Invisalign® Teeth Straightening in Sylvania, Swanton, Toledo and Northwestern Ohio

Nearly-invisible orthodontic treatment has become a popular option for teens hoping to navigate the high school years unburdened by the social cost of metal braces, as well as for adults who have put off correcting misaligned teeth or experienced drifting of teeth years after wearing braces.

Choosing Invisalign®

For many patients who select this advanced smile-enhancing technology, Invisalign® is the preferred choice. Invisalign retainers, known as aligners, are made of clear plastic and are custom-designed by your dentist to gradually move crooked teeth into place.

Invisalign aligners offer better comfort, greater freedom and less time receiving adjustments at the dentist’s office. To date, more than 7 million patients have benefited from Invisalign orthodontic treatments. Trusted orthodontist Dr. Paul Hwang is pleased to offer Invisalign to patients in the Toledo area and throughout Northwest Ohio who desire a straight and even smile without braces.

How Does Invisalign® Straighten Teeth?

Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of clear, thermoplastic aligners that look similar to teeth-whitening trays. Custom-crafted to match your unique specifications, the aligners fit snugly yet comfortably over your teeth. Each set of clear aligners works to gradually shift your teeth to the proper position.

Computer-assisted design makes it possible for a nearly invisible retainer to do the work of the old metal-plus-bonding-cement approach, and do it more quickly. The aligners are hard to notice and easy to forget, and can be removed quickly for eating and social occasions.

Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign®?

Invisalign is designed to treat minor to moderate tooth misalignment and bite irregularities, including:

• Crowded teeth
• Gaps and spaces between teeth
• Overbite (when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth)
• Crossbite (when the upper and lower jaws are misaligned)

Patients with severe orthodontic issues may require more extensive treatment, such as traditional metal braces. Dr. Hwang uses the most advanced methods to evaluate your case and determine the best treatment option for you.

Invisalign® Treatment

Invisalign requires a very modest investment of time. The first step in the process is to take X-rays and make an impression of your bite. This allows Dr. Hwang to generate a digital three-dimensional image of your mouth, which provides a baseline used to create your first aligner.

You’ll wear your aligner 20 to 22 hours a day. Dr. Hwang will provide you with a new clear Invisalign retainer every one to two weeks, and monitor your progress with regular appointments. With state-of-the-art Invisalign technology, your goals can normally be achieved within a year to 18 months.

Options and Attachments

There are currently six types of Invisalign aligners available. Invisalign Full treats complex bite cases with a product that is worn on the top and bottom teeth. Invisalign Lite is appropriate when less tooth movement is necessary to attain the final straightening. Invisalign i7 is able to target one tooth or a small number of teeth that stand out in an otherwise orderly mouth. It is often recommended for patients who once had orthodontic treatment and have since experienced drifting of some teeth.

Invisalign Teen is perfect for a mouth that is still developing in the adolescent years. This new product also comes with a clever benefit for parents: A color indicator reveals in a glance whether your teen is wearing the aligner the required number of hours each day.

Invisalign Express is a faster, less costly option for patients with minor crowding or spacing issues. This is often an ideal choice for individuals who had orthodontic correction in the past, but experienced a change in position of the teeth over time, usually as a result of not wearing a post-treatment retainer for the prescribed duration. Invisalign Express requires about six months, and involves the use of approximately 10 aligners, rather than the usual 20-30 for standard Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign with mandibular advancement, the newest innovation, aims to improve overbite while straightening teeth. This special aligner achieves a natural profile and proper fit between upper and lower teeth by gradually moving the lower jaw forward. This replaces the traditional method for correcting overbite, which involves the use of elastics.

After Dr. Hwang evaluates your teeth and plots their future trajectory, it may become necessary to add SmartForce® attachments to your treatment plan. The small, tooth-colored attachments give the aligner additional surface area to grip onto, for more complex cases. These white attachments blend with the color of your teeth and will not affect the comfort of the Invisalign device.

Once you have reached the beautiful smile your dentist has planned for you, it may also be necessary to wear a retainer to keep teeth from shifting. Like Invisalign, many new retainers are made of plastic and are barely noticeable.

Invisalign® Cost

Although the price of Invisalign is generally higher than orthodontic treatment using metal braces, by choosing this convenient option you will eliminate the need to return to the office for regular adjustments. The new aligner you will receive every one to two weeks is the adjustment. Each new aligner is designed to place additional pressure on the teeth to bring your smile into perfect balance.

Variables that affect cost include how many aligners you will use and how far your teeth need to move. The good news is that dental insurance plans typically cover a portion of Invisalign treatment, and flexible payment options are also available.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

To learn more about whether Invisalign can help you get the straight and even smile you desire, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Hwang in our Sylvania or Swanton office. To accommodate your busy schedule, we offer appointments in the evening and on Saturdays.