Invisalign in Whitehouse, OH

Do you long for a straight and beautiful smile but dislike the idea of wearing bulky, metal braces? If the answer is yes, then Invisalign may be right for you. Invisalign is a teeth straightening system that uses custom-made removable aligners to gradually shift teeth into the desired position. Thanks to the aligners’ clear design, you can straighten your teeth without worrying about their appearance.

Invisalign has helped millions of patients straighten their teeth more comfortably and conveniently than ever before. Dental Health Associates of Whitehouse is pleased to offer Invisalign to help you get the straight and beautiful smile you deserve.

Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

You may be a suitable candidate for Invisalign if you have any of the following:

• Gaps or spaces in between your teeth
• Crowded teeth
• An overbite (upper teeth bite over the lower teeth)
• A crossbite (upper and lower jaws are misaligned)

Invisalign is designed to treat minor tooth alignment and spacing issues. If you have severe misalignment or bite irregularities, traditional orthodontics with braces may be a more suitable option. Before recommending a treatment, our team will meet with you to examine your teeth and bite in order to determine your orthodontic needs.

How Invisalign Works to Straighten your Teeth

Invisalign involves wearing a series of aligners that will work to gradually shift your teeth to the desired position. Each set consists of an upper and lower aligner. After two weeks, you will swap your current aligners with a new pair. This process is repeated until your teeth reach the desired alignment and position. In total, you will need to wear 20 to 30 aligners, depending on the severity of your case. Treatment with Invisalign is typically shorter than with traditional braces; most patients will only need to wear their aligners for up to a year.

The first step in creating your Invisalign aligners is for our team to take impressions of your bite, as well as X-rays and photographs. This information will be used to create a three-dimensional map that will guide our team in crafting your series of aligners. Because your aligners will be created to match your unique specifications, they will slip over your teeth comfortably and securely, allowing you to speak and smile with ease.

Treatment with Invisalign is virtually painless. However, you may feel some slight pressure at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and should only last for a few days. You should wear each pair of aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush your teeth or clean your aligners. Over the course of your treatment, you will need to meet with us regularly so our team can monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Learn More about Invisalign

To find out if Invisalign can improve your smile and boost your self-confidence, schedule a consultation with Dental Health Associates of Whitehouse. Contact us by calling our dental practice or sending us an email today.

Why So Many of Our Patients Prefer Invisalign to Braces

Patients prefer Invisalign for a few big reasons. First, as its name suggests, Invisalign is transparent. The people you interact with usually cannot tell you are wearing your aligners.

Second, Invisalign is more comfortable than traditional orthodontics. The aligners do not have wires or brackets that can snag your sensitive gums.

Third, Invisalign is removable. This means you can take them out anytime you eat (which helps keep your teeth and aligners clean) or for special occasions when you would prefer not to wear your aligners. Obviously, the more you wear your aligners, the sooner your treatment will be complete, but it is nice to have the option to take them out.  

Taking Care of Your Invisalign Aligners

You will wear the same set of aligners for a couple weeks (on average) before you move on to the next set. Although your aligners are temporary, it is a good idea to keep each set clean by removing them anytime you eat or drink anything aside from water. Brushing your aligners once per day with toothpaste and temperate water should keep them even fresher.

Once you finish with a set of aligners, your dentist will ask you to store them somewhere sanitary. Although you are unlikely to need to wear that set again, your dentist may have you use it again if your teeth did not move as much as intended for those weeks. After your entire treatment is done, you may throw out all your aligners.

Invisalign® FAQ

Does Invisalign® have a proven record of success?

Invisalign has been proven around the world, over a period of more than two decades. Over 7 million teens and adults have straightened their teeth using this advanced, convenient and inconspicuous technology.

Is there more than one type of Invisalign® aligner?

Invisalign has built on the success of their key idea by creating six product varieties, each focused on a particular orthodontic concern. The most comprehensive treatment is Invisalign Full, which consists of aligners that are typically worn over teeth in both the upper and lower mouth. Less complex cases may benefit from Invisalign Lite, Invisalign i7 or Invisalign Express. This is especially true when only a few teeth need to be moved, and for shorter distances. Adults sometimes opt for these products to correct teeth that have drifted, years after orthodontic treatment. Invisalign Express involves a course of treatment that may last six months and require 10 aligners. By contrast, Invisalign Full may require 20 to 30 aligners and take as long as 18 months.

Of course, orthodontics is associated most strongly with the teen years, and Invisalign Teen is specifically designed for the growing adolescent mouth. Parents also appreciate a clever feature that is built into the aligner: an indicator that reveals whether the teen has been wearing the aligner the prescribed number of hours each day.

There is also an Invisalign variety that treats overbite, in addition to misaligned teeth. It does it without the prom-killing rubber bands or external appliances that are sometimes used in standard orthodontic treatment. As teeth are gently pressured into place, Invisalign with mandibular advancement progressively moves the lower jaw forward.

How do costs compare with traditional braces?

Traditional metal braces are usually less expensive than Invisalign treatment, but Invisalign’s convenience and savings in time are priceless benefits for many patients. With Invisalign, you visit the dental office less frequently. Your “braces” don’t need to be tightened every few weeks — instead, you simply receive a new computer-designed aligner that has the necessary pressure vectors already built in.

There are ways to reduce the cost of Invisalign. Invisalign Express cuts the time and number of aligners needed, and is also less expensive. If you have dental insurance, Invisalign will typically be covered. And our office is always happy to discuss flexible payment options.

Is a plastic aligner sufficient for all cases?

Some serious cases of misalignment may still require metal braces and other traditional techniques. For example, if permanent teeth are impacted in the bone and are not likely to drop into place correctly, Invisalign technology would not be sufficient. In many cases, however, greater traction can be achieved by adding SmartForce® attachments to several teeth. These small, white-colored attachments help the grooves in the aligner grip the teeth more securely. After your Invisalign treatment has attained the goals you set for yourself and your dentist, you will also need to wear a retainer to preserve your gains. Most retainers are also made of clear plastic, keeping them inconspicuous in social situations. After a short period, you will switch to wearing the retainer only at night, for a period of several months or longer.