
For decades, traditional metal braces have been used to treat a number of orthodontic problems that can compromise a smile: underbites, overbites, cross bites, rotated (crooked) teeth, and teeth that are irregularly spaced. No question, traditional braces work well, but they can be a nuisance and a distraction—especially for adults who need to think about their appearance in professional and social circumstances.
We’re excited to offer what we believe is a far superior solution: Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign can treat the same orthodontic problems as metal braces, but in a much more discreet way. Here’s how we can use these clear aligners to straighten your smile, boost your confidence, and bolster your oral health—and reach out if you’re ready to schedule an appointment!

After a thorough dental cleaning and exam to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy, we’ll take photographs of your teeth and your mouth, as well as X-rays and molded impressions. With these as a guide, Dr. Anderson creates a treatment plan designed to precisely correct your misaligned teeth. The plan will include a 3D visualization of how your teeth will move and what your smile will look like at the conclusion of treatment. For Invisalign patients, this glimpse of their future smile can be very reassuring.
The aligners, which are made of smooth, BPA-free plastic, will arrive in our office arranged in a series of pairs—one aligner for your upper arch of teeth and one for the lower. You must commit to the wearing schedule, which is usually about two weeks for each pair before you advance to the next pair in the series. Your dedication to wearing your aligners consistently day after day is key to the timely success of your treatment.

Invisalign is capable of assisting in a lot of situations! While severe cases of malocclusion may necessitate traditional metal braces, Invisalign is often able to tackle a wide range of orthodontic issues. Some of these include:
Overcrowding is a common concern that can negatively impact the appearance of your smile and oral health. However, Invisalign is often a solution for mild to moderate cases of crowding.
Many people grow up with gaps between their teeth, but as time passes, they grow less fond of them. Luckily, Invisalign is capable of gradually closing gaps in one or both arches.
Bite problems don’t just affect your smile’s appearance; they affect your oral functionality and can even damage the teeth or strain the jaw joints. Whether you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, Invisalign may be able to help.

Invisalign comes with all kinds of exciting benefits. For example, while going through treatment, you’ll be able to remove your aligners to eat, meaning there are no dietary restrictions at all. This also means oral hygiene is a breeze, as you’ll just brush and floss your teeth as usual in addition to cleaning your aligners! There’s also no risk of breaking a bracket or dislodging a wire, as can happen with traditional metal braces.

Since Invisalign isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment, there’s no standard price—it is always going to depend on a patient’s circumstances, as well as what they’re trying to accomplish. That said, during your consultation, we’ll review your dental history, examine your teeth, gums, and jaw, and learn about your smile goals. From there, we can begin putting together a custom treatment plan that includes a cost estimate. We’re also happy to review all financial solutions with you—we want you to feel confident about your commitment to your new smile!
12-18 months is the average treatment timeline with Invisalign. So, if you schedule your consultation now, there’s a good chance that you’ll have the straight smile you’ve always wanted by this time next year! At your visit, we can even provide you with a more precise estimate and let you know what you can do to avoid frustrating delays, like wearing your aligners for 20 hours a day, every day.
When you first get your aligners, it’s normal to experience some soreness and pressure. The good news is that symptoms like these are only temporary, and they are actually a sign that your teeth are moving! Plus, sipping on cool water, sticking to soft foods, and taking OTC pain medication as directed can help you stay comfortable.
Technically, there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign. That said, there are some foods that increase the chances of you developing a cavity and, in turn, falling off-track with your treatment plan. For that reason, we recommend filling your plate with lots of nutrient-dense, smile-friendly foods, including cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and oatmeal. At the same time, cut back on sugary, starchy, and crunchy snacks, like hard pretzels and potato chips.
Start by retracing your steps. Since your aligners are see-through, it’s important to be thorough in the process. It’s also a good idea to look in the not-so-obvious places, like the pockets of the pants you were wearing earlier, the waste bin in your kitchen, and the center console of your car. If you’ve looked and looked, but you can’t find them anywhere, then call our office. That way, our cosmetic dentist in Lovell can determine the best way to proceed, whether it’s to have a replacement set made or to have you move on to the next pair in the series a tad early.
Have you heard the term “orthodontic relapse?” If you haven’t, it’s the phenomenon when teeth move out of their perfectly aligned positions after braces, and it actually happens to upwards of 50% of patients. To prevent it from happening to you, we will provide you with a custom retainer following your Invisalign treatment.
Important note: If you’re worried about aesthetics, we have good news: we can make a retainer that looks identical to your Invisalign aligners. So, even if you end up needing to wear yours around the clock for the first few weeks, you don’t have to stress because no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile!