Invisalign![]() The BasicsWhat Is Invisalign?This orthodontic treatment utilizes a series of clear, removable mouthpieces to incrementally straighten teeth. The process begins with a consultation at the Dental Works office in Scottsdale, AZ, serving greater Phoenix. Our dentists can make a digital model of your bite, which will be sent to a lab where your aligners will be fabricated. You must wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. You should only remove your aligners to brush, floss, eat, or drink. About every two weeks, you will transition to the next aligners in the series. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the aligners gradually shift your teeth and produce a beautiful, healthy smile. The BenefitsDiscretionUnlike bulky metal braces that can be seen from across the room, these clear aligners are barely noticeable. ComfortBraces can be rough on the lips, cheeks, and tongue. Invisalign aligners are made from comfortable material that fits snugly around your teeth, so they won't disturb the soft tissues inside your mouth. ConvenienceThe aligner trays are removable, so you can take them out before meals and enjoy any foods you choose. You can also remove the aligners before brushing and flossing, with no need to change your techniques. Great ResultsFor mild to moderate misalignment, this treatment is equally effective as traditional braces. You can achieve a symmetrical, healthy-looking smile in as little as 12 months! You Don't Need an Orthodontist to Straighten Your SmileWhile considered an orthodontic solution, one significant benefit of Invisalign is you do not need to see an orthodontist for treatment. Most patients with mild to moderate malocclusion can straighten their smiles at our Scottsdale practice. Straighten Your Smile with Invisalign®How Does Invisalign Fit My Smile?The Clear Trays are Customized To Your TeethOur Scottsdale dentists will create a customized treatment plan that includes multiple aligners. While your Invisalign aligners may feel tight at first, as your teeth shift and adjust, the aligners will fit comfortably on your teeth. These trays will gradually shift your teeth until you achieve your desired smile. Can Invisalign Help Me?Clear aligners work best for patients with light to moderate misalignment. If you have severe malocclusion, braces may be better suited to your needs. Invisalign can help patients with: UnderbitesYour lower teeth protrude past your upper teeth. Crowded TeethYour teeth overlap. OverbitesYour upper teeth project too far forward. Gapped TeethThe gaps between your teeth are too wide. Open BitesYour bite does not completely close when the jaws meet. CrossbitesYour upper and lower arches are horizontally misaligned. Invisalign Is Worth Considering If...You Value DiscretionIf you desire straight teeth, but can't stand the idea of wearing braces, the clear aligners of the Invisalign system can produce excellent results without affecting your appearance. You Are ResponsibleThe aligners are removable, so you may be tempted to remove them too often. You must commit to wearing your aligners at least 20 to 22 hours a day in order to achieve the best results in a timely manner. Your Case is MildIf you have severe malocclusion, Invisalign treatment may not be strong enough for your case. Traditional braces may be better for your needs. You can count on us to only recommend this treatment if it's right for you. You Are In Good Oral HealthOral health issues like gum disease or tooth decay may need to be corrected before Invisalign treatment. Our dentists will assess your oral health at your consultation to determine if you can start Invisalign. Our Dentists Can Help You Correct Ortho RelapseDid You Know Invisalign Can Help Those Who Have Already Had Braces?If you had braces in the past but failed to wear your retainers regularly, your teeth may have shifted over time. Invisalign can be a great solution to get your perfect smile back again. Whether you've had braces in the past or are looking into orthodontics for the first time, contact our Scottsdale office to request a consultation. Does Invisalign Really Work?Invisalign may sound too good to be true, but our results speak for themselves. If you're curious if Invisalign lives up to its claims, just look at our before and after photos of Invisalign patients. ![]() Before ![]() After This patient had malocclusion and a narrow palette that caused crowding and misalignment. Invisalign was able to correct these problems and create a beautiful new smile. What to Expect During Invisalign TreatmentInvisalign can align your smile in just 12 to 18 months. Contact our Scottsdale, AZ, practice to request your consultation and take the first step toward a straighter smile. 1. ConsultationWhen you come in for an initial consultation at our Scottsdale office, we can evaluate your case, determine if Invisalign is a viable option for your orthodontic needs, and take a digital impression of your smile using our iTero® Intraoral Scanner. 2. Planning and FabricationWe will send the digital model of your bite to our partners at the Invisalign lab. The technicians will develop a customized treatment plan for your case, and they will begin manufacturing your aligners. It typically takes between two and four weeks for the lab to complete your aligners. 3. Treatment BeginsOnce you receive your clear aligners, you will begin your treatment plan by wearing the trays for about 20 to 22 hours a day. Every two weeks or so, you will transition to the next set of clear aligners in the series. Gradually, you will notice your smile beginning to straighten as the aligners gently reposition your teeth. 4. Check-UpsYou will return to our Scottsdale office periodically so we can track your progress. The regularity of check-ups is different from case to case, but we typically schedule an appointment every four to six weeks. 5. Beautiful SmileMost patients can meet their goals in 12 to 18 months. With straightened teeth, you can enjoy boosted confidence and a dazzling smile. 6. MaintenanceYour results may regress without proper maintenance. It is important to wear a retainer every night. Sometimes, the last set of aligners can work as a retainer, while in other cases, we might need to fabricate a custom retainer for you. Invisalign TipsHow To Get the Most Out of Your TreatmentHere are some helpful tips on what to expect and how to maximize your Invisalign treatment. Commit to wearing the alignersIf you wear your trays for less than 20 hours a day, your treatment will take longer and may be less effective. Only drink water while wearing the alignersAnything other than water can stain the clear aligners. Remove the trays before drinking anything colored. The aligners take a few days to get used toWhen you begin wearing your Invisalign aligners, you may speak with a slight lisp. This is normal, and you should be able to speak normally within a few days. Whenever you switch to new trays, you may feel new pressure or mild discomfort. This is also normal and an indicator that the clear aligners are doing their job of gently aligning your teeth. Travel with multiple alignersIf you are going out of town, we recommend bringing your current trays, your previous trays, and your next set of trays. This provides multiple backup options in case you lose a set, and it lets you keep up with your treatment plan if you are traveling when it is time to graduate to new trays. ![]() Caring for Your AlignersHow To Ensure Your Smile Stays Healthy During TreatmentIt is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup while wearing Invisalign. Our Scottsdale dentists will give you care instructions so you can be sure to keep your aligners clean and your smile healthy throughout treatment. Practice Good Oral HygieneThe same rules apply during Invisalign treatment. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. You should remove your aligners before brushing or flossing. Clean Your AlignersYou should rinse the clear aligners whenever you remove them to prevent the growth of bacteria. You can also gently brush the aligners with a toothbrush to clean them, but make sure you are not too rough. Avoid Hard BristlesAvoid hard-bristled toothbrushes while cleaning your aligners. The bristles can scratch the surface and give your aligners a cloudy appearance, making them more noticeable when worn. Avoid Extreme TemperaturesAvoid using extremely hot and cold temperatures while cleaning your aligners. Since the trays are made of plastic, extreme temperatures can warp the design and affect your treatment timeline. Keep Them in a Safe PlaceAlways have a safe place to put your aligners when you remove them. Lost or damaged aligners will need to be replaced immediately to not delay treatment. I've Lost My AlignersWhat Do I Do?Contact us. Lost or damaged aligners need to be replaced immediately. Not wearing your aligners as instructed risks your teeth moving out of the proper position and delaying your treatment timeline. Our dentists will assess where you are within your treatment and may suggest moving on to your next set of aligners. ![]() Are Straight Teeth Really That Important?Yes! Orthodontics is about more than just having a beautiful smile. While the cosmetic results of Invisalign are great, orthodontics can have profound benefits for your oral health. For example: A straight smile is easier to clean.When teeth are misaligned, they can be difficult to clean properly when brushing or flossing. Food particles and bacteria can more easily get stuck in crooked teeth, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious dental issues. Orthodontics help you avoid TMJ disorder.Crooked teeth often lead to an incorrect bite. As a result, you may be overcompensating to achieve a comfortable bite without even knowing it, which can put excessive strain on the jaw muscles. This can cause TMJ disorder and painful symptoms such as headaches and neck pain. Let Us Help You Straighten Your SmileContact Our Experienced Scottsdale DentistsDrs. Tracy Lee Work and Mary Ann Work have the tools and experience to create a straighter, healthier smile. No matter your age, they can optimize the position of your teeth to help protect your oral health and enhance your appearance. Our patients trust our practice because we take the time to get to know their needs to provide the best treatment. Our dentists are also committed to exceeding your expectations and creating beautiful results. If you're ready to achieve your dream smile, contact our Scottsdale, AZ, practice. The Dental Works DifferenceWhy Patients Choose Our Practice Gentle DentistryWe believe going to the dentist should be a relaxing experience. While not needed for Invisalign treatment, we offer sedation to ease any nerves during other procedures that may accompany your Invisalign treatment, such as a root canal. Continuous ImprovementBoth of the dentists at our Scottsdale office are committed to continuous learning. They consistently attend continuous education courses and stay up-to-date on the latest dental trends and technology to provide the best service to their patients. Care for the Whole FamilyNo matter your age, Drs. Tracy Lee Work and Mary Ann Work can help you achieve a functional and beautiful smile. The teeth of adults and children can differ greatly, making our office unique in its treatment of both cases. We Use State-of-the-Art TechnologyOur office strives to provide patients with an experience that's professional and personalized to their needs. We accomplish this by utilizing technology to our advantage. iTero ScannerWe use an iTero digital scanner to get an overall view of your teeth. With this scanner, we can quickly create a before-and-after preview of your smile. Seeing the difference Invisalign can make will help motivate you throughout the process. Invisalign LabWe work directly with an Invisalign lab to create your clear aligners. Working in conjunction with the lab allows us to ensure you receive custom aligners that are made to fit you perfectly and achieve stunning results. What Does Invisalign Cost?Typically Similar To BracesThe cost of Invisalign treatment will vary from patient to patient based on the severity of the misalignment. Typically, Invisalign does not cost significantly more than braces. Today, many insurance plans contribute to the cost of Invisalign. At Dental Works, we work with patients to make dental care as affordable as possible. We work with many insurance providers and offer monthly payment plans in partnership with CareCredit and Sunbit. For more information about the cost of Invisalign, give us a call today at (480) 360-7529. Are You Ready to Begin Treatment?Contact Us Today!With today's orthodontic technology, there is no reason for anyone to go through life suffering from a misaligned smile. If you find yourself feeling reluctant to smile in pictures because you are self-conscious about your teeth, you owe it to yourself to consider Invisalign. Invisalign can discreetly give you a straighter smile in a little over a year, and the caring team at Dental Works will be there with you every step of the way. Contact our Scottsdale, AZ, practice today at (480) 360-7529 if you want a straighter smile without the hassle of braces. |