Are you unsatisfied with your smile? Do you have crooked teeth that you just want fixed? You’re definitely not alone. Your northwest IN orthodontist can help.

But I don’t want braces. I don’t want to go through the discomfort, inconvenience, OR the time. And I SURE don’t want a mouth full of metal!

You don’t have to. With Invisalign, there is no excuse for letting the fear of traditional braces keep you from having the smile you have dreamed of.  With no metal, no hassle, and less amount of time in the office, you can have a straighter smile without the mess.

What is Invisalign?Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces that are made up of metal (or sometimes ceramic) brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners are clear plastic trays that fit securely over your teeth. The aligners are removable for eating, drinking, cleaning, and for special occasions. They are made of smooth, comfortable plastic so there’s no concern about uncomfortable metal in your mouth.

Best of all, they are almost entirely invisible. Unless you let them in on your secret, your friends, family, and colleagues won’t even be able to tell you are wearing them!

How does it work?

Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth into their proper place, just like traditional braces. However, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligner trays instead of metal brackets and wires.

A machine molds the series of aligners to match the gradual movement of your teeth to their perfect positions. Because the change is gradual, these aligners have to be changed out every few weeks. Exchanging an aligner for a new one is just like upgrading to a heavier gauge wire with traditional braces – after a certain time, the aligner does all it can do for your smile and needs to be replaced with a tray that more closely matches the final positions of your teeth. That way, everything keeps moving along until you have the perfect smile.

Who can use Invisalign?

While it can be used to treat a wide variety of orthodontic problems, Invisalign isn’t for everyone. If you have severely crooked teeth, Invisalign probably isn’t for you. If you have large bite or jaw alignment issues, we will most likely have to find another method of treatment for you.

Don’t worry – even if Invisalign isn’t a good fit for you, you can still achieve a straighter smile without having a mouth full of metal. We now offer “clear braces” which include brackets made of ceramic or plastic! These clear braces allow you to have the full straightening strength of traditional braces without the distracting appearance of a “metal mouth.”

However, if your teeth are only mildly crooked and you do not have any major bite problems, then Invisalign may be for you. Invisalign aligners are perfect for busy students and professionals who do not want to look like a gawky middle school kid. Your teenager can even use Invisalign! Call our northwest IN orthodontic office today to ask about how Invisalign might work for your teen.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

There are some obvious benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces. Let’s take a quick look:

The aligners are invisible. They are made of clear plastics, so they are virtually impossible to see. If you don’t tell something you are wearing aligners, they won’t even know.

Invisalign aligners are removable. You can take them out for eating, drinking, cleaning, and for special occasions. This means you can eat whatever you want AND its easier to brush and floss your teeth just like normal. With traditional braces, you can’t eat anything too sticky or hard and you have to be extra careful when cleaning around your braces and wires. With Invisalign, your aligners will never be in your way.

They’re comfortable. Because they are made of plastic, you’ll have no metal in your mouth. Invisalign aligners offer the comfort of NO sharp brackets, NO pointy wires, and nothing to rub or cut your cheeks and gums.

The fact is that the fear of the stress that often accompanies traditional braces is NO EXCUSE to avoid seeing an orthodontist. If you want a straighter smile, but not the hassle, call your orthodontist at (888) 722-5033 to learn more about Invisalign. We would love to help you make the best decision for your smile.