Is Invisalign Right For You?

In Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Norfolk
Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport, VA

You have many choices when it comes to adult braces. Invisalign provides a series of aligners that are used to realign your teeth in stages.

Invisalign aligners are:

• Transparent
• Removable
• Customized to fit directly over your teeth.

Because they’re removable, Invisalign aligners don’t interfere with eating or brushing and flossing your teeth. They’re designed to gently move your teeth into a more optimal position.

Am I a candidate for Invisalign?

If you want to correct your bite but don’t like the idea of traditional braces, Invisalign may be a good option.

Invisalign is:

• Not for children
• Not for adults with severely crooked teeth or neuromuscular bite problems.
• Not for adults who need extractions.
• Not for adults who need to wear another type of orthodontic appliance.

Invisalign is a good option for adults and teens:

• Who want to correct their bite but don’t want every one to notice
• Who want be able to remove their braces when desired
• Who want have some idea of when their teeth will move (each aligner is worn for about 2 weeks)
• Who want to have some idea of how their teeth will move (you’ll receive a computer animation showing how your teeth will reposition during treatment)
• Who have busy schedules—you can get several weeks worth of aligners at a time

Problems that can be corrected with Invisalign

As discussed above, Invisalign can’t correct all bite problems but it is useful for some of the common issues that keep adults from having their best possible smile.

• Overcrowded teeth
• Widely spaced teeth (e.g., caused by missing teeth or abnormal jaw bone growth)
• Crossbite (from misaligned upper and lower jaws)
• Overbite
• Underbite

Invisalign Treatment

You should get an evaluation from an Invisalign-trained orthodontist, like Dr. Folck, to determine if Invisalign is right for you. Your Invisalign-trained orthodontist will take impressions and pictures of your teeth and will discuss your treatment plan. You’re customized set of Invisalign aligners will be ordered and you’ll be ready to begin treatment as soon as you receive them.

Everyone’s treatment is unique, but to obtain optimal results you should wear your aligners all the time, except when you are eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, or flossing. This will help ensure that your treatment completes within the time you and your dentist have discussed. You’ll visit your orthodontist at occasional checkups so that he or she can monitor your progress. While the length of your Invisalign treatment will vary with your individual circumstances, treatments generally take from about 6 to about 8 months from beginning to end.

If you have questions about Invisalign or would like to schedule your Invisalign consultation at our Virginia Beach office, please call or email us today. We'll schedule a complete, comprehensive dental examination and consultation with Dr. Folck.