Invisalign®

Traditional dental braces are not aesthetically pleasing. Adults especially find that wearing metal braces can impact their smile and how others see them. This can leave them feeling discouraged and self-conscious. Smile Arts proudly offers Invisalign® to patients who want to fix their smile discreetly. With a nearly invisible aligning system, Invisalign® straightens teeth fast without all the metal in your mouth.

No two Invisalign® systems are the same. We create customized aligning trays that are traded out every few weeks to fit your new tooth configuration. There are many benefits to the Invisalign® system, including a less harsh visual impact. You can even remove the aligners temporarily for special events. For this reason, Invisalign® is overwhelmingly popular with our patients and provides spectacular results.

What issues do Invisalign® correct?

Invisalign® functions the same way as traditional metal braces. The only difference is that Invisalign® trays are nearly invisible and can be removed at-will.

Patients who have used Invisalign® have these dental issues fixed:

• Overcrowding – When there’s not enough space in your mouth, your teeth can align abnormally. Teeth overcrowding can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
• Large tooth gaps – This could be due to missing teeth or abnormalities in the jaw.
• Crossbite – This dental problem occurs when upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. This can cause painful bone erosion and gum disease.
• Underbite – The inverse of the overbite, this dental problem can cause jaw pain or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) pain.

How does Invisalign® compare to traditional braces and veneers?

Invisalign®, traditional braces, and veneers are all different ways to correct the alignment of your teeth. When meeting with your orthodontist, you can discuss your goals and concerns and together you can devise a treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Those who choose to use Invisalign® need to be committed to the treatment plan more than someone with immovable metal braces. The Invisalign® trays are comfortable and almost invisible, and most patients find that the results are as effective as having metal braces.

When comparing Invisalign® to veneers, Invisalign® is a better choice if you want to straighten your teeth. Veneers are tooth covers that are permanently fastened to your teeth, so they don’t address your other dental issues. Veneers require the teeth to be filed down, so if you wanted to remove the veneers a replacement set would need to be put in its place. It’s also not a permanent solution, because many veneers deteriorate after 20 years or less.

What happens during the Invisalign® treatment?

When considering Invisalign®, the first step is to meet with your orthodontist. They will create a preliminary treatment plan using 3D digital imaging of your teeth and jaw. These images allow your orthodontist to map out how your teeth will move in place and enable them to forecast ongoing or nascent dental issues. Digital imaging allows your orthodontist to illustrate how Invisalign® trays will change your facial aesthetics.

Following the planning stage, a custom set of aligners are constructed. Every few weeks you will receive updated aligners that further you along in your treatment.

Is there an adjustment period when wearing Invisalign® trays?

Similar to traditional metal braces, it may take several weeks to get used to wearing your Invisalign® trays. The trays need to be worn constantly, except during meals. Removing the trays when eating or drinking is an important step in preventing tooth decay from food particles that may become trapped between your trays and your teeth.

Typically, Invisalign® trays are swapped out every two weeks to advance your treatment plan. Invisalign® is the least invasive while being the most comfortable and effective method to straighten teeth.