Beautiful mouths with straight teeth that line up correctly and fit together in a comfortable, attractive way are rarely 100% natural. Our real teeth grow unevenly, protrude in unplanned directions, and are aggravated by oral habits. Genetics and childhood thumb-sucking combine to create our awkward bites and crooked teeth. Those awkward bites are called malocclusions – but they don’t have to be your smile’s future.

What is a malocclusion?

A malocclusion is an imperfect fit between the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). Malocclusions range from minor to severe, and different intensities require very different treatments. If you have a significant overbite or underbite, it is likely that your Hinsdale dentist will recommend an orthodontist to determine your orthodontic treatment plan.

Tell me about alternative orthodontics like Invisalign.

Modern dental technologies have provided alternatives to traditional orthodontics. Conventional metal braces involve years of treatment and a significant alteration to your bite. If you have a minor malocclusion, you don’t need to undergo the stress, length of time, and oral hardware that braces require. You’ll experience all the benefits of a straighter smile, without the same orthodontics frustration. Orthodontics alternatives offered here at Hinsdale Dentistry include Invisalign and Six Month Smiles.

See more Invisalign Before and After Photos in Our Smile Gallery.

How does Invisalign work? Is Invisalign right for me?

If you have crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, or several crooked teeth, Invisalign will correct the problem without impacting your life. The Invisalign system consists of a series of custom-made clear trays that shift your teeth without obstructing your smile. These trays are completely removable and nearly imperceptible when in use. They are built from three-dimensional digital images taken of your mouth, so that every angle is visible to Invisalign technicians and your dentist. As your teeth shift, you will visit your dentist regularly and receive new sets of straightening clear braces. This way, both you and your dentist are able to monitor your progress.

Short and Comfortable Invisalign Appointments with iTero Digital Impressions

A Better Dental Experience – Our Invisalign providers use iTero digital impression system  to take a highly accurate virtual 3d impression of your oral anatomy prior to your Invisalign treatment.

• iTero allows our dentists to place Invisalign Orthodontics with greater precision, so fewer adjustments are needed, which means fewer and shorter appointments and less time with Invisalign.
• iTero is a comfortable, safe, and precise method for taking an impression, ensuring an accurate model and superior treament results.
• iTero minimizes the need to recall patients and re-take impressions.
• iTero eliminates the mess and gagging associated with PVS impression gels.
• Our dentists can also use iTero show you how your teeth will look like after Invisalign before you even begin your treatment

No more mess, gagging or uncomfortable dental impressions.

How do I care for my teeth during my Invisalign treatment?

Excellent oral care is both easy and important to maintain during your Invisalign treatment, as the trays can trap bacteria against your teeth. Just an incentive to improve your brushing and flossing! It’s far easier to care for your teeth with Invisalign than when they are trapped behind the brackets and wires of traditional orthodontics – simply remove your Invisalign trays and floss and brush normally.

The Invisalign Process

Talk to our Hinsdale Invisalign Provider

Your treatment begins after you select the experienced Hinsdale Invisalign Preferred Provider that you feel most comfortable with and schedule your initial consultation. Because you will be interacting with this doctor on a regular basis, you may even want to personally meet with a few providers before deciding which one is right for you. This is an important medical and financial decision. That’s why choosing the right doctor and the right treatment plan is so essential. Keep in mind that not all dentists and orthodontists work with Invisalign, so it’s important to find a doctor who has received the proper Invisalign training and can truly evaluate your needs and determine how Invisalign can help you. Learn More about our Hinsdale Invisalign Providers.

During the consultation, you and our doctor will discuss your case in detail to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Invisalign now addresses many cases, from simple to more complex. Our doctor will determine if Invisalign is right for you. (Take the Smile Assessment ahead of time to see if you might be a good candidate.) This will also be your opportunity to ask any questions about Invisalign, costs , dental/orthodontic insurance, or any other concerns.

Create a 3-D Image of Your Teeth

We will take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a digital 3-D image of them. From these images our doctor will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth. Using this same technology, your doctor will even be able to show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will move with each stage of treatment.

Receive Your Custom Aligners Based On Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on your individual treatment plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners is then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Simply wear them throughout the day, and remove them when you eat or to brush and floss your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place. And because they’re virtually invisible, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.

Wear a New Aligner Every Two Weeks

Approximately every two weeks, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with your doctor, usually only every six weeks or so. At every stage, you will be able to see how much closer you are to having the smile that reflects the real you.

Reveal Your New Smile

While every case is unique to each patient, treatment typically takes approximately 6 months to a year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of braces, but since your teeth won’t be covered by wires and brackets, you’ll be able to see improvement much sooner. For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment.

Intrigued by Invisalign? Still unconvinced? Have you heard that the entire process only takes eight months to one year? Or heard rumors about Invisalign Express, a process that only takes between 3-6 months? We’d like to tell you about it. Schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to discover what these revolutionary removable clear orthodontics could do for your smile.