Invisalign® Treatmentsin Denver, CO

What is Invisalign?

If you are dissatisfied with your smile and not interested in a mouth full of metal braces, Dr. Dallas Kenson have an option for you. Invisalign®, also known as “clear braces” may be the solution. Invisalign eliminates both the discomfort of metal wires and the inconvenience of adjustments. The Invisalign system uses virtually invisible aligners that straighten teeth without metal bands, brackets or wires. The custom-made trays are comfortable, and easy to remove for eating, brushing, flossing, and special occasions. The clear plastic aligners are inconspicuous and barely seen by others. The Invisalign system has been shown to be highly effective at straightening teeth.

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Invisalign Benefits

Invisalign aligners offer many benefits over traditional metal braces including:

More cosmetically appealing
Clear and inconspicuous
Lower cost
Little-to-no impact on daily life
Less painful
Greater flexibility
Easier to keep teeth clean and healthy
No dietary restrictions

With Invisalign, there are no metal or wires to irritate the mouth. Patients can maintain an active, athletic lifestyle, free from worry about injury or bracket breakage.

Who are the Ideal Candidates for Invisalign?

Due to the minimal profile, clear appearance, and comfort, this system is especially suited for people who:

Are in a professional sector or who do a lot of public speaking.
Live busy lives and wish to minimize visits to the dentist.
Are very active or who play full-contact sports (aligners can be removed while playing sports)

What Type of Dental Problems Can Invisalign Fix?

The problems for which Invisalign is most effective include:

Gaps that have developed in between teeth
Crookedness or overlapping of teeth
Overcrowding that pushes teeth upward or causes turning
Tooth protrusion due to poor position or alignment
Minor open bites
Crossbites in which the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth
Minor overbites and underbites

What is the Difference Between Invisalign and Traditional Braces?

Invisalign is a popular treatment that can correct a variety of orthodontic concerns. However, this is not to say that there aren’t limitations to clear plastic aligners. Patients who have severe overbite or underbite issues, for example, may need traditional or functional braces to correct the structure and positioning of the jaw, not just the teeth.

Invisalign is often sometimes seen as “adult braces.” This system can be an excellent choice for older teens and adults because treatment requires patients to follow strict instructions and this requires a degree of emotional maturity. Patients who do best with Invisalign can commit to wearing aligners 22 hours a day. Good habits must be created around oral hygiene, aligner care, and storage to ensure aligners are not accidentally thrown away or lost.

Is Invisalign safe?

Invisalign is generally considered safe. Clear plastic aligners are made from raw materials that are free of latex, parabens, phthalates, glutaraldehyde, epoxy or Bisphenol A (BPA), according to the manufacturer. The absence of BPA is of particular interest to many patients because this type of plastic had been associated with cytotoxicity and estrogenicity (having an estrogenic effect in the body). Statistics released by Invisalign in 2017 detailed that more than 5 million patients had been treated with these aligners. Of those millions of people, 173 had reported adverse events, such as difficulty breathing or a swollen tongue. As each person could report multiple events, this number does not indicate completely separate cases.

Invisalign Before and After Photos

Invisalign Treatment Process

Step One – Consultation with Dr. Dallas Kenson
To begin the Invisalign treatment process, you will need to set up a consultation with our doctors. At this appointment, your doctor will determine whether you’re a good candidate for treatment and develop an individualized treatment plan. They will then take X-rays, photographs, and impressions of your teeth to send out for processing.

Step Two – Fabrication of Invisalign Custom Aligners
Advanced 3-D computer-imaging technology will analyze the impressions taken at your first appointment and transform them into a custom-made series of clear, removable aligners. Our doctors will be able to see the anticipated progression of your smile through this imaging system. This can be done in-office before any treatment begins to give you a clear image of the projected outcome.

Step Three – Receiving the Invisalign Aligners
During your next visit to Dr. Kenson, you will receive your aligners. Each set of aligners is worn day and night for about two weeks and is removed only to eat, drink, brush and floss. You will need to come into the office every four to six weeks to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned. Treatment is complete once each set of aligners are worn. The average treatment time, which depends on the complexity of the case, is typically six months to one year.

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Is Invisalign painful?

Invisalign is not described by patients as painful. At first, a new aligner will likely feel tight and uncomfortable. This is because, like traditional braces, aligners place pressure on teeth that causes them to shift into a new position. For a day or two after the insertion of a new set of aligners, patients may want to take appropriate pain relief medication to manage optimal comfort.

Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment Technology

Invisalign uses the latest in 3-D computer imaging to determine a projected path of tooth movement for each patient. This allows our doctors to design a series of personalized aligners (repositioners) that work to straighten teeth over time. Your aligners will be worn for approximately two weeks before moving onto the next set.

What Results Can I Expect from Invisalign?

For mild to moderate misalignment and bite problems, Invisalign can achieve results that are comparable to traditional braces. Teeth no longer overlap and sit straight against one another. To preserve these results, patients are advised to wear a retainer after completing their course of treatment. Retainers must be worn similarly to Invisalign aligners, 22 hours a day, for approximately six months. After this time, retainers should be worn every night indefinitely.

How Can I Maintain my Results from Invisalign?

Where most patients go wrong after any type of orthodontic treatment is wearing their retainer. When a retainer is worn as directed, the teeth should not shift into their old, misaligned position.

How much does Invisalign cost?

Invisalign is a customized protocol that, just like braces, is tailored to each patient’s needs. Some patients may need to wear aligners only for a few months; others may need to wear them for more than a year. The duration of treatment determines overall costs. During your consultation with us, we will provide you with the cost of your course of treatment.

What Our Patients Have to Say

“Absolutely love this group. Both the doctors and the entire staff make you feel so comfortable. They are down to earth, professional and funny when most needed. Way to go girls!!!” – Nancy Z.

Can I Eat or Drink With Invisalign?

You are able to remove your aligners to eat and drink whatever you would like but you should only drink water while your aligners are in.

How do I Care For my Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign aligners must be cleaned and cared for properly to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and plaque.

Aligners should be removed every morning and cleaned under lukewarm water. This is a good time to soak aligners in special Invisalign cleaning crystals for a few minutes while you brush and floss your teeth. A soft-bristled toothbrush dedicated only for aligner cleaning can be used to remove any caked-on debris. Toothpaste should not be used to clean aligners.

Patients should never eat or drink without first removing aligners.

Aligners must be rinsed under cool or lukewarm water before inserting into the mouth.

When aligners are removed for meals or other reasons, they must be stored in a safe container to prevent bacteria from settling on them.

Is Invisalign Covered By Insurance?

If your dental insurance covers orthodontic treatment, Invisalign treatment may also be covered. It is important to check with your insurance provider prior to your visit or provide your insurance information while scheduling to ensure that an estimate is provided during your first appointment. To see what Insurance plans we offer, click here.

Will I need to wear a retainer after my Invisalign treatment is complete?

Dr. Kenson will suggest that you wear a retainer after treatment to prevent your teeth from shifting just as they would for braces. As each case is different, the length of time the retainers should be worn may vary.

I Wore Braces but My Teeth are Shifting. Can Invisalign Help?

Having orthodontic treatment can accomplish a lot but it may not guarantee that you’ll enjoy perfectly aligned teeth forever. Many people who have worn braces eventually notice alignment issues that make them feel unhappy or self-conscious. Invisalign is a great solution for what’s called orthodontic relapse. If your teeth have shifted after having braces, regardless of how much time has passed, you may benefit from customized Invisalign treatment.

I Have Crowns. Can I Still Get Invisalign?

Maybe. Invisalign is designed using high-quality digital impressions of your teeth as they are at the time of your consultation. Talk to your dentist about your current situation and what restorations you have. If possible, they can devise a suitable Invisalign treatment plan around your unique needs.

Can I Remove My Aligners Whenever I Need To?

Being able to remove aligners from time to time is one of the benefits of this treatment. That said, the more frequently you remove your aligners or the longer you leave them out, the more time it may take to achieve your desired outcome. Invisalign is designed for nearly-continual wear. You remove your aligners when you eat and when you brush and floss your teeth. If you have a special event that lasts a few hours, you can leave your aligners out if you’d like. Ideally, your aligners will be in place for about 22 hours every day.

Can I Really Eat Whatever I Want During My Invisalign Treatment?

Yes! Because you remove your aligners when you want to enjoy a meal or a snack, you’re not limited to what you consume. There may be times during your treatment when soreness keeps you from wanting to eat certain foods, such as steak or bagels. As you’re comfortable, though, you can eat whatever you’d like, even corn on the cob or popcorn!

Will I Sound Different While I’m Wearing My Invisalign Aligners?

You might notice that your Invisalign aligners cause a slight change in the way some sounds come out. This is only because your tongue has to get used to having aligners in your mouth. Until this happens, you might sound like you have a bit of a lisp. Once your tongue and muscles get used to your aligners, your speech should return to normal.

What’s the Best Way to Keep My Aligners Clean?

Even though you wear your aligners only for two weeks at a time, you want to make sure they’re clean. Your aligners can get stained and they can harbor bacteria that cause unpleasant odors. To prevent these effects, we highly recommend brushing twice a day and rinsing your mouth out very well after eating or drinking. It isn’t necessary to brush your teeth after every meal. Brushing too soon after meals can degrade tooth enamel due to the softness that occurs when eating. In addition to rinsing out your mouth after eating, also rinse your aligners. When your brush and floss your teeth, you might clean your aligners using an approved cleaning solution. Your dentist can discuss their recommendations when you begin your course of treatment.

What Do I Do if I Lose or Break an Aligner?

It is very important that you alert your dentist about damage to or the loss of any aligner. Depending on where you are in your treatment cycle, they may advise you to transition into your next set of aligners. Conversely, it may be most appropriate to go back to your most recent set of aligners. In some cases, it’s necessary to order a new aligner to stay on track with the treatment plan.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in Invisalign and would like to see if you are a good candidate, call us at (303) 277-9600 to schedule a consultation. Our practice serves Golden, CO and the surrounding areas.

Our Office Would Love to Hear From You!

If you have any questions about the services we offer or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us today at (303) 277-9600