Invisalign

How Invisalign Works

The Invisalign system is made of clear acrylic aligners that fit over your teeth and are designed to straighten your smile. They’re removable, making it easier to eat, drink, brush and floss.

Invisalign is much more comfortable than traditional metal bracket braces and can give you stunning results.

We’ll take photos and X-rays to create a 3D image of your mouth.

We make your first set of custom-fitted aligners from these images, and then you begin the process of straightening your teeth.

The Invisalign Treatment Process

You will probably wear Invisalign aligners for 9–15 months, and will typically use 18–30 sets during your treatment.

You wear the trays for about 22 hours a day but can remove them for brushing your teeth and eating. Based on your individual needs, you will wear several sets of trays throughout your orthodontic treatment, and will start to notice a change in just a few months!

Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. It uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth.

Wearing the aligners will gently move your teeth into place little by little, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners about every two weeks, until your treatment is complete.

You’ll get a great smile without a treatment that gets in the way of your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.

This nearly-invisible option to straighten your teeth is truly changing the way people see orthodontic treatment. Our Doctors have a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign, and we’re excited to offer this technology to our Coeur d'Alene braces patients.

Differences Between Invisalign and Braces

Unlike traditional braces, smooth plastic Invisalign aligners don’t have metal components that can irritate your mouth. Because they’re removed when you eat, you won’t have to watch what you eat like you would when wearing braces – bring on the popcorn and peanuts.

In fact, the aligners must be removed for eating and for drinking anything other than water. You need to make sure you’re willing to do that before you decide on Invisalign clear braces.

To prevent staining, you’ll need to clean your teeth before putting the aligners back on after
each time you eat.

Of course, brushing and flossing are much easier than with traditional braces, since you don’t have to work around any brackets and wires.

Responsibilities of Invisalign

It’s important to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day for them to do their job and straighten your teeth. But, with Invisalign, you can remove your aligners for special occasions.

Like with traditional braces, you will generally need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment to maintain your new alignment—and your confident new smile.

Invisalign may not be recommended for some complex alignment or bite issues, or for those who have bridgework; the doctor can advise you about what options are best for you.

Schedule your free consultation at our Riverstone Orthodontics or Riverstone Orthodontics office to learn if Invisalign is right for you.