If you or your teenager want straighter teeth without the use of visible metal braces, we have the perfect solution: Invisalign. Invisalign® is a system of clear, removable aligners designed for teens and adults. This invisible orthodontic treatment delivers reliable, lasting results in less time than braces!
Invisalign has been used for more than 20 years by patients seeking straighter, more attractive smiles. This time-tested alignment system uses a series of flexible plastic “trays”, or aligners, to shift teeth into their proper positions.
Just like the name suggests, Invisalign aligners are so thin and clear that they fit snugly over the teeth without being visible to anybody else. Your teenager can talk, smile, laugh, and enjoy their normal life without the embarrassment or inconvenience of metal braces.
The DPD Smiles team is committed to helping your family use Invisalign as a convenient orthodontic solution. We offer Invisalign Consultations and in-office financing to make it as easy as possible to cover the cost of Invisalign. Best of all, we provide interest free Invisalign payment plans.
We also work with most dental insurance companies to utilize any coverage your policy allows. You can view our extensive list of insurances here. Whatever questions you may have, don’t hesitate to ask our team!
The Invisalign process is very easy! Our orthodontist will start by taking digital impressions of your teeth. This means no goopy mess or gagging, instead he’ll use a digital scanner that sends the impressions directly to a computer. These impressions are more accurate than traditional impressions as well. Patients love our digital scanner!
Next, we’ll send your digital impressions over to the Invisalign lab. The number of trays fabricated will depend on your alignment needs. Once we receive your customized clear trays back, we’ll schedule an appointment with you to get your first set put on and send you off with additional trays.
Every 2 weeks, as instructed by the orthodontist, you will swap the old aligners out for a new set. This is how the Invisalign system gently and gradually shifts the teeth into place.
The Invisalign aligners need to be worn at least 22 hours a day. This still allows patients to remove their aligners to eat or enjoy special occasions. If you’re concerned about your teenager’s ability to wear their aligners as much as required, Invisalign teen comes with a special technology called “compliance indicators”. These colored dots fade over time as the aligners are worn in the mouth, showing whether or not the plan has been followed.
Invisalign for teens has even come with “eruption tabs” that are designed to hold space for teeth that have not fully erupted yet.
Invisalign is a very popular teeth straightening method, which means it’s available through general dentists, orthodontists, and other sources. However, the average family dentist has only had about 3-4 hours of training in orthodontics. Our orthodontist has spent years in a full time orthodontic program learning and specializing in the alignment of teeth.
While Invisalign is a great option for many patients, by seeing an orthodontist, you also ensure that you will receive the best teeth straightening method for your specific goals.
Our orthodontist has a particular passion for straightening teeth with Invisalign. Consistently perfecting her craft and staying on top of dental techniques is crucial to her success. She is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Midwestern Society of Orthodontists and the Illinois Society of Orthodontists.
Invisalign offers many benefits that metal braces never will. Most importantly to teenagers and adults alike, Invisalign usually delivers results faster than normal braces. These clear aligners are also so easy to use that they require less frequent visits to the orthodontist than braces.
If your teenager chooses Invisalign to straighten their teeth, they’ll also enjoy these added perks:
Most people say that it’s hard to find a downside to Invisalign, and you and your teen will probably agree!
The exact duration of Invisalign treatment depends on the condition and alignment of the teeth, the orthodontic problems being addressed, and the compliance of at least 22 hours per day. Most patients complete a full Invisalign treatment within 6 to 18 months.
Call our dental office today to learn more about our Invisalign services and schedule a consultation. We use techniques like no-mess impressions and 3D imaging to make the orthodontic experience as simple as possible.
