What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign moves your teeth using a series of custom, clear plastic aligners rather than metal brackets and wires. Each aligner in the series is slightly different, applying gentle, controlled pressure that shifts your teeth toward their planned position. You switch to the next aligner in the series on a schedule Dr. Ilyabayev sets for you, and because the aligners are removable, you take them out to eat, brush, and floss.

This removability is one of the biggest everyday differences from traditional braces. There is nothing to avoid eating, since you simply take your aligners out for meals rather than working around brackets and wires. Brushing and flossing stay exactly as they were before treatment, since nothing is permanently bonded to your teeth.

Is Invisalign Right for You?

Invisalign works well for mild to moderate crowding, gaps, and bite issues in teens and adults. It requires discipline, since the aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day to stay on schedule. Invisalign is generally not recommended for children whose jaws are still developing, and severe misalignment or bite problems may still call for traditional braces. Dr. Ilyabayev will evaluate your teeth and bite during a consultation to tell you plainly whether Invisalign is the right fit.

How Invisalign Works

Treatment starts with a digital scan of your teeth, which builds a precise 3D model without the messy putty impressions older methods required. Using treatment-planning software, Dr. Ilyabayev maps out each stage of tooth movement in advance, so you can see roughly how your smile will progress before treatment even begins. Your aligners are then custom-fabricated based on that plan.

Invisalign can address a wide range of issues, including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites, in addition to general misalignment.

What to Expect During Treatment

Most patients wear each aligner in the series for about one to two weeks before switching to the next, with check-up appointments roughly every 6 to 8 weeks so Dr. Ilyabayev can monitor progress. Overall treatment length depends heavily on your case: mild crowding or spacing often resolves in as little as 6 to 9 months, moderate misalignment more typically takes 12 to 15 months, and more complex bite corrections can take 15 to 24 months or more.

Some mild pressure or soreness for a day or two after switching to a new aligner is normal and simply means the aligner is doing its job. Since there are no wires or brackets, most patients find Invisalign considerably more comfortable day-to-day than traditional braces. Once your teeth reach their final position, you’ll wear a retainer, typically at night, to help hold your results in place long-term.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Why Choose Bayside Dental Arts for Invisalign

Dr. Ilyabayev sees your treatment through from your first consultation to your final retainer, so you are working with the same doctor at every stage rather than being passed between providers. Our office maintains an in-house dental lab, which means auxiliary needs that come up during treatment, like a nightguard or a bite adjustment, can often be handled without waiting on an outside lab.

Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Russian, so language is rarely a barrier to getting your questions answered clearly. Because Invisalign is a larger treatment plan, we also offer a free consultation to go over your case, your goals, and your options before you commit to anything. The office is wheelchair accessible, and we accept all major payment types along with PPO insurance and financing through CareCredit, Cherry, Alphaeon, and LendingClub.

Learn More About Invisalign

Frequently Asked Questions