Invisalign® in Greenwich, CT
If you want to straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces, Invisalign® offers a discreet and removable alternative. Invisalign treatment uses a customized series of clear aligners to gradually move your teeth into better alignment while letting you eat, brush, and floss with fewer interruptions to your normal routine.
At Greenwich Smiles, Invisalign® can address a variety of alignment and bite concerns while helping patients achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable aligners instead of metal brackets and wires. Each aligner is custom-made to fit closely over your teeth and applies controlled pressure to gradually guide them toward their planned positions.
Digital technology maps your teeth’s movement throughout treatment and creates the series of aligners needed to achieve the planned result.
Because Invisalign aligners are clear and removable, treatment is much less noticeable than traditional braces and allows you to remove your aligners for meals and daily oral hygiene.
What Can Invisalign® Treat?
Invisalign® can be used to address many common tooth alignment and bite concerns, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Crooked or rotated teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Certain other bite and spacing concerns
The type and extent of tooth movement needed will determine whether Invisalign is appropriate for your smile.
Am I a Candidate for Invisalign®?
Invisalign® may be an option for patients who want to improve tooth alignment or correct certain bite concerns without conventional braces.
Good candidates should have healthy teeth and gums and be able to wear their aligners consistently throughout treatment. The complexity of your alignment, your bite, and the amount of tooth movement required will also influence whether Invisalign is the right approach.
Because clear aligners are removable, following your dentist’s instructions is an important part of achieving the planned result.
Benefits of Invisalign®
Discreet Appearance
Invisalign® aligners are clear and fit closely over the teeth, making orthodontic treatment much less noticeable in everyday situations.
Removable Aligners
You can remove the aligners for meals, so you can continue enjoying your usual foods without many of the restrictions associated with traditional braces.
Easier Brushing and Flossing
Because Invisalign® is removable, you can continue brushing and flossing normally instead of cleaning around fixed brackets and wires.
Comfortable Design
Invisalign aligners are made from smooth material and have no metal brackets or wires that may irritate the lips and cheeks.
Customized Treatment
Your series of aligners is created specifically for your teeth and the movements needed to improve your smile and bite.
What to Expect During Invisalign Treatment
Once Invisalign® is determined to be appropriate for your smile, we use digital records to plan tooth movement and create your customized aligners.
Wear Your Aligners Consistently
Wear your aligners for most of the day, removing them mainly to eat, drink certain beverages, brush, and floss.
Change Aligners as Directed
You will progress through a series of aligners, with each set gradually moving your teeth closer to their planned positions.
Monitor Your Progress
Periodic dental visits allow your dentist to make sure your teeth are moving as expected and determine when you are ready to progress through treatment.
Maintain Your New Smile
Once active Invisalign treatment is complete, a retainer is typically used to help maintain your teeth’s new position.
Invisalign® vs. ClearCorrect®
Invisalign® and ClearCorrect® are both clear aligner systems designed to gradually straighten teeth without traditional brackets and wires.
Both options offer:
- Clear, discreet aligners
- Removable treatment
- Customized tooth movement
- Easier brushing and flossing
- Fewer food restrictions than fixed braces
Although the systems work on similar principles, they use different aligner materials, treatment systems, and technologies. The better choice depends on your teeth, bite, treatment needs, and your dentist’s recommendations.
Greenwich Smiles offers both Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®, allowing patients to explore more than one clear aligner option when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign®
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Treatment time varies depending on the amount and complexity of tooth movement required. Some cases are relatively straightforward, while more involved alignment or bite concerns may require longer treatment. Your dentist can provide a more individualized estimate based on your smile.
How often should I wear my Invisalign® aligners?
Invisalign aligners need to be worn consistently for treatment to progress as planned. You generally remove them for meals, oral hygiene, and as otherwise directed by your dentist.
Can I eat with Invisalign® aligners?
Remove your aligners when eating. One advantage of removable aligners is that you can continue enjoying your usual foods without the restrictions associated with brackets and wires.
Does Invisalign® hurt?
You may notice pressure or temporary tenderness when you begin treatment or switch to a new set of aligners. This usually reflects the gentle forces being used to move your teeth.
Will Invisalign® affect my speech?
Some patients notice a temporary change in speech when they first begin wearing their aligners. The tongue typically adjusts as you become accustomed to wearing them.
Will I need attachments with Invisalign®?
Some Invisalign treatment plans use small tooth-colored attachments placed on certain teeth to help the aligners create specific movements. Not every patient needs the same attachments, and your dentist can explain whether they are part of your treatment.
Do I need a retainer after Invisalign®?
Yes, retainers are generally recommended after orthodontic treatment to help maintain your teeth’s new position. Your dentist will provide instructions for wearing and caring for your retainer.
Straighten Your Smile With Invisalign in Greenwich
If you are interested in straightening your teeth with a clear, removable alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign® may be an option for your smile.
Contact Greenwich Smiles to learn more about Invisalign and whether Invisalign® or ClearCorrect® better suits your alignment.