About Invisalign

If you want the most experienced Invisalign Providers around, you’ve come to the right place! Bubon Orthodontics is the #1 provider for Invisalign in the state of Wisconsin! As the Greater Milwaukee area’s VIP Diamond+ provider, we are also in the top 1% of all Invisalign providers nationally! So, for the most expert Invisalign treatment anywhere in Wisconsin, come visit one of our 15 convenient locations in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Invisible Orthodontic Treatment

While Invisalign or what some call “invisible braces” initially was limited, [it could only straighten teeth that were mildly crowded], it has since advanced to a point where it can be used to treat even more complex orthodontic cases.

What Exactly Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that orthodontists use as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces. Only dentists who meet the proficiency requirements established by Invisalign corporation are allowed to use Invisalign technology to straighten teeth.

Initially, Invisalign was not intended for complicated cases, but with improvements in computer technology, these “clear braces” can do so much more! And the future looks even more promising. Invisalign Corporation is constantly making improvements to their products to help straighten teeth faster and at less cost! See our affordable Invisalign prices.

Invisalign aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable plastic retainers that no one can tell you’re wearing. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem.

Invisalign aligners are comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. No metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our office getting adjustments.

Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your teeth will look when your treatment is complete. You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, until they have straightened to the final position.

You’ll visit Dr. Bubon’s office about once every 6 weeks to evaluate how your treatment is progressing. It’s a very rewarding process! All our patients have been thrilled with their Invisalign treatment! (Treatment time averages about one year.)

What Happens During the Initial and Follow-up Visits?

During your complimentary consultation, our doctors will discuss and recommend a treatment plan with you to achieve your desired results. At your records visit, pictures are taken of your smile and the alignment of your teeth, as well as a scan taken with the iTero digital scanning system to create fast, precise 3D digital images of your teeth. We will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth and how long your treatment will be. You’ll even get to see how your teeth will move and preview your new smile. This information is then submitted to Align for the fabrication of your custom aligners. Once the aligners are ready, we place any necessary attachments and ensure the aligners fit properly. You are given several sets of aligners and return every six – eight weeks. These short follow-up visits allow us to ensure your teeth are tracking according to the treatment goals.

What Are the Advantages of Using Invisalign?

• Invisalign aligners are clear, making them virtually invisible.
• Aligners can be removed easily to thoroughly clean the teeth throughout the day, making brushing and flossing easier and more effective than working around metal braces.
• While aligners are out, wearers can eat whatever they like.
• Aligners are smooth and comfortable to wear. There are no wires or brackets that can break in or cut the mouth.

How Long Can Aligners Be Taken Out During the Day?

Invisalign is meant to be worn at least 22 hours a day. The aligners should only be removed when eating, brushing, and flossing. They should also be worn when sleeping. Patients who fail to wear their aligners for the proper amount of time will prolong their treatment. When the aligners are not worn for 22 hours a day, the teeth will not move properly, and the final results may be compromised.

An orthodontist begins by taking dental scans, X-rays and photographs of the patient’s teeth and sends them to Align Technology. The impressions are put through a computer program that creates a three-dimensional model. Technicians then straighten the teeth on the computer-generated model moving them to their final position as prescribed by Dr. Bubon or his associates. The patient can even see and give input into how they want their teeth to look!

Each Invisalign aligner moves the teeth in stages. Usually, a patient will wear each Invisalign aligner for two weeks. Thus, the patient will know approximately when their treatment will be completed by taking the number of Invisalign aligners necessary to complete the straightening process and multiplying it by two weeks!

This is a great motivator for wearing the Invisalign retainers, much like a runner being able to see the finish line! Attachments are sometimes bonded to teeth that need to be rotated or moved more than other teeth. The attachments are tooth-colored and made of a tooth-like substance, so they are virtually invisible. Reproximation is a process by which the contacts between teeth are filed down to allow for a better fit. This may also be a part of treatment.

The average treatment time is about one year, again depending on the complexity of the treatment. Simple treatments (minor crowding, minor spacing) may be as short as twenty weeks—this is known as the Invisalign Express program.

Although the aligners are removable, they must be worn at least 20 to 22 hours per day to avoid delaying the treatment process. If they are not worn consistently, treatment time will increase. After the regular Invisalign treatment is complete, retainers composed of a similar plastic material are usually required to be worn, at least at night.

Like other orthodontic systems, the patient has some flexibility. The final position of the teeth is not completely determined by the last aligner. If the patient wants to change the end position because the actual position is not optimal, new aligners are ordered, which are included in the original costs.