Germantown & Collierville Invisalign®
Our Popular Alternative to Braces
With Invisalign from Saddle Creek Orthodontics, teens and adults all around Memphis can reach a straight smile without anyone noticing the treatment. This is our most popular alternative to traditional braces, and you can get the same beautiful results but without any brackets, metal, and wires.
Low-Key Treatment
Are you interested in Invisalign? You should be!
Like many people living around Memphis, you may want to straighten your smile, but you’re not in love with the thought of sporting traditional metal braces. Invisalign’s easy and subtle treatment works great for adults who want to skip the look of metal braces and teens who want to continue living actively.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made plastic aligners to straighten smiles. We design these removable aligners by generating a precise 3D image of your teeth using X-rays and digital impressions.
If you wear the aligners 20-22 hours per day (as Dr. Kyle Fagala and Dr. John Boling recommend) and change them out weekly with the next in the set, you’ll see your teeth gradually align.
All About Aligners
Although the aligners look like simple plastic trays, they’re made from a special thermoplastic resin that’s strong enough to move your teeth into alignment. If you wear them as directed, clear aligners work as powerfully as traditional braces to successfully many common dental issues.
Looking at a single Invisalign aligner, you may wonder how something so simple could create such a huge impact. However, the system actually relies on a sequence of several custom-made aligners switched out weekly to move your teeth into the positions you want.
Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners don’t rely on a system of metal or ceramic brackets and wires. Invisalign comes as a series of customized, clear trays called aligners that look nearly invisible and are totally removable.
The thin, plastic tray looks almost invisible on your teeth, and it gives you the freedom to keep your treatment to yourself or share it with the world.
You’ll wear your trays for approximately 22 hours a day, but you can remove them for brushing your teeth and eating. Based on your individual prognosis, you’ll wear several sets of trays throughout your orthodontic treatment, and you’ll start to notice a change in only a few months.
This nearly invisible option for teeth straightening is truly changing the way people view orthodontic treatment, and we’re thrilled to offer this technology to our braces patients around Memphis, Germantown and Collierville.
Dr. Kyle and Dr. John have a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign—Dr. Kyle even went through Invisalign treatment himself!
How It Works
How do clear aligners straighten your smile? The flex of the resilient plastic sitting over your teeth generates the force needed to move your teeth. Since each tray can only move teeth a set amount at a set speed, the further your teeth need to move, the more aligners you’ll need.
Think about it this way: your teeth start in position 0. Your first aligner will move you to position 1. Your second aligner will move you to position 2, the third to position 3, and so on.
You’ll repeat this process until your teeth move where Dr. Kyle or Dr. John predetermines.
Invisalign works best for mild to moderate orthodontic problems, so it may not fit your orthodontic case or lifestyle. Schedule your free consultation with Saddle Creek Orthodontics to find out if aligners are right for you, but keep reading to understand the basic process.
Step
Come to a Free Smile Assessment
At your first consultation (no cost for new patients!) Dr. Kyle or Dr. John will talk with you about your needs and evaluate which treatment is right for you.
If we determine that Invisalign is the right treatment choice for you, we’ll begin designing aligners just for your smile!
Step
Scan & Plan
We’ll take detailed impressions of your mouth using our incredible iTero Element scanner. This works by scanning each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth.
In about 15 minutes or less, it gives us a detailed 3D picture of your mouth. Then, Dr. Kyle or Dr. John maps out a precise treatment plan that includes the exact movements of your teeth and how long your treatment should last.
You’ll look at your images together, and you’ll be able to see how your teeth will move. This will even show you a preview of your new smile!
Step
Wear Your Aligners
Next, Invisalign creates your custom aligners. They make your aligners out of their special SmartTrack® material.
The see-through trays are virtually invisible — a huge plus to image-conscious patients who want a less noticeable treatment option. In fact, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
The plastic trays fit comfortably, and that’s a good thing since the best treatment and results depend on wearing them for 20-22 hours every day. Usually, patients wear 10 to 48 aligners, with the total treatment time averaging between 5 and 15 months.
Step
Start Smiling
As you progress through each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually shift into new, attractive positions. We normally recommend wearing a new set of aligners every week and scheduling check-ups with our Germantown or Collierville office every six weeks or so.
You’ll see how your smile is progressing at each stage! During your first free consultation, Dr. Kyle or Dr. John will explain in great detail how he expects your clear aligners to work in your individual case.
Who Can Get Invisalign?
Clear aligners work well for teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. However, severe or complex cases may require a different approach.
Dr. Kyle or Dr. John can determine if aligners fit your specific case after your first free consultation at Saddle Creek Orthodontics.
Awesome for Adults
We’ve seen the number of Memphis adults seeking orthodontic treatment skyrocket in the past few years. In fact, about 25% of all current orthodontic patients are over the age of 18! Why is that, though?
Oral Health
As we age, we often realize the connection between our oral health and our overall health. Misaligned teeth make it harder to brush and floss effectively. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Oral issues can also cause aches and pains in your jaw, head, neck, and shoulders. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, know that orthodontic treatment can have a positive impact on your entire body.
Restarts & Relapses
Many adults began braces when they were younger but didn't finish their treatment plans. Others finished but didn't wear their retainers, so their teeth moved back.
As an adult, you might want to finish the treatment you started or do it all over again.
First-Timers
For other people, this may be the first time they’ve had the chance to correct their orthodontic issues or to reach the kind of straight and healthy smile they’ve always wanted.
Whatever the reason for seeking orthodontic treatment later in life, know it’s never too late to change a smile you don’t love!
Benefits for Adults
Many adults put off orthodontic treatment because they’re not sure traditional braces are a good fit for their lifestyle. What benefits do adults get from clear aligners?
See-Through
The most obvious benefit is the invisibility factor. While the clear trays aren’t actually invisible, it’s important to many of our adult patients to complete orthodontic treatment discretely.
Clear aligners let you do you without making you feel self-conscious about your decision to invest in orthodontics. This treatment type gives you an ideal solution: straighten your teeth in a reasonable amount of time with only a minimal impact on your life.
Removable
Food restrictions can be one of the biggest learning curves that come with traditional braces. Even though the payoff is well worth it in the end, it can feel frustrating to skip some of your favorite foods along the way.
Aligners let you remove your treatment every time you want to eat or drink anything other than water. Having the freedom to eat anything can make the journey towards a straighter smile less stressful!
Oral Hygiene
It’s also easier to maintain an excellent dental hygiene routine while you’re undergoing clear aligner treatment.
Braces can trap food debris and bacteria, making brushing and flossing a bit tricky, especially in the early stages of treatment. However, you can remove your trays before you brush and floss, so it’s easy to keep your teeth free of harmful bacteria and plaque.
Comfort
Metal braces have a few different parts that can sometimes cause discomfort. Brackets and wires may slip or shift, poking into the sensitive tissue of your cheeks, gums, and mouth. This can cause soreness and irritation.
Aligner trays are made of smooth plastic and custom-fit your teeth comfortably. That’s important because you need to wear the trays 20-22 hours daily to actually work the right way.
Fewer Dental Visits
Adult life can sometimes feel like one commitment after another. You’re going to meetings, school events, sports practices, and orthodontist appointments can feel like just one more thing to pencil in!
Because you don’t typically need adjustments with aligners, you’ll enjoy fewer checkups, and these appointments don’t normally last as long. As long as you’re switching out your aligners according to the schedule from Dr. Kyle or Dr. John, your teeth should straighten on track without spending too much extra time in our office.
We like to stay on top of your progress, and you may need a mid-course correction, so you’ll still need to see Dr. Kyle or Dr. John regularly. However, they’re not as frequent as appointments for braces.
Ideal for Teens
At Saddle Creek Orthodontics, we understand that starting the journey toward straighter teeth creates an exciting but daunting experience for teens. That’s why we offer Invisalign treatment to your teenager, too.
The clear plastic trays look almost invisible, letting your teen participate in all their normal activities without the barrier that traditional braces might present. Whether you're a musician, athlete, thespian, class president, or anything else, clear aligners won’t hinder your lifestyle.
Dr. Kyle and Dr. John believe that teenagers around Germantown and Collierville should be able to enjoy the activities they love while feeling confident and comfortable. Whether your child needs orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth, uneven spacing, or bite issues, it’s our goal to help your teen get the perfect smile they want while creating lasting memories.
Keeps Pace With Your Busy Schedule
Invisalign for teens helps busy parents because you’ll never need to set up emergency appointments from broken wires or brackets. Clear aligner treatment often requires fewer appointments (than traditional metal braces) because you get your Invisalign aligners in advance, and each visit requires less time in our chair.
Dr. Kyle and Dr. John normally see our teen aligner patients about once every eight weeks, during a total treatment time that can range between nine and fifteen months.
Great for Active Teens
Aligners are ideal treatment choice for a teen who’s active in sports, plays certain types of instruments, loves crunchy snacks like apples and popcorn, or feels concerned about flashing metal braces at homecoming or in their yearbook photo.
Teens should participate in the activities they love while feeling confident attending social events and making lasting memories. With clear, comfortable, clear aligner technology, teens can keep being themselves and love their smiles even more.
Doesn't Cost More Than Braces
Every teen’s needs are different, and many factors will determine the cost of treatment. Generally, Invisalign costs about the same as traditional braces and is covered by most dental insurance plans.
Talk to us about our available SCO financing options to help make aligners even more affordable for your family.
Talk to Us About Invisalign
Clear aligners work great for people looking for subtle but powerful treatment, and Dr. Kyle and Dr. John can advise you about the treatment options that fit best with your teeth, bite and lifestyle.
To learn if Invisalign is right for you, schedule your free consultation at our office in Germantown or Collierville today.