Invisalign clear aligners

•  Removable for social events.
•  Virtually invisible.
•  Soft and no sharp edges.
•  Great for straightening front teeth
•  Requires commitment to wearing full-time
•  Allows normal brushing and flossing.
•  Average treatment time 6-18 months.
•  Eat whatever foods you want.
•  Extremely popular choice for adults.

Traditional metal braces and wires

•  Not aesthetically pleasing.
•  Cannot be removed for social occasions.
•  Requires metal brackets and wires in mouth.
•  Can treat more complex situations.
•  Requires less self-discipline.
•  Normal brushing/flossing difficult
•  Average treatment time 24 months.
•  Some dietary restrictions.
•  Adults often object to regular braces.

How Invisalign® clear aligners work - from start to finish!

Treatment with clear aligners to straighten teeth always begins with careful planning and diagnosis. For that reason, record taking is the first step in Invisalign® treatment which includes photographs and dental impressions of your teeth, x-rays, and a basic dental examination. Dr. Ressler and his friendly staff will discuss any issues you may have, talk about the potential improvements to your smile that Invisalign® clear aligners can offer, and answer all of your questions.

Next, your records are transmitted to Invisalign® where specially-trained technicians develop a computer simulation of how your teeth can be moved to straighten and improve their alignment and appearance. Dr. Ressler may make adjustments to the simulated plan. Once a plan has been finalized, you will be able to review a personalized video animation of your teeth which will simulate optimal results and give you an idea of how they may look at the completion of treatment.

Finally, a series of clear aligners will be fabricated through a computer-driven manufacturing process, with each successive aligner changing in shape slightly from the previous one to gradually move individual teeth. You will wear each of the Invisalign® aligners 23 hours a day, for two weeks at a time, taking them out only to brush and floss your teeth and to eat. The complexity of your case will determine the number of aligners (and therefore the number of weeks) that will be necessary to complete treatment. Sometimes movement of teeth does not progress exactly as expected, and a new series of aligners or other orthodontic techniques may be necessary to obtain the desired result. Discomfort is usually only very minimal for the first few days after receiving a new aligner, and some patients might wish to take acetaminophen (Tylenol), if anything at all, during that limited period of time.

Adults seeking straighter teeth have different needs than teens.

Let’s face it, most adults with crooked or misaligned teeth who want to improve their smile really don’t want to wear metal wires and braces, let alone wear them for two years or more. They may have had previous orthodontic treatment, failed to wear the prescribed retainers, and have seen their teeth relapse and come out of proper alignment.

Perhaps they never had the benefits of orthodontic treatment as children or teenagers, and for the first time in their lives are now in a position to straighten their teeth and improve their appearance. They recognize the possibility of new social opportunities for dating and relationships, employment prospects like a new job or promotion, and many other benefits that may come from a beautiful new smile and straight teeth.