Invisalign

Invisalign® is at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry technology. Unlike the more traditional braces or retainers, Invisalign® is a virtually invisible method of straightening your teeth. You will be fitted with removable, see-through aligners that have been specifically crafted to fit your teeth.

The aligners will gradually cause your teeth to shift their position slightly over a period of two weeks. Every two weeks, you will change the aligners for a new set that will cause your teeth to move a little more. As the treatment progresses over the following weeks and months, your teeth will straighten into their proper positions, as prescribed by your dental practitioner.

Before your treatment begins, a virtual 3D plan will be created, showing how your teeth will move throughout the course of your treatment, so before your treatment even begins, you will be able to see what the finished result will look like.

Using the treatment plan, then, each custom-made set of aligners is produced specifically for you to help you achieve exactly the smile you desire.

Here are some other advantages of the Invisalign® system:

Improved Oral Hygiene - With an orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces.
A Discreet Look - If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal braces do not fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment might suit you.
More Dietary Choices - To protect metal wires and braces, some diet modifications are necessary. With clear aligners, you can still bite into an apple or a crispy pizza crust.
Comfort - The thin, flexible material of which Invisalign® is made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.
Teeth-Grinding Protection - If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin night guards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear.

Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct many malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. Yet there are still some situations for which traditional braces would still be best. This can be discussed in detail with you.

HOW INVISALIGN® WORKS

Invisalign® clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do - by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic.

Here is how it works: Specialized computer software is used to design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign® company will manufacture two plastic mouth "trays" or "aligners", one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom.

You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.

In the past several years, two features have been added to make Invisalign® a more appropriate orthodontic treatment method for teenagers. Special "eruption tabs" hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign® for teens also comes with "compliance indicators" built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign® can only be successful if this is the case.

Call us at 408-725-1536 or email us at info@hillsdentalgroup.com to get you started on straighter, confident smile. Schedule an appointment with us today, and allow us to take care of your teeth.