When you want straight teeth and you want it fast you need to know your options.

Photograph of Invisalign aligner tray on upper teeth

   Invisalign is a proven cosmetic solution for straightening teeth  by using clear aligner trays.

   The process of Invisalign is very similar  to all braces appointments. We first need records of your teeth. Typical records are photographs of your face, profile, teeth and smile. We then will take radiographs such as a panoramic, cephalometric and /or individual periapicals depending on your case. We will take impressions of your teeth for study models and to send to Align technologies to have your orthodontic appliances fabricated . The process of fabricating your orthodontic aligner trays is as "high tech" as it can be and truly is amazing. The really cool thing about Invisalign is that they will send us a Clincheck  for us to review. The Clincheck allows the doctor and patient to see a three dimensional animation of their teeth and can follow the expected movement of their teeth from appliance to appliance, week by week.

   After the doctor approves of the three dimensional treatment animation plan, the aligner trays are ordered. Several weeks later the aligner trays will be delivered to the office. You will then have an appointment to try in your orthodontic aligner trays and start treatment. Treatment times vary depending upon the case type but typically take about one year.

   Good and bad news about Invisalign .

    Bad news is that the Invisalign aligner trays have limitations with some tooth movements and therefore not all patients are good candidates for Invisalign treatment. Also since you can take out your aligner trays thay can be lost or you may forget to put them back in. Not wearing your trays at leat 23 hours a day can slow down treatment times. Please ask your doctor about other options that might be more appropriate . 

   Good news is that you won't have any broken brackets or wire problems during treratment which usually means less visits to your dentist and can take out your aligner trays for special occasions and meetings .

Clear  6 month braces also known in our office as Cosmetic 6 month braces is by far the fastest way to straighten teeth and has very few limitations with tooth movements.

   Our patients love the results and often comment that their friends did not even know they were wearing braces. These braces are amazing and we have dozens of testimonials from our patients that are truly impressed with their new smiles. The good news is these braces cost less than Invisalign and can be started the same day as your consult with the doctor .

   Bad news is that you need to come in every four weeks to have adjustments and you can't take the braces off during treatment for special occasions. You need to be carefeul with hard foods that may cause a bracket to come loose .

Photograph of Cosmetic 6 month braces upper and lower teeth