Invisalign Clear Aligners

When you hear the word “orthodontics,” what comes to mind?

Probably a young teenager whose teeth are covered by a latticework of metal. There are indeed many orthodontic patients who fit that description. However, there now exists an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces: Invisalign® clear aligners.

As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of almost invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners are completely removable — for important social occasions, for eating, and, most importantly, for tooth-brushing and flossing. This advantage can also be a disadvantage: It means you must resist the temptation to take your aligners out more than is advised. Here are some other advantages of the Invisalign system:

Improved Oral Hygiene — With an orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces.
A Discreet Look — If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal braces don’t fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment might suit you.
More Dietary Choices — To protect metal wires and braces, some diet modifications are necessary. With clear aligners, you can still bite into an apple or a crispy pizza crust.
Comfort — The soft, flexible material of which Invisalign aligners are made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.
Teeth-Grinding Protection — If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin nightguards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear.
Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct many malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. Yet there are still some situations for which traditional braces would still be best. We would be happy to discuss this in detail with you. 

How Invisalign Treatment Works

Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic.

Here’s how it works: Specialized computer software helps us design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign company will manufacture two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners,” one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.

In the past several years, two features have been added to make Invisalign a more appropriate orthodontic treatment method for teenagers. Special “eruption tabs” hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign for teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign can only be successful if this is the case.

Caring for Your Teeth

As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. So please don’t neglect to do this! You’ll need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners, too, will have to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.

Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You’ll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment in a beautiful new smile. 

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Meet Your Award Winning Doctors

Dr. Mairead M. O’Reilly and Dr. Riddhi Desai  are experienced, board-certified professionals providing orthodontic treatment in the Annapolis, Maryland community.

Dr. Mairead M. O’Reilly
Portrait of Dr. Riddhi Desai, a board certified orthodontist in Annapolis, MD

Dr. Riddhi Desai

The Proof is in our Patients

233 5-star reviews in Annapolis, MD and counting…
Joshua T. H.
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Absolutely wonderful experience from check-in to check-out. Professional, friendly, and courteous staff in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility. Dr. O'Reilly is extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful and did a remarkable job of not only providing me with a “this is your mouth 101” course, she also suggested several professional treatment recommendations. I can't speak highly enough of my visit, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone considering treatment options. You've been warned - expect an amazing experience!
Stephanie S.
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Dr. O’Reilly is exceptional. Her staff is friendly, professional and efficient. The office has the latest technology and is pristine. When you are under the care of Dr.O’Reilly you know you have the best of everything— her world of knowledge, experience and skill. What you won’t anticipate, is how much you’ll feel seen and heard. I have complete trust in her and would highly recommend her to everyone.
Kayla H.
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Dr. O'Reilly and everyone who works in the office are incredible! They care about you first and will do what they can to make your treatment plan flexible to work with you. I've worked with Pam on multiple occasions to help me make appointments when my schedule changes last minute. Dr. O'Reilly makes your experience during your appointments comfortable and positive and will always greet you with a smile. Love them!
Alecia A.
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I had been dealing with an issue of my bite being off for months and was extremely apprehensive about getting braces as an adult. Dr. O’Reilly and her outstanding staff immediately put me at ease. Her team and her not only made me feel comfortable about one day getting braces, Dr. O’Reilly took the extra time and care to discover an underlining condition in the root of my tooth which in my opinion went above and beyond the scope of care. Her team then took the time to get me an appointing with another specialist to solve the problem before I can get braces. Outstanding!