Invisalign. Is it for you?
Invisalign. Is it for you?
Have you been told you're not a candidate for invisible liners? Ask Dr. Jeff.
First things first – what is Invisalign? Chances are you’ve heard about Invisalign from a friend or saw something about it on social media. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, customized aligners to straighten your teeth and align your bite. Invisalign aligners are removable so you can easily brush and floss, enjoy all your favorite foods, stay active with the activities you love, and continue to smile with your life uninterrupted.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign uses the latest 3D computer imaging technology to create a virtual model of your mouth. In simpler terms, we use a really cool machine to take pictures of your mouth and create a digital version of your bite. Your doctor then “virtually straightens your teeth” on the computer and a series of clear aligners are made to move your teeth little by little to their final position. Each aligner is worn for about a week before progressing to the next aligner until treatment is finished.
Does It Matter Where I
Get Invisalign? Yes!
While Invisalign is the name brand behind the process, the most important factor is the skill and expertise of the doctor overseeing your treatment. What this means is that Invisalign treatment and the overall final results are drastically different from provider to provider—not everyone produces the same result. For example, how your teeth are actually positioned is determined by your provider—not by Invisalign. How your teeth are designed to actually move in the aligners is also determined by your provider—not by Invisalign. And most importantly, whether or not you are actually an “Invisalign candidate” is determined by each provider—not by Invisalign.
Think about going on a vacation. When you start to plan a vacation, arguably the most important factor is where you actually want to go –what is the final destination. With Invisalign treatment, a patient starts at the same starting point regardless of the provider, but that’s where the similarities end. Once the bite is digitized and uploaded to the computer, the differences between providers start to take over. Each provider will use his or her skill and knowledge of dental occlusion (how the teeth and jaws fit together) to create a final “destination” for your teeth. This “final tooth positioning” varies greatly from provider to provider depending on their experience and knowledge of orthodontics and facial esthetics. With Invisalign, each provider will take to you a different smile “destination” based on how they digitally position your teeth and bite.
Now that the final destination/position of your teeth is determined by your provider, we now need to decide how the teeth will actually move to this position.
This is where the knowledge of biomechanics and moving teeth with clear aligners is critical. Teeth move when a force is applied to them. The size and direction of these forces are created and determined by your provider and built into each aligner. Incorrect forces will result in non-ideal tooth movements and less-than-ideal results. Your provider not only designs how your teeth are to be positioned and moved, they must also anticipate how your teeth and jaws will respond during the course of treatment and make the necessary adjustments.
Invisalign Treatment
Dr. Jeff's Patient
Beautiful Smile!
Lastly, whether or not you are actually an “Invisalign candidate” is determined by each provider—not by Invisalign. Invisalign expertise is gained through experience and a prolonged dedication and commitment to learning and mastering the biomechanics of moving teeth with clear aligners. Each Invisalign provider possesses a different skillset, knowledge, expertise, and overall ability to treat with Invisalign. While many dentists and orthodontists may offer Invisalign services, they all do so in different capacities and each provider produces different results. Think about getting a painting of yourself – every painter uses the same tools (brush, paint, and canvas) to paint the picture, but the skill and experience of the painter ultimately determines the end result.
Dr. Jeff Lenius is an Elite Invisalign provider – among the top 5% of orthodontists in the United States who have treated the highest number of patients using Invisalign.
Leonardo Di Vinci would paint a much better portrait than Greg from poker club (and also charge significantly more for it). Same paint…Different skill and experience… Dramatically different results. It is the same with Invisalign – all Invisalign providers use the same Invisalign tool, but the treatment quality and outcome are ultimately determined by the knowledge and experience of the provider – how they use the tools. Because of this, many orthodontists and dentists avoid recommending Invisalign as an option, or cut corners on esthetic and functional goals to make Invisalign less complicated for them to use.
As an Elite Invisalign provider, Dr. Jeff Lenius is among the top 5% of orthodontists in the United States who have treated the highest number of patients. Because of his experience, he is able to treat even the most complex orthodontic cases, having personally treated over 800 patients with Invisalign. You’ve come to the right place!
