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Invisalign and Orthodontics

**We do not provide this services but work with several excellent practices we can strongly recommend.**

Invisalign

Invisalign is a series of 18 to 30 thin, clear, removable plastic aligners are worn for a period of eight to 15 months. The aligners are almost undetectable and are designed to gradually correct tooth positions   The original technique, developed in the 1940’s required multiple orthodontic molds and each individual tooth was manually repositioned on the model by the orthodontist. Because of advancements in computer technology, Invisalign treatment was re-introduced in 1999 as a more aesthetically pleasing treatment than conventional wire and bracket braces.

In the modern technique, a single set of molds of your teeth are taken. The molds are then converted into a computer generated virtual models. The computer moves each tooth on the virtual model 0.25 millimeters at a time, in a step by step manner. The series of aligners you will recieve reflects this step by step movement. When you first place an aligner over your teeth, the aligner will not quite fit and you will feel a pressure sensation on your teeth. The over the next few days your teeth will accomodate to the aligner as your teeth move into programed position. Aligners are changed about every four weeks. Although the aligners are removable (for eating, drinking certain beverages and brushing/flossing), they must be worn at least 20 hours a day in order to reposition the teeth successfull

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are metal wires and brackets (both metal and clear) that are bonded to the teeth. The brackets are not removable. A series of wires (starting with a very thin and flexible round wire and ending with a thicker square wire) are threaded into a slot in the brackets. The elastic memory of the wire is efficietly transfered to the tooth, by the bracket. Though not as esthetically appealing as clear aligners like Invisalign, today’s traditional braces have been improved so they are smaller, less visible and more efficient. The efficiency of the newer wire-and-bracket braces will correct misalignment much faster, more exactly, and the new position of teeth is more stable.

More on Invisalign and Traditional Braces

In addition to aesthetic benefits, Invisalign is more comfortable than traditional braces, does not traumatize lips and soft tissue, and makes oral hygiene much easier. However, Invisalign is currently only approved for adults or teenagers with completely erupted permanent teeth who can faithfully follow the directions for treatment. For example, must wear the aligners 20 hours a day, must not eat or drink with them in place (drink only water while wearing Invisalign trays to prevent tooth decay and/or staining of the plastic), keep regular follow-up apointments. If you do not follow treatment recomendations, you will compromise treatment success.

Only a dentist can determine which treatment option might be right for you. In addition, an orthodontic specialist (orthodontist) typically has been trained to manage dental-facial growth and development and can advise you about a wider variety of orthodontic treatment alternatives. While Invisalign, under some curcumstances, may be appropriate for some limited orthodontic corrections, traditional orthodontics are definitly indicated for such conditions as:

  • Crowding and spacing greater than five millimeters
  • Skeletal malocclusions
  • Discrepancies involving how the upper and lower jaw joints and jaw muscles close together.
  • Teeth that are severely rotated
  • Open bites in the front and back of the mouth that need to be closed
  • Teeth that are severely tipped.
  • Upper or lower jaws with multiple missing teeth.
invisalign and orthodontic treatment

Average Cost

  • Invisalign treatment – $3, 500 to $7, 000
  • Traditional Braces – $4, 500 to $7, 500

Length of Procedure

  • An average of 12 to 24 months from start to finish for both.
  •  Traditional braces can reduce Invisalign treatment by half

Anesthesia

  • None

Recovery Time

  • None

Number of visits required

  • Checkup appointments every four to eight weeks after initial fitting

Risks

  • Inability to correct occlusion, orthodontic relapse – more likely with Invisalign.
  • Gum desease, cavities, color change to teeth – more likely with Traditional braces.

Facial Aesthetics