Invisalign: Fact or Fiction?

So you know you need orthodontic work done. Maybe you’d like to improve your smile. Perhaps you’ve been told you have TMJ and need corrective work to reduce the stress on your jaw. There are plenty of reasons why you’ve decided it’s time to see an orthodontist. 

Whatever the reason, everyone at Humphrey Orthodontics is glad you’ve landed here! Led by Dr. Mark Humphrey, we take pride in delivering the absolute best orthodontic care in St. Charles County.  

Part of that care includes letting our patients in on the newest and best treatment options available. And guess what? You may not have to mess with the hassle that comes with traditional braces. 

What is Invisalign, anyway? 

Great question! Invisalign is an advanced set of clear aligning trays that fit snugly over your teeth and gently move them into position over time. Much like traditional bracketed braces, they can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to render a full course of treatment. 

Also, much like traditional braces, they are prescribed and administered by a trained orthodontist (or at least, they should be!). 

While it might be true that any doctor or dentist technically could provide Invisalign treatment, the fact is that you are much better off coming in to see a specialist like Dr. Mark Humphrey of Humphrey Orthodontics. He has the experience and the latest in cutting-edge imaging and 3D printing tech (So you get your devices fast), and he’s a certified Invisalign expert, having been recognized as a Gold Invisalign Provider in 2020. 

How does Invisalign work? 

To start with, you’ll come into Humphrey Orthodontics for a free consultation. Then, Dr. Humphrey and our skilled team will leverage the latest imaging technology to take a detailed scan of your teeth and jaw, at which point he will determine if Invisalign is right for you. 

Isn’t Invisalign only for mild cases? 

Wrong! While every smile is different, and there are cases in which traditional metal braces are more appropriate to unlock your best possible smile, Invisalign is much more flexible than many think when treating moderate to complex cases. 

Invisalign has been around for over 20 years. Thousands of case studies of missing teeth, extractions, surgery, corrections of bad bites, and more have been successfully treated with Invisalign! 

I’m cleared for Invisalign: now what? 

Now Dr. Humphrey will print your first set of Invisalign trays, and your treatment can get started! He’s developed an individual treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for your treatment. After about two weeks, you’ll come back for a new set of aligners, making tiny micro-adjustments to your teeth, bringing them closer and closer to your perfect smile! 

The process will repeat every 2 weeks, and after what generally runs from 9-15 months, you’ll be finished! 

Wait – Isn’t Invisalign shorter than a course of braces? 

Nope! It turns out that what determines the length of your corrective treatment is your own biology and initial conditions. Invisalign can be shorter than a course of traditional braces, but Dr. Humphrey will work hard to develop the best treatment plan for your particular case.  

What are you waiting for? Let’s get smiling! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about your options for orthodontic treatment! We at Humphrey Orthodontics believe that it’s a motivated patient who takes an active role in their treatment that sees the biggest success story. 

There’s no better option if you’re in or around St. Peters and Wentzville. We’re a five-star rated firm, and we believe we’ve earned that rating by being forthright, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing the best service possible. 

Dr. Humphrey is passionate about giving back to the community, and that includes the work he feels blessed to do at Humphrey Orthodontics. So call for your free consult today, and let’s find out if Invisalign is right for you!