Invisalign®
Most people associate orthodontic treatment with young teenagers wearing metal braces. However, now there’s an increasingly popular invisible braces alternative for adults and teens: Invisalign® clear aligners. Charlottesville Orthodontics is an Invisalign Elite Provider, meaning we have the experience necessary to provide the best Invisalign experience possible in Charlottesville and Zion Crossroads.
What is Invisalign treatment?
As the name implies, Invisalign clear teeth aligners are made of an almost invisible polyurethane plastic material. Invisalign treatment works the same way traditional braces do – it applies carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, Invisalign clear aligners are completely removable for important social occasions, eating, and, most importantly, brushing and flossing your teeth.
The benefits of Invisalign vs. braces
A discreet look
This virtually invisible braces alternative is popular with adults and teens who want a less noticeable orthodontic treatment option than traditional braces.
Increased comfort
Invisalign aligners’ soft, flexible material will not irritate your mouth’s soft tissues, as the wires and brackets in braces can.
Improved oral hygiene
Cleaning teeth with a removable orthodontic appliance is much easier than cleaning them with metal braces. Just brush your teeth after every meal or snack to prevent food and plaque from getting trapped in the aligners.
More dietary choices
With braces, some diet modifications are necessary to avoid certain foods that can damage your wires and brackets. With Invisalign, you can still bite into an apple or a crispy pizza crust once you have removed your clear aligners.
The Invisalign treatment process
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Free initial consultation
During your initial consultation, we will discuss your orthodontic needs and evaluate whether Invisalign treatment is best for you. If you choose Invisalign, their specialized computer software helps our Charlottesville and Zion Crossroads Invisalign® orthodontists design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment.
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Your treatment plan
Invisalign treatment happens in different stages. For each stage, Invisalign will manufacture two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners,” one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom. You will wear each set of trays at least 22 hours daily for around two weeks. You will then move on to the next set of aligners. You will continue doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.
Invisalign for teens
We also offer Invisalign for teens in Charlottesville and Zion Crossroads. For the teen who wants a more discreet form of orthodontic treatment with increased comfort and more flexibility, Invisalign® Teen is designed especially with teenage patients in mind.
Invisalign® Teen aligners include:
- “Eruption tabs” that hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars or other teeth that have not fully grown in.
“Compliance indicators” are built into the aligner material, which fades with wear and allows parents, orthodontists, and your teen to ensure proper wear of the clear aligners for successful orthodontic treatment.
Schedule a free consultation at Charlottesville Orthodontics for Invisalign Teen near you!
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How much is Invisalign?
The average cost of Invisalign varies depending on your orthodontic needs. At Charlottesville Orthodontics, we offer payment options to fit your budget, including flexible no-interest financing options. The best way to determine how much Invisalign costs for you or your child is to visit us for your free consultation!
Get started with Invisalign in Charlottesville & Zion Crossroads
Invisalign’s aligner technology has improved over the years and can correct many malocclusions (misaligned bites) that once would have been too complicated for this orthodontic treatment. There are some orthodontic cases for which traditional braces would still be best, but our team would be happy to discuss this in detail at your free consultation. Schedule a free consultation at one of our orthodontic offices in Downtown Charlottesville, Hollymead or Spring Creek today to get started with Invisalign near you.