Invisalign before and after

Clear Aligner (Invisalign) Treatment

The number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment has skyrocketed over the past decade. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in three orthodontic patients is now an adult.

The widespread adoption of clear aligner treatments, like Invisalign, has played a significant role in motivating individuals to correct their crooked teeth. Many adult patients had some exposure to orthodontic treatment during their teenage years.

We frequently hear patients say, “I lost my retainer,” or “The bar behind my front teeth broke, and now my lower teeth have shifted. How can I fix it?”

Additionally, many parents are now considering clear aligner treatment for their teens and younger children.

This trend has significantly boosted the popularity and utility of clear aligner treatments. Notably, many patients commonly refer to clear aligner treatment as “Invisalign or Invisalign clear aligners” similar to how people use brand names like Tide for detergent or Kleenex for tissues. It’s important to remember that Invisalign is a specific brand of clear aligners, but the term has become synonymous with the treatment itself.

Adult Orthodontic Treatment 

Adults are primarily interested in clear aligner therapy. When asked why, most express concerns about aesthetics, and many simply prefer to avoid traditional metal braces.

Clear aligner treatment can effectively address various orthodontic issues, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, lower front teeth crowding, spacing, open bite, and deep bite.

In addition to these orthodontic concerns, some adult patients seek treatment to close a diastema (gap between the front teeth) or to optimize spacing for veneers as part of a new smile makeover.

Orthodontists typically provide multiple treatment options for these conditions. However, it’s important to note that clear aligners may be less effective for certain issues. For optimal results, you may need to wear elastics in conjunction with your Invisalign aligners.

Children Orthodontic treatment

Clear aligners can serve as an alternative to metal braces for both teens and younger children.

Teen orthodontic treatment is typically initiated once all the adult teeth have erupted. In contrast, braces for younger children are often placed on the upper front teeth and may be combined with a maxillary palatal expander.

For both teens and younger children orthodontic treatment, clear aligners can be used instead of traditional braces. Companies like Align offer specialized products, such as Invisalign Teen and Invisalign First, designed to cater to the unique needs of these age groups. While the core aligner treatment remains largely the same, some of these products include additional technical features – a less important factor compared to the expertise of the orthodontist.

Invisalign Treatment 

People often refer to clear aligner treatment as “Invisalign treatment.” Invisalign was the first CAD/CAM-manufactured aligner system introduced over 20 years ago. However, much has changed since then, and today, there are numerous clear aligner brands available on the market.

The success of aligner treatment largely depends on the expertise of the orthodontist or dentist who administers it. These professionals use clear aligners as a tool to straighten teeth or correct bite issues.

Companies like Align Technology have popularized terms like “Invisalign doctors” and “Invisalign patients” to strengthen their brand identity. Any dentist or orthodontist who completes training through the My Invisalign platform becomes an Invisalign provider or Invisalign doctor.

Orthodontic treatment is one of the few dental services where you can often seek a free consultation.

Many orthodontists now also offer virtual consultations. During these consultations, it’s important to ask about your treatment options, the expected duration, and the costs associated with aligner or Invisalign treatment.

Fixing Overbite with Aligner Treatment 

Adult patients are interested in either straightening their teeth and improving their smile, or fixing their bite and align their teeth. Can you fix your overbite with clear aligners?

the short answer is yes. The layman definition of overbite is slightly different from the orthodontic language. Basically, you can use aligner treatment to fix problems with overbite, overjet, or other bite issues.

Aligner aka Invisalign Journey for straighter smile

Explore more before-and-after pictures of a patient clear aligner journey at Personalized Orthodontics.

Invisible braces an alternative treatments to Invisalign 

Hidden braces (lingual braces) are great alternative to Invisalign. These braces are placed behind your teeth. There are multiple types of lingual braces available SureSmile, Incognito, BRIUS, inBrace, and Eline are a few examples. 

Adult braces

A group of adult orthodontic patients are interested in wearing braces. The main reason behind this is avoiding life challenges with wearing Invisalign. Orthodontic treatment plan for adult teeth is similar for both braces and Invisalign. Lingual braces is an alternative choice of braces that are instead of being in front of the teeth installed behind the teeth.

Types of braces

Various types of adult braces are available. Traditional metal braces as well as self-ligating braces come in different types like clear, ceramic, and traditional braces.

Braces and clear aligners both require a similar treatment time. This is as long as the patient consistently wears the aligners. The braces or aligners might need rubber bands to correct the bite and build a beautiful smile.

Clear braces

A partially invisible treatment option for adults in clear braces. These ceramic braces are an option between ‌traditional metal braces and clear aligners.

At Home braces

Various companies like AlignerCo offers teeth straightening services. These services start with an impression kit sent to your home.

The treatment process start with sending an impression of your teeth. They use plastic aligners to remotely fix your teeth. New aligners are shipped to your house.

Most companies like Smile Direct Club or CandidCo that used to offer at home aligner treatment failed. One of the reasons is lack of office visits and check-ins by the orthodontists.

In-person visit to evalute oral health while teeth aligners working is important. In-office evaluation of your teeth by dental professional help avoid major issues seen in at home services.

Getting braces as an adult

The American Association of Orthodontists reports that more adults are getting braces or Invisalign these days. Invisalign similar to adult braces can fix different dental problems leading to straight teeth and healthy bite. Gum disease (gingivitis) or other dental health problems could be a reason to fix misalignment of teeth and jaws to improve the overall health of patients. In theory, there is not age limit on braces or aligners.

Cost of braces depends on the insurance coverage, complexity of tooth movement, and the provider (DDS vs orthodontist). Dental insurance partially covers the treatment costs including xrays, visits, orthodontic appliances, and more. Teeth whitening is an example of treatment plan that most insurance coverage plans won’t cover.

Most orthodontic offices offer a down payment and monthly payments with no interst. You should be able to use your FSA or HSA to cover part of your treatment. The payment plans often have no interest. Each clinic has its own payment options of check, cash or credit card.

PORTH aligners & Invisalign before & after 

18 months of clear aligners to address sever crowding

Meet Dr. Rooz Khosravi for your aligner treatment

Dr. Rooz Khosravi founded PORTH (Personalized Orthodontics) with a clear mission: to deliver customized orthodontic care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

His goal is simple—crafting perfect smiles for every individual who walks through his doors.

PORTH operates from two state-of-the-art, fully digital clinics located in Sammamish and Bellevue, where Dr. Rooz offers a comprehensive range of orthodontic services, including lingual braces, for patients of all ages.

Orthodontics runs in Dr. Rooz’s blood. As a second-generation dentist, his passion for patient care was ignited early on, spending his childhood in his mother’s dental clinic.

Dr. Rooz received his training at the University of Washington, one of the most respected institutions in the field of orthodontics. He is also an associate professor at the University of Washington, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students. His expertise extends beyond orthodontics; he also holds a master’s degree in oral public health and a PhD in bone biology—a qualifications held by fewer than 1% of orthodontists.

Dr. Rooz is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, underscoring his commitment to the highest standards of excellence. In addition to his clinical work, he conducts research in digital orthodontics and advises various companies on product development in modern orthodontics.

When it comes to aligner treatment, Dr. Rooz is a recognized expert. He lectures internationally on clear aligner therapy and dental 3D printing and serves as the U.S. ambassador to the European Aligner Society. He has also published numerous articles on aligner treatment, contributing significantly to the field.

At PORTH, Dr. Rooz offers a variety of treatment options, ensuring that each patient receives the most appropriate care for their individual needs.

Dr. Rooz provides various treatment options to patients. Read more about a story of adult patient here.

Common questions about aligner treatment