How To Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces Using Invisalign® [Video Explainer]

Many teens and adults want to straighten their teeth, but stop short of pursuing treatment when they picture what orthodontics actually looks like. Those shiny brackets and metal wires are a hard sell for patients who spend a lot of time in social and work settings. But with Invisalign® clear aligners, you can correct your smile with an effective orthodontic treatment that looks far more subtle.

At the Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, our doctors work tirelessly to plan your custom clear aligner plan. You won’t need to compromise the look of your smile today for the sake of a straighter smile tomorrow!

Why Straighten Your Teeth With Invisalign®?

Traditional braces are a standard way to straighten your teeth, using metal brackets to gradually shift alignment. The old-school standard is highly effective, especially for complex bite corrections. However, they are quite noticeable when you smile. They also come with dietary restrictions for the duration of treatment.

Invisalign® takes a different approach. Rather than relying on obvious brackets and wires, the system uses a series of custom-made clear aligner trays that fit snugly over your teeth. They apply gentle, targeted force to slowly straighten your teeth toward their ideal position. Because the trays are removable, you can take them out to eat, brush, and floss. Because they’re clear, most people won’t notice them at all.

For more advanced bite and alignment issues, we might recommend traditional braces. However, for teens and adults looking to address mild to moderate issues like crowding, spacing, and slight overbites, Invisalign tends to be exciting and effective. Clear aligners are a practical fit for busy professional and social schedules. So if you’re hesitant to sport the look of brackets and wires at school, work, or an upcoming event, the benefits of Invisalign might make orthodontic correction more desirable.

How the Invisalign Process Works

When you first come to our practice to inquire about Invisalign®, you might not know how it works. A significant part of the clear aligner process involves designing the exact way we will correct your smile. Here are the steps that we take to develop the clear aligners that will improve your bite and alignment.

1. Digital scan: We use a handheld wand to capture a precise 3D model of your teeth, recording shape, position, and spacing to create an accurate baseline.
2. Planning: Once we submit your scan to the Invisalign headquarters, a technician uses computer software to map out how your teeth should move.
3. Revision: Our orthodontists review the technician’s proposed movements. Using our own software, we fine-tune the plan. We might adjust the movement to optimize the results and send the revisions to the technician.
4. Finalization: This process can go back and forth several times before we finalize and accept the treatment plan. Once accepted, Invisalign’s lab will use a 3D printer to produce your aligner trays.

After we craft the ideal plan to correct your smile without braces, the next step is to begin the treatment by wearing your clear aligners. Our doctors will provide guidance on how to wear your clear aligners correctly to achieve optimal results.

Wear Your Clear Aligners To Straighten Your Teeth

We will give you a series of clear aligners and explain that you should wear each aligner for 22 hours a day. You should only take them out to eat and clean your teeth. Your job as a patient is to comply with these directions, as wearing your clear aligners for the correct amount of time keeps your correction on track. You’ll usually be instructed to wear one aligner for 1 to 2 weeks before moving on to the next.

In some cases, we’ll place small tooth-colored attachments on certain teeth before you begin wearing your aligners. These help the trays grip your teeth more securely and apply pressure more precisely. You’ll visit our office every 4 to 6 weeks so we can monitor your progress. We’ll provide your next set of trays and make any necessary adjustments. Most adult patients complete Invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months, though timelines vary depending on the complexity of the case.

Book a Free Invisalign Consultation

If you’ve been putting off orthodontic treatment because you didn’t want to deal with traditional braces, Invisalign® may be the option worth exploring. The technology has advanced significantly, and more cases qualify than ever before. Our doctors are actively involved in designing a plan specific to your teeth and guiding your correction for optimal results.

Orthodontists Associates of Western New York offers free consultations at seven convenient locations. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out if Invisalign is the right fit for your smile.