WHAT IS INVISALIGN?
About Invisalign® Aligners
Invisalign® is like wearing braces, except no braces are needed—or seen. This system does not require metal wires and brackets. Instead, it uses clear, medical-grade plastic trays. The trays fit directly over the teeth making them invisible to those around you.
How Invisalign® Aligners Work
Aligners are made by scanning your teeth with a 3D camera. We then create a virtual 3D model of what your teeth look like now and we use the computer to modify that model to create your new smile. Once we know where we are starting and where we would like to finish, a series of virtual models are 3D printed in our office. If you look behind the front desk, you actually might catch them being printed in real time! Each model moves your teeth a fraction of a millimeter, a tenth of a degree, eventually creating your one of a kind Lemchen-Salzer smile.
Why the Lemchen-Salzer Invisalign® Aligner Treatment is Unique
Dr. Lemchen and Dr. Salzer are among the earliest adopters of Invisalign® aligner treatment. In fact, the founders Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, visited Dr. Lemchen in 1998 to discuss the technology they were developing. The original aligners were created using technology related to a patent that Dr. Lemchen developed with Dolphin Imaging and Management Systems, the company he founded in 1988.
Our aligner treatment plans are unique because they are designed specifically for you. No matter how simple or complex the problem, we always collaborate directly with our patients to design a custom smile that fits his or her facial profile, personality, and lifestyle. When designing our treatment plans, we also pay close attention to how our patients are feeling. (To see before and afters, click here.) Oftentimes, people don’t realize that there is a link between the airway and the growth of the jaw. So if you’re experiencing crusty lips, breathing through your mouth, or dark under eye circles – you could have an underlying jaw discrepancy that’s affecting your breathing. At Lemchen Salzer Orthodontics, we conduct a full examination of your facial profile, airways, and teeth in order to create a treatment plan that not only improves your overall aesthetic but also your health.
How Aligner Treatment Is Different from Traditional Braces
Invisalign® uses smooth plastic trays that rarely cause abrasions and are comfortable. You can show your aligners to people if you want, but if you don’t tell them, they usually won’t know that you’re wearing them. While the aligners are typically worn most of the day, you can take them out when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. This means you do not need to change your diet or oral hygiene habits to accommodate Invisalign®.
Treatment Time with Invisalign®
Treatment time with aligners is often the same and occasionally less than that of traditional braces. Office visits can be less frequent and can also be several months apart. Our patients are instructed to change their aligners anywhere from every four to seven days assuring efficient and comfortable alignment and maintaining the clarity of the aligners cosmetically.
As with traditional braces, we offer several methods of accelerating tooth movement and reducing discomfort using new and exciting technologies.
Whitening Your Teeth During Invisalign® Treatment
The best part is you can also whiten your teeth during Invisalign® treatment thanks to our Alightener Foam, developed by our office. You can straighten, whiten, and clean your aligners all at the same time. If you’re interested in purchasing our foam, ask one of our front desk coordinators or clinicians who will be more than happy to assist you.
Questions about Invisalign® Treatment?
Call our Upper East Side office at 212-755-2333 or call our downtown location at 212-871-9835 or email info@smilenycity.com.
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