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Invisalign® clear aligners have helped more than 11 million people straighten their teeth. The method corrects most bite problems and is more comfortable than traditional metal braces. Adults and teens with tooth gaps, crooked teeth, or a crowded smile all benefit.
Richard Blackburn, DMD, offers Invisalign here at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry. He uses his vast understanding of oral structures and aesthetic eye to create a treatment plan that helps you get a beautiful smile.
If you decide Invisalign is right for you, here’s what to expect when you’re getting started with this easy, effective, and convenient orthodontic treatment.
Start with an oral exam
Before you get started with Invisalign, Dr. Blackburn does a thorough oral exam to make sure Invisalign is right for your bite issues. At this exam, he’ll review our dental history, lifestyle, and determine your orthodontic needs.
If Invisalign isn’t the right method of correction for you, he’ll customize another treatment plan to get you the smile you desire.
Undergo advanced 3D imaging
Once you and Dr. Blackburn have determined Invisalign is for you, he uses the iTero Element® scanner to quickly deliver high-precision 3D impressions of your teeth. This technology eliminates the need for messy physical impressions, which is great news for those with a strong gag reflex.
The incredible accuracy of these 3D scans plays a big role in the comfort and efficiency of your Invisalign treatment.
Receive a customized plan
Dr. Blackburn uses the 3D images and the Invisalign ClinCheck® software program, a computer-aided design (CAD) system, to map out the step-by-step movements needed to transform your smile.
The software maps out your entire treatment in full detail, so you get predictable and effective results.
Wait for your aligners to arrive
The team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry sends your 3D scans and customized treatment plan to the Invisalign laboratory. They create your custom trays using advanced SmartTrak® material. Each tray is trimmed to fit comfortably around your gums.
Learn how to wear your aligners
When the Invisalign aligners come back from the lab, you head back to Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry for your fitting. During this visit, small buttons may be attached to your teeth (to be removed later) to ensure a good fit.
Dr. Blackburn and his staff show you how to position your aligners over your teeth. They’ll give you detailed instructions for wear and answer any questions you may have.
Here are the general guidelines:
- Wear your Invisalign aligners for 20-22 hours each day
- Remove your aligners to eat (and always brush before replacing them)
- Wear each aligner for one to three weeks, or as we instruct
- Refrain from eating and drinking while your trays are in your mouth
The average treatment length is 12-18 months, but you’ll notice results in a few weeks as each new tray brings your teeth closer and closer to their ideal position. Each time you switch to a new set of trays, they may feel a bit tight, but this feeling eases as your teeth shift position.
Enjoy the benefits of the aligners
Invisalign aligners are smooth and fit well, so you won’t have to deal with blisters or cuts from metal wires and brackets like you do with braces.
There’s no need to change your diet for the duration of your treatment, either. Simply remove your aligners, eat what you want, brush and floss, and fit your aligners back over your teeth.
If you’re ready to sign up for Invisalign, call Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry or use this website to sign up for an appointment. We’re ready to help straighten your smile and help with other cosmetic dentistry needs.