. For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment.
How Digital Impressions Transform Treatment
Traditional impressions leave much to be desired. Having to deal with the goop and mess associated with the process is unpleasant for many patients, especially those with a sensitive gag reflex or dental anxiety.
Digital impressions transform your treatment planning. Our dentists use iTero to take virtual, highly accurate 3D impressions of your teeth and the inside of your mouth.
Capturing precise, detailed images to aid in Invisalign treatment planning helps us provide the best possible results. This helps us make fewer adjustments along the way and streamline your Invisalign treatment process. iTero also allows our providers to digitally project how your teeth will look after straightening and show you those projected results.
If you have questions about digital impressions, give us a call at (586) 580-7517 to learn more.
