Invisalign clear aligners in Shrewsbury straighten teeth with a series of nearly invisible trays, with no metal brackets or wires. If crowded or gapped teeth make you hold back your smile in meetings, on dates or on video calls, you don't have to choose between living with it and a mouth full of metal. Here's how Invisalign works and what to expect.
Why Adults Choose Invisalign Over Braces
Many adults want straighter teeth but can't picture themselves in metal braces at work. Invisalign was designed with that in mind. The aligners are thin, clear plastic trays made to fit your teeth closely. Most people around you won't notice them unless you point them out.
Southern York Smile Care does not offer metal braces. Teeth straightening here is done with Invisalign, including Invisalign Teen and Invisalign Express, and with instant orthodontics for some cosmetic cases. Dr. Steven Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider.
The Benefits of Clear Aligners
- Nearly invisible. Clear trays are far more discreet than brackets and wires.
- Removable. Take them out to eat and drink anything other than water, then brush and put them back in. There's no list of banned foods like there is with braces.
- Easier to clean. You brush and floss normally, without threading floss around wires.
- More comfortable. Smooth plastic means no brackets rubbing your cheeks and no wire pokes.
- Fewer emergencies. There are no loose brackets or broken wires to fix.
- Planned digitally. You can see a preview of how your teeth are expected to move before you start.
What Invisalign Can Treat
Invisalign can correct a wide range of common problems, including:
- Crowded teeth that overlap or twist.
- Gaps and spaces between teeth.
- Many overbites, underbites and crossbites.
- Teeth that have shifted after braces years ago.
- Mild crookedness that bothers you in photos.
Straighter teeth aren't only about looks. Teeth that line up well are easier to clean, which can lower the risk of decay and gum disease. A better bite can also reduce uneven wear. Whether Invisalign is right for you depends on your teeth and bite, which is what your consultation is for. Learn more on the Invisalign clear aligners and orthodontics pages.
How Invisalign Treatment Works
1. Digital scan, no goopy impressions
Your teeth are scanned with the iTero Element 3D scanner. It takes a detailed 3D model of your teeth in minutes, with no trays of impression putty. Many people find this alone makes the visit much more pleasant.
2. Your custom treatment plan
Your scan is used to map out how each tooth should move, step by step. You can see a preview of the expected result before you commit.
3. A series of aligners
You'll receive a series of custom aligners. Each set moves your teeth a small amount. You switch to the next set on the schedule your dentist gives you.
4. Wear them consistently
Aligners only work while they're in your mouth. Invisalign is generally designed to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, coming out only to eat, drink anything other than water and clean your teeth.
5. Regular check-ins
Short visits let your dentist confirm your teeth are on track and give you your next aligners.
6. Retainers to keep your result
Teeth tend to drift back after any straightening. Wearing a retainer as directed protects your new smile.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Treatment time depends on how much your teeth need to move. Minor cases can be quite short, and Invisalign Express is designed for small adjustments. More complex cases take longer. The biggest factor you control is wear time: patients who wear their aligners as directed tend to stay on schedule. Your dentist will give you an estimate at your consultation.
Caring for Your Aligners and Your Teeth
A few simple habits keep your aligners clear and your teeth healthy during treatment:
- Brush before you put them back in. Food trapped under an aligner sits against your teeth for hours, which raises the risk of cavities.
- Drink only water while your aligners are in. Coffee, tea, wine and sugary drinks can stain the plastic and bathe your teeth in sugar or acid.
- Rinse and clean your aligners each time you take them out. Use cool water, since hot water can warp them.
- Keep the case with you. Wrapping aligners in a napkin at a restaurant is the most common way they get thrown away.
- Keep up with cleanings. Professional cleanings at the office are a full 60 minutes. See dental cleanings.
Most people feel some pressure for a day or two when they start a new set of aligners. That's a sign the trays are working, and it usually fades quickly.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign works best for people who are ready to wear their aligners consistently. If you often forget things or find it hard to keep up a routine, talk about that openly at your consultation. Your dentist will also check your gums and teeth first, since any decay or gum disease should be treated before teeth are moved. In some cases where the main goal is cosmetic and the teeth are only slightly out of line, instant orthodontics with veneers may be another option to discuss.
Invisalign for Teens
Invisalign Teen offers the same clear, removable approach for younger patients, with features suited to growing smiles. Teens can play sports and instruments without brackets getting in the way. Learn more on the Invisalign Teen page.
Why Not Mail-Order Aligners?
Mail-order aligner companies can seem convenient. But moving teeth is a medical treatment. Without an in-person exam and X-rays, problems like gum disease, decay or bone loss can be missed, and teeth can be moved in ways that cause trouble later. With in-office Invisalign, your dentist checks your teeth and gums first and follows your progress. Read Invisalign vs. mail-order aligners for a closer look.
If you're also thinking about veneers, see veneers or Invisalign to compare.
Paying for Invisalign
Invisalign can be paid monthly after a down payment, which makes it easier to fit into your budget. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are also available. Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit and the office files your claim, so you can be reimbursed for any orthodontic benefits your plan includes. Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can answer your insurance and financing questions. See the financing page.
Experienced Invisalign Care
Dr. Haywood earned a DDS cum laude, trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum and has more than 35 years in practice. As an Elite Invisalign Provider, Dr. Haywood plans each case with both your bite and your smile in mind. Read more on the meet the doctor page or see results in the smile gallery.
Start Your Invisalign Journey in Shrewsbury
If you're ready for a straighter smile without metal braces, call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment. The office is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury and welcomes patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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