Invisalign in McMinnville

Invisalign in McMinnville, Oregon

Improve Your Smile

If living with crooked teeth or years of metal braces isn’t appealing to you, there is another option. Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that delivers results superior to standard metal braces. At All About Smiles Family Dentistry in McMinnville, Oregon, Dr. Frances Golly is a certified Invisalign provider.

Invisalign

If living with crooked teeth or years of metal braces isn’t appealing to you, there is another option. Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that delivers results superior to standard metal braces. At All About Smiles Family Dentistry in McMinnville, Oregon, Dr. Frances Golly is a certified Invisalign provider.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a set of custom-made clear aligners to straighten misaligned teeth. Invisalign is touted as one of the best alternatives to braces owing to its discreteness and how less billy it is. Invisalign is removable, and patients must wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day to get their desired results. These aligners work like braces and exert pressure and the teeth, forcing them into their correct alignments.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is a series of clear plastic aligner trays used to straighten your teeth. Dr. Frances Golly will first take an impression of your teeth to send to our certified lab, where your trays will be manufactured. Once ready, our McMinnville dentist will attach fasteners, or “buttons” to your teeth that will allow you to snap the trays into place.

Invisalign works by moving teeth slowly over time until they are straight. Patients change their trays about every two weeks once their teeth have moved to the desired position.

Why Invisalign Is Better

Our patients love that Invisalign trays are easily removable and can be taken out for special events, like school picture day. Plus, you can take the trays out to eat, so there’s no limitations on foods you can enjoy! Traditional metal braces mean foods like corn on the cob, nuts, and popcorn are off-limits, but with Invisalign there’s no restrictions.

Invisalign is so inconspicuous, its likely no one will even know you are wearing them. In contrast, metal braces are difficult to hide and can often make wearers feel self-conscious. Since they have to be worn for years, the burden of metal braces is one many people dread. Those worries aren’t a concern with Invisalign.

Because Invisalign is made of smooth plastic, it is much more comfortable to wear the aligners than it is to wear metal braces. Metal braces take up space in the mouth and can often cause mouth ulcers, which is why orthodontists routinely give patients dental wax to cover the uncomfortable parts of braces.

What Problems Does Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign can be used to straighten crooked teeth, bringing them back into alignment. It can also eliminate gaps between teeth by drawing them closer together. Often, Invisalign can be used to repair overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

Because Invisalign is a legitimate orthodontic treatment, it is covered in part by most dental insurance plans. While years ago braces were considered purely cosmetic, insurance companies now recognize that crooked teeth can affect bite, speech and nutrition.

If you are interested in learning more about whether you or your child is a good candidate for Invisalign, contact All About Smiles Family Dentistry in McMinnville, Oregon today! The sooner you get started, the sooner you will have the beautiful smile you have always wanted.

Invisalign Treatment Process

Consultation and Treatment Planning

Consultation and Treatment Planning

The first step in the Invisalign process is consultation with a licensed dentist or orthodontist. The consultation will lay the groundwork for the rest of the process. Here, the dentist will take X-rays and conduct other diagnostic tests to determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for Invisalign treatment. If you are, the dentist will create a treatment plan for crafting your new aligners.
Taking Impressions and Aligner Fabrication

Taking Impressions and Aligner Fabrication

The second step involves using 3D imaging technology and photographs to get impressions of your teeth. In some cases, the dentist might press a putty-like substance on your teeth to do the same. The dentist will send these impressions and photographs to a lab that fabricates your aligners. Invisalign aligners are made from a flexible plastic called SmartTrack and fabrication takes about four weeks.
Aligner Fitting and Wearing Your Invisalign

Aligner Fitting and Wearing Your Invisalign

After about four weeks, the doctor will schedule an appointment to fit your Invisalign aligners. The dentist will place the aligners in your mouth and check their fit and comfort. If they fit perfectly, they'll give you instructions on when to wear them and how to keep your teeth clean while wearing Invisalign aligners.
Progress Check-Ups and Swapping Aligners

Progress Check-Ups and Swapping Aligners

The dentist will schedule progress checkups every six to eight weeks. These checkups help the dentist check the treatment’s progress and effectiveness. The dentist will swap out your aligners every checkup for new ones that continue the gradual movement of your teeth until they achieve proper alignment.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign

Subtle

The most noteworthy benefit of Invisalign aligners is that it’s more subtle than conventional treatments like braces and retainers. This makes it an excellent option for patients that would otherwise feel self-conscious with braces or retainers on. Invisalign is made from a clear plastic that’s hard to discern unless you look really close.

 

Comfortable

Another benefit of Invisalign is that it’s comfortable to wear for long hours, even the entire day. This is unlike braces which can sometimes be uncomfortable because of the metal brackets and archwires scraping on your teeth. Invisalign aligners are so comfortable that you’ll forget you even have them on.

 

Effective Against Most Forms of Dental Malocclusions

Invisalign is also effective against most forms of dental malocclusions, giving you straight teeth in 12 to 18 months. You can use Invisalign to enhance your smile and build your confidence to achieve your goals and live a meaningful life. Plus, given the discreteness and non-invasiveness of the procedure, it’s a dream come true for people with malocclusions.

Frequently-Asked Questions About Invisalign

Invisalign is especially ideal for people with mild to moderate teeth misalignments. These misalignments may include overbites, open bites, and other forms of malocclusion. Dentists recommend braces for more severe dental alignment issues.

Invisalign is an effective treatment for most types of malocclusion including underbite, open bite, crossbite, and crowded teeth.  Dentists may also recommend Invisalign for closing large gaps between teeth.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers that are custom crafted to each tooth provide an artist’s touch to your smile. Veneers can offer a solution for nearly any goal you hope to achieve for your smile. Today’s modern materials combined with our passion for cosmetic excellence result in a smile that will amaze you each time you look in the mirror.
Composite Fillings

Composite Fillings

Veneers that are custom crafted to each tooth provide an artist’s touch to your smile. Veneers can offer a solution for nearly any goal you hope to achieve for your smile. Today’s modern materials combined with our passion for cosmetic excellence result in a smile that will amaze you each time you look in the mirror.
Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

Veneers that are custom crafted to each tooth provide an artist’s touch to your smile. Veneers can offer a solution for nearly any goal you hope to achieve for your smile. Today’s modern materials combined with our passion for cosmetic excellence result in a smile that will amaze you each time you look in the mirror.
Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain Crowns

Veneers that are custom crafted to each tooth provide an artist’s touch to your smile. Veneers can offer a solution for nearly any goal you hope to achieve for your smile. Today’s modern materials combined with our passion for cosmetic excellence result in a smile that will amaze you each time you look in the mirror.