Invisalign in Little Rock , AR

If you or your teen have unwanted gaps or misalignment of your teeth and have been thinking about improving the aesthetics of your smile but don’t want to commit to a year or two of braces, Invisalign in Little Rock may be an excellent option for you.

Straightening your teeth may require traditional braces, but in most cases, Dr. Reynolds & Dr. Harris are capable of improving your or your teen’s smile with the trusted, translucent Invisalign® system.

Invisalign® in Little Rock

The Discreet Path To Straight Teeth

Invisalign® has grown to be one of the most popular ways to straighten and enhance your smile with virtually invisible and removable clear aligner trays. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll address all of your concerns, take a look at your bite, and give you an individualized recommendation.

What Is Invisalign?

Illustration of Invisalign being placed over the teeth

Unlike traditional braces, with Invisalign®, there are no wires, no metal, and no brackets. Invisalign® treatment consists of sets of clear aligners. These clear aligners are custom-made to discreetly straighten and align your smile over a reasonable period of time. 

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign®’s clear plastic aligners are custom-fabricated using advanced technology to precisely shift your teeth. Each set of aligners is uniquely shaped to facilitate gradual movement, worn for about two weeks before transitioning to the next set. While the rigid inside aids in tooth movement, the outside surface remains smooth to the tongue and lips. Additionally, tooth-colored, removable “buttons” may be placed on the front of teeth to assist in the alignment process.

Why Choose Invisalign?

Most people choose Invisalign® because of the discreetness and “flexibility” of the treatment. Some of the notable benefits include:

  • Clear and discreet aligners that people won’t even see
  • The aligners are removable, so the treatment won’t affect your diet like traditional braces
  • It is much easier to keep your teeth clean like normal since you can remove your aligners for brushing and flossing
  • Invisalign® is a much more comfortable option for straightening your teeth
  • The aligners are custom made, which allow for precision and effectiveness with your results 

Who is a good candidate?

Invisalign is best suited to adults and teens who have minor to moderate misalignment of their teeth. While some older children also use Invisalign, since the trays are removable, it is ideal for those who are old enough to understand the importance of wearing their aligners as much as possible. Children are also much more likely to lose or break their aligners.

How long does treatment last?

If you go the route of traditional braces, you may have to wear them for up to two years. Invisalign®’s Align Technology can cut your treatment in half!

Invisalign® treatment typically takes between nine and fifteen months with most of our cases taking around 12 months to complete. However, the type and amount of movement needed will determine how long you’ll need to be in treatment. During this time, you can expect to wear between 18 and 30 progressive aligners.

The Invisalign Treatment Process

The Consultation

At your first consultation, we will screen you to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign®. This involves thoroughly checking your gums, teeth and dental alignment. If our Little Rock dentist determines you’re a good fit, we will take high-tech digital scans and images to map out a treatment plan. We will then send over all of the data we’ve collected to the Invisalign® labs, where they will start the process of creating your aligners. 

Our local Little Rock dentists will work with the Invisalign® specialists to help design a treatment plan just for you. This process may take a few days, so you may need to return for another consultation before we can show you a simulation of what your new smile could look like and approximately how long your treatment would be.

We’ll go over your dental insurance benefits and help you make appropriate financial arrangements. Our dentist will work directly with Invisalign® to begin fabricating your aligners. Once they’ve arrived at our office, they’ll be ready for you to stop by and pick them up! 

When Your First Set of Aligners Is Ready

When it’s time to pick up your Invisalign® trays, we’ll need to gently prep your teeth. Some “buttons” may need to be bonded onto specific teeth. Don’t worry, this is a completely pain-free procedure. You don’t even need to be numbed for it! Our dentists will condition your teeth and then bond a composite, tooth-colored “button” which will stay in place during the duration of your treatment. 

On occasion, we may also have to do what’s called “interproximal reduction.” This process is also easy – it simply means that we slightly open up the space between specific crowded teeth so that they can move more easily.

Once your teeth are ready, you’ll try on your first set of trays. Before leaving the office, we’ll make sure you can insert and remove the aligners yourself and know how to care for them.

Adhering To Your Treatment Plan

You will wear each set of aligners for an average of two weeks before moving to your next set. You can expect to come back into our Little Rock dental office around every six weeks, where we will be tracking the progress of your teeth and ensure they are moving as desired. At this appointment, we will also provide you with your next set of aligners.

It is essential to note that you must wear your aligners all day and all night, except when you are eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing. Typically, this should mean you are wearing your aligners for around 22 to 23 hours a day. If you do not wear your aligners as much as possible, it will hamper the progress of your Invisalign® treatment and could cost you time and money. 

As you move to each new set of aligners every couple of weeks, your teeth will be gradually shifting into their desired position. 

After You Complete Your Invisalign® Aligners

When you’ve successfully gone through all of your aligners and your teeth are properly aligned, we’ll remove the buttons. You will then be fitted for a retainer, which will help maintain your new smile in its prime position. 

Orthodontics is an investment – both financially and time-wise, so it’s important to ensure that your straight teeth last a lifetime. Wearing a Vivera® Retainer (made by Invisalign®) will ensure your teeth don’t shift back to their previous position.

What To Expect On A Day-To-Day Basis

As we mentioned before, you’ll wear the aligners as often as possible, removing them only to eat, drink, or brush and floss. Optimal results are seen when patients wear their trays for 22 to 23 hours a day.

The unique Invisalign® Teen system uses aligners that are fabricated with a blue compliance indicator. It makes it easy to ensure that teens are wearing their aligners enough. Teenagers sometimes need to be reminded that the only way Invisalign® works is if they’re worn for an adequate amount of time.

More questions? Visit our Invisalign FAQ page now!

We provide Invisalign in Little Rock, AR!

It’s easy to get the smile that you’ve always wanted with Invisalign! Both teens and adults can straighten their teeth without having to put their lives on hold. If you or your teen are interested in Invisalign in Little Rock, call Dr. Reynolds or Dr. Harris and our friendly staff or click here to schedule a consultation. We look forward to meeting you!

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