Invisalign for Teeth Straightening

Table of Contents

Alex, Invisalign Patient

Happy Invisalign Patient

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, very few people have perfectly straight teeth. Almost everyone has some type and severity of malocclusion such as:

Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Open bite
Gapped teeth
Crooked teeth

For many, the malocclusion is very mild and requires no treatment. However, in some cases, the malocclusion causes other problems and needs to be addressed.

In the past, the primary treatment option for these issues was traditional braces, which require brackets and wires to be placed on teeth. This treatment can be painful and unsightly.

In the late 1990s, Invisalign clear aligners were introduced to the market as an alternative for treating these issues discreetly.

Rainier Avenue Dental in Seattle has been named as a Platinum Provider for 2023. Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign treatment

What are Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign aligners are a discreet alternative to traditional braces for treating a variety of mild to moderate dental malocclusions.

How does Invisalign work?

The Invisalign system is a series of clear aligners designed to gradually shift teeth into their appropriate position in the jaw.

The dentist will start by performing a comprehensive examination including x-rays and a digital scan of your bite. This will determine the type and severity of your malocclusion. This information will be used to create a personalized treatment plan. The digital scan can show you exactly what you can expect with treatment.
Treatment with Invisalign consists of several aligners that should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. They should be removed when you eat, drink, or oral hygiene. Depending on your treatment plan, you will switch to a new set every 1 to 3 weeks. You may be able to expedite treatment by wearing the aligners for at least 22 hours a day.

You will need to visit the dentist every few aligners to ensure that you are progressing as expected. If you are not, adjustments to your treatment plan can include adding additional aligners, using attachments/buttons, rubber bands, and more.

At the end of your treatment, you will be given a retainer. This will keep the teeth in their new position. You will need to wear it for 20 to 22 hours a day at first, but eventually, you will transition to only wearing it while you sleep. This gives the jawbone time to heal around the teeth to secure them in their new position.

Invisalign Cost and Benefits

The cost of Invisalign treatment depends on how many aligners you need and how long your treatment will take. This will be determined by the type and severity of your malocclusion. On average, treatment ranges from around $1,500 to $8,000, which is comparable to the cost of other options.

In the past, many dental insurance providers classified this as a cosmetic dental procedure. Now, many of them are seeing the benefits and are recognizing it as a valid restorative dental procedure. Therefore, many times Invisalign treatment is covered. If not, we do offer financing options.

However, Invisalign offers many benefits over traditional braces, including:

Faster Treatment

Invisalign has been proven to treat a variety of mild to moderate malocclusions, including underbite, overbite, crossbite, gapped teeth, open bite, and crooked bite in 12 to 18 months. Patients with very mild malocclusions often see results within 6 months.

Discreet

Invisalign aligners are transparent, which means they are virtually invisible. Most people won’t notice that you are wearing them unless you tell them.

Comfortable

Invisalign aligners are made from a smooth thermoplastic material, which means there are no metal brackets or wires to scrape the inside of your mouth.

Convenient

Invisalign treatment is somewhat self-directed. The dentist will provide you with the full system of aligners and you will be instructed to change them out every 1 to 3 weeks based on your treatment plan. You will need to check in every few aligners to monitor your progress.

No Food Restrictions

Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when eating or drinking, which means you don’t have to worry about giving up foods that are sticky, hard, crunchy, or tough. You will need to make sure to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth, after eating to clear out any food debris.

Invisalign Before and After

Crooked teeth can have an impact on your oral, mental, and overall health. Many people feel embarrassed if their teeth are not perfectly straight, which can lead to avoidance of social situations and depression. Malocclusions can also make it difficult to effectively clean teeth, allowing bacteria to gather in hard-to-reach areas, which can ultimately lead to decay. Finally, malocclusions can make it difficult or painful to chew food properly, which makes it hard for the body to digest.

Invisalign clear aligners can resolve these malocclusions, with can improve all of these areas.

Invisalign vs Braces

Invisalign	Traditional Braces
Aligners are made from a smooth, thermoplastic material	Metal brackets are placed on teeth with an archwire running between them
Aligners are designed to put even pressure on teeth to gently and gradually shift them into place. As teeth move, a new aligner is put in.	The archwire puts pressure on teeth to shift them into place. As teeth move, the archwire is tightened.
Treatment takes an average of 12 to 18 months, up to 24 months with more severe conditions	Treatment takes an average of 12 to 24 months, up to 36 months with more severe conditions
Treatment costs range from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on how many aligners you need and how long treatment should take	The average treatment cost is around $5,000 but may vary depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion
Aligners should be removed for eating and drinking, so there are no food restrictions	Brackets and wires can be damaged by foods that are sticky, hard, crunchy, or tough- so you must give many of those up

Invisalign

Aligners are made from a smooth, thermoplastic material

Aligners are designed to put even pressure on teeth to gently and gradually shift them into place. As teeth move, a new aligner is put in.

Treatment takes an average of 12 to 18 months, up to 24 months with more severe conditions

Treatment costs range from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on how many aligners you need and how long treatment should take

Aligners should be removed for eating and drinking, so there are no food restrictions

Traditional Braces

Metal brackets are placed on teeth with an archwire running between them

The archwire puts pressure on teeth to shift them into place. As teeth move, the archwire is tightened.

Treatment takes an average of 12 to 24 months, up to 36 months with more severe conditions

The average treatment cost is around $5,000 but may vary depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion

Brackets and wires can be damaged by foods that are sticky, hard, crunchy, or tough- so you must give many of those up

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months. Patients with very mild malocclusions often see results within 6 months. However, patients who have more severe malocclusions may need up to 24 months. Treatment very rarely extends beyond that. If you have very severe malocclusion, a different approach may be recommended.

Invisalign Alternatives

There are two types of aligners on the market today: in-office and at-home.

Invisalign is considered an in-office treatment. This is because, while you switch out the aligners yourself, you have a dentist that is supervising your treatment progress. While recommended for mild to moderate malocclusions, Invisalign can also be used to treat more severe conditions with the addition of attachments and rubber bands.

At-home options include Byte and SmileDirectClub. These at-home options are direct-to-consumer, which means you order a kit, follow the directions to make your impressions, and send the back so that your aligners can be fabricated.

The at-home options are often much cheaper because the treatment is primarily self-directed. You don’t have a dentist who can supervise your treatment progress. This may work well for very mild to mild malocclusions but isn’t as effective for moderate to severe conditions.

Invisalign Options

In some cases, Invisalign aligners alone are not enough to resolve a malocclusion. You may need Invisalign attachments and/or rubber bands. At the end of your treatment plan, you’ll be given a retainer to wear until the jawbone heals, securing the teeth in their new position.

Invisalign Attachments

Invisalign attachments are composite resin dots, or buttons, that are put on teeth to hold the aligners in place. These are often recommended when teeth are moderately to severely crooked.

Invisalign Rubber Bands

Invisalign rubber bands are small, clear elastics that connect the upper and lower arches of your teeth. They may be attached to hooks that are built into the aligners or onto the buttons on your teeth. They provide extra force to your aligners to help them shift your teeth. Research indicates that rubber bands often increase the effectiveness of Invisalign for overbites and crossbites.

Invisalign Chewies

Sometimes, when you switch to a new aligner, it may not sit right on your teeth. In this case, Invisalign chewies may be needed. These are small, cylinder-shaped devices that are designed to help seat your aligner by pushing out any air bubbles between your teeth and the aligner.

In addition, they also may improve blood flow to your gums, which can help reduce the discomfort that comes with the shifting of your teeth. There is also some indication that it may help expedite the process.

Invisalign Retainer

Just like with traditional braces, you’ll need to wear a retainer at the end of your treatment plan. This will prevent the teeth from shifting back into their previous position. You will need to wear the retainer like the aligners at first- for 20 to 22 hours a day. The dentist will gradually decrease the time that you need to wear it until you only need to wear it at night when you are sleeping.

Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation with Rainier Avenue Dental Today

If you have mild to moderate malocclusion and you’d like to explore your options for orthodontic treatment, schedule your consultation with Rainier Avenue Dental today. Our dentists will evaluate your bite to determine the type and severity of your condition to determine the best course of treatment.

Invisalign offers a variety of benefits over traditional orthodontic treatments, including comfort, visibility, convenience, and more.

We are located on Rainier Avenue South in Seattle. We are open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We accept walk-in patients on Mondays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Fridays are reserved for appointments only. We are available at any time for dental emergencies.

SOCIAL PROOF

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The Invisalign Treatment Process

Invisalign clear aligners from Rainier Ave Dental offer a convenient treatment process for straightening your smile with fewer hassles than traditional braces.

STEP 1

Book Your First Complimentary
Consultation/ Discuss Your Goals

We will begin by examining your smile to determine if

Invisalign is right for you. Next, we will use a digital scanner to create a 3D image of your smile and what it could be like with Invisalign treatment. Our digital scan technology shows you what your new smile can look like…in real time.

STEP 2

Develop an Individually Customized
Treatment Plan

Based on the decisions made in your first appointment, we will map out a precise Invisalign treatment plan with timelines. Your plan will include the exact movement of your teeth that will occur with each set of aligners and customized to give you the smile of your dreams.

STEP 3

Start Your Treatment Plan

We will produce series of custom Invisalign clear aligners just for you. You will wear them each day, removing them to eat, drink, brush and floss. As your treatment progresses, your aligners will gradually begin to shift your teeth.

STEP 4

Switch Your Aligners
Every Two Weeks

Approximately every 2 weeks, you will switch to the next set of clear aligners. You will also have brief checkups with your dental team – every six weeks or so – to review your progress. Fewer Check-ups & Appointments With Invisalign (vs. braces), you’ll spend less time in our office during treatment.

STEP 5

Maintain Your
Brand New Smile

It’s an exciting day when you reach the end of your treatment! During your final appointment, we will discuss next steps with you, and prescribe retainers to keep your teeth in their new positions.

Ready for Your New Smile?

Take our Invisalign Smile Assessment.

Complete our 30 second Smile Assessment to see if Invisalign might be a fit for you.