Invisalign

Invisalign is a clear alternative to traditional braces, using a series of clear aligners to gradually straighten teeth and correct bite issues. The aligners are custom-made removable clear trays that are changed every 1-2 weeks. Each aligner accomplishes a slight amount of tooth movement, getting you closer to the end result of a beautiful smile.

An important advantage of Invisalign over braces is that the aligners are removable, allowing you to take them out while eating. This allows you the freedom to eat as you wish. Traditional braces bring diet restrictions where you cannot eat hard or sticky foods, while Invisalign does not limit what you can eat at all.

Another advantage of Invisalign is the beauty of the aligners. They are nearly invisible, making it challenging for others to notice that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

People also find the Invisalign trays to be more comfortable than braces. The clear smooth trays are adapted nicely to your teeth, while braces may feel bulky to some patients.

If you are considering Invisalign, the first step would be a consultation with an orthodontist. At our office on the Upper East Side, our Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Jordan Lissauer will meet with you for an evaluation. He will complete a thorough orthodontic examination – looking at crowding, spacing, bite issues, TMJ, sleep habits, dental history and especially smile esthetics. He will discuss his findings and explain your orthodontic options.

If you are a good candidate for Invisalign, he will delve into all of the details and review the entire process. He will also talk about the pros and cons of Invisalign versus braces to help you make a decision on the best orthodontic treatment.

If Invisalign is best for you, the next step to begin the process would be Invisalign Records – which simply involves pictures, radiographs (if needed), and an iTero scan. An iTero scan replaces impressions, meaning you will not need molds of your teeth. The iTero scanner just takes a video of your teeth and then meshes all of the images together to make an accurate 3D digital model of your smile and bite. This 3D representation, along with the pictures and radiographs, are then uploaded to the Invisalign virtual simulation software. At this point, Dr. Lissauer works with Invisalign and instructs the technicians how to properly move your teeth into a beautiful smile. When Dr. Lissauer and Invisalign are pleased with the virtual simulation, Invisalign will manufacture the clear aligners that will be shipped to the Bright Health Smiles office.

The next appointment will be to get your first set of Invisalign trays and start straightening your teeth. At this longer appointment, Dr. Lissauer will try in the first set of aligners and ensure the fit is absolutely perfect. Dr. Lissauer will then add the Invisalign attachments – which are tooth colored bumps placed by the orthodontist onto select teeth in specific locations. These attachments serve as “handle bars” to help the aligners grab onto the teeth properly and secure the aligners into position; please note that these attachments are simply polished off by the orthodontist at the end of the Invisalign process. After the attachments are placed, Dr. Lissauer will then begin instructions to start wearing the trays.

Instructions are one of the most important steps in the whole process. Dr. Lissauer wants to set the groundwork so you know what to expect and what is needed to achieve success. We will first teach you how to take the aligners out and put them in, followed by having you practice in the office. We then will review the perfect wear schedule to ensure you reach the appropriate amount of hours each day. We explain cleaning instructions to help you keep your aligners perfectly clear. We also provide some tips and tricks that we have learned along the way from all of our past Invisalign patients. You will be able to ask questions throughout the process. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during the Invisalign experience.

At the end of this appointment, we will typically provide you 6 sets of trays. With the trays being changed by you weekly at home, this will provide you with enough trays until your next appointment with Dr. Lissauer. At this next appointment, we will evaluate the fit of the aligners and track your progress. We will continue to see you at periodic appointments at 6-8 week intervals to make sure the orthodontic process is progressing as expected and on schedule.

The length of time that Invisalign will take to accomplish our objectives will depend on the individual’s needs. In very minor cases, Invisalign may only be needed for 2-3 months while complex cases may require 24-30 months. Another factor that affects the length of treatment is compliance. The aligners need to be worn around 21-22 hours per day. Insufficient wear typically leads to slower progress and an extended treatment time.

We will move forward with the series of aligners until we have reached our goals of a beautiful smile and an ideal bite. We want everyone to be absolutely thrilled about their smile at the end!

Throughout the process, Dr. Lissauer is monitoring and tracking progress. He is there to ensure Invisalign is predictable, successful and efficient. If you are interested in learning more and exploring this possibility, the first step would be to schedule a consultation.