Invisalign Clear Aligners in Moses Lake, WA
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that straightens teeth using a series of custom clear plastic trays instead of metal brackets and wires. Each tray in the series is worn for approximately one to two weeks before you move to the next one, and over time the sequence of trays moves your teeth into their target positions.
Dr. Nick Smith, DDS, offers Invisalign treatment at Moses Lake Family Dentistry. His continuing education includes focused training in clear aligner therapy and minor orthodontics. If you have been thinking about straightening your teeth but want to avoid the look of metal braces, Invisalign is worth understanding in detail before making a decision.
Call 509-765-4351 to schedule an Invisalign consultation. Dr. Smith examines your teeth and bite and tells you directly whether your case is a good fit for clear aligner treatment.
Call 509-765-4351. Dr. Smith evaluates your case and tells you what treatment would involve and what it would cost. No obligation at the consultation.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign treatment starts with a comprehensive orthodontic exam. Dr. Smith takes X-rays, photographs, and impressions or digital scans of your teeth. This information goes to the Invisalign lab, which uses it to model a digital treatment plan showing how your teeth will move through the series of trays.
Dr. Smith reviews the proposed treatment plan and makes any adjustments before your aligners are manufactured. When your trays are ready, you come in to pick them up and receive detailed instructions on how to use them.
You wear each set of trays for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink anything besides water, and to brush and floss. Every one to two weeks you move to the next set of trays in the series. Progress appointments are scheduled every six to eight weeks so Dr. Smith can track how your teeth are moving.
When the final tray is complete, Dr. Smith provides retainers. Retainer wear is what keeps the result stable. Without consistent retainer use, teeth will gradually drift back.
What Invisalign Can Treat
Invisalign is effective for a meaningful range of alignment and bite issues, though it is not appropriate for every orthodontic situation.
- Mild to moderate crowding of the front or back teeth
- Spacing and gaps between teeth
- Mild overbite or overjet (upper teeth extending too far forward)
- Mild underbite
- Mild crossbite on one or a few teeth
- Open bite where the upper and lower front teeth do not contact
Invisalign has real limitations. Significant bite correction, severe crowding, rotations of round teeth like canines, and cases requiring tooth movement in all three dimensions often respond better to traditional braces. Compliance is also a factor. Because Invisalign trays are removable, the system depends on the patient wearing them the required 20 to 22 hours daily. Patients who frequently remove trays for extended periods will not get the expected result on the expected timeline.
Dr. Smith tells you at the consultation whether your case is a strong candidate for Invisalign or whether braces would be more appropriate. He does not fit patients into Invisalign if a better option exists for their situation.
The Invisalign Process at Moses Lake Family Dentistry
Orthodontic Consultation
Dr. Smith reviews your dental and medical history, examines your teeth, and takes X-rays. He assesses your bite relationship, the severity of any crowding or spacing, and whether your gums are healthy enough to begin treatment. If any health issues are present, those are addressed before orthodontics starts.
Records and Treatment Planning
Impressions or digital scans of your teeth are taken and submitted to Invisalign. The lab generates a digital treatment simulation showing the planned movement of your teeth through the aligner series. Dr. Smith reviews this and confirms or adjusts the plan before approving fabrication.
Attachments and Starting Treatment
Many Invisalign cases require small tooth-colored resin attachments bonded to specific teeth. These give the aligners something to push against to achieve certain types of movement that the tray alone cannot accomplish. Attachments are removed at the end of treatment. When your first trays arrive, Dr. Smith seats the attachments if needed and shows you how to insert and remove the trays.
Progress Appointments
Appointments every six to eight weeks allow Dr. Smith to check that your teeth are tracking correctly with the aligner plan. If movement is lagging, he addresses it before it compounds. Between appointments, you manage your own tray changes at home, moving to a new set on the schedule he prescribes.
Refinements and Retention
Appointments every six to eight weeks allow Dr. Smith to check that your teeth are tracking correctly with the aligner plan. If movement is lagging, he addresses it before it compounds. Between appointments, you manage your own tray changes at home, moving to a new set on the schedule he prescribes.
Living With Invisalign
Most patients find Invisalign easier to adapt to than they expected. The main adjustments are the discipline of wearing the trays for 20 to 22 hours daily, removing them before eating and drinking anything besides water, cleaning them regularly, and keeping them safe when not in your mouth.
Eating with Invisalign is unrestricted once the trays are out. There are no foods to avoid the way there are with braces. If you have attachments, some foods like hard pretzels may apply pressure to them, so some care is useful, but there are no formal dietary restrictions.
Cleaning the trays daily with a soft brush and lukewarm water keeps them clear and prevents bacterial buildup. Soaking them in a Invisalign-recommended cleaning solution for 15 minutes daily is optional but useful for patients who want a deeper clean.
Speech usually adapts within a few days. The initial lisp that some patients notice when they first start wearing new trays typically resolves quickly as the tongue adjusts.
Invisalign for Teens
Invisalign produces trays appropriate for teenagers as well as adults. Teen compliance is a real consideration. Because the trays are removable, the treatment relies on the patient actually wearing them. For teens who are motivated and understand the requirement, Invisalign works well. For teens who are likely to leave the trays out frequently, traditional braces may produce a more reliable result.
Dr. Smith discusses this candidly with both parent and teen at the consultation. He does not push one system over another for commercial reasons.
Cost and Insurance
The cost of Invisalign at Moses Lake Family Dentistry depends on the complexity of the case and the number of trays needed. More complex cases with longer treatment timelines cost more than simple alignment corrections. Dr. Smith provides an estimated cost range after evaluating your teeth at the consultation.
Some dental insurance plans include an orthodontic lifetime benefit that can be applied to Invisalign. Delta Dental coverage varies by specific plan. Our team checks your benefits before treatment begins. Cherry financing is available to help break the total cost into manageable monthly payments. Diane, our financial coordinator, answers any cost and insurance questions at your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
How long does Invisalign take?
Treatment time varies based on the complexity of the case. Mild alignment corrections may be complete in 6 to 12 months. Moderate cases typically run 12 to 18 months. More complex situations can take longer. Dr. Smith gives you a realistic estimated timeline at your consultation based on the digital treatment plan.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Mild pressure and soreness are normal for two to three days when you switch to a new tray. This is the tooth movement working. It is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and fades quickly. The aligners themselves have smooth edges and do not cause the bracket and wire irritation that traditional braces sometimes produce.
Can I remove my Invisalign trays whenever I want?
The trays are removable, but the treatment requires 20 to 22 hours of daily wear to stay on schedule. You should remove them to eat, drink anything besides water, brush, and floss. Extended periods without the trays slow the movement and can extend your total treatment time. Patients who consistently undershoot the wear time requirement get slower results.
Will Invisalign affect my speech?
Many patients notice a slight lisp when they first put in a new set of trays, particularly thinner ones. Most find this resolves within a few days as the tongue learns to position around the tray material. If speech changes persist beyond the first week of a new tray, let Dr. Smith know.
What happens if I lose or break a tray?
Call our office at 509-765-4351. Depending on where you are in the treatment sequence, Dr. Smith will advise whether to wear the previous tray while a replacement is ordered, or to move ahead to the next tray. Do not go without wearing any tray for an extended period as teeth will begin to drift back.
Can I whiten my teeth during Invisalign treatment?
Whitening during Invisalign treatment is generally possible and some patients find it convenient. However, whitening should be complete and the teeth allowed to stabilize before any final cosmetic work like veneers or bonding is done. Dr. Smith helps you plan the right sequence if both Invisalign and cosmetic work are in your future.
Call 509-765-4351 to schedule your Invisalign consultation at Moses Lake Family Dentistry. Dr. Smith evaluates your case and gives you a clear picture of what treatment would involve and cost.