Invisalign™

About your Invisalign™ Provider

Dr. Swelstad is pleased to offer advanced Invisalign™ treatment to his patients who are particularly concerned about esthetics and convenience. Dr. Swelstad has been recognized by Align Technologies as the leading provider of Invisalign™ treatment in our area. He has received advanced education in Invisalign™ treatment to allow him to more accurately diagnose and treat a wider variety of conditions with Invisalign™.

What is Invisalign™?

Introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies, Invisalign™ incorporates a series of invisible (clear) plastic aligners that fit comfortably over your teeth and are designed to move your teeth gradually into the desired position. Today, Invisalign™ is a leading brand of orthodontic appliance, primarily because the removable aligners (less than one millimeter thick) are designed to be more esthetically pleasing than conventional wire-and-bracket braces for treating certain types of minor misaligned tooth problems.

Invisalign™ vs. Traditional Orthodontics (Braces)

Although Invisalign™ treatment can fix many orthodontic problems, it may not be appropriate for certain types of misalignment or more complex bite problems. Dr. Swelstad has the experience and training to know when Invisalign™ may be best for you or when fixed orthodontic appliances (traditional wire and bracket braces) should be used for the best results.

Though not as esthetically appealing as clear aligners like Invisalign™, today’s traditional braces have been improved so they are smaller, less visible and more efficient. These newer wire-and-bracket braces also help to correct misalignment much faster than before. Only your orthodontist can determine which treatment option might be right for you. In addition, Dr. Swelstad can advise you about orthodontic treatment alternatives. If Invisalign™ is not appropriate, traditional orthodontics can still be used for such conditions as:

Crowding and spacing greater than five millimeters.
Skeletal malocclusions.
Discrepancies involving centric-relation/centric-occlusion (how the upper and lower jaw joints and jaw muscles close together).
Teeth that are severely rotated.
Open bites in the front and back of the mouth that need to be closed.
Teeth that are severely tipped.
Upper or lower jaws with multiple missing teeth.

Not only is Invisalign™ versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works. And there are over half a million smiles to back that up. But a confident smile isn't the only benefit of correcting your dental issues with custom-made Invisalign™ aligners—your health can be positively impacted as well. Learn more about several common issues below that an experienced Invisalign™ doctor can work with you to correct.

How Invisalign™ Works

The use of a series of removable aligners for the adjustment of occlusion (bite) is not new. The Invisalign™ method is based on a concept first introduced in the 1940s and revisited in the 1970s that required a series of dental impressions to determine the optimal position of the teeth. The Invisalign™ method is simpler than its predecessors, requiring only one set of highly accurate impressions and photographs of the teeth.

These impressions are used to create a three-dimensional computer projection of how the teeth could be moved incrementally, forming the basis for developing a series of custom-made aligners designed to accomplish this movement.

Invisalign™ aligners are manufactured at the Align Technologies dental laboratory using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) processes. The aligners are sent to your orthodontist, who typically dispenses them in groups of one or two at a time during regular check-up appointments (about every four to six weeks) so that treatment can be properly managed. Each aligner must be worn in its specific order for about two weeks, during which time it moves the teeth in small increments of about .25 millimeters to .33 millimeters. Although the aligners are removable (for eating, drinking certain beverages and brushing/flossing), they must be worn at least 20 hours a day in order to reposition the teeth successfully.

A typical Invisalign™ treatment requires 20 to 30 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth. Most adults complete their treatment in less than one year. However, treatment time depends on the specific alignment problem.

How Much Does Invisalign™ Cost?

The cost of Invisalign™ treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces — ranging from $3,000 to $5,500 (based on the U.S. national average). However, only Dr. Swelstad can determine the actual cost of treatment because it will be based on your specific needs, including how extensive your dental problems are, how long your treatment will last, etc.

Payment options and financing are available through Dr. Swelstad's office. Additionally, orthodontic coverage through a dental insurance plan may cover Invisalign™ treatment in the same manner that traditional orthodontic treatments are covered. Consult your dental insurance policy to determine what orthodontic benefits you may qualify for.

More on Invisalign™ Treatment

Invisalign™ is currently approved for adults and teenagers with completely erupted permanent teeth who can faithfully follow the directions for treatment — how long they have to wear the aligners each day, what they can and cannot eat and drink, seeing their dentist for follow-up appointments, etc. For example, dentists recommend that you drink only water while wearing Invisalign trays, to prevent staining of the plastic or damaging your teeth. If you do not follow treatment recommendations, you may compromise treatment success.

According to researchers and Align Technologies, Invisalign™ can be used to correct the following types of mild dental problems:

Overly crowded teeth. When there is not enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth to fit comfortably or normally (one to five millimeters).
Widely spaced teeth. When there is too much space between the teeth due to abnormal growth of the jaw or shifting of the teeth due to missing teeth (one millimeter to five millimeters).
Overbite/overjet. When the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth.
Crossbite. When the upper and lower jaws are misaligned, causing one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, on either the front and/or sides of the mouth.
Mild relapse. After traditional braces have been removed, when some relapsing tooth movement has occurred.
Invisalign may also be a treatment alternative for certain simple malocclusions (bite irregularities).

Overly crowded teeth: This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can cause dental decay, an increase in chances of gum disease, and can prevent the normal function of teeth.

Widely spaced teeth: This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, this issue can also be caused by the other teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues in teeth can cause some periodontal diseases.

Crossbite: This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease, and bone loss.

Overbite: What people commonly refer to as an "overbite" is known to dental professionals as "overjet." It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It's typically caused by either genetics, bad oral habits, or over development of the bone that supports the teeth. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Underbite: This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It's usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Dr. Swelstad will work with you to create a custom-designed plan that will best treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment plan will consist of a full set of aligners, custom made for you, and only you. It's important that you visit an experienced Invisalign™ doctor to see how well Invisalign™ fits your specific needs.

And of course, there are other considerations when making the decision to straighten your teeth. Think about how Invisalign™ can fit in your life by providing a virtually-invisible option to getting the smile you want.