Invisalign®

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
Invisalign® uses a series of clear removable aligners (pictured to the left) to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthdontic practices nationwide. In fact, over 70% of all U.S. orthodontists are certified to treat patients with Invisalign®.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.
You'll visit your orthodontist or dentist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

How Are Aligners Made? You'd Be Amazed...

The aligners are made through a combination of your orthodontist's or dentist's expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology. You may wonder what goes on at Invisalign® between the time that your orthodontist or dentist takes impressions of your teeth and when you receive your first set of aligners. State of the art computer technology plays a vital role in the process. In fact, Invisalign's® high-volume, customized manufacturing process is the first of its kind in the world. The diagram below shows some of the ways advanced computer technology fits into the Invisalign®.

	To ensure a high degree of accuracy throughout the process, impressions are taken of your teeth by your doctor.
	Your doctor sends Invisalign® your impressions which are used to make plaster models of your teeth.
	Using advanced imaging technology, Invisalign® transforms your plaster models into a highly accurate 3-D digital image.
	A computerized movie - called ClinCheck® - depicting the movement of your teeth from the beginning to the final position is created.
	Using the Internet, the doctor reviews your ClinCheck file - if necessary, adjustments to the depicted plan are made.
	From your approved ClinCheck file, Invisalign® uses laser scanning to build a set of actual models that reflect each stage of your treatment plan.
	Your customized set of aligners are made from these models, sent to your doctor, and given to you. You wear each aligner for about two weeks.
	After wearing all of your aligners in the series, you get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.