If you’re hesitant about getting braces, clear aligners are a discreet alternative to straighten your teeth. Board-certified orthodontist Stephen Harper, DDS, is a certified Invisalign® provider who offers custom-made clear aligners at Harper Orthodontics in Walnut Creek and Martinez, California. Invisalign remains the gold standard in clear aligner systems. To find out if Invisalign is right for you, call Harper Orthodontics today or schedule an appointment online.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that relies on BPA-free plastic clear aligners to straighten teeth and correct bite problems. Like braces, clear aligners place gradual force on your teeth to shift them into alignment.
The difference is that braces include metal or ceramic materials that bond to your teeth, while Invisalign uses clear removable aligners. At Harper Orthodontics, Dr. Harper uses the iTero® intraoral scanner to create highly accurate impressions of your teeth.
The state-of-the-art technology ensures your aligners mold to your teeth for discreet and effective treatment.
Invisalign is an attractive alternative for teens and adults who want a straighter smile without the bulkiness of braces. Popular benefits of Invisalign include:
A combination of BPA-free plastic and iTero digital impressions create ultra-thin aligners that mold to the unique shape of your teeth. Invisalign clear aligners are completely transparent, so others won’t know you’re wearing them.
Unlike braces, Invisalign is removable. You can take your clear aligners out to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth. You can even remove Invisalign for special occasions as long as you follow your treatment plan.
The metal brackets of braces can irritate your inner cheeks and lips, leaving you with cuts and sores. Made with non-abrasive materials, Invisalign is smooth against the tissues inside your mouth.
While traditional braces correct orthodontic concerns in about 18 months to three years, Invisalign can straighten teeth in as little as six months. The planning process is also entirely digital, so Dr. Harper can make adjustments to your treatment plan without additional visits.
After taking digital impressions with the iTero scanner, Dr. Harper designs your treatment plan using Invisalign’s proprietary software. Next, he sends your plan off to the lab to create your clear aligners.
Every 2-3 weeks, you wear a new set of clear aligners. Each set targets certain teeth to shift them into alignment. To stay on target with your plan, you must wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day. You should always take your clear aligners out to eat and drink. To keep Invisalign clear, brush and floss before replacing your aligners.
To learn more about Invisalign, call Harper Orthodontics today or schedule an appointment online.