Invisalign in Brookline, MA
Discreet Orthodontic Care
A straighter smile is something many adults want but assume they’ve missed their window for. The truth is, Invisalign clear aligners have made orthodontic treatment a practical and discreet option for adults at any stage of life, and the results speak for themselves.
At Boston Smile Center, we offer Invisalign as part of our comprehensive cosmetic dentistry services in Brookline. Dr. Alan Sasson brings more than 35 years of experience to every treatment plan, combining time-tested clinical knowledge with the latest dental technology to deliver results that are both beautiful and lasting. Whether you’ve been thinking about straighter teeth for years or are returning to the idea after considering it in the past, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
Why Choose BOSTON SMILE CENTER for Invisalign?
What Is Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that slowly moves your teeth into alignment using a series of custom-made, removable trays. Rather than brackets and wires, each aligner is crafted from smooth, transparent plastic and designed to fit snugly over your teeth. You’ll wear each set of trays for about one to two weeks before moving to the next in the series, and the process continues until your smile reaches its final position.
The Invisalign process begins with digital scans of your teeth, which are used to map out your treatment from start to finish before you ever wear your first aligner. This means you can see a preview of your projected results before treatment begins, giving you a clear picture of what to expect.
Why Adults Choose Invisalign
For many adults in the Brookline area, the appeal of Invisalign comes down to how seamlessly it fits into a busy, professional life. The aligners are nearly invisible when worn, so most people around you won’t notice them at all. They’re also removable, which means you are able to eat whatever you’d like, brush and floss normally, and take the aligners out for photos or special occasions.
Beyond convenience, Invisalign patients often benefit from improved oral hygiene throughout treatment. Because the trays are removable, your ability to clean your teeth thoroughly is not compromised during the months you’re wearing them.
What Invisalign Can Address
Invisalign is effective for many alignment concerns that many adults carry into their 40s, 50s, and beyond. Some of the most common conditions it treats include the following:
- Crowding: teeth that overlap or are positioned too closely together
- Spacing: gaps between teeth that affect both appearance and function
- Overbite: upper teeth that extend too far over the lower teeth
- Underbite: lower teeth that sit in front of the upper teeth when the jaw is closed
- Crossbite: misalignment in which upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly on one or both sides
- Open bite: upper and lower front teeth that don’t make contact when the mouth is closed
Many adults who come to us are looking to correct dental work from earlier in life or address shifting that has occurred naturally over time. Invisalign, paired with our advanced dental technology, allows us to treat these cases with precision and care.
Your Invisalign Treatment at Boston Smile Center
Every Invisalign case we treat begins with a thorough consultation and a complete picture of your oral health. We take digital impressions of your teeth and build a treatment plan based on your specific alignment goals. From there, your aligners are fabricated to match the exact movements planned for your teeth at each stage.
Throughout treatment, you’ll come in for periodic check-ins so we can monitor your progress and ensure everything is tracking as planned. If any refinements are needed, we can adjust the plan accordingly. Most Invisalign cases are completed within 12 to 18 months, though some patients see results sooner depending on the complexity of their case.
For patients exploring additional ways to enhance their appearance, Invisalign pairs beautifully with other services like smile makeovers, allowing you to address alignment, brightness, and overall aesthetics as part of a comprehensive approach to your smile.
Wearing Your Trays
When it comes to wearing your aligners, it’s pretty simple: you need to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours a day. The easiest way to meet this goal day after day is to only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary, like before brushing your teeth. If you’re still having trouble, then try setting aside a certain amount of time for each meal and using the timer on your phone to keep you on track.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Fortunately, you don’t need any special or expensive cleaning products to keep your aligners stain and odor-free. In fact, there’s a good chance you have the two things you need already: a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid. It’s also important to rinse them with clean, room-temperature water when you take them off to remove saliva, plaque, and other debris from the surface.
Eating & Drinking
Good news: Invisalign doesn’t come with a long list of dietary restrictions – you can enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks throughout your teeth-straightening journey! As your dental team, all we ask is that you don’t overindulge on sugary treats since they can quickly eat away at your enamel. We also recommend exercising caution with crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, since they can damage your teeth as well as any attachments you have.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you misplace or break one of your aligners, then wearing them for 20+ hours a day is difficult. That’s why we recommend calling us ASAP. The sooner you do, the sooner we can determine how to get you back on track with your treatment plan. For some, it’s wearing the previous set of aligners while replacements are made. For others, it’s moving on to the next pair a bit earlier than expected.
Scheduling Check-In Visits
Progress visits with our Brookline dental team are another important part of life with Invisalign. They are usually every 6-8 weeks, and they give us important insight into the movement of your teeth. If they are moving as anticipated, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be in and out of our office in less than 30 minutes. If they aren’t, then we will need a bit more time to determine what adjustments need to be made to get you back on track.
Begin Your Invisalign Journey at Boston Smile Center
Boston Smile Center has been a trusted part of the Brookline community for over 35 years, and our approach to care has always prioritized the patient above all else. Dr. Sasson and our team have earned Best of Boston recognition year after year, and we bring that same commitment to quality to every Invisalign case we treat. Our boutique practice offers the warm, familiar environment of a practice where everyone knows your name, combined with the kind of cutting-edge technology you’d expect from a top-tier dental office. We accept a range of insurance plans, including Delta Dental PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna, and we also offer CareCredit financing and in-house payment plans for added flexibility.
If you’re ready to finally pursue the smile you’ve been thinking about, we’d love to be part of that journey. Contact our office today to schedule your Invisalign consultation with Dr. Sasson and our team and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.
Invisalign FAQs
When people think of braces, they most often think of traditional orthodontics with metal brackets and wires. However, Invisalign is another alternative that can address the same orthodontic concerns, but without the obvious mouthful of metal. Therefore, Invisalign appeals to many people, but they still have questions. Here, Dr. Sasson answers some frequently asked questions about Invisalign.
How Do Aligners Straighten Teeth?
During your Invisalign treatment, you will wear a sequential series of aligners. Each aligner will slightly adjust the position of your teeth, a process that is planned by Dr. Sasson and the Invisalign lab at the start of treatment.
What Makes Teeth Move with Invisalign Aligners?
Invisalign aligners move teeth through the targeted placement of controlled force. But not only is the force controlled, it is also timed. In other words, only certain teeth move during each stage of treatment.
What Are the Advantages of Invisalign?
The obvious advantage of Invisalign is that the aligners are not obvious—in fact, they are hardly noticeable in normal social and professional circumstances. In addition, Invisalign aligners are removable so you can take them whenever you want to eat and drink or when it’s time to brush and floss your teeth.
How Long Will Invisalign Treatment Take?
Of course, the length of your treatment time will depend on your individual orthodontic case. However, most adults are able to complete treatment in about 12 months.
How Much Will I Need to Wear My Invisalign Aligners?
Dr. Sasson likes patients to wear their Invisalign aligners for about 22 hours each day, removing them only for eating, brushing and flossing.
How Often Will I Need to Schedule Progress Visits with Invisalign?
Every four to six weeks is usually the recommended span of time between visits when you’re wearing aligners. In Boston, Invisalign wearers appreciate the convenience of quick and simple appointments to make sure their treatment is progressing as planned.
Are Invisalign Aligners Painful?
When you start wearing each new set of aligners in your series, you may notice some discomfort that feels like pressure. This usually goes away after a couple of days.
Will My Speech Be Affected by Aligners?
When you first start wearing the aligners, you may have a slight lisp. But after a few days you’ll get used to having the aligners in your mouth, the lisp will go away.
Can I Chew Gum and Wear My Aligners?
No. Gum can stick to the aligners, so remove them if you’re chewing gum.
How Should I Clean My Aligners?
The Invisalign Cleaning system is the best way to keep your aligners clean and fresh. Alternatively, you can brush and rinse them with lukewarm water.