The road to a straight smile is no longer paved with clunky metal contraptions and roadblocks like budget hits and lifestyle changes. While traditional metal braces are now smaller and more comfortable to wear thanks to cutting-edge technology, they are not the only orthodontic treatment option on the market to achieve the smile of your dreams. And the best news, getting the latest options won’t break the bank, either!
For some patients, metal brackets and wires just aren’t the right choice. Thankfully, Dr. Clauss at Clauss Orthodontics has provided Invisalign treatments for over a decade. When you want a straighter smile but know that conventional metal or ceramic braces aren’t for you, Invisalign is an excellent option.
Imagine a clear bleaching tray or orthodontic retainer that looks like a translucent, thin representation of your unique smile. When it’s over your teeth, you don’t even see it in the mirror. That’s what an Invisalign aligner looks like.
If this sounds like your solution, make sure you keep reading to find some clarity on the facts and fiction around Invisalign and reach out to get started on your journey to a delightful smile!
The Facts
Aligners like Invisalign have been around since the nineties and earlier versions, called trays, date back decades to when patients used them for post braces retainers. But the unique software and Smart Track technology created by Invisalign is able to move crooked and misaligned teeth in stages using a series of customized aligners. Each retainer is worn for about one to two weeks, and then you will swap to the next aligner in your series. This constant but slight change allows for precise adjustments based on your customized treatment plan.
Invisalign was used initially to correct simple spacing concerns and crowding but it’s proven to be capable of so much more from overbites to crossbites and then some. The key is to determine the severity of the issues you are needing to adjust and work with your orthodontist to determine if this is the right treatment plan for you. Invisalign is an excellent choice at any age so whether you want to avoid having braces in your yearbook photo or feel you’re too old to sport metal brackets and wire, ask our expert team at Clauss Orthodontics if this treatment is right for you!
One of the most noted facts about Invisalign is seeing the changes in your smile quickly and clearly since there are no brackets and wires to hide it all while it happens. Due to the cutting-edge technology and the weekly to biweekly series of aligners that make constant minor adjustments, you will begin to notice significant changes in your smile within about three months. And while we are talking about the timeline and facts of Invisalign, another benefit of the removable aligner system is that you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, or even for a photo. The clear braces snap right over your teeth in a way that’s hardly noticeable to other people. They do need to be worn for approximately 22 hours a day to be most effective, but you won’t get that flexibility with traditional braces.
Our entire team here at Clauss Orthodontics is passionate about creating a lifelong smile for you and your family, so now that we’ve gotten some facts ironed out, let’s take a look at some of the fiction floating around about Invisalign. 
Not So Factual
“Advanced” – “New” – Words like this can quickly make you feel like the possibility of straight teeth, and your perfect smile might be out of reach where the cost is concerned. That can’t be further from fact at this point. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised to find out that, in most cases, Invisalign can cost the same or close to the amount you’d pay for traditional metal braces. Often, insurance will even cover much of the cost the same they would for those conventional braces. Our team is also committed to making the insurance process as easy as possible, so we will take care of your insurance coverage research and help you complete the required forms and documents once treatment begins.
Somewhere along the lines, the myth that you are limited to what you can eat while using the Invisalign system started circulating. That can’t be further from factual. It’s common knowledge that you should avoid chewy, sticky, and crunchy foods with traditional braces, or you run the risk of breaking something or food getting stuck in complicated places. But with Invisalign clear aligners, you just take them out before you eat or drink anything with color or sugar, but nothing is off the table. Just remember to clean your teeth before putting them back in to avoid staining the retainer or having food trapped between the retainer and your teeth.
The last common myth about using Invisalign clear aligners for orthodontic treatment is remembering to wear the trays regularly. While this may seem like it would be a lot to remember, it’s not much different than wearing contact lenses. Between the Invisalign technology itself and our custom treatment plan, you’ll quickly get into the habit of wearing your retainers to your healthiest and straightest smile. 
Fact beats Fiction, and the choice is clear with Invisalign and Clauss Orthodontics
Invisalign is an ideal choice for people who are active in sports, who play certain instruments, who love crunchy snacks like apples and popcorn, or who are just concerned about the aesthetics of metal braces.
Each patient’s needs are different, and there are many factors to consider when deciding if Invisalign is the proper treatment plan for you. Our experienced team at Clauss Orthodontics in Watertown and Woodbury knows that an informed patient is more likely to participate in their treatment. If you have any more questions or wonder if you may be a good fit for Invisalign treatment, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Clauss to start your smile journey.