Invisalign®
Our experienced orthodontists leverage Invisalign to create amazing smiles. Simply stated, Invisalign uses removable aligners to straighten the teeth. These aligners are virtually invisible, are comfortable to wear, and are made of high-quality, safe-to-use SmartTrack material. Sophisticated 3D computer imaging technology enables lab technicians to create a custom-fit solution to gradually straighten the teeth.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign is a highly effective alternative to braces, with many added benefits such as:
- No uncomfortable metal or wires
- Removable for hassle-free drinking, eating, brushing, and flossing
- Fewer adjustments to save you time and money at the doctor’s office
- Online virtual treatment plan to view current and future progress
- No visible wires or metal, allowing you to fix your teeth covertly
- Quick and reliable treatment
- And so much more!
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign uses a series of different aligners designed to straighten your teeth over time.
Here’s how it works:
- Every two weeks, you will use a new aligner in your treatment plan
- Each aligner will slowly move your teeth until they are straight
- You will visit our office every six weeks for a check-up
- Treatment typically takes 9-15 months with between 18-30 different aligners
For more information about Invisalign, visit the official Invisalign website.
Invisalign® for Teens
No two teen cases are the same, which is why Align Technology is constantly advancing its Invisalign digital treatment solutions. This allows our office to deliver a unique, customized teeth-straightening solution that’s more precise and keeps your teen moving forward. Invisalign treatment gives both you and your teen a better teeth-straightening experience when compared to traditional braces.
- Corrects both simple and complex teeth-straightening cases
- Covered by orthodontic insurance
- Proprietary innovations provide up to 50% shorter treatment times*
- No pain from rubbing brackets or broken wires and fewer unexpected orthodontist visits
- Continue to enjoy all of the foods and activities they love
- Removable trays for easy brushing and flossing
- Two times more likely to have a boost in self-esteem**
Invisalign Restrictions
Invisalign works extremely well, but you’ll need to follow certain rules during the Invisalign process. Fortunately, these rules are simple steps designed to ensure your teeth will be straight and healthy, improving your bite and enhancing your smile. Invisalign rules include restrictions on who can use them and how they can be used, as well as information regarding the treatment, how often Invisalign should be used per day, and more. Be sure to follow the advice of your orthodontist and ask if you have any questions or concerns regarding your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign can be an excellent choice for anyone trying to straighten their teeth efficiently without the use of traditional braces.
Keep these restrictions in mind if you are considering Invisalign:
Eating and Drinking
You must remove your Invisalign before you start eating. While you can eat foods not normally recommended for those wearing braces, you cannot eat with the Invisalign aligners on your teeth. Before replacing your aligners, you should floss and brush to keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid bacteria buildup.
Changing Invisalign
Invisalign must be adjusted over time as the positions of your teeth change. This means visiting the office for a check-up every six weeks and wearing the aligners for 9-15 months. You may need to change your aligners frequently, up to about 30 times during the process.
Hours Per Day
Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn up to 22 hours a day. Of course, this time may change depending on factors such as meal size and consistency and how often you brush and floss. You’ll also need to remove Invisalign during your orthodontics appointments and wear them as instructed by your orthodontist.
Coverage
Invisalign aligners are not guaranteed to be covered by your dental insurance provider. While many insurance providers will cover Invisalign just as they cover braces, it’s important to ask ahead of time. There are other ways to pay for Invisalign treatment if insurance is not a factor, so prepare in advance.
Training
While many orthodontists are trained to use and provide Invisalign, this isn’t universal. It’s important to visit an Invisalign-certified orthodontist with experience in this unique set of aligners. Robison Orthodontics is certified and experienced in using Invisalign, so you can be sure that your experience with our Invisalign will improve your oral health.
The process is as follows:
Meet With Your Orthodontist
You’ll not only be able to ask all your questions up front, but you’ll also be able to see what your straightened smile will look like. Your orthodontist will work with you to develop a treatment plan so you know what to expect and may take x-rays, measurements, and molds of your teeth to create custom Invisalign trays for your mouth.
Wear the Aligners
After your custom trays are created, you’ll begin wearing your aligners. Every two weeks or so, you’ll swap it for a new one to continue moving your teeth into position. Every six weeks, you’ll visit your orthodontist for a check-up, as well as to pick up the new sets of aligners you’ll be using. This step can last for several months, and the aligners must be worn for several hours each day, but Invisalign aligners are designed to be comfortable, minimally disruptive, and practically invisible. As a result, your daily routine should not change much.
Wear a Retainer
After you’re finished with your series of Invisalign aligners, you’ll need to retain your smile with an invisible retainer. This way, your smile doesn’t shift as soon as you stop using the aligners. You can continue smiling your best and feeling your best by wearing the retainer regularly and ensuring your teeth stay in place.
Overall, the stages of using an Invisalign aligner to straighten your teeth are simple, efficient, and effective. You won’t need to worry about difficult contraptions, long visits with your orthodontist, or wearing highly visible and often uncomfortable braces.
Important: The First 12 Hours of Treatment
When you’re starting an Invisalign treatment or replacing your aligners, the first 12 hours are crucial. During this time, your aligners are at their most influential on your teeth, and the most work can get done. It’s important to keep your aligners in place for the first 12 hours each time you change aligners to start your Invisalign process strong from the beginning.
Invisalign Retainer Rules
- Month One: 22 hours per day, just as you did with your Invisalign.
- Month Two: 20 hours per day.
- Month Three: 18 hours per day.
- Month Four: 16 hours per day.
- Month Five: 14 hours per day.
- Month Six: 12 hours per day.
- Month Seven and Moving Forward: Now begin wearing your retainer at night only.
Common Issues with Invisalign
While Invisalign treatment is designed to be efficient and reliable, there are a few rare issues with the process.
Incompatibility
Everyone has a different smile and different issues with their bite, and an Invisalign aligner may not be appropriate for everyone. That’s why it’s important to consult with your orthodontist ahead of time to make sure that Invisalign is a treatment that can help you. Fortunately, even if you are not receiving the results you want with Invisalign, your aligners can be replaced with traditional braces if necessary.
Infrequent Wear
Invisalign works best if the aligners are worn as instructed by your orthodontist. While keeping Invisalign in place for 22 hours a day every day isn’t always possible, wearing them infrequently won’t give your teeth the opportunity they need to shift correctly. This may result in longer treatment times than average.
Immature Bite
Young children who are in their first phase of orthodontics treatment will need different aligners than adults. This is because a child’s teeth are always changing, with some falling out and others growing in. At this phase, a child may not be ready for Invisalign, or they’ll need an aligner that can handle the numerous changes.
Invisalign Care Instructions
- Brush and floss regularly, and remove your aligners while you do.
- Rinse your aligners each time you remove them.
- Once per day, remove your aligners and rinse again. Allow them to soak in the tray with Invisalign cleaner, then brush gently with a toothbrush.
- If the aligners are cloudy or seem stained, allow them to soak for up to two hours, then brush them with a bit of baking soda.
- When not wearing your aligners, keep them safe in their carrying container. Keep this container with you to avoid losing it and your aligners.
- Visit your orthodontist every six weeks to get a check-up and replace your aligners with new ones to ensure continuity of treatment.
Invisalign Go Timeline
Invisalign Go may be an option offered by your orthodontist to treat exceptionally mild misalignment issues. Whether the misalignment is a natural issue or a result of other orthodontic care that regressed due to not wearing a retainer or not receiving follow-up care, Invisalign Go can help address minor issues very quickly.
Since minimal readjustment is necessary, Invisalign Go treatment may take as few as seven to sixteen weeks, depending on the person.
The timeline for your treatment should look something like this:
- You’ll meet with your orthodontist to discuss Invisalign Go, and they will either take measurements, x-rays, or impressions.
- Your orthodontist will work closely with an Invisalign Go lab to create aligners customized to treat your bite.
- You’ll wear the aligners for about 22 hours a day. For the first day, wear the aligners for 12 hours straight if possible.
- Every two weeks, you’ll receive a new aligner to use.
- In six weeks, you’ll visit your orthodontist for new impressions and to assess progress.
- You may already see real changes. Your treatment may last longer than sixteen weeks, depending on the severity of the misalignment.
Invisalign FAQs
It’s natural to have questions about the Invisalign process.
Here are a few of the most common:
Invisalign is designed to be worn for 22 hours a day to maximize how much work they can do to move your teeth into their correct positions. If you aren’t able to wear them for the full 22 hours, Invisalign will be less effective, and treatment will take longer. If you forget to wear them for too long, the aligners may stop fitting correctly. Talk to your orthodontist if you worry that you’re behind on your treatment.
Generally speaking, 20 hours per day should get close to achieving Invisalign’s purpose. However, different patients have different needs, which means that this answer won’t be the same for everybody. Follow the schedule your orthodontist sets for you as closely as you can.
There’s almost nothing you can’t do while using Invisalign. The only things you’ll need to avoid during wear include eating, cleaning your teeth, and drinking beverages besides water. In addition, whether you’re wearing them or storing them in their container, avoid playing with your aligners and do your best to prevent them from becoming dirty or damaged.
As long as you don’t keep your aligners off too long, you can remove your Invisalign as often as you must. This allows you to have snacks, brush or floss, drink beverages other than water, and attend an orthodontic check-up without worry. Of course, it’s recommended to remove them as little as possible, so it’s best not to overdo it.
Invisalign aligners may seem expensive, but their price is often comparable to that of braces. There are always options in place to help people who are struggling to afford treatment. At Robison Orthodontics, we want everyone to have a healthy smile on a budget, which is why we offer payment plans and accept most major credit cards. With our Ohana Deals plan, military discounts, and financing options, we’ll help you make sure you can pay for your Invisalign.
What Is The Cost Of Invisalign?
The cost of your Invisalign treatment will depend on a number of factors such as the extent of the correction required, how long it will take for the full treatment plan and the treatment plan prescribed by Dr. Tyler or Dr. Blake at their Gilbert, AZ orthodontic office.
We aim to make Invisalign treatment as affordable as possible for everyone. For the cost of your cell phone bill monthly, you can get a straight smile that is healthy and beautiful.
