A straighter, more symmetrical smile – but without metal braces. Sounds too good to be true? Allow us to introduce you to Invisalign. 

**Who needs Invisaligns? **

For decades, conventional orthodontics, or metal braces have been the go-to treatment for anyone looking for a straighter, more aligned smile. Braces do offer outstanding results in terms of dental symmetry and bite correction, but the treatment demands a great deal of cooperation and dedication from the patients. In order for conventional braces to work, metal brackets, bands and wires have to be bonded to the teeth to push and pull them toward new positions.

So, who needs Invisalign? Perhaps you are a young adult who has to deal with customers and colleagues on a daily basis, or maybe you’ve just received the acceptance letter to your college of choice and are looking to make that perfect first impression? Metal braces do compromise the aesthetics of the smile, but the Invisalign system works discreetly, secretly correcting mild to moderate imperfections of your smile without letting anyone know. 

**What is Invisalign? **

Invisalign is a new system that can be used as an alternative to braces for mild to moderate dental alignment issues. This means that if you are looking to correct a crooked smile, but are not willing to put up with having metal bits and pieces attached to your teeth for a whole year – this is the perfect treatment for you. 

So, how does exactly this system work? Unlike braces, it does not rely on bonded appliances to induce dental movements. A set of custom-made trays fabricated using transparent plastic will be given to you following a complete 3-D scan of your mouth. These trays snugly fit and are meant to be worn over the teeth of your upper and lower jaws. Invisalign uses non-toxic, non-allergenic materials that do not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth.

Some facts about Invisalign

Did you know that many of your favorite Hollywood celebrities owe it all to Invisalign for their gorgeous smiles? Now, it's your turn to flaunt an A-lister smile. 

Here’s how they function:

• The trays will exert pressure on teeth that are out of alignment, thus slowly forcing them toward new, desired positions. 
• These trays must be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours every day for best results, and for the treatment to be completed in a timely manner.
• Invisalign can be safely and conveniently removed from the mouth before you eat your meal, or prior to brushing your teeth.
• The clear upper and lower trays are changed every two weeks or so, and replaced with a new set. This is done in order to accommodate new dental movements, and to continue exerting pressure on the teeth untill they have all been aligned for a straighter, more attractive smile.
• For mild to moderate alignment issues, the treatment can take anywhere from 8 to 10 months and relies heavily on whether the patient has been wearing the trays for the required number of hours daily.

We understand that visits to the dental office can seem a little scary and intimidating. Afterall, it is the fear of the unknown that really gets to us. But we’ll walk you through everything you can expect from your Invisalign appointments, so you’re aware of exactly what’s going to happen. 

• The first step is a consultation. During your first visit, we’re going to sit and talk about why you feel the need to correct your smile. We will also try to understand your expectations from the treatment. 
• The next step is diagnosis. We will have to perform a few visual and radiographic assessments to make sure Invisalign is the right treatment for you. A 3D scan of your mouth will be done to gain a comprehensive understanding in regards to the position of your teeth. The entire treatment will be planned around this scan. During this appointment, we will address any queries or concerns you may have regarding Invisalign.
• With the help of your 3D scan, we will fabricate a pair of transparent trays that snugly fit over the teeth of your upper and lower jaw.
• It may take a while for you to get used to the feeling of wearing trays in your mouth, but after 2-3 days, you’ll get used to it. The trays have to be worn all day long, only to be removed before you eat and brush your teeth.
• You will have to replace the trays with a new set every two weeks. This ensures continued pressure and dental movements.
• At the office, you will be able to map the progress of the treatment in real-time and see what your smile will look like once it has been successfully completed. 
• An Invisalign treatment for mild-to-moderate cases of dental spacing or crowding typically takes 8-10 months.
• You will be required to wear retainers after the treatment to prevent a relapse.

**How much Invisaligns might cost. **

The cost of the treatment varies from patient to patient, and from case to case. This is because some patients may need extra procedures prior to wearing the trays (such as in case of overcrowding), which adds to the final cost. Invisalign typically costs between $3500 to $8500 in the USA.