Braces use metal brackets that are glued to your teeth. They are then connected by tiny rubber bands and wires. Generally, braces are used for more complex orthodontic cases. Invisalign®, on the other hand, is almost invisible. Invisalign® consists of custom clear trays that you place on your teeth. To subtly and gently move your smile, the clear aligner trays are made of BPA-free, smooth, transparent plastic. The trays are updated every couple of weeks in order to gently move your teeth into the desired position. While both Invisalign and braces straighten your teeth – each has its pros and cons. You can speak to our experienced orthodontist in Mansfield, TX, to find out more about which orthodontic treatment is best for you! 

Outside of the obvious benefit of getting a beautiful smile without the wires and brackets, Invisalign® also provides the following perks:

• Custom-fit for comfort
• Removable for brushing and flossing
• No food restrictions — just take them out and enjoy whatever sticky, hard food you’d like!

• Molds are created for your clear aligners either with impressions or through the use of an intraoral scanner.
• Your models get sent to the alignment professionals at Invisalign. Working together, we come up with a treatment plan curated for your needs.
• The number of aligners that you’ll need will dictate how long it takes before your Invisalign treatment is complete. You then return to our office to view a virtual simulation of the possible results.
• When the treatment begins, there is just a bit of prep work that needs to be done to your teeth. This may involve placing “buttons” on some of your teeth. We simply prep the front surface of pre-selected teeth with conditioning solutions and adhere a natural color composite bonding material to them. This serves as a guide for the aligners to help show them in which direction the teeth need to move.
• Occasionally we’ll have to do some interproximal reduction (IPR) which is painless, and all we do is smooth the contact between your teeth, opening it up some. This allows your teeth more room to move in their proper position.

This depends on the complexity of every case and the unique needs of a patient. Most patients receive Invisalign treatment in as little as six months up until nine months, but you will start seeing results in a matter of a few weeks.

Invisalign may not always be the best option for everyone. Some patients will require traditional braces – but Invisalign can offer a convenient option for teens, adults, and children too. Invisalign is best for those who have mild to moderate bite issues. Those individuals that require serious corrections are typically addressed with traditional braces, as these have the ability to apply more pressure onto the teeth in order for them to move them into the right position. 

Invisalign® was initially designed for adults. However, it became so popular that Invisalign Teen® and Invisalign First® were created. Invisalign Teen® is a unique system that was designed specifically for teenagers.

• Additional features to help teens with growing mouths
• Power ridges to aid tooth roots in growing into the right places
• Tools to assist teens keep on track by wearing the straighteners

Teens tend to prefer Invisalign Teen® over traditional braces. This is because they are more discreet, easier to clean, and provide more comfort for their growing mouths.

Invisalign First® was designed so that children could also benefit from the incredible and innovative Invisalign® straightening system.

This child-focused straightening option offers children younger than 12 years old the same convenience and comfort as Invisalign and Invisalign Teen®. These aligners, just as the other Invisalign® systems, can be taken out for cleaning, eating, and drinking. These aligners allow your orthodontist the flexibility to adjust room for incoming teeth without having to remove any surrounding teeth. Invisalign First® trays can be customized for each patient to address different orthodontic conditions, including:

• Dental arch development
• Expanding · Spacing/crowding
• A-P Correction · The aesthetic alignment
• Tooth protrusions and interferences

After you and your dentists have decided that Invisalign® suits you best, there are a few steps to follow:

1. The X-rays or impressions will be taken of your teeth. This will allow you to map out the precise movements of your teeth.

2. Your orthodontist will create a series of custom-made aligner trays made from virtually invisible (and BPA-free) plastic. These trays will be used to progress your treatment and will be changed out approximately every two weeks.

3. Your aligner trays will be worn for 20-22 hours each day during your treatment. Your doctor will check on your teeth every six weeks.

4. Retainers may be required after Invisalign® treatment. This is just like braces. You will need to discuss this with your doctor.

That’s it! After the straighteners have been made to your specifications, you can decide how long it takes. Wear your Invisalign® aligner tray proudly

Invisalign® costs vary depending on how complex your case is, how many aligner trays are required, and what coverage your dental insurance covers. Invisalign® can be affordable for simple cases. However, more complex cases can run up to $8,000 or more. Use Get a rough idea about the costs of your case by using Invisalign® Calculator Invisalign® refers to Orthodontic treatment. It may be partially or fully covered by some insurance plans.

Some online shops offer Invisalign® Cleaning systems. This cleaning system is popular with patients as it makes cleaning and maintaining aligner trays much easier. The aligners can be cleaned with a regular toothbrush and rinsed with warm water. As with your teeth, the cleaner you keep them clean, the more you brush them.