Invisalign For A Healthier, Straighter Smile

Explore The Clear Alternative To Traditional Braces

If you’re not happy with your smile because of crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth, Dr. Young Kim is here to help with Invisalign in Centreville, VA. With Invisalign, you can straighten your smile, correct bite issues, and feel more confident in your appearance – all without the discomfort, appearance, and long treatment time of traditional metal braces.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign works similarly to traditional braces. It’s designed to move your teeth slowly over time. But instead of using brackets and wires, Inisalign uses multiple sets of clear plastic “aligners” or “trays.” These look similar to a retainer and are made of very smooth, thin, and strong plastic.

Each set of aligners is designed to be worn for 22 hours per day, and to shift your teeth by about 0.25mm over a two-week period. Then, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners, and this process will repeat.

Most patients need between 20-24 sets of aligners to straighten their smiles, which means treatment takes about 12 months. However, this depends on your specific orthodontic needs, so your treatment time at Lumena Dentistry may vary.

Why Should I Choose Invisalign?

• Nearly invisible – Unlike braces, Invisalign trays are almost completely invisible when worn. They are made of extremely thin, transparent plastic and fit over your teeth perfectly. Unless someone looks really closely, they won’t even be able to tell that you’re straightening your smile with Invisalign.
• Super convenient – You can take your aligners out to eat and drink, which means there are absolutely no dietary restrictions. You can eat whatever you want! And because you’ll also take your Invisalign trays out to brush and floss, maintaining good oral hygiene is easy, too.
  
• Enhanced comfort – Compared to braces, Invisalign is much more comfortable. You may still feel some discomfort as your teeth move, but Invisalign has no sharp metal pieces that could poke your cheeks, tongue, lips, or any other part of your mouth.
  
• Excellent results – You’ll love how your new smile looks after Invisalign treatment. Not only that, but straight teeth and a healthy bite also reduce your risk of oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, premature tooth wear, and even things like TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).

Understanding The Invisalign Treatment Process

Orthodontic consultation

Before you can get Invisalign, you’ll need to meet with Dr. Young Kim for an orthodontic assessment. He will perform an oral exam and make sure you’re a good candidate for treatment. Most patients with minor-to-moderate orthodontic issues qualify for Invisalign. However, more severe bite and tooth alignment problems may require treatment with a specialist.

Initial scans and treatment planning

Once you’re approved, Dr. Kim will take a digital scan of your teeth, smile photos, and a 3D jaw x-ray. Then, he will work with Invisalign to create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs. Once your plan is finished, Invisalign will begin manufacturing your aligners.

Picking up your first aligner set

In about 4-6 weeks, you’ll come back to Lumena Dentistry to pick up your aligners. Dr. Kim will give you instructions on how to wear them and how to care for your teeth. You will need to wear your aligners for 22 hours per day to keep your treatment on track. You’ll switch to a new set every 2 weeks as instructed by Dr. Kim.

Continued aligner wear and checkups

As you continue to wear your aligners, you’ll notice your teeth starting to move, often within just a month or two. About every 6-8 weeks, you will need to come in for a quick checkup with Dr. Kim at Lumena Dentistry. He will check your progress and make sure everything is on track. Each visit usually only takes about 30 minutes.

Virtual monitoring

Invisalign Virtual Monitoring is a modern and flexible solution that allows patients to continue their orthodontic treatment remotely, without needing frequent in-office visits. Using a secure app and smartphone camera, patients can send regular photos of their teeth to Dr. Kim, who then tracks progress and makes necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

This is a great option for patients who may not be able to visit the office regularly due to long travel distances, a demanding school schedule, or other commitments. Virtual Monitoring helps ensure that treatment stays on track while saving time and reducing the need for in-person appointments. It's a convenient, efficient, and patient-friendly way to keep your smile progressing smoothly.

Final visits and retainers

You’ll continue wearing your aligners and coming into our office for checkups until your teeth have reached their final positions in your mouth. Once your Invisalign treatment is over, Dr. Kim will give you a set of custom retainers that you’ll need to wear in order to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Make sure to follow his instructions to keep your new smile looking perfect!

Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation With Dr. Kim Today

Whether you’re self-conscious about your smile or you’d like to improve your oral health, Invisalign in Centreville, VA, from Dr. Young Kim may be the right choice for you! To find out, you can give us a call or book an orthodontic consultation online.

During your visit, Dr. Kim will determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, dive deeper into the treatment process, discuss expected costs, and more. So don’t wait. If you’d like to straighten your teeth without braces, Dr. Kim and the team at Lumena Dentistry are here to help!

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