Invisalign in Arlington, VA

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve either had orthodontic treatment before or it’s been recommended to you in the past. According to a survey from 1998, only 35% of people have naturally straight teeth. If you’re an adult who needs orthodontic correction and never received it as a youth, braces aren’t the only option.

Invisalign is a series of clear aligners that move your teeth into alignment for better oral health, an improved bite, and a more beautiful smile. Invisalign is a clear aligner that fits around your teeth, causing minimal discomfort while being virtually invisible to the eye (thus the name “Invisalign.”)

The average Invisalign treatment plan takes around 6-8 months to complete, but your exact time frame will vary depending on individual circumstances.

Our dental professionals start by taking a full three-dimensional scan of your mouth and jaw to determine your current alignment and what problems need to be addressed. The dentist then makes a mold of your current oral structure to create your customized plastic aligner. The clear aligners will create gradual tooth movement that will align your teeth to where they should be.

Next, you’ll be asked to wear your aligners about 23 hours a day. You will come back to our office every few weeks for check-ups and adjustments as needed. 

At the end of your treatment, you will need to wear a retainer at night to maintain your alignment for years to come.

There are a number of advantages that Invisalign treatment provides over traditional metal braces.

• Invisalign is Removable: You’ll be able to take out your aligners brush and floss your teeth, meaning Invisalign won’t make either of those activities a chore the way braces will. Invisalign treatment is designed to keep you on track with your daily routine.
• Fewer Appointments: While you will have to come into our office to see how your progress is going, Invisalign treatment generally requires fewer adjustments than braces do. We also offer for your convenience a virtual care option where you can send us photos of your mouth in the office to give you one less errand to run. More time in your pocket!
• Less Time: On average, Invisalign treatment takes around 6-8  months to complete. That’s half the average length of a traditional braces plan.
• Better Look: While braces are hard to hide, Invisalign blends in with your teeth. Making it less noticeable than metal braces. You can confidently go about your day while Invisalign does the work.
• Easier On the Mouth: If you’ve worn braces before, you might remember that those metal wires can cut up your cheek, gums, and tongue if you’re not careful. Invisalign aligners are made out of a specific plastic material and are designed specifically for your mouth, their comfort level is far superior to braces.

Invisalign can be used to fix a number of different oral issues. There are many health benefits to having straighter teeth, some of which are not commonly known.

One mostly unknown benefit of using Invisalign is that it can lead to improved overall oral health. Periodontal disease – a bacteria-caused gum disease that can lead to bone loss and eventually cause teeth to fall out if left untreated –  – can be corrected through Invisalign treatment.

By aligning your teeth properly you can reduce deep pockets in your gums that could otherwise serve as a happy host for the types of bacteria that erode your gums.

Teeth crowding occurs when there is not enough space in the mouth for all of the teeth. This is very common among children when their baby teeth are falling out and adult teeth are growing in. It’s also fairly common among adults too.

Crowding can lead to teeth overlapping or rotating, making them very difficult to clean. This can be a tremendous risk factor for periodontal disease and other oral health issues.

This patient came to our Invisalign specialist with severe crowding of her upper front teeth which made it very difficult for her to keep her gums and teeth clean. After a little over 12 months of using our Invisalign treatment, she saw a dramatic improvement in both her oral health and her mouth’s esthetic appearance. You can even see the difference in the health of the gums and the teeth!

That means we create hundreds of dazzling smiles a year. We are the experts at teeth straightening in Arlington, VA.

Whether you are wondering about Invisalign for your teen or for yourself, let us set up a FREE 15-minute virtual consultation. We’ll determine if you are a good candidate, explain the process and answer all your questions.

Diastema is the official term for a gap between any two teeth in your mouth. Most frequently, people think of the tooth gap as being between the two upper front teeth, but a diastema can occur anywhere in the mouth.

There are several reasons that spacing between the teeth can form. In some cases, it is a result of aging and the eruption of adult teeth. More extreme cases of misalignment can result in diastema.

Diastema can also be an effect of periodontal disease. Damaged or diseased gums may have trouble keeping your teeth in place, causing them to shift and form gaps. Periodontal disease can be improved through Invisalign treatment by making areas of the mouth more accessible for cleaning which reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth.

Habits such as sucking on your fingers, lips, gums, teeth or constantly tongue thrusting towards your teeth can lead to a diastema by forcing your teeth apart over time. You will want to work to curb these habits in conjunction with your Invisalign treatment in order to ensure those gaps don’t reappear when your treatment is over.

There are two major types of crossbite: anterior and posterior. Posterior crossbite is when teeth in the lower row of the back of your mouth fit over the teeth in your upper jaw. Anterior crossbite is when the front lower teeth fit over teeth in your upper jaw. Both can be cured through Invisalign treatment.

Crossbites most commonly develop through genetic factors rather than poor cleaning habits. Invisalign corrects crossbites by slowly shifting the teeth into their proper alignment. Since the clear aligners prevent the upper teeth and lower teeth from grinding together or blocking one another, the overlapping teeth are able to move back into their proper places easily. The typical time for crossbite correction varies from 6 – 12 months depending on the severity of your crossbite.

Invisalign can prevent grinding as it stops your teeth from making direct contact with each other.

Invisalign is also great for preventing future grinding. This is because many instances of tooth grinding can be attributed to misaligned teeth. In fact, misaligned teeth can cause severe wear and tear to your teeth through grinding. If not addressed, this can do permanent damage to your teeth. By fixing your other orthodontic issues through Invisalign treatment, your teeth clenching may cease as well.

Additionally, grinding your teeth can cause them to fall out of alignment. This is because the constant pressure your teeth are applying when you clench your teeth forces them to shift in subtle ways that become a lot less subtle over a long period of time.

Your treatment will begin by realigning your teeth. The average treatment time is 5-7 months.  Once your teeth are aligned, you will have a retainer you wear at night to protect your teeth from shifting in the future.

Ready to take the next step towards a straighter smile with Invisalign? Dr. Schantz and the team at CNS Dental are here to provide the top-notch dental care you’re seeking. Contact us at (703) 304-3881 to schedule your free 15-minute Invisalign consultation. We’ll discuss the cost, insurance options, and what you can expect during your treatment.

Our office is conveniently located in Arlington, VA, and we’re dedicated to providing the best possible dental care. Your journey to a beautifully aligned smile is just a phone call away. Reach out to us at CNS Dental, and let’s explore how Invisalign can transform your smile and your confidence.