Convenient Locations Serving Allston & Brighton, MA
Treatment In As Little As 6 Months
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Invisalign® – Straight Talk
12 Months Interest-Free Financing.
The Invisalign® System
The
Aligner
Invisalign Clear Aligners
The world’s most advanced clear aligner.
The Digital
Imaging
iTero Element® Scanner
See your new smile before you begin.
The
Software
ClinCheck® Software
The digital road map to your new smile.
The
Material
SmartTrack® Material
Helping you reach your new smile even faster.
The
Attachments
SmartForce® Attachments
Make complex movements smooth and predictable.
The
Retainer
Vivera® Retainers
Keep the smile you love.
The Health Benefits of The Invisalign® System
- Crowded teeth can make it hard to brush and floss well. Then it’s easier for plaque, tartar, and harmful bacterial to build up – and down the line, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease1, 2 Your crowded teeth can also get worse over time.
- When your overbite is too large, your doctor might tell you you have a deep bite. This can cause problems, from your teeth wearing down to pain in your jaw.1,2Â Doctors use a percentage to describe overbites, and 5 to 25 percent is ideal.3
- An underbite can make it hard to chew properly and speak clearly, and it might cause your teeth to wear down more quickly.1, 2
- A crossbite can make your teeth wear down or chip. It can also make your gums start to recede or make little notches above your gum line.1Â This kind of damage can lead to painful gum problems or even bone loss.2
- Gap teeth can create pockets between your teeth and gums where food can get stuck. It can make your gums tender and sore and even lead to gum disease.
- An open bite can make it hard to chew or difficult to bite into some common foods, like apples.1-3
Innovation That Will Leave You Grinning
The world’s most advanced clear aligner.
With 20 years of research, 900+ patents, the world’s largest 3D printing operation, 1 and data from 5.5 million2 smiles, you can trust Invisalign clear aligners.
SmartTrack® Material.
Only Invisalign clear aligners use this proprietary plastic to straighten your teeth with comfort and precision.
Custom trimmed.
For comfort and fit, so they don’t cut your gums like other aligners can.
Treatment in as little as 6 months.
Our technology and patented material can help you get the smile you want faster than you might think.
Your part is simple.
Just wear your aligners and see the change. The technology does the hard work for you.
| Invisalign Clear Aligners | Other Clear Aligners | Traditional Braces | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle | |||
| Easily removable for eating and drinking | • | • | |
| No emergency visits for broken brackets and wires | • | • | |
| Appearance | |||
| Virtually invisible | • | • | |
| Hygiene | |||
| Easily removable for eating and drinking | • | • | |
| Material | |||
| Made from SmartTrack® material, for more predictable, controlled tooth movements1 | • | ||
| Made from off-the-shelf plastic | • | ||
| Made from traditional metal brackets and wires | • | ||
| Comfort | |||
| Every aligner is trimmed based on each user’s gum line for better comfort and appearance | • | ||
| Tracking | |||
| Blue compliance indicator makes it easy to ensure teens wear aligners enough | • | ||
| Lifestyle | |||
| Covered by many orthodontic insurance plans2 | • | • | • |
| Backed by the Invisalign Teen Guarantee: if you’re unsatisfied with treatment within the first six months, you can switch to braces at no additional cost3 | • | ||
- SmartTrack material and SmartForce features are clinically proven to improve control of tooth movement with Invisalign clear aligners. Data on file at Align Technology.
- Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment just as they would other orthodontic treatments. Ask your doctor about how to use your orthodontic insurance coverage to pay for Invisalign treatment.
- The Invisalign Teen Guarantee gives you the confidence to choose Invisalign Teen clear aligners for your teen knowing that if you are not satisfied within the first six months of treatment a participating orthodontist will switch your teen into traditional wires and brackets at no additional cost.
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign is a safe, effective, and convenient way to straighten misaligned teeth. This customized aligner method is carefully developed using 3D imaging and sophisticated software animation. A treatment plan includes several sets of aligners. The unique aligners are worn over the upper and lower arches of teeth approximately 22 hours a day. They work by exerting focused pressure on various teeth to progress their movement. Each set is worn for approximately 2 weeks and is then replaced with another designed to continue the movement of teeth into their healthiest position.
Who is an ideal candidate for Invisalign?
Teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic issues may be great candidates for Invisalign. This system is commonly used to correct:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Overlapping or Crowded Teeth
- Gaps
- Crossbite
- Open Bite
A thorough examination and consultation are performed before a dentist recommends Invisalign. Patients may need to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or undergo dental treatments like getting a filling before they can get Invisalign.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for only you. The trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place. Invisalign® does not use metal brackets and there are no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners every two weeks until your treatment is complete. Best of all, most people will never realize you’re straightening your teeth.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Invisalign works just like traditional braces, so can take approximately the same amount of time to achieve the desired outcome. On average, patients wear Invisalign for about 18 months. Depending on the circumstance, treatment may take less than a year or up to two years
Why Should I Consider Invisalign® Instead Of Braces To Straighten My Teeth?
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for only you. The trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place. Invisalign® does not use metal brackets and there are no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners every two weeks until your treatment is complete. Best of all, most people will never realize you’re straightening your teeth.
What Should I Expect During My Tooth Implant Procedure?
Metal dental braces have long been used as a way of straightening the alignment of the teeth with the use of metal, or sometimes ceramic, brackets and wires in order to pressure the teeth in the right contour. Dr. Bidabadi will examine you first to see whether you are a candidate for the traditional metal braces.
Unlike traditional braces;
- Invisalign® trays are easily removable by the patient.
- This allows for easier cleaning and the removal of food from in between your teeth hence preventing tooth decay.
- Patients with clear braces can easily enjoy foods such as popcorn that is off-limits for those wearing traditional metal braces.
- Invisalign® uses clear plastic and looks natural throughout the entire straightening process without using wires and brackets. While barely noticeable to others, you can be comfortable knowing that you can easily remove the tray for a special occasion.
- Invisalign® treatment is often more accommodating to busy schedules with less frequent dental visits. You can expect to visit Dr. Bidabadi only every six weeks.
What should I expect after Invisalign treatment?
Oral care is one of the most important aspects of post-treatment maintenance after Invisalign. Patients should brush twice a day and floss once a day to prevent excess plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay.
Will I need retainers after an Invisalign treatment?
Wearing a retainer is also a must. Invisalign gets teeth where they need to be, but without additional support for a time, the teeth can shift back out of alignment. Upon completion of the Invisalign program, patients immediately begin to wear a retainer. Some patients choose a fixed retainer for the bottom teeth. This is hidden on the backside of the teeth. The upper retainer is typically removable.
It is necessary to wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment. The process of moving teeth requires a softening of the jawbone that surrounds teeth roots. Teeth are not fully stable until new bone tissue accumulates around their roots. The buildup occurs over 9 to 12 months. For that time, patients must wear their retainer all the time, just like Invisalign aligners. After 12 months, you may be able to wear your retainers only at night or only a few days a week. Your dentist can help you develop a schedule that is suitable to your needs.
Are There Foods I Need to Avoid with Invisalign?
While you can remove your aligners to enjoy most of your favorite foods and beverages during your Invisalign program, there are a few recommendations you should know. Generally, dentists encourage patients to avoid:
- Hard foods and candies. Examples include jawbreakers, pretzels, and carrots. Patients may cut foods like crunchy fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces that are easier on the teeth.
- Chewy, sticky foods. Patients should not chew gum while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Likewise, they should not eat taffies, caramel, and other chewy candies, because they can leave sugary debris on the teeth that invite the plaque buildup.
- Stain-causing liquids. Consuming coffee, tea, dark sodas, and red wine can stain tooth enamel. These substances can also stain Invisalign aligners. Patients should only drink water while wearing aligners. They may remove their aligners to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, but they should replace them quickly. Before inserting aligners after eating, patients should rinse the mouth with water to remove particles that can stain teeth.
Is Invisalign safe?
Invisalign is generally considered safe. The customized aligner trays are made of biocompatible polyurethane resins that create a medical-grade plastic of high molecular weight. The makeup of Invisalign aligners supports strength for gradually shifting the teeth using focused pressure, and also comfort for continual wear.
How can I care for my Invisalign aligners?
Invisalign aligners are easy to maintain with the following:
- Regular rinsing anytime they are removed and inserted. Rinsing helps remove saliva, bacteria, and food particles.
- Brush your teeth, not your aligners!
- Soak as directed by the dentist. Some patients purchase special cleaning crystals to keep aligners free of excess debris.
- Place aligners in a carrying case whenever you remove them. It is helpful to have at least one extra carrying case.
What are the benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces?
Invisalign is a comfortable, metal-free, bracket-free system that straightens teeth discreetly. In addition to being one of the most subtle, nearly-invisible teeth-straightening treatments available, Invisalign offers a variety of other benefits. These include:
- Removable aligners help you maintain your usual diet.
- Without brackets, there are no metal pieces to poke the cheeks or lips.
- It is easy to brush and floss your teeth during Invisalign treatment. Just remove aligners and brush and floss as usual!
- Invisalign treatment requires fewer visits to the office, making it ideal for busy schedules.
There is a lot to appreciate about Invisalign. Patients can trust that, once their dentist confirms they are a good candidate, they will go through a smooth treatment process. Aligners are customized to each patient’s specifications via high-quality 3D imaging. Computer software plans out a unique sequence of aligners, of which each completes a specific movement of one or more teeth. The steps taken to fabricate Invisalign aligners achieves precision that leads to optimal results.
What is iTero?
iTero Element is a state-of-the-art intraoral scanner we use for our Invisalign patients. We start the process with images created by this awesome intraoral scanning system. The system uses digital technology to create 3D images of the patient’s teeth and gums. We use this 3D imaging as our starting point for Dr. Bidabadi to then plot out the necessary tooth movement for every Invisalign patient.
Beyond using iTero for plotting out the tooth movement with Invisalign, Dr. Bidabadi now uses our iTero system for measurements and data necessary for the fabrication of crowns and mouthguards.
How does iTero work?
Our iTero Element scanner uses red laser light and white LED light to capture thousands of pictures of the inside of the patient’s mouth. It then instantly assembles them into an incredibly detailed, accurate 3D model of the mouth, teeth, and gums.
Rather than the goop of impression trays, iTero uses an ergonomic-shaped scanner wand that is inserted into the patient’s mouth and is lightly held between the teeth. The system uses lasers to take up to 20 images a second as we work from tooth to tooth around the upper and lower jaw. The system software then stitches all of these images into 3D models of the upper and lower teeth. The patient can see them all, as the system sits right next to you on a chairside monitor.
Using these 3D models, Dr. Bidabadi then plots out your tooth movement. This will guide the creation of the Invisalign aligner trays that will do the heavy lifting and move your teeth. She can share the visual progression with you on the iTero screen. You’ll be able to see where you are today, and where your teeth will be in about a year.
What are some of the key features of the iTero system?Â
The iTero system employs the latest technology to provide the team at Soft-Touch Dentistry with excellent scanning capabilities. The small, light iTero system captures 6,000 frames per second when scanning. The system automatically stitches those images together to provide either sections of the patient’s teeth or the full upper or lower jaw.
- 3D images — The iTero system uses industry-leading imaging to create 3D images that can be rotated and manipulated. These can be shared with the patient right at chairside so that they can understand what’s going on with their teeth.
- High-definition display — You can see your teeth on a 19-inch high-definition, multi-touch display.
- Ability to manipulate images — The iTero system allows Dr. Bidabadi to spin, pinch, zoom, and manipulate images in other ways to facilitate both diagnostics and patient interaction.
- Color scanning — The iTero Intraoral Scanner can scan in both one color and full color, depending on what we’re trying to look at. Full color makes it easier to distinguish between gingival and dental tissue for more precise evaluation.
- Small wand — The wand used with the iTero system is small and easy for patients to deal with.
Our patients love iTero
At Soft-Touch Dentistry our patients love iTero:
- No more impression trays and gagging.
- Scans are immediately displayed, the entire process taking only 10 minutes.
- iTero creates more accurate models than when using impressions.
- More information is gathered and input to ensure the most precise Invisalign aligner tray fit.
- Patients can see it all right next to them chairside.
- The system syncs directly with Align Technology, the fabricator of their Invisalign aligner trays.
How long does an iTero scan usually take?Â
At Soft-Touch, we can get a full arch scan with iTero in as little as one minute. Full creation of the images in the system software takes less than 10 minutes.
How accurate are impressions made with iTero?
Because iTero uses the images it captures to create 3D dental images, these are far more detailed than the two-dimensional images they replace.
Is there any radiation involved with iTero?
iTero is completely radiation free, making it safe for all patients, even pregnant women. It uses laser and LED light energy.
How is iTero an improvement over traditional alternatives?
On a sensory level, our patients love that they no longer must deal with the gooey mess associated with dental impression trays. No more gagging. No more worrying about swallowing. No more unpleasant taste and smell.
Our iTero system delivers 3D scans immediately without any of the hassles. They are incredibly precise, and the images can be scaled and rotated when Dr. Bidabadi is plotting the path of your Invisalign treatment.
As mentioned above, we also now use iTero for our crown measurements and for all our mouthguards.
Are there any risks to using the iTero system?
As mentioned above, iTero does not use radiation to generate its precise imaging. It uses red laser light and white LED light to create its images. Both light sources are completely safe for the human body and present no risk whatsoever.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about our Invisalign treatments, call us today at 617.782.9250 for our Allston office or 617.332.8146 for our Newton office to schedule a consultation.