Learn All About Invisalign & Clear Aligners
Treatment with clear aligners like Invisalign® at Howard Orthodontics can give you beautiful, straight teeth without braces.
How Invisalign Works in Willow Street
Invisalign offers a cutting-edge approach to orthodontics by using a series of custom-made, invisible aligners. Using 3D computer imaging, each aligner is specific to your teeth. It will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place.
The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you are wearing the aligners. You can smile with confidence, both during and after your treatment.
Invisalign is also much more comfortable than traditional metal bracket braces and can give you stunning results.
At your initial consultation at Howard Orthodontics, we'll take digital scans and X-rays to create a 3D image of your mouth. We make your first set of custom-fitted aligners from these images, and then you begin the process of straightening your teeth. You will switch to a new aligner every two weeks.
As you switch aligners, your teeth gradually and comfortably shift, resulting in a beautiful smile. Dr. Howard will have you come by the office every six weeks to confirm the progress of your treatment.
On average, you will be in treatment for 9 – 15 months and wear 18 – 30 different aligners. However, actual treatment times will depend on your particular case.
Taking an Advanced Approach
Invisalign and other clear aligners let Dr. Howard to take a modern approach to straighten teeth. It uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth.
Wearing the aligners will gently move your teeth into place little by little, based on the exact movements Dr. Howard plans for you.
With Invisalign treatment at Howard Orthodontics, there are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners about every two weeks, until your treatment is complete.
At Howard Orthodontics, you’ll get a great smile without a treatment that gets in the way of your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you are straightening your teeth.
This nearly-invisible option to straighten your teeth is truly changing the way people see orthodontic treatment. Dr. Howard has a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign, and we’re excited to offer this technology to our Lancaster braces patients.
Invisalign for Teens & Kids
At Howard Orthodontics, we believe teens and children should be excited about starting their journey towards straighter teeth. Invisalign for Teens and Invisalign First help us do that! With the same effective teeth-straightening technology as Invisalign and a few extra benefits, these kid-friendly aligners are a perfect fit for anyone around Lancaster looking for a more subtle treatment.
Since the aligners are clear, no one will notice you’re wearing them and the removability means you can carry on with any sports and activities as you normally would. That means kids and teens around Lancaster won’t have to put their lives on pause and can just keep smiling!
Differences Between Invisalign & Braces
There are no metal brackets or wires to tighten with Invisalign clear aligners. The clear aligners are virtually invisible to other people so no one will even know you are wearing them.
The aligners are also removable, which means you can eat what you want, brush your teeth with ease, and floss with no problems.
With our virtual treatment plan, you’ll see the anticipated results before even starting your treatment. Since you have a series of aligners instead of metal wires and brackets, you actually need to go to our office less often to get adjustments.
What’s more, since you don’t have to work around brackets or wires, brushing and flossing are much easier than with traditional braces. This makes keeping up your oral hygiene during treatment easier than ever.
Talk to Howard Orthodontics About Clear Aligners Like Invisalign
It’s important to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day, as recommended by Dr. Howard, so they can do their job and straighten your teeth. Invisalign does have the benefit of being able to remove your aligners for special occasions.
Like with traditional braces, you’ll generally need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment to maintain your new alignment—and your confident new smile.
Dr. Howard may not recommend Invisalign for more complex alignment or bite issues, or for those who have bridgework. Dr. Howard can advise you about what options are best for you.
Schedule your free consultation with Howard Orthodontics at our Willow Street office to learn if Invisalign is right for you.