Invisalign
Orthodontic issues affect the symmetry and appearance of the smile. Problems such as crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and malocclusion (abnormal bite) can also impact the health and integrity of your teeth by making them more difficult to clean and maintain or by contributing to abnormal patterns of excessive wear and tear. Whether your teeth are crooked, crowded, or misaligned, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® can help you get a beautifully straight and healthy smile.
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is a popular orthodontic treatment alternative to traditional, metal braces. Invisalign® consists of custom-designed and manufactured clear aligner trays that are made of smooth plastic.
How Invisalign® Works
Worn like mouthguards, Invisalign® clear aligner trays are designed to fit snuggly over each arch of teeth. Each Invisalign® treatment system includes a series of graduated aligner trays. The trays exert targeted pressure on the teeth to gradually shift them into the desired locations throughout the course of treatment. By the time you finish wearing the last set of aligner trays in your Invisalign® system, your orthodontic treatment will be complete.
Why Choose Invisalign®? The Benefits of Teeth Straightening with Aligners
Invisalign® offers many benefits and advantages over orthodontic treatment with traditional, metal braces.
Comfort
Invisalign® clear aligner trays are made from a smooth plastic that is comfortable to wear and gentle on the mouth's soft tissues.
Discreet Treatment
Invisalign® aligner trays are virtually invisible which means you can straighten your teeth and address your orthodontic issues without having to wear more noticeable metal braces.
No Activity Limitations
With Invisalign®, there's no need to refrain from participating in all of your favorite athletic activities because there is no worry about damaging your orthodontic appliances or your soft tissues.
Eat All of Your Favorite Foods
Invisalign® aligner trays can be removed during meals which means you can continue enjoying all of your favorite foods - no matter how hard, crunchy, or sticky - during treatment.
Simplified Treatment
Treatment with Invisalign® requires fewer dental appointments throughout the course of treatment, simplifying your care.
What to Expect: Treatment with Invisalign®
Consultation
Treatment with Invisalign® begins with a consultation with Dr. Hallock to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for treatment with Invisalign®. During this appointment, our dentist will take diagnostic images and evaluate your teeth, jaw, and alignment in addition to talking with you about your treatment goals and expectations.
Personalized Treatment Plan
We scan your mouth to take digital impressions. These impressions are uploaded into special software that enables us to design a personalized treatment plan for you and send it to the Invisalign® dental lab to be manufactured exactly to your specifications.
Pick up Your Invisalign® Treatment System
Once your treatment system is ready, we have you stop by our office to pick up your aligner trays and learn how to use them.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
We will provide you with a detailed treatment plan and a schedule of follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
Aligner trays must be worn for a total of 20 to 22 hours every day for treatment success, and each set of aligner trays will be worn for about two weeks before moving on to the next set of aligners.
Enjoy Your Beautiful Smile
Once you've completed your Invisalign® treatment system, our dentist will talk with you about whether or not you might benefit from wearing a retainer to help maintain your new smile and prevent your teeth from shifting back into their previous alignment. Ongoing orthodontic care is not necessary for everyone.
When your treatment is complete, remember to smile brightly and enjoy your beautifully straight teeth!
Is Invisalign® Right for Everyone?
Invisalign® can best address minor to moderate orthodontic issues such as:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Malocclusion (bite problems)some text
- Open bite
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
In certain more complex or severe cases, initial treatment with traditional braces or other orthodontic devices might be necessary before a patient can successfully transition to completing their treatment with an Invisalign® treatment system.
Additionally, we typically only recommend Invisalign® treatment for adults and treatment with Invisalign® Teen for responsible teenagers because adhering to the treatment plan exactly as prescribed is essential to treatment success.
Orthodontics and Invisalign® With Our Dentist in Kettering, Ohio
You do not have to live with crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth - especially when modern orthodontics offers simple treatments like Invisalign®. Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® can help you improve the look, health, and comfort of your smile. To find out if Invisalign® is right for you, we welcome you to contact our dental office in Kettering, Ohio to request an orthodontic evaluation and consultation with Dr. Hallock today.