Invisalign & Retainers

Get a confident, straight smile with Invisalign and protect your results with a custom retainer.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. It’s a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces.

Benefits of Invisalign

Aesthetic– The clear aligners are nearly invisible, making them much less noticeable than traditional braces.

Removable – You can take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss, making oral hygiene easier compared to traditional braces.

Comfortable – The smooth plastic aligners are generally more comfortable, with less irritation to the gums and mouth than traditional braces.

Predictable – The treatment plan is mapped out digitally, giving you a clear idea of the expected results and timeline.

Invisalign Process

Here’s an overview of how the Invisalign process works:

1. Initial Consultation

Assessment: Dr. Weininger will evaluate your teeth and determine if Invisalign is right for you. This includes checking your oral health, bite, and alignment.

Impressions and Imaging: Digital impressions of your teeth are taken using our digital scanner. These help create a custom treatment plan for you.

2. Customized Treatment Plan

3D Simulation: Using the digital scan and imaging, a digital model of your teeth is created, and Dr. Weininger can map out the movement of your teeth throughout the treatment.

Timeline: Based on this plan, Dr. Weininger will determine how long your treatment will take, typically between 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of your case.

3. Receiving Your Aligners

Aligner Fabrication: Invisalign creates a series of clear, plastic aligners tailored specifically to your teeth. Each set of aligners is designed to gradually move your teeth toward the desired position.

Instructions: Dr. Weininger will explain how to wear and care for your aligners. You’ll typically need to wear each set for about 20-22 hours a day for 1-2 weeks before moving to the next set.

4. Wearing the Aligners

Day-to-Day: You’ll wear your aligners for most of the day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

Comfort: The aligners are made of smooth plastic, which is generally comfortable to wear, though you might experience mild discomfort or pressure as your teeth begin to shift.

5. Regular Check-ups

Progress Monitoring: Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll visit us for check-ups to ensure that your teeth are moving as planned. During these visits, you’ll receive your next set of aligners.

Adjustments: If needed, Dr. Weininger might make small adjustments or use “attachments” (small buttons bonded to your teeth) to help achieve more complex tooth movements.

6. Final Results

Treatment Completion: After you’ve gone through the entire series of aligners, and you are happy with the result, your treatment is complete. You should have a straighter smile with proper alignment.

Retention: After the final aligners, retainers will be fabricated to maintain the position of your teeth. At first, these are worn for 12-18 hours a day then can eventually just be worn at night.

Things to Consider About Invisalgin

Invisalign requires you to wear the aligners as directed (20-22 hours per day), and failure to do so can delay the treatment.

Invisalign is not for severe cases. While effective for many people, Invisalign may not be suitable for very complex orthodontic issues, though a consultation with Dr. Weininger will help determine if it’s right for you.

About Retainers

Retainers are dental devices used to maintain the position of teeth after orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners. They are designed to ensure that the teeth don’t shift back to their original positions once the braces or aligners have been removed.

Types of Removable Retainers

There are different types of removable retainers. These can be taken out for eating and cleaning and are usually made of plastic or wire. We offer these for patients that have finished Invisalign treatment with us, or those that have been through orthodontic treatment in the past that may have lost or broken their retainer, or simply just want to replace it.

Hawley Retainer

Made of a combination of metal and acrylic. It has a wire that keeps the teeth in place and an acrylic plate that covers the roof of the mouth or the bottom of the teeth.

Pros: Durable, easy to adjust if needed, and customizable.

Cons: Can be bulky, may affect speech initially, and can be visible.

Clear Retainers (e.g., Essix Retainer)

Made of clear plastic and fit over the teeth much like a mouthguard or clear aligners.

Pros: Discreet, more comfortable than Hawley retainers, and easy to wear.

Cons: Can become brittle and crack, less durable compared to Hawley retainer

Why Retainers are Important

Stabilize Teeth: After braces or aligners, the teeth and bone need time to stabilize in their new positions. A retainer helps maintain that position while the surrounding bone and soft tissues adjust.
Prevent Shifting: Teeth naturally tend to shift over time, especially in the first few months after braces or aligners are removed. Retainers help prevent this from happening.
Avoid Re-Treatment: Without retainers, there’s a higher chance that your teeth will shift back to their previous misalignment, which might require additional orthodontic treatment.

Retainers are crucial for maintaining the results of your orthodontic or Invisalign treatment. It’s important to follow your orthodontist’s and Dr. Weininger’s instructions carefully to ensure long-term success.