{"id":58632,"date":"2026-06-23T11:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anchoragesmiles.com\/?p=58632"},"modified":"2026-07-08T10:35:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T18:35:54","slug":"invisalign-treatment-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anchoragesmiles.com\/patient-education\/invisalign-treatment-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect with Invisalign Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Invisalign is a great way to straighten teeth for people in Anchorage who don\u2019t want to get traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces<\/a>, Invisalign doesn\u2019t make it harder to brush and floss your teeth or limit the foods you can eat. Plus, Invisalign trays are nearly invisible compared to the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces.<\/p>\n

At Excellence in Dentistry, Dr. Michael Fox is certified in Invisalign treatment and can help ensure you get the best results from your care.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Your Initial Invisalign Appointment<\/h2>\n

At your initial appointment, Anchorage Invisalign dentist Dr. Fox will talk to you about the current state of your smile, and what you hope to achieve.<\/p>\n

For the most part, people get Invisalign when they are unhappy because of crooked teeth. Invisalign can straighten your teeth, relieve crowding, reduce an underbite or overbite, and treat other teeth alignment problems. Invisalign also works as a teeth whitening system, so it can address many types of tooth discoloration, especially staining from food, drink, and tobacco.<\/p>\n

Dr. Fox will evaluate your teeth to determine if Invisalign is a good treatment to achieve the results you\u2019re looking for. If you\u2019re not likely to get good results from Invisalign or if you might benefit more from a treatment like porcelain veneers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Designing Your New Smile<\/h2>\n

If you and Dr. Fox agree that Invisalign is the right treatment for you, you\u2019ll schedule an appointment to design your new smile.<\/p>\n

First, Dr. Fox and\/or his assistant will get a digital 3D scan of your teeth. This is a simple process, and it only takes a few minutes. You don\u2019t have to bite down into impression material and hold still, just hold your mouth open. It doesn\u2019t even have to be open for a long time.<\/p>\n

Once we have the 3D model, the Align software lets us preview and adjust the final desired positions for your teeth. You\u2019ll get a good look at what your final results will look like.<\/p>\n

Once we\u2019re happy with the design, we send it to Align. There, they will break the tooth movements down into individual steps, and the company will create a custom aligner for you to achieve that step. It takes from 2-6 weeks to create your aligners, depending on how busy the company is.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Wearing and Caring for Your Aligners<\/h2>\n

Once we receive your aligners, we\u2019ll call you back in for your initial fitting. We\u2019ll make sure your aligner fits properly. It will feel snug, and you\u2019ll notice the pressure it\u2019s putting on your teeth. (Sometimes this can cause soreness or headaches. If you get headaches, go ahead and take over-the-counter pain relievers.) Otherwise, it should be comfortable. We\u2019ll show you how to put them in and take them out.<\/p>\n

Try to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day–and 22 hours or more is best.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Benefits of Invisalign Aligners<\/h3>\n

While you\u2019re wearing your Invisalign aligners, you\u2019ll enjoy the benefits that set them apart from traditional braces. With Invisalign:<\/p>\n