What is Invisalign?

Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist, you know you'll end up with a smile that truly fits.

If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other works as effortlessly as the Invisalign system.

Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.

Designed just for you

So what happens when you decide Invisalign is for you? Simply visit Dr. Walls at Golden Hills Family Dental for a free consultation to discuss the goals you have for your smile. Once Dr. Walls determines that Invisalign is right for you, he will write up a detailed treatment plan, and a set of virtually invisible aligners will then be sent to our office. Your Invisalign system may look like a simple piece of plastic, but it's much more. With advanced technology, your Invisalign aligners are custom-made for you, and only you. Over time, your teeth should move to reveal the smile you've been looking for. So take a look at the steps you and Dr. Walls will take to get you to a brand-new smile.

Your initial consultation with Dr. Walls, is offered free of charge. During this visit, you'll discuss the issues you have with your teeth and what kind of results you would like to see. Once Dr. Walls decides your situation is suitable for Invisalign treatment, a treatment plan will be mapped out with your goals in mind. Then, impressions and pictures of your teeth will be taken for digitization purposes.

The impressions of your teeth will be digitized in order for Dr. Walls to work with a computerized 3-D image of your teeth. Then, he will plan your tooth movements throughout your entire treatment timeline. You'll be able to see a virtual representation of your teeth before, during, and after completion of the Invisalign process so you can see what your smile should look like when you're done with treatment.

From Dr. Wall’s precise treatment plan, customized aligners are created with advanced technology for you to wear at each stage of your treatment. While the number of aligners varies for each individual situation, a full set of treatment typically includes 20-30 aligners per arch.

You should wear your aligners at all times, with the exception of eating and drinking, in order to complete your treatment in the timeline determined by you and Dr. Walls. You'll go in for occasional checkups, to monitor your progress and to receive your next set of aligners. During the entire treatment process, you'll be able to watch your teeth gradually moving into place. Your smile will, little by little, move into something you'd like to show off. The people around you will be sure to notice your new-found confidence.

Choosing the Invisalign system is a smart decision on your part because the advanced technology provides you with customized treatment to give you a smile that suits you. And even with all that superior technology, we make it easy for you to get Invisalign. Look over some payment options to help you on your way to the smile you've always dreamed of.

Nothing else measures up to Invisalign

When it comes to considering your options for a smile makeover, it's easy to see Invisalign's advantages. So there's a reason to smile. Compare Invisalign to other teeth straightening options. Then you can see if Invisalign is right for you and your smile.

What about veneers?

While veneers aren't a direct comparison to the Invisalign system, they can still address some of the same cosmetic problems. But getting veneers is considered more of a quick fix than Invisalign, and they have some distinct drawbacks. When you decide on veneers, the entire front surface of the tooth enamel is permanently removed. Then the veneer, a thin piece of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic, is glued over the front of your teeth. This is an irreversible procedure, since the tooth enamel is removed to accommodate the veneer.

Another problem with veneers is that they are not a permanent solution. They can chip or break, requiring you to replace them on an individual basis, which can get pricey. Even if they don't chip or break, over time they will come off. Veneers tend to last about 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the veneers purchased. Since your tooth enamel has been removed, most patients have no choice but to replace their veneers, incurring the same high costs every time they have to get a new set.

Last, but perhaps most important, because veneers are a purely cosmetic treatment, they don't correct health problems of your teeth. Instead of straightening teeth as Invisalign does, a veneer simply covers up imperfections. Invisalign offers you beautiful, healthy teeth—it's a solution worth smiling about!

Invisalign Teen aligners fit into a teenager’s life—beautifully. Now teens don’t have to be self-conscious when they go to prom, take school photos, post pictures online, or participate in any of the other activities they love. Even better, Invisalign Teen starts working with the first set of aligners. So as time goes by, you can watch their teeth gradually get straighter and healthier!

Teens are smiling about Invisalign Teen because:

• They look great—in your yearbook, on Facebook, or in family photos, it will be hard for people to tell you’re wearing the aligners. Even in person, they’re virtually impossible to see!
• They’re cool—why be insecure about ugly metal braces at a party, a prom, or an interview? Now you can look great with Invisalign Teen.
• They’re easy to maintain—when it’s time to eat, brush, or floss, simply remove your aligners. And, unlike metal braces, you can remove the aligners and eat whatever you want—pizza, apples, popcorn—it’s totally up to you!
• They’re more comfortable. Invisalign Teen aligners are made of lightweight plastic and custom-fit snugly around your teeth. And you won’t have to worry about the irritation and inconvenience of metal braces.
• They’re simple to remove – the aligners are easy to pop out of your mouth and put them right back in later. When it comes to sports, meals, parties, playing musical instruments—you name it—Invisalign Teen is easily removable. So it’s easy to go for it!

Parents are smiling about Invisalign Teen because:

• You want what’s best for your child. Invisalign Teen can help build your teen’s confidence—a beautiful smile may enhance their chances to succeed during social, educational, and career events.
• Because your teen doesn’t have to be embarrassed by wearing visible metal braces, they may be able to more fully concentrate on school, social events, dates, sports, and musical interests, and any of the other many activities a teen concentrates on.
• Since the aligners are removable, it’s easier for teens to brush, floss, and practice excellent dental hygiene—helping to avoid the tooth decay that’s sometimes associated with metal braces.
• Perhaps best of all, Invisalign Teen aligners work. They use the same Invisalign technology that doctors worldwide have used to treat more than three quarters of a million patients who have wanted better smiles. Shouldn’t your teen’s smile be next?

 

Will it work for me?

Not only is Invisalign versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works. And there are over half a million smiles to back that up. But a confident smile isn't the only benefit of correcting your dental issues with custom-made Invisalign aligners—your health can be positively impacted as well. Learn more about several common issues below that an experienced Invisalign doctor can work with you to correct.

Overly crowded teeth: This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can cause dental decay, an increase in chances of gum disease, and can prevent the normal function of teeth.

Widely spaced teeth: This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, this issue can also be caused by the other teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues in teeth can cause some periodontal diseases.

Crossbite: This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease, and bone loss.

Overbite: What people commonly refer to as an "overbite" is known to dental professionals as "overjet." It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It's typically caused by either genetics, bad oral habits, or over development of the bone that supports the teeth. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Underbite: This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It's usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

An Invisalign doctor will work with you to create a custom-designed program that will treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners, made for you, and only you. While it's important that you visit an experienced Invisalign doctor to see how well Invisalign fits your specific needs, you can get a head-start now by taking our self assessment.

And of course, there are other considerations when making the decision to straighten your teeth. Think about how Invisalign can fit in your life by providing a virtually-invisible option to getting the smile you want.