Invisalign is a series of clear, plastic aligners that you wear over your teeth to straighten your smile. The aligners are customized to fit your teeth. They’re made from a smooth, clear plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually straighten your teeth over time. They are clear, comfortable, and removable. Best of all, no one will even know you’re straightening your smile!

During your Invisalign treatment, you should wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat or to brush and floss your teeth. As you replace each aligner with the next one in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have moved into the final position our dentist in Greenbelt, MD, has prescribed for you. 

You will visit us about once every four weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time typically lasts 12 to 18 months.

While Invisalign can effectively treat the vast majority of adults and teens, it isn’t appropriate for everyone. Our dentist in Greenbelt, MD, can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you during your initial examination at our practice.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign aligners can fix several dental issues - they can be used to straighten the teeth, address bite issues, and do a lot more. Here are the most common orthodontic issues Invisalign can fix: 

• Crooked teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Gaps in teeth
• Open bite
• Crowded teeth

However, if the malocclusion is severe, the patient may need traditional orthodontic braces to straighten their smile. 

Advantages of Invisalign

An obvious advantage of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear, so patients can wear them without others noticing. The clear aligner trays are also removable for eating and brushing your teeth. 

However, it’s important to remember that the aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours per day for them to be effective. Patients must also clean their teeth before putting the aligners back in. 

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign also requires fewer visits to the dentist’s office because there are no wires to tighten or brackets to realign. Plus, because the aligners are replaced at home every two weeks, patients must visit the dentist less often than they would with traditional braces.

Want to learn more about our dental procedures? Call us at (301) 321-9966 or visit our dental office located at 7501 Greenway Center Dr Suite 260, Greenbelt, MD 20770.