Book Online

Invisalign in Washington, DC

Invisalign

Georgetown Cosmetic Dentistry

Before

Georgetown Cosmetic Dentistry

After

At Georgetown Cosmetic Dentistry, braces, and Invisalign can straighten your teeth and fill gaps. However, there are a few differences when choosing between the two treatments. Braces are a permanent orthodontic solution. While they’re not as discreet as aligners, they provide the most dramatic results. Invisalign can be removed before meals or whenever necessary, making them convenient to maintain. 

Invisalign 

Invisalign, also known as clear aligners, are removable orthodontic appliances designed to gradually shift teeth into the proper position. The virtually invisible design is perfect for adults looking to align their smiles without the look of metal brackets or wires.

These clear plastic trays are designed with a thermoplastic material that fits over your teeth. Each set of trays is worn for about two weeks before moving on to the next set in the series. Gradually, as the aligner is replaced every two weeks, the teeth will move closer to their final positions. 

The Benefits of Invisalign

Since there are no metal parts or brackets, the aligners are much more comfortable than traditional braces. In addition, they are removable and can be taken out to eat and clean your teeth. This also helps straighten teeth faster than conventional braces because you aren’t tempted to eat sticky foods that can get stuck in your braces and make straightening take longer.

The Invisalign treatment process involves taking a series of custom-made, clear aligners called “trays.” Each tray is designed to fit over the teeth and gradually move the teeth into the desired position. Every few weeks, you will switch to the next set of trays in the sequence and continue this process until your teeth are as straight as they can be!

At your initial consultation, we will discuss the entire process with you and answer any questions you may have. We also take impressions to ensure that we fabricate the correct size of trays for you to wear throughout your entire treatment.

Not everyone is comfortable wearing the metal braces often associated with orthodontic treatments. The clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible, so no one needs to know that you are undergoing treatment unless you tell them. This is a massive advantage for teenagers who don’t want anyone to know they are getting orthodontic work.

If you’re curious if an Invisalign treatment is right for you, please contact our office today to schedule your consultation visit with us!

How Do Invisalign Aligners Work?

With the Invisalign method, your doctor will create custom aligners for you to wear every night for a minimum of 22 hours a day. They create a series of plastic trays that fit over the top and bottom teeth and gently apply pressure to shift your teeth into the correct position. The trays are custom-made to fit your mouth and are made from smooth and comfortable BPA-free plastic material that is free of wires or metal brackets. They are also removable, so you can take them out to eat and clean your teeth. Each set is typically worn for around two weeks before you move on to the next one in the series. This method has proven effective for many people with mild to moderate tooth misalignment issues and can even help treat some cases of severe misalignment.

Benefits of Invisalign®

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign® aligners are completely removable and virtually invisible. Aside from being a convenient option for busy professionals, this can also reduce a patient’s risk of experiencing demineralization or decay.

Another benefit of Invisalign® is that they’re custom-made for each set of teeth. This consideration prevents irritation around the sensitive gums and reduces the risk of tooth trauma that could occur due to metal brackets. The smooth plastic of the aligners also prevents abrasions on the cheeks that can cause soreness. This can be especially helpful when it comes to patients who are dealing with anxiety about their treatment.

Braces

Today’s metal brackets are much smaller, more comfortable, and less noticeable than in the past. During treatment, you will visit our office every four to six weeks. At these appointments, we assess your progress and adjust your appliance. Treatment time varies based on your specific needs and the complexity of your case. Most patients can achieve their ideal smile within 18 months with braces. 

The Benefits of Braces

Braces are a versatile orthodontic option that can help correct a wide variety of smile concerns, including crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, and misaligned bites. When compared to Invisalign aligners, braces offer several other benefits as well. For instance, while patients with Invisalign experience little to no discomfort during their treatments, metal braces come with some slight pain at the beginning of each appointment as they adjust to changes in pressure. However, this discomfort usually subsides within a matter of days, making braces an excellent option for patients who aren’t too sensitive to pain. Additionally, braces are a more cost-effective orthodontic treatment option than Invisalign. 

The teeth straightening process is relatively simple, but it does require a series of steps and appointments that are designed to gradually move your teeth into alignment over time. Your first step is an initial consultation where we can review your orthodontic history and determine if Invisalign is the best treatment for your needs. Then we’ll take X-rays, pictures, and digital scans of your mouth to create a 3D rendering of your smile. Using these images, our dentist will map out a precise treatment plan just for you. This map outlines the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of the treatment. We’ll use this information to custom-make a set of clear aligners for you to wear as you go through each step of your treatment process. Each set of aligners corresponds with one of your stages of treatment. Every two weeks, you will wear a new set of aligners until you’ve gone through the entire plan of treatment.

If you need to straighten your teeth before a big event that can be spoiled by crooked teeth, then Invisalign is the better choice. It’s also a great option for teens who don’t want to wear traditional metal braces during their formative years.

An adult with mild to moderately severe misalignment may also choose Invisalign over metal braces. No matter which option you choose, we will make sure you still get the beautiful smile of dreams!

The aligners are made from a clear plastic material, so they’re hardly visible to other people when you’re wearing them. In fact, people may not even notice you’re wearing them at all!

The entire process typically takes nine to fifteen months to complete. But the treatment time depends on the severity of your condition.

Patients should be wearing their aligners for at least 22 hours a day for the best results. If patients are not doing so, they may not see optimal results with their treatment. However, it’s up to the patient to decide how much they want to wear their aligners and how often they change them out. Your dentist or orthodontist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your aligners to achieve the best results.


When you are wearing your aligners, they should only be removed to eat and drink anything other than water. Water will not affect the cleanliness of your aligners, so you do not need to remove them to drink them. However, you need to be careful when drinking hot beverages such as coffee or soup while wearing your aligners, as these can warp the plastic. In addition, acidic foods and drinks can also damage the clear material, so be sure to avoid citrus foods and juices that may temporarily stain the material. Hard candies should be avoided as well, as they can cause small chips in the plastic. If your aligner is damaged, do not wear it until it is repaired.

Invisalign is a discreet orthodontic solution that corrects a wide variety of dental issues. It can be used to correct crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

The cost of Invisalign treatment varies from patient to patient and is based on the complexity of your treatment plan. The exact cost will be determined at your consultation appointment once our dentist has reviewed your x-rays and your smile goals. We offer flexible financing options for qualified patients to make Invisalign more affordable.

Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic; they cause less irritation to your gums than traditional metal braces. They also make oral hygiene much easier and are removable for cleanings. In addition, you can remove them for special occasions where you don’t want to wear them, such as weddings or business meetings. However, you’ll still want to wear your aligners as much as possible to ensure the best results possible from this treatment.

Invisalign is a virtually invisible form of treatment that straightens the teeth using a series of custom-made, clear aligners instead of brackets and wires. The aligners are comfortable and do not cause irritation to the gums like traditional braces often do. Invisalign also requires fewer visits to the dentist’s office than traditional braces. Patients wear their aligners for two weeks before switching to the next set of aligners in their treatment plan. Over time, the aligners will gradually move your teeth into the desired position. When patients complete their treatment plan, they will have a straighter smile they can feel confident about.

Do not chew gum with Invisalign while you are wearing your aligners. The gum could stick to your teeth and either pull them off the tray or scratch its surface.

Get in touch with Georgetown Cosmetic Dentistry at 2440 M Street, NW, Suite 328, Washington, DC 20037, or call (202) 785-4141 for the best dental care.

When it comes to achieving a flawless smile, look no further than the expertise of our best cosmetic dentist in Washington, DC. Whether you desire veneers for a complete smile makeover or need professional assistance to fix a broken, chipped, or dark tooth, our skilled team is dedicated to providing exceptional results. With years of experience and advanced techniques, we understand that each patient's needs are unique. Trust us to transform your smile into one that exudes confidence and radiance - call us at (202) 785-4141 and schedule an appointment today!

Location

2440 M Street, NW, Suite 328,
Washington, DC 20037

Office Hours

MON - THU8:00 am - 4:00 pm

FRIBy appointments only

SAT - SUNClosed

.