Invisalign and clear aligners in Scottsdale give families a comfortable, nearly invisible way to straighten their teeth without metal brackets and wires. At Lernor Family Dental, we design a personalized invisalign treatment around your lifestyle and goals so that every member of your family can experience a healthier, more confident smile.
How Invisalign Clear Aligners Work
Invisalign clear aligners are a series of custom-fit, smooth plastic trays that move your teeth gradually toward their ideal positions. Each set of trays is worn for approximately one to two weeks before you advance to the next in the series. Over weeks and months, the cumulative movement adds up to a fully straightened smile.
Because the aligners are removable, daily life stays remarkably convenient. You take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush, floss, and clean your teeth as usual. Oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is straightforward: remove the trays, care for your teeth normally, and reinsert.
Your dentist begins by taking precise 3D scans of your teeth. Invisalign aligners are then fabricated from that data. Before a single tray is produced, you can review your projected treatment plan and see how your smile is expected to look at each stage, which most patients find both reassuring and motivating.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces: Which Is Right for You?
The core difference between invisalign treatment and traditional braces comes down to how each system applies force to the teeth. Metal braces use brackets bonded to each tooth surface, connected by wires that your provider adjusts at regular intervals. Invisalign clear aligners apply pressure through precisely engineered plastic trays worn over the teeth.
A review by Rossini and colleagues published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (2015) found clear aligner systems effective for a broad range of tooth movement cases when paired with a thorough treatment plan. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right orthodontic path.
Visibility and Comfort
Metal braces are visible at all times and can cause irritation as brackets and wires rub against soft tissue inside the mouth. Invisalign aligners are nearly transparent and made from smooth plastic, offering a noticeably more comfortable experience day to day.
Fewer Office Visits
Invisalign treatment typically requires fewer office visits than traditional braces. Because you advance through trays at home rather than returning for monthly wire adjustments, fewer office visits are needed, which is a significant advantage for busy families in Scottsdale.
Oral Hygiene
With metal braces, special tools are needed to clean around brackets and wires. With clear aligners, you simply remove the trays and brush, floss, and rinse as normal, making consistent hygiene far easier to maintain throughout orthodontic treatment.
Scope of Treatment
Traditional braces remain the preferred option for complex bite corrections or significant jaw discrepancies. For mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or alignment issues, invisalign clear aligners typically achieve comparable outcomes with greater flexibility.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment
Invisalign is ideal for teens and adults seeking to address mild to moderate dental alignment issues without the look of metal braces. Crowding, spacing, mild overbite, underbite, and teeth that have shifted after prior orthodontic treatment are all conditions that respond well to clear aligners.
There are cases where traditional braces are still the better fit. Severe skeletal discrepancies, significant bite corrections, or cases requiring precise torque control may need metal braces or a combination approach. The clearest way to determine which orthodontic treatment suits you is a one-on-one consultation with our Scottsdale team.
You can learn more about our full range of care by visiting our dental services page.
What to Expect From Your Treatment Plan
Your orthodontic journey at Lernor Family Dental begins with a comprehensive consultation at our Scottsdale office. We take digital impressions, evaluate your bite and spacing, and discuss the results you want. From there, we build a step-by-step treatment plan that maps out each phase of tooth movement before the first tray is made.
Most adults complete invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months, depending on case complexity. Teens who wear their trays for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day typically progress on schedule. Simpler cases can sometimes finish in as few as six months.
Check-in visits are scheduled approximately every six to eight weeks. Because you change trays at home, the appointments are focused and brief, confirming that your teeth are tracking as planned. This is one of the main reasons patients choose invisalign over traditional braces: fewer office visits with equally attentive care.
After active orthodontic treatment concludes, a custom retainer keeps your teeth in their new positions. We treat the retainer phase as an essential part of every treatment plan because without it, teeth can gradually shift back after alignment is complete.
Dental Insurance, Costs, and Caring for Your Aligners
Many dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits apply the same coverage to invisalign treatment as they do to traditional braces. Coverage amounts vary by plan, so we review your dental insurance before treatment begins to give you an accurate out-of-pocket estimate. If your plan does not include orthodontic benefits, we offer flexible payment options to keep care accessible for your whole family.
Caring for your invisalign aligners is simple. Rinse each tray with cool water when you remove it and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic. Always brush, floss, and rinse your teeth before reinserting the trays so that food and bacteria are not trapped under the aligner during wear.
For specific questions about coverage or costs, contact our Scottsdale office and a member of our team will walk you through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does invisalign treatment typically take?
Most adults complete treatment in 12 to 18 months. Simpler cases can finish in as few as six months. Teens who wear their aligners consistently for 20 to 22 hours per day move through the series on schedule. Your treatment plan will provide a personalized timeline based on your specific alignment needs.
Can teenagers use Invisalign?
Yes. The Invisalign Teen system is designed for younger patients whose teeth are still developing. It includes compliance indicator dots that fade with wear time, helping families and providers confirm the trays are being worn as directed throughout orthodontic treatment.
Will clear aligners affect my speech?
Most patients notice a minor adjustment period during the first few days of wearing new trays. This is temporary. Most people speak normally again within a week and find the overall experience far more comfortable than they anticipated going in.
Does dental insurance cover Invisalign?
Many dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits apply coverage toward invisalign treatment the same way they cover metal braces. Coverage amounts vary by provider and plan. Our team verifies your dental insurance benefits before treatment begins so you know exactly what to expect.
What happens after orthodontic treatment ends?
Once your teeth have reached their final positions, we fit you with a custom retainer. Wearing your retainer as directed is the most important step in preserving your results long-term. Without consistent retainer use, teeth can gradually shift back toward their original positions over time.
Ready to Explore Invisalign in Scottsdale?
Our team at Lernor Family Dental is here to help you find the orthodontic treatment that fits your life, your budget, and your smile goals. Schedule your appointment and let us build a plan for the smile you have always wanted.