Invisalign in Chapel Hill
At Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, we want folks in Chapel Hill and surrounding areas to achieve their best smile. That’s why we are proud to offer Invisalign. This state-of-the-art orthodontic solution features removable, virtually invisible aligners, which provide a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces.
Request your free Invisalign consultation today!
What is Invisalign and How Does it Work?
Dr. Clifton can provide Invisalign treatment for a variety of issues, including crowded teeth, bite problems, gaps, and misaligned teeth. Invisalign treatment allows us to modify or correct your smile easily and discreetly. The Process is easy:
- At your free Invisalign consultation, our team digitally scans your teeth and takes x-rays of your mouth to create a 3D model of your mouth and bite.
- Our team designs a treatment plan to move your teeth into optimal positions. The plan also allows you to see ‘before and after’ views of your teeth before the treatment has even begun.
- Once you’ve seen how treatment will look, and Dr. Clifton has approved the plan, we’ll order your own set of custom-made Invisalign aligners
- Our team will then bond small, clear attachments to certain teeth. Your trays will “click” into these attachments.
- Each Invisalign aligner gently and gradually moves your teeth using localized pressure.
- You’ll wear each pair of aligners 20-22 hours per day for about 2 weeks before switching to the next pair in the sequence.
- Once you finish your last set, you’ll have a beautiful new smile that you can call your own.
What Can Invisalign Fix?
Dr. Clifton uses Invisalign treatment to correct a variety of orthodontic problems, but most importantly we work to boost your self-confidence! Using these invisible aligners lets you discreetly make a change that will have you smiling every day.
Here are just some of the issues Invisalign can help with:
Open bite
Gaps / Gapped Teeth
Crowding / Crowded Teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
What Can't Invisalign Fix?
It’s true, there are some things that Invisalign treatment cannot fix like tooth shape or teeth that need extreme movements. In these cases, other traditional treatments will still work. Below are some examples of orthodontic issues that may not be suitable for invisalign:
ToothShape
Tooth Position/Rotation
Very LargeGaps
Intrusion and Extrusion
MidlineMovement
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
At your Invisalign consultation, we can check with your dental insurance provider to determine how much of your orthodontic treatment your plan may cover. We factor that into the total treatment cost and develop a financial payment plan with you based on your specific treatment and needs.
How Do I Clean and Care for My Invisalign Aligners?
Cleaning your Invisalign aligners regularly is very important, as it prevents plaque and bacteria from accumulating on your teeth and your trays. It also helps prevent tooth decay. The good news is that cleaning your aligners is almost as easy as Invisalign treatment:
- Gently brush your aligners with a toothbrush and water each time you remove them (no toothpaste!).
- Periodically soak them in a glass of water with a denture-cleaning tablet or aligner “cleaning crystals” for a deeper clean.
Invisalign for Adults
Invisalign aligners offer a discreet solution for adults who want to achieve a better smile. Invisalign’s innovations make it possible to fix nearly all common teeth straightening and bite issues.
If you want to make a change and are worried about a mouth full of metal wires and brackets, Invisalign treatment might be right for you!
Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen makes orthodontic treatment easy and less disruptive to your teen’s social and extracurricular life. They don’t have to worry about how they’ll look in yearbook pictures or how they’ll play a woodwind instrument.
Invisalign Teen uses technology designed to accommodate not only teen’s lifestyles, but the fact that their jaws and teeth may still be developing. To do that, Invisalign teen comes with tooth eruption tabs to allow space for growing teeth, compliance indicators to show parents and orthodontist whether the aligners are being worn enough, up to six free replacement aligners, and more!
Your teen can also keep up with their treatment using Invisalign’s handy app (It’s too bad the app can’t track the location of their trays!)
Comprehensive Invisalign Treatment in Chapel Hill from Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
Advances in the technology and new options like Invisalign Teen allow us to use this amazing, virtually invisible solution to treat a wide range of patients and conditions. If you’d like to see how Invisalign can help you achieve a new smile, we’d be thrilled to help.
Take the first step towards a beautiful new smile and request a free Invisalign consultation with Dr. Clifton today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign Clear Aligners
For our Invisalign treatment to work as intended, you should wear them at least 22 hours every day. You’ll regularly remove them for eating and cleaning your teeth.
Our Chapel Hill Invisalign treatment will vary depending on the patient and the severity of the misaligned teeth. Typically, the treatment time will be shorter than treatment with braces and will last around 6 to 18 months.
Unlike braces, there aren’t any restrictions to what you can eat during treatment because you’ll be taking out the aligners before you eat. Just remember to brush your teeth before you put your aligners back in.
Like all orthodontic treatments, there will be a short adjustment period where you’ll have to get used to them. The more you speak with the aligners in though, the quicker you’ll adjust to them.
No – our Chapel Hill Invisalign treatment is completely pain-free! However, there will be some minor pressure and discomfort for about a day or so when wearing a new set of aligners. This isn’t anything to be worried about as it’s just a sign that your teeth are gradually moving toward their intended positions.
If you’re going to chew gum, we recommend taking the aligners out beforehand since gum can sometimes stick to the aligners.
We strongly discourage smoking with the aligners in as the smoke can tend to discolor the aligners.
Your regular visits to your Chapel Hill orthodontist will be about every five-to-six weeks. This will ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
Like all other orthodontic treatments, you’ll be instructed to wear your retainers at night indefinitely after the treatment is over. This will help maintain the new positions of your teeth and ensure a healthy bite.
While Invisalign is meant for adults, we also offer a treatment that’s geared toward teenagers –Invisalign Teen.