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Redefining Cosmetic Dentistry

Invisalign®

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“I'm very happy and excited that I chose to do it!”
Bo
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“I am amazed and excited to smile. I went from hating my smile to absolutely loving it!”
Ashley
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Invisalign® is a clear orthodontic system designed to straighten teeth and resolve mild to moderate bite alignment issues without conspicuous brackets and wires. Virtually invisible in appearance and easily removable for eating and oral hygiene care, this alternative to metal braces can often be an excellent option for individuals seeking a discreet and convenient solution to crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps and spaces between teeth, overbites, underbites, or crossbites.

At Hamburg Expressions, cosmetic dentist Jenny Miller, DMD is highly talented and experienced in developing personalized Invisalign® plans that result in optimal bite alignment and beautiful smile aesthetics. As an added benefit, all Invisalign® aligners are custom-fabricated right here in our state-of-the-art in-house dental lab run by Dr. Miller’s husband, Certified Master Technician Neil Miller, CDT, CMT. This unique—and award-winning!—husband-wife collaboration allows for unmatched quality, precision, and efficiency from start to finish of the Invisalign® treatment.

To learn more about Invisalign®, we invite you to read the informative sections provided below, or simply reach out to us online or by telephone to book an appointment with Dr. Miller. We are more than happy to help you achieve your smile goals!

How Does Invisalign® Work?

Invisalign® works by gradually shifting teeth into an optimal position via a series of custom aligners. Designed by Dr. Miller and created by Neil in our on-site lab, each aligner is crafted to apply gentle pressure to particular teeth at specific times during treatment, allowing for controlled movement as you progress from one slightly modified tray to another throughout the Invisalign® process. Once you have finished with your final tray, you can expect a beautifully straight smile and improved bite alignment.

How Long Does Invisalign® Take to Work?

Invisalign® treatment typically takes 9 to 18 months to complete, with the average being around 12 months. That said, the precise treatment timeline depends on a variety of factors unique to each patient, such as the orthodontic concerns being addressed, the severity of the misalignment, and whether any additional dental work is needed prior to treatment. Furthermore, wearing the aligners for at least 20-22 hours each day and attending scheduled progress visits with your dentist can help keep treatment on track and prevent delays.

Who is a Candidate for Invisalign®?

Invisalign® may be an ideal treatment for addressing mild-to-moderate orthodontic concerns, including gaps and spaces between teeth, crowded or crooked teeth, and bite irregularities (such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite). If a patient has severe misalignment or underlying structural concerns relating to the jaw, an alternative orthodontic intervention may be more effective. The best way to determine if Invisalign® is the right treatment for you is to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Miller. During this appointment, Dr. Miller can assess your dental structures and overall oral health in order to determine whether or not Invisalign® is optimally suited to your goals.

What Advantages Does Invisalign® Have Over Braces?

Along with being practically undetectable to others, Invisalign® offers a variety of benefits when compared to metal braces and traditional orthodontics. These may include:

  • Improved comfort—tooth movement is usually gentler, and there are no brackets or wires that can nick or irritate soft tissues in the mouth
  • Enhanced convenience—the trays can be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing
  • Reduced office visits—fewer mid-treatment checkups are typically needed for monitoring and adjustments
  • Faster treatment—final results can often be attained in less time

All in all, Invisalign® can help many people achieve a straighter smile and improved bite more discreetly, comfortably, and with fewer restrictions than is generally possible via metal braces and other traditional orthodontic systems.

Best experience I have had!!!  I will be returning for additional work on my teeth. My smile has not looked this good in 15 years!!!” 
– Andrew R. | Actual Patient

What Does the Invisalign® Treatment Process Entail?

Dr. Miller will begin the Invisalign® treatment process by thoroughly evaluating your teeth and bite with the aid of x-ray and advanced digital imaging technologies. Next, she will formulate a plan and custom-design your set(s) of aligners based on optimal tooth movement for your specific case. Using innovative digital software, Dr. Miller can then generate a before-and-after video simulation that shows the movement of your teeth from start to finish of Invisalign® treatment, allowing you to see the proposed end result and approve the plan before moving forward. When you are happy to proceed, she will send the exact specifications of each aligner to Neil at our in-house dental lab for precise and efficient fabrication.

Once your aligners are made, Dr. Miller will instruct you to wear each tray approximately 20–22 hours per day for a particular number of days before moving to the next in the set. Ideally, the only time you should remove your aligners is when you are eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing your teeth, or flossing.
Throughout the Invisalign® process, Dr. Miller will request that you return to our office periodically for her to assess your progress and/or provide you with your next set of aligners. On average, total treatment time takes about nine months to a year to complete, but this timeframe may be shorter or longer depending on your unique needs.

Are There Any Alternatives to Invisalign®?

Although Invisalign® can be a versatile option for addressing a wide variety of orthodontic concerns, an alternative treatment might be recommended in certain cases. 

For individuals interested in concealing gaps, spaces, and certain misalignments without going through a potentially lengthy orthodontic treatment process, porcelain veneers may be an option. These ultra-thin and durable custom-made restorations are designed to enhance the appearance of natural teeth by attaching to the front part of each individually affected tooth. Although porcelain veneers cannot typically correct any underlying orthodontic issues, they can be an ideal choice for creating a more uniform smile in a shorter amount of time. 

For more severe cases of misalignment and bite issues, traditional metal braces continue to be very effective at correcting orthodontic concerns. For patients concerned about the aesthetic impacts of braces, many dentists and orthodontists now offer more discreet options, such as ceramic braces (also known as clear braces), lingual braces (brackets attached to the back of teeth), and self-ligating braces (metal braces without rubber bands).

Dr. Miller can discuss all of the available options during an initial consultation and help determine the best treatment based on your orthodontic needs. 

What Does Invisalign® Cost?

At our Lexington practice, the average cost of Invisalign® typically ranges from $1,400–$2,900, though exact pricing can fall outside of this range depending on the specifics of your case. Like many things in life, you often “get what you pay for” in regard to cosmetic dentistry—so it is important to keep in mind that pricing is generally a reflection of the level of care and quality of results you can expect from a particular dental practice. At Hamburg Expressions, we aim to provide exceptional, completely personalized dental services and optimal results that exceed all expectations.

If the expense of Invisalign® is a concern for you, we do accept dental financing through CareCredit®—a reputable healthcare lender that offers numerous payment plan options with little to no interest. For more information, or if you would like assistance with getting started on the application process, our patient finance coordinator is happy to help.

Contact Hamburg Expressions

If you have additional questions about Invisalign®, or if you are interested in this treatment and wish to find out if it is right for you, please contact Hamburg Expressions today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!