Invisalign in Springfield
Straighten your teeth with clear aligners.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to move your teeth into place gradually. The aligners are hard to notice, and you take them out to eat and clean your teeth.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic aligners, not brackets and wires, to move your teeth into a better position over time. The aligners are custom made for your mouth and slide over your teeth.
You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, or as long as your dentist instructs, then move on to the next set in your series. Each set has small changes, so your teeth shift a little at a time.
Invisalign can treat many of the same problems as braces, without metal that can rub against your cheeks, lips, and tongue.
Who Invisalign can help
Invisalign can treat many mild to moderate orthodontic problems, including gapped, crooked, or crowded teeth and a slight overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Your teeth should be healthy before treatment begins.
Severe problems may need another approach. If Invisalign is not the right fit, we also offer traditional metal braces, and we can refer you to an outside orthodontist when a problem is severe enough.
Invisalign works best for people who wear their aligners as directed. If you do not wear them enough, treatment can take longer, and you may need extra aligners at the end. We do not usually recommend Invisalign for people who smoke.
Your Invisalign treatment
It starts with a consultation. Your dentist evaluates your smile, reviews x-rays to see whether Invisalign can treat your concerns, and talks with you about what you like and dislike about your smile.
Next, we take impressions of your mouth and send them, with your dentist's notes, to the Invisalign lab, where the aligners for your treatment plan are made. When they arrive, your dentist checks the fit of your first set and makes adjustments if needed.
During treatment, you visit us about every six weeks so your dentist can check your progress. Near the end, your dentist evaluates whether more aligners are needed. When treatment is complete, your dentist will tell you how long to wear a retainer to help maintain your new smile.
Wearing and caring for your aligners
Plan to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. Because you remove them for meals, you generally do not need to avoid the foods that can break braces.
Each time you take them out to eat or drink, rinse your aligners and brush your teeth before you put them back in. This helps keep the aligners from staining or picking up an odor from bacteria.
Clean your aligners regularly by soaking them in Invisalign cleaning solution, denture cleaner, or another solution your dentist approves. Do not use toothpaste on the aligners, since it can dull them. Keep brushing and flossing your teeth as usual.
Is this right for me?
Invisalign may be a good fit if you:
- Have gapped, crooked, or crowded teeth
- Have a slight overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Need mild to moderate alignment and have healthy teeth
- Would rather not have metal brackets and wires
- Can commit to wearing your aligners day and night, except to eat and clean
- Want to take your aligners out to eat, brush, and floss
What to expect
Your visit, step by step.
- A consultation with an exam and x-rays to see if Invisalign is right for you.
- Impressions of your mouth, sent to the Invisalign lab to make your aligners.
- A fitting for your first set of aligners, with adjustments if needed.
- New aligners on the schedule your dentist sets, with checkups about every six weeks.
- A retainer after treatment to help maintain your new smile.
Questions we hear
Invisalign FAQs
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Every patient is different, so it varies. Invisalign treatment typically takes anywhere from six months to two years. You can talk with your dentist to get a better idea of how long your treatment will take.
Will people notice my aligners?
The aligners are clear and barely noticeable, so most people will not be able to tell you are wearing them.
Does Invisalign hurt?
The aligners put slight pressure on your teeth to move them, and your teeth may feel sore for a day or two after you switch to a new set. The aligners are smooth plastic with no brackets or wires, so they are less likely to irritate your cheeks, lips, and tongue than metal braces.
Can I eat what I want with Invisalign?
Generally, yes. You take your aligners out for meals, so you do not have to give up the hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can damage braces. Rinse your aligners and brush your teeth before you put them back in.
Does Invisalign cost more than braces?
Invisalign often costs a little more than traditional metal braces. Every patient is different, so your dentist can go over the cost of your treatment plan at your consultation.
Is Invisalign an option for teens?
It can be. Teens need to be responsible enough to wear their aligners as directed and to keep them clean and undamaged.
Ready when you are
Let’s make your next visit something to smile about.
New patients are welcome. Call us or send a request, and we will help you take the next comfortable step.
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