Invisalign
About Invisalign
At Heights Orthodontics, we’re Invisalign experts. As a Blue Diamond Top 1% provider, we use our exceptional experience to provide the highest-quality care and the best possible results.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system that uses clear, custom-made plastic aligners to align your teeth and create a beautiful smile. These aligners are clear, easily removable, and are made with 3D scanning technology to achieve a perfect, comfortable fit.
Your first set of aligners will be fabricated closest to your teeth’s original position, while the last set will conform to your perfectly straight smile. Each set of aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours per day and you will change to the next set every 1-2 weeks, depending on Dr. Brooks’ recommendation. As you replace each aligner with the next in your series, your teeth will move—little by little, week by week, until they are in the proper position. For optimal results, it’s best to only remove your aligners when you eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Each time you brush your teeth, it is also recommended you gently clean your aligners to maintain excellent oral hygiene and minimize buildup.
When advised by your orthodontist, Invisalign is an excellent treatment alternative to braces for patients of all ages thanks to its tested and proven effectiveness. Aligners are designed to provide for a thoroughly convenient treatment experience and have many benefits, including:
- Reduced Office Visits – By changing the aligners out at home, you only have to come into our office for a quick visit every 8-10 weeks to ensure you are progressing as you should be.
- Simplified Oral Hygiene – Being able to remove your aligners when you eat, drink, brush, and floss means that your oral hygiene routine can continue mostly as normal. Just remember to brush your teeth after eating and before putting the aligners back in!
- Very Discreet – One of the reasons why many people are choosing Invisalign is precisely because it’s so discreet, it’s practically invisible! You can feel just as confident in your smile during treatment as you will after.
- Effective & Efficient – Not only does Invisalign work well for correcting a range of orthodontic issues, but it’s also been shown in some case types to bring results in a shorter timeframe! At your initial consultation, we can predict how long your treatment will be and, upon request, even show you a model of what your future smile will look like.
Invisalign for Kids
- Overcrowding
- Smile gaps
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
Many parents often ask, “What is the best age for my child to start seeing an orthodontist?” The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children attend their first orthodontic consultation around the age of 7 since this is when the adult teeth are beginning to emerge. Treatment may not always be necessary right away, and Dr. Brooks always has your child’s best interest in mind. If your child may benefit from Invisalign in the future but does not require treatment now, we will keep track of their development and make more informed decisions about future treatment when necessary.
Benefits of Invisalign for Kids
- Practically no emergency appointments.
- A significant reduction in potential oral hygiene white spots or cavity issues.
- No painful poking wires, cut lips, gums, or cheeks.
Invisalign aligner sets are custom-made to fit each patient’s teeth. Patients change their aligners every 10 days or so, with each new aligner gently moving teeth into better positions.
Invisalign for Teens
Chances are that you’ve heard about Invisalign before. After all, it was approved by the FDA in 1998, and today, Invisalign is the most popular option in clear aligner treatment.
When Invisalign first became popular in the early 2000s, treatment was often limited to older patients looking to make minor aesthetic adjustments. However, over the last two decades, advances in clear aligner treatment have enabled orthodontists like Dr. Madan to use Invisalign in treating patients of all ages with almost all levels of orthodontic issues.
During the process of treatment with Invisalign, your teen will progress through a series of custom-made aligners, with each aligner designed to apply gentle pressure to misaligned teeth. Over the course of a few months, these aligners will gradually improve the orientation of your child’s teeth until they have a perfectly straight smile. Invisalign Teen features all the amazing benefits of the original Invisalign system, with a few special additions that make it even more ideal for teens.
Our teen patients love Invisalign because it’s a convenient and comfortable alternative to traditional braces that still delivers amazing results. Invisalign aligners are completely clear, making them nearly invisible. With Invisalign, teens can:
- Eat whatever they want, whenever they want
- Brush and floss as normal with no obstructions
- Play sports and instruments without fear of discomfort or broken brackets
Invisalign for Adults
Invisalign may be an ideal treatment option for adults seeking to improve their smile. At Heights Orthodontics, Dr. Brooks uses cutting-edge technology and techniques to develop clear aligner treatment programs that swiftly and discretely correct misalignment or spacing concerns. Invisalign uses clear aligners that are comfortable to wear.
Adults may require orthodontic treatment for a variety of reasons. Misaligned teeth can create a variety of issues, such as:
- Improper bite alignment
- TMJ problems
- Speech impediments
- Missing or damaged teeth create uneven bites and gaps
Orthodontics has also been shown to improve overall dental health by making it easier to brush and floss around crooked or overlapping teeth. Plus, Invisalign can help increase self-esteem through improved appearance, leading to greater social confidence.
Heights Orthodontics provides an excellent choice for adults looking for discreet options that don’t require metal brackets and wires like traditional braces do. It is important to consult with Dr. Brooks for Invisalign treatment, to get the most appropriate individualized plan for your particular needs. Dr. Brooks has the experience of treating over 500 patients a year, making her a top Invisalign provider in the Tampa Bay area!
Invisalign: Designed With You In Mind
A consultation for Invisalign treatment at Heights Orthodontics begins with our expert orthodontist, Dr. Brooks, carefully assessing each patient’s particular needs. First, x-rays and images of the mouth, teeth, and jaw are taken. This allows us to build a thorough orthodontic plan that considers the patient’s jaw size, bite alignment, and any other special orthodontic requirements. Our team considers each patient’s lifestyle while developing a tailored treatment plan to meet their specific requirements. From there, we create custom-made, clear aligners that will be used throughout the treatment.
Invisalign is an ideal orthodontic treatment for adults who want a discrete and comfortable alternative to correct misalignment or spacing concerns in their teeth. Furthermore, because Invisalign is removable, it has several advantages, such as easier cleaning and maintenance, no dietary restrictions, no difficulty brushing or flossing, and a shorter adjustment time for patients.
Contact Heights Orthodontics today to for Invisalign in Tampa, FL!
Frequently Asked Questions
I was told Invisalign would not work for my case. Is that true?
If you met us ten years ago, chances are, we may not have recommended Invisalign. As the Ninjas we have become, we have worked hard and honed our craft! Truthfully, we were forced to figure out this instrument (clear aligners) and make it work for us because none of you wanted to wear a full mouth of metal! That’s right, we have figured out how to push, pull and tweak your teeth all without anyone realizing you’re in treatment! Thanks to those clear mighty aligners!
How can I begin my treatment with Invisalign?
The first step is to book your free consultation with our team.
How long is treatment using Invisalign?
This depends on you… and us. The length of treatment depends on your goals which are set by you and Dr. Brooks. Factors that can typically affect treatment time are the severity of issues needing correction and how diligent you are about wearing your aligners.
How does Invisalign feel?
Invisalign looks and feels similar to teeth-whitening trays or retainers. They are clear, lightweight, and flexible, and in comprehensive cases generally have attachments which grip onto the teeth assisting in more complex movements. Most people experience mild tenderness during treatment and temporary discomfort for a few days with each new aligner. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure or mild soreness that readily softens. It is also a gratifying sensation to patients when they can feel that Invisalign is moving their teeth in the desired way.
Do I have to take impressions to start treatment with Invisalign?
NOPE! At Heights Orthodontics, we invested in the iTero digital scanning system rather than messy impression material to capture your current smile and begin your smile journey using Invisalign. No more algae goo for you! It’s all 3D camera work now!
How can I clean my Invisalign aligners?
We have a full routine we teach you when you get started! It entails a few concoctions and a bit of discipline but it’s super simple.