Invisalign^® in Coral Gables, FL

Many people want to perfect their smile but are discouraged by traditional metal braces that impact the look and function of their teeth for several years. Invisalign clear braces allow you to straighten your teeth without a mouth full of metal or painful bracket-tightening trips to the orthodontist. These transparent aligners gently guide teeth into their proper alignment and address various tooth and bite concerns, making them the ideal option for many adults and some teens or children.

Garcia | Mayoral Dentistry in Coral Gables, Florida, offers Invisalign as a discreet option to straighten your smile. With more than 40 years of experience, our dentists provide the latest dental techniques and use a patient-focused approach for the whole family. Dr. Oliver Mayoral and Dr. Faustino Garcia take great care to ensure each patient feels comfortable and understands their options for improving their smile and oral health.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to metal braces that moves teeth into a better position using clear aligner trays. These aligners are worn for at least 22 hours a day and removed to eat or drink fluids other than water. Patients brush and floss before placing the trays back in their mouths and switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks.

Benefits of Invisalign

The most notable benefit of Invisalign is discreet, subtle teeth straightening. Adults and teenagers often struggle with metal brackets and wires that affect their smile's appearance, but Invisalign offers a nearly "invisible" way to correct their bite.

Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces, with a medical-grade plastic that fits snugly against your teeth and doesn't rub against the gums and other oral tissues. There's no concern about protruding pieces of metal or wire cutting the gums, tongue or inner cheeks.

There are no food limitations for Invisalign patients. Metal braces prevent people from enjoying popcorn, apples and other foods that may get caught in the wiring or brackets. Invisalign trays are removed for eating, so you can brush and floss away food debris before placing them back in your mouth.

Invisalign requires fewer trips to the orthodontist than traditional options, and these visits are typically not painful. Our dentists will make sure your teeth are moving as intended and give you the next few sets of clear aligners at these appointments. Invisalign treatment is less of a time commitment than traditional orthodontics, with the average treatment lasting 12 to 18 months instead of years with metal braces.

Candidates for Invisalign

Most adults with mild to moderate tooth crowding or bite concerns will qualify for Invisalign. Children and teens interested in Invisalign must be responsible enough to follow the treatment plan and wear their aligners for at least 22 hours a day. Some kids (and adults) may be tempted to remove aligners more often, forget to switch to a new set or lose them, but this can lead to gaps in treatment that affect final results and lengthen the Invisalign process.

Invisalign can address most tooth concerns, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Overcrowded teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Tooth gaps
• Crossbite
• Overbite
• Underbite

Severe jaw issues may still require traditional orthodontics or surgery to correct bite concerns, and patients need to have healthy teeth and gums before Invisalign.

How Does the Invisalign Process Work?

Invisalign starts with a consultation to assess your bite and determine if you're a good fit for clear braces. One of our dentists will take a mold or computerized impression of your teeth to calculate your treatment plan and determine how long you'll need to wear the aligners. We will discuss the cost of Invisalign and give you a preview of what your results may look like if you follow the directions.

The next step is creating your Invisalign aligners using photos, X-rays and scans of your jaw and teeth at the Invisalign lab. These trays should perfectly match your bite and pop over your teeth comfortably, slowly guiding teeth into a better position. Some patients may need attachments or tooth-colored bonding materials that keep the aligners in place and encourage more tooth movement.

You'll receive your first set of Invisalign trays to start your treatment, and the next steps depend on the severity of your tooth and bite concerns. Our dentists will have you check in at follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and pick up new trays.

At the end of your Invisalign treatment, a new mold is taken to create a removable retainer that you wear at night to maintain your straighter smile.

If you're interested in Invisalign, contact Garcia | Mayoral Dentistry in Coral Gables, Florida. Call (305) 444-4300 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.