FAQs about Invisalign

If you’ve been considering braces, you may want to learn more about the possibility of having Dr. Robert Williamson III (Raleigh Comprehensive and Cosmetic Dentistry) provide you with an Invisalign system to help improve your smile. Dr. Williamson was recently designated as a Preferred Provider of Invisalign in Raleigh.

Today, there are many choices when it comes to braces; they come in many varieties as well as colors. Some people want to make their braces more noticeable – displaying school colors or other favorite colors. Others, especially adults, prefer solutions that are not so noticeable. Invisalign (now available in Raleigh) is one of the least noticeable options. A relatively new alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign is a system so named to imply that they are “invisible” braces (aligners).

There are two types of orthodontic appliances (braces). Both types share the same general intent – to help remedy misaligned teeth.
·       Fixed – These braces are worn all the time once they are applied. Only a dentist can apply and remove them. Fixed appliances are what people have traditionally referred to when using the term braces.
·       Removable – The dentist customizes and provides this form of braces, but the patient can readily take the appliance in and out of his or her own mouth whenever desired. Often, these systems are called appliances instead of braces.

Invisalign is a removable type of appliance. More specifically, the Invisalign system is a series of customized appliances that are clear and barely noticeable when in place. The series of Invisalign appliances progressively aligns the teeth closer and closer to the desired position.

No, but there are many cases where Invisalign will work. While we do provide Invisalign in Raleigh, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a good candidate to use it. Unless you’re an existing patient and we have your x-rays and other information already on file, we can’t tell you over the phone whether you’re a likely candidate. It’s better to schedule an appointment for a discussion, so we can discuss not only your current oral situation but also your cosmetic expectations and objectives. In general, the Invisalign system is best suited for adults and situations where substantial movement of the teeth is not required. It could be that Invisalign in combination with some other form of dental treatment is necessary to achieve your objectives and promote good dental health.

No – or at least not ones that are terms that you’d be familiar with. Because RCCD is a Preferred Provider of Invisalign in Raleigh, we’re more likely to know if you’re a good candidate for an Invisalign system – regardless of whether your teeth are too crowded or too widely spaced, or if you have an overbite, an underbite, or a crossbite – or some combination of those conditions. Invisalign may be an option for treating any of those common conditions – and more.

The patient’s long-term commitment to using an orthodontic appliance that is removable is also an important assessment point – and a reason that it might not be the best option for some younger patients. (The Invisalign appliance might not be used as often as intended, or might be lost if it’s removed frequently outside the home.)

It means that our practice has received a special designation because of the depth of experience we have with using the Invisalign system. Looking for a Preferred Provider is similar to looking for a surgeon who has performed a procedure many times, and that experience helps you feel confident of a good outcome. A Preferred Provider is more able to give a reliable answer on whether Invisalign can or cannot be effectively used to achieve the results you’re looking for.

First, there’s the virtually “invisible” advantage – as implied by the Invisalign name. Another distinct advantage is that Invisalign makes it much easier to maintain good oral hygiene while your teeth are being properly aligned. You can remove the appliance while eating or when brushing your teeth – just as though you didn’t have braces at all.

Because of new, less visible options like Invisalign, more adults than ever before are now wearing braces – and you might not even know it! Orthodontic treatments of any type for adults typically take a bit longer than they would for someone younger. (Young people are usually more flexible physically than adults, and the same can be said about their teeth – mainly because young people’s teeth have been continually moving as they experience growth phases.) Invisalign can help you achieve some of the modest cosmetic refinements you thought you’d missed out on. (Braces for you may not have been affordable by your parents, or your siblings with worse problems may have been prioritized ahead of you.) With the new options available today, it’s more practical than ever to consider treatment for both severe and milder cases of misaligned teeth, no matter what your age.

Schedule an appointment now to come in and discuss whether Invisalign or some other form of braces is most appropriate for you.