Invisalign®
Work on your smile without anyone even knowing.
What is Invisalign®?
Do you desire straight teeth and a healthier bite without a mouthful of metal brackets and wires poking at your cheeks? Invisalign may be for you. Invisalign® utilizes a series of removable clear acrylic aligners that fit precisely on each arch of teeth.
Treatment time can be significantly shorter than with traditional braces, as the clear aligners are changed weekly in most cases. Brushing and flossing of the teeth is generally much easier than with traditional braces, as the aligners are removable.
Crowding, spacing, and abnormal rotations of the teeth can be corrected with Invisalign®. Deep bites, some forms of over/underbites, and crossbites may be significantly improved as well.
What to expect during your Invisalign® treatment
A series of aligners (each slightly different from the last) are designed based on a digital scan of the teeth and customized treatment plan formulated by your dentist.
Each aligner is changed every 7-14 days, resulting in slow, controlled, and predicable movement of the teeth to the desired position. Small shapes of tooth colored filling material (called attachments) are placed on certain teeth to help the aligner to exert forces necessary to move the tooth in a particular direction.
At the conclusion of treatment, attachments are removed and the teeth are polished before a final digital scan is used to make clear retainers. Retainers are generally worn at night after brushing/flossing to prevent the teeth from shifting.
We take time
to answer your questions
Take a look through our most frequently asked questions to alleviate any confusion you may have about Invisalign® at Carter | Callaway.
How long does it take to complete Invisalign®?
Treatment can be completed in 6 months in some cases, however the average treatment time ranges from 8-16 months. Treatment time is largely dependent on the complexity of tooth movement needed and compliance of aligner wear.
How long do I wear the aligners each day?
The goal is to wear Invisalign aligners whenever you are not eating or drinking (except water), roughly equivalent to 22 hours a day.
What happens when my treatment is complete?
Attachments are removed, the teeth are polished, and a digital scan is completed to make retainers. This is a great time to consider whitening, as the retainers can be used also as whitening trays.
How do I get started?
A complimentary digital scan and digital photos of the teeth are taken. That’s it. No impressions are needed.
How much does Invisalign® cost?
The cost of Invisalign® is comparable to traditional braces. Dental insurance may significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost of treatment. Health Savings Account (HSA) funds may also be used for Invisalign clear aligner therapy.
Can I talk normally with the aligners in?
Absolutely! It takes just a few hours for your tongue and brain to get used to making normal sounds when compensating for the thin aligner.
Transform your smile
Whether you need a routine check-up, cosmetic enhancement, or specialized treatment, we’re here to provide personalized care that exceeds your expectations.