Invisalign Orthodontics: The Nearly Invisible Solution to Straightening Your Teeth

If you’ve ever thought you would like straighter teeth but the thought of traditional braces with wires and brackets has held you back, we now have a procedure that utilizes a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth.  Since the aligners are almost invisible, you will be confident eating, smiling, and communicating both during and after your treatment.

Straight, well-aligned teeth have several advantages for patients:

• Because they look better, patients with well-aligned teeth tend to feel better about themselves and have more confidence.
• Teeth that are in their proper position are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crooked, widely spaced, or crowded.  Because gums fit more tightly around teeth that are in proper alignment, Invisalign® treatment may lead to better periodontal health.
• Teeth that are in proper alignment put less stress on the jaw joints.
• By getting teeth in proper alignment, there will be decreased wear on the tooth surfaces.

While both Invisalign® and regular braces both have the ability to treat a wide variety of cases, straighten teeth, and have similar fees associated with the treatments, treatment with Invisalign® has the following advantages over regular braces:

• You can eat whatever foods you want during during treatment.
• You may remove the aligners whenever you want.
• The treatment is nearly invisible.
• You may brush and floss your teeth normally during treatment.
• The aligners are made of smooth, comfortable plastic.

Although not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign®, the treatment has been used to successfully treat a wide range of cases, including crowded teeth, underbites, overbites, deep bites, those with jaw problems, and those with misalignment. After an initial examination, Dr. Nippoldt will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for this modern approach to straightening your teeth.

Once Dr. Nippoldt has determined that Invisalign® is the best approach to meeting your orthodontic needs, we will take the appropriate x-rays and impressions of your teeth.  In most instances the impressions can be obtained using our Itero impressioning system that utilizes a camera and computer to build a 3-D model of your teeth.  The images are sent to the Invisalign® laboratory, and together we plan the stages of tooth movement and custom-design a series of clear, plastic aligners designed to move your teeth.  Every aligner is created specifically for you and is molded to shift your teeth to the next planned location. Each aligner is used for approximately two weeks, and we usually give you two to three sets of aligners each time you come to the office as we monitor your progress.

If you are considering Invisalign® and are in the St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, MN, or Hudson, WI, areas and would like a complimentary evaluation to determine whether you are an Invisalign® candidate, please call 651.739.8573 today or email our dentist, Dr. Nippoldt today.