Invisalign

Invisalign® treatment provides a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. At Proud to Smile Dentistry in Bernardsville, New Jersey, Patricia Swaintek-Lamb, DMD, Karima West, RDH, and the team regularly prescribe Invisalign to teenagers and adults. Invisalign treatment can correct alignment problems and reduce sleep apnea symptoms and/or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Call Proud to Smile Dentistry today to request an Invisalign consultation or book your appointment online.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses removable plastic aligners to straighten your teeth and/or jaw. At Proud to Smile Dentistry, Dr. Swaintek-Lamb and the team also prescribe Invisalign to promote better oral and airway health.

The clear Invisalign aligners fit tightly over your teeth. You wear them 20-22 hours a day, only removing them to eat or brush and floss.

What types of alignment problems can benefit from Invisalign?

Dr. Swaintek-Lamb and the team use Invisalign to treat various alignment problems, including:

• Crowding
• Overlapping teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Gaps between the teeth
• Misaligned jaws
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

Invisalign is an effective treatment for bite abnormalities, including crossbite, underbite, and overbite.

What does Invisalign treatment involve?

Dr. Swaintek-Lamb reviews your dental records, completes an oral exam, and takes a series of digital X-rays. You qualify for treatment if she identifies any alignment problems or underlying oral health conditions, like TMJ or sleep apnea.

Dr. Swaintek-Lamb takes digital impressions of your teeth and jaws with an intraoral scanner. She uploads your scans to a computer-design program and creates a personalized Invisalign treatment plan, mapping out the step-by-step movements of your teeth and jaw.

Dr. Swaintek-Lamb sends your treatment plan to an Invisalign lab that manufactures a pair of removable aligners.

Throughout treatment, you visit Proud to Smile Dentistry every few weeks. Dr. Swaintek-Lamb provides a new pair of Invisalign aligners at each check-up. Each new pair is slightly different and helps advance the treatment process.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Most people complete Invisalign treatment in 12-18 months*, but depending on the issues addressed and your goals, it may take longer. To ensure a positive outcome, follow Dr. Swaintek-Lamb’s instructions and attend each of your regularly scheduled appointments. 

Do I need to clean my Invisalign aligners?

Yes. It’s crucial to keep your Invisalign aligners clean. Dr. Swaintek-Lamb recommends rinsing them in cold tap water several times a day and brushing them with a soft-bristle toothbrush at night. For more thorough cleanings, ask the team about Invisalign Cleaning Crystals. 

Call Proud to Smile Dentistry today to explore the benefits of Invisalign treatment, or make your appointment online. 

*Individual results may vary.