Designed for Your Life
Invisalign® treatment or Clarity Aligners with Dr. Patel and the team at Orthodontic Associates can give you beautiful straight teeth without braces.
The Invisalign Process
Invisalign is much more comfortable than traditional metal bracket braces and can give you stunning results.
The Invisalign system is made of clear, lightweight plastic aligners that fit over your teeth and are designed to straighten your smile. They’re removable, so it’s easier to eat, drink, brush and floss!
At your initial consultation at Orthodontic Associates, we'll take photos and X-rays to create a 3D image of your mouth. We make your first set of custom-fitted aligners from these images, and then you begin the process of straightening your teeth.
You’ll probably wear Invisalign aligners for 9–15 months, and will typically use 18–30 sets during your treatment.
You wear the trays for about 22 hours a day but can remove them for brushing your teeth and eating. Based on the treatment plan Dr. Patel creates for you, you’ll switch to the next tray in the series every one-two weeks. You’ll start to notice a change in just a few months!
A Modern Approach
Invisalign has played an important part in developing modern orthodontics. The system uses a series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth.
Wearing the aligners will gently move your teeth into place little by little, based on the exact movements Dr. Patel plans for you.
There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten with Invisalign treatment at Orthodontic Associates. You just pop in a new set of aligners about every one-two weeks, until your treatment is done.
At Orthodontic Associates, you’ll get a great smile, and your treatment won’t get in the way of your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth!
This nearly-invisible option to straighten your teeth is truly changing the way people see orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Patel has a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign, and we’re excited to offer this technology to our Shelby braces patients!
Differences Between Invisalign & Braces
Unlike traditional braces, smooth plastic Invisalign aligners don't have any metal parts that might irritate your mouth.
Because they’re removed when you eat, you won't have to watch what you eat like you would when wearing braces – bring on the popcorn and peanuts!
In fact, the aligners must be removed for eating and for drinking anything other than water. You need to make sure you’re willing to do that before you decide on Invisalign clear aligners.
You’ll need to clean your teeth before putting the aligners back on after each time you eat to prevent staining.
Of course, brushing and flossing are much easier than with traditional braces, since you don’t have to work around any brackets and wires.
Invisalign Responsibility
It’s essential to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day, as recommended by Dr. Patel, so they can keep working to straighten your teeth. You can remove your Invisalign aligners for special occasions.
Like with traditional braces, you’ll generally need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment to maintain your new alignment—and your confident new smile!
Talk to Us About Invisalign
Dr. Patel may not recommend Invisalign or Clarity Aligners for some more complex alignment or bite issues, or for those who have bridgework; Dr. Patel can advise you about what options are best for you.
Schedule your free consultation with Dr. Patel at our Shelby office to learn if Invisalign or Clarity Aligners are right for you.
