Invisalign®, the clear, removable alternative to braces
Dr. Brad Sievert is proud to offer “pioneering” treatments to his patients in Lake Oswego, West Linn, and South Portland, Oregon. Invisalign® represents a pioneer in the world of orthodontic treatment. Before Invisalign®, conventional braces were the “go-to” to correct misalignment and bite issues, or problems with how the upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth.
Treatments for a world of patients
Invisalign® debuted in the late 1990s. When it was first introduced as a transparent, removable alternative to straightening teeth with fixed silver-hued metal brackets and wires, Invisalign® was a cosmetic treatment. It primarily corrected minor crowding and crooked teeth. Since then, more patients of all ages and with all sorts of bite concerns and conditions have been treated worldwide with the Invisalign® system. Just a few of the conditions that can be treated with Invisalign® aligners include:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Gapped teeth
- Openbite
- Crowding
- Unevenly-spaced teeth
Younger and more “experienced” patients alike appreciate the design of the Invisalign® system. For starters, no one else (besides your dentist!) has to know that you are straightening your teeth. The Invisalign® aligners are made from transparent and smooth thermoplastic. They are invisible when you smile. As you straighten your teeth, the aligners are perfectly custom-fitted to the contours of your mouth. This feature, combined with the smoothness of the BPA-free plastic, promotes a comfortable treatment experience.
Invisalign is a great way to align and straighten your teeth. Our patients find it is very easy to incorporate into their lives, because it doesn’t affect their speech or eating and it is virtually invisible to the naked eye! As a dentist for over 22 years I can tell you that people whose teeth are properly aligned tend to have healthier gums and less dental problems. When people have chipped front teeth or inflamed gums, oftentimes I would evaluate the alignment of their teeth to see if this could be contributing to their problem.
Lots of patients also request Invisalign to improve the aesthetic appearance of their smile. Straight teeth look nicer and are more youthful. If you are interested in discussing teeth alignment using Invisalign might help, please call our office and schedule a consultation. I would be happy to evaluate your teeth and see if alignment might be of benefit to you.
It is easy to get started with Invisalign. The first step is to come in for a consultation. At that appointment we will do a digital scan of your teeth so we can show you on a screen, what your teeth will look like. It is really cool it is like a 3D model of your teeth. We can also show you a simulation of what your properly aligned teeth will look like. We will take a series of digital photographs, and gather some orthodontic measurements, once we have these records, and then we can have an informed conversation about your current condition – and then discuss if Invisalign will be a benefit for your dental health or how it can be used to improve your smile. My team can go over fees with you, work with you on setting up a financial arrangement that will work in your budget.
Invisalign® has also taken the hassle out of straightening your teeth. The aligner can be removed for a few hours each day when eating and cleaning your teeth and gums. Compliance with daily wear time is essential. The aligners place gentle yet consistent pressure on the teeth to incrementally shift them into their proper positions. Each aligner is part of a series of aligners that are worn throughout treatment. Wear the aligners as directed each day and for about one or two weeks until you move to the next aligner in the series. To assure treatment remains on schedule, be sure also to wear the aligners in the correct order. To help with compliance, Invisalign® Teen treatment features blue dots that fade over time when our tween and teenaged patients wear the aligners as instructed.
Invisalign® is suitable for many patients (it has treated 10 million smiles and counting!). But is it an appropriate treatment for you? To find out, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sievert. Call Westlake Family Dentistry at (503) 662-9176.
Before & After Treatment Images
Dianne had been frustrated for years with crooked upper and lower teeth. The crowding of her teeth also made adequate cleaning difficult. After Six Month Smiles®, not only does Dianne have a smile she can be confident about, but it’s much easier now for her to take care of her straight teeth!
