Invisalign

In Tampa, FL

Your Invisalign journey begins with high-precision digital scanning that creates a 3D model of your teeth. Using Invisalign's proprietary ClinCheck® software, we map out every step of your tooth movement and design each aligner in the series. This advanced planning ensures each set precisely controls the amount and timing of movement for specific teeth. The aligners are then manufactured using a state-of-the-art 3D printing process and multilayer SmartTrack® material, delivering optimal force for predictable, comfortable tooth movement.

Invisalign aligners are crafted from advanced SmartTrack® material, designed to be virtually invisible when worn. The thin, clear plastic conforms closely to your teeth, making them difficult to detect during normal social interactions. To maintain their clarity, avoid consuming anything besides water while wearing aligners, and clean them regularly to prevent staining. Some patients have small tooth-colored attachments that may be slightly more noticeable, but these are still far less visible than traditional braces.

Invisalign attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps strategically bonded to specific teeth to help aligners create more complex tooth movements. These SmartForce® attachments act as handles, allowing aligners to grip and apply pressure more effectively for precise repositioning. While not every patient needs attachments, they play a crucial role in achieving desired results for certain tooth movements. They're carefully placed to balance effectiveness with aesthetics and are typically hardly noticeable when wearing your aligners.

The short answer is, no. While Invisalign aligners are durable, they're specifically engineered for tooth movement, not nighttime grinding protection. The SmartTrack® material isn't designed to withstand the intense forces of bruxism (teeth grinding), and using aligners as a nightguard can damage them and compromise your treatment. If you grind your teeth, we'll discuss incorporating a custom nightguard into your treatment plan. This ensures both your tooth alignment goals and grinding protection needs are properly addressed. Regular aligner checks will help us monitor for any signs of excessive wear that might indicate nighttime grinding.

If you damage or lose an aligner, contact our office immediately. Continuing with a cracked aligner or moving to the next set too soon can disrupt your treatment plan. Our team will assess whether you should revert to your previous aligner while waiting for a replacement or move forward to your next set. To prevent this situation, always use the protective case, avoid bending aligners during removal, and handle them with care when cleaning.

Wear your aligners 20-22 hours daily, removing them only for eating, drinking anything besides water, and your oral hygiene routine. This consistent wear allows for steady tooth movement and keeps your treatment timeline on track. Each aligner is precisely calibrated to move specific teeth at specific times, so missing hours of wear time can delay your progress. Most patients find that incorporating aligner wear into their daily routine becomes second nature after the first few weeks.

When starting new aligners, you may experience temporary pressure or tenderness – a normal sign that your teeth are shifting. This sensation typically subsides within a few days as your mouth adjusts. Unlike traditional braces with metal wires and brackets that can cause irritation, Invisalign's smooth plastic design minimizes discomfort.

Most people with mild to moderate alignment issues can achieve great results with Invisalign. These clear aligners effectively correct crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. However, complex orthodontic cases may require traditional braces for optimal results.

During your consultation, we'll evaluate your teeth, discuss your goals, and show you a personalized treatment plan of your results to help determine the best treatment path.