Invisalign Clear Aligners: How They Work

If you have thought about straightening your teeth as an adult but the idea of traditional metal braces does not appeal to you, Invisalign is worth understanding. It is the only cosmetic treatment we offer at Buckley Dental Care, and it works differently than the braces most people picture when they think of orthodontics.

What Invisalign Actually Is

Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligner trays instead of metal brackets and wires. Each tray is worn for a period of time before you move on to the next one in the series, with each tray shaped slightly differently to gradually guide your teeth toward their intended position. Because the trays are clear, they are far less noticeable day to day than traditional braces.

How the Aligners Work

The trays are removable, which is one of the biggest differences from fixed braces. You take them out to eat, brush, and floss, then put them back in afterward. That means there are no food restrictions the way there can be with braces, and keeping up your regular oral hygiene routine is much simpler. Most people do need to wear the trays for the majority of the day for treatment to move along as intended, so it does take some consistency day to day.

Is Invisalign Right for You

Not every case is suited to clear aligners, and that is exactly what a consultation is for. Whether Invisalign is a good fit depends on your specific teeth and bite, and that is something Dr. Chaudhry can only determine by examining you directly. If you are curious, the best first step is simply booking an exam and asking him directly whether you are a good candidate.

What the Process Looks Like

Treatment starts with an exam, where Dr. Chaudhry looks at your teeth and talks with you about whether Invisalign fits what you are hoping to achieve. From there, a series of aligner trays is planned out for your specific case. You will check in periodically as you move through the trays so progress can be tracked and adjusted if needed along the way.

The biggest practical difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is that aligners come out. Braces are fixed to your teeth for the length of treatment, while aligner trays are something you put in and take out yourself throughout the day. Some people prefer the visibility and predictability of fixed braces. Others prefer that Invisalign is far less noticeable and does not change how they eat or brush day to day. Neither option is universally better. It comes down to your teeth, your bite, and what fits your daily routine, which is exactly what Dr. Chaudhry can help you weigh during a consultation.

If you book an exam to talk about Invisalign, it is worth going in with a few questions ready: whether your particular bite and tooth positions are a good fit for aligners, what the overall process would look like for your case, and how payment and insurance would work if you decide to move forward. Dr. Chaudhry would rather you ask too many questions than too few before starting anything.

Most people adjust to wearing aligners within a short period of time. You will want to brush after eating and before putting a tray back in, since food particles trapped against your teeth for hours are not ideal, but beyond that the routine settles in quickly for most patients. A lot of people find they barely think about the trays after the first week or two, aside from remembering to put them back in after meals.

Paying for Treatment

We accept American Express, cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa, along with most insurance plans. We also offer 0% financing through CareCredit, which can make it easier to spread out the cost of treatment over time. Our front desk can walk you through what that looks like for your situation before you commit to anything, and can answer any questions about how billing works alongside your insurance if you have coverage.

If you have been curious about straightening your teeth without traditional braces, call Buckley Dental Care at (360) 829-1201 or visit our /contact page to schedule an exam and find out if Invisalign is a good fit for you. You can read more on our /services/cosmetic-dentistry page, and see our current financing options on our /offers page.