Orthodontics / Invisalign

Orthodontics involves movement of teeth.  It can be done in a localized manner to reposition a single tooth or selected teeth.  It can also be used to improve the position and occlusion (bite) of your entire mouth. Traditionally, Orthodontics has involved bands, brackets and wires to place forces on teeth and move them into an improved position. Recent technology has allowed us to move teeth without the metal “braces” that we have come to expect.

Although our office occasionally uses traditional Orthodontic techniques and works in a team relationship with select Orthodontists, in recent years we have used Invisalign® as our first option for most of our adult patients who desire an improved position of their teeth. Invisalignâ is a way to move teeth with clear, almost invisible appliances that are computer designed and constructed. After taking impressions of your existing teeth, a series of “aligners” are constructed that will gradually move your teeth into the desired position over time. Invisalign® can be used by itself to straighten teeth or in conjunction with other procedures (like porcelain veneers or resin bonding) to achieve the best possible result for you.

BEFORE : Overlapped, Discolored Teeth                                   After Invisalign® and Bleaching

In addition to moving your teeth without “braces”, the aligners have some excellent advantages that many of our patients enjoy:

• They are almost invisible, so you can wear them in public without the appearance of traditional metal brackets and wires.
• They can be removed to clean your teeth and to eat. This makes hygiene during the process much easier and less time consuming.
• For many patients, you can use the aligners to bleach your teeth while they are moving into improved position. That way, your smile can be straighter and brighter when you finish the process.

Once the aligners are placed, they are virtually invisible, and can easily be removed for eating and oral hygiene

In many cases, Invisalign® takes no longer than traditional braces, with most of our patients completing treatment in well under a year. Afterward, like traditional orthodontics, it is advised to wear retainers to help insure that your bite and smile will stay as ideal as possible for many years.

If you think you might be interested in improving your smile through Invisalign®, please contact our dental office in the Ashton-Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland.