A Guide to Straightening Teeth Comfortably and Conveniently with Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Nobody wants crowded, overlapping, or crooked teeth, but a mouthful of metal isn’t an appealing alternative. At Hindman Family Dentistry in Sioux City, Iowa, we understand you want a healthy, straight smile without the hassle of metal braces. We offer Invisalign® clear aligners — a modern orthodontic treatment that uses transparent, removable, and customized plastic trays to align your teeth. Invisalign can resolve several orthodontic issues, including malocclusion, gapped, and overcrowded teeth.

How does Invisalign work?

Traditional braces use brackets connected by wires to exert continuous pressure on your teeth, gradually shifting them into the desired alignment. Instead of metal wires and brackets, Invisalign uses plastic aligners to apply consistent, gentle force to reposition your teeth incrementally.

The aligners are transparent, so they don’t stick out when you open your mouth. What’s more, Invisalign teeth straighteners are removable, allowing you to take them out when eating and cleaning your teeth. 

What to expect during Invisalign treatment

All treatments start with a consultation with an Invisalign-certified dentist like Dr. Joshua Hindman. During your visit, we scan your teeth using a handheld camera — no room for messy impressions using gooey substances. 

Using these digital scans, the Invisalign software creates a 3D image of your teeth. We use this model and associated simulation capabilities to plan your orthodontic treatment to see precisely how and when your teeth will move throughout the treatment. 

Once aligned with your orthodontic treatment, we send the digital scans of your teeth to an Invisalign lab to fabricate your aligners — this process takes about 2-3 weeks. When your Invisalign aligners are ready, you’ll pick them up from our office as we give instructions on how to wear and maintain them.

It’s critical to wear your aligners as directed by the dentist. Generally, you must wear your aligners for about 20-22 hours daily, including when sleeping. Only remove your aligners when eating or cleaning your teeth. It is recommended to wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next set in the series. Wearing your aligners in the correct order and for the recommended hours ensures your comfort and keeps your treatment on track.

Benefits of Invisalign

What’s not to love about Invisalign? These are some benefits of clear braces.

  • Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so onlookers won’t notice them when undergoing treatment
  • Smooth Invisalign trays are comfortable on your gums and cheeks
  • Faster treatment than traditional braces
  • No food restrictions because you can remove your aligners when eating
  • It doesn’t affect your teeth-cleaning routine

Start your smile transformation today with Invisalign

Imagine the possibility of a straight, healthy smile without using metal braces. With Invisalign, this can be a dream come true. Invisalign uses removable and clear trays to align your smile with comfort, speed, and convenience. If you are ready to transform your smile with Invisalign in Sioux City, IA, call (712) 274-2228 to schedule an appointment with Hindman Family Dentistry.