Invisalign® in Midlothian, VA

Your smile plays a crucial role in making a first impression. If you’ve always wanted straighter teeth but felt that traditional metal braces weren’t right for you, treatments like Invisalign could be the perfect solution. Orthodontics has advanced significantly over the years. Thanks to innovative systems like Invisalign, you can now straighten your teeth with nearly invisible, removable aligners. You no longer have to endure the inconvenience, discomfort, and appearance of traditional braces. There are now a variety of options designed to meet your physical and lifestyle needs.

1. Your Initial Appointment

At your first appointment, Dr. Sheppard will study your mouth and talk to you about your alignment goals. Dr. Sheppard will tell you if Invisalign is a treatment you should consider. Some people may not be suitable for this type of teeth alignment process. If that's the case with you, Dr. Sheppard will talk through your other options. If you are a candidate for Invisalign, we will discuss treatment protocol and estimated treatment length.

2. Digital Scan Process

The next step is the digital scan process to make a 3D model of your teeth. This may happen at the first appointment with Dr. Sheppard, or a separate one, depending on your schedule.

Digital scan, photographs, and x-rays create an accurate model of your mouth and teeth. These are sent to the Invisalign Laboratory for your custom aligner trays to be created.

3. Fitting the First Tray

When your Invisalign trays are ready, it's time to return for your pick-up. Dr. Sheppard will fit small attachments on your teeth to help the trays stay in place. These buttons are clear, almost invisible, painless to install, and temporary. After, Dr. Sheppard will check if your aligners fit, and with your trays fitted, and your aftercare program clearly explained, you're ready to go!

4. Your Follow-Up Appointments

Three to four months after your first tray is fitted, it's time to return to the dentist. Dr. Sheppard will check your tooth movement, and tray fit.

A series of Invisalign trays make up the entire process. Unlike metal braces, you won't need to return for regular appointments with Invisalign. Instead, you can return periodically to check your progress. You won't need to see the dentist each time you change to a new aligner. If your treatment is not progressing as planned, you may need a new digital scan to order additional set of aligners.

5. Straighter Teeth!

After a period of time, your teeth will have straightened out. The final results always depend on the severity of misalignment to start with, but if worn as prescribed, you will have straighter teeth over time.

Give us a call today to schedule your complimentary Invisalign consult. We look forward to showing you how we can improve your smile and overall oral health!

Invisalign is the gold standard for straightening crooked or misaligned teeth. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible when worn, gently straighten teeth, and are much more comfortable to wear and care for than traditional wire braces.

Can Invisalign fix my dental alignment issues?

It depends on the type of alignment problem. Invisalign effectively treats overbite, open bites, tooth crowding, and gaps in the teeth. For patients with a mild underbite or crossbite, Invisalign can be helpful. However, if either issue is severe, we may refer a patient to an orthodontist.

Can Invisalign help relieve my TMJ pain?

Yes, by realigning your teeth, we can often reduce the stress on your temporomandibular joint, reducing inflammation and providing pain relief.

Can I eat with Invisalign?

Always remove your aligners when you are eating. We recommend removing them for no more than two hours each day for no more than 40 minutes each time.

One of the most significant advantages of Invisalign over traditional bracket braces is the ability to eat what you want. Because you remove your aligners when eating, you do not have to worry about anything getting caught in braces, so you are not restricted in what you can eat.

Can Invisalign pull teeth down?

Yes, Invisalign can pull teeth down and into proper position through a process called intrusion or extrusion. Invisalign pulls teeth into place with anchors on the teeth on either side of the tooth that needs moving. These attachments, or buttons, give your aligner a better grip as they put pressure on the tooth to shift it in the jawbone.

Where can I get Invisalign?

Many general dentists and nearly all orthodontists offer Invisalign. However, not all dentists are appropriately trained in creating and monitoring Invisalign treatment. Dr. Sheppard has undergone extensive Invisalign training to ensure effective, comfortable treatment for each of his patients.

What are Invisalign refinements?

Some patients have a tooth that does not fully move into its desired position at the conclusion of treatment. When this happens, we rescan the teeth with an iTero 3D scanner to get a precise image to have a second set of aligners created that focus on the specific tooth or teeth in question. The refinement process does not take as long as the initial treatment.

What are Invisalign attachments?

Attachments are small, tooth-colored buttons specifically designed for each tooth movement. They interact with the aligners to move the teeth into position. These buttons are most often used to pull down teeth improperly located in the jawbone.

How do I clean Invisalign aligners?

We recommend soaking your aligners in hydrogen peroxide in a closed container and shaking them to loosen any debris. After soaking for 30 minutes, brush the aligners to remove any stubborn plaque. Always remember to rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth.

What do Invisalign aligners look like?

You can smile, laugh, and talk without anyone realizing you are wearing Invisalign aligners. The aligners are clear, hard plastic that fit snuggly over your teeth. Because they are clear and are custom-fitted to your teeth, they are virtually invisible to others.

How long will I have to wear Invisalign?

Every patient is different depending on the treatment plan developed by Dr. Sheppard. He can give you an estimate on how long treatment will last, but variables such as how well your teeth respond may affect the timeline. Most people can expect to wear the aligners for 12-18 months.

Can Invisalign damage my teeth?

Studies have shown that Invisalign aligners can correct many forms of misalignment without causing a problem. However, there may be rare instances of bone loss, gum recession, and tooth resorption. In almost every case, the patient has not complied with the instructions for properly wearing the aligners or suffers from an underlying health issue.

What is Invisalign made of?

The aligners are made of an extremely strong, biocompatible form of hard plastic or polyurethane resin. This material is strong enough to shift your teeth gently but light and comfortable enough for daily wear.

Does wearing Invisalign hurt?

When you move to each successive aligner, you may feel mild discomfort or aching for the first few days as the new tray applies pressure to some of your teeth. This goes away quickly and does not interfere with daily activities. If it is bothersome, an over-the-counter pain reliever helps.

Is Invisalign faster than braces?

Yes! Invisalign can achieve in nine months what takes traditional braces two years to accomplish.

Which clear aligners are the best?

Invisalign® is the industry leader. The company constantly researches and develops improvements to ensure every patient achieves the best possible results in a safe, comfortable manner. Their patented SmartTrack material is biocompatible and makes it easier to put on and take off your aligners.

Do not put off straightening your teeth because you hate the thought of wearing braces. Invisalign aligners give you beautiful results in far less time and without the pain and hassle of wearing traditional braces.