Invisalign® clear aligners in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, Pennsylvania, offer a discreet, removable way to improve crowded teeth, gaps and other orthodontic concerns without relying on traditional metal braces. Dr. Bradley D. Smith creates and oversees customized Invisalign treatment plans for adults and eligible teens and children.
Schedule a complimentary Invisalign consultation today to learn whether clear aligners may be right for your smile!
What Are Invisalign Clear Aligners?
Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear, removable aligners to guide teeth toward planned positions over time. Each aligner applies controlled pressure to specific teeth according to a customized digital treatment plan.
The aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. Their clear appearance also makes them less noticeable than traditional braces during work, school and social activities.
Invisalign is not the right solution for every orthodontic concern. During your consultation, our experienced orthodontist will evaluate your teeth, bite and treatment goals before recommending Invisalign, another clear aligner system or traditional braces.
What Can Invisalign Treat?
Dr. Smith routinely evaluates Invisalign treatment for patients who want to address:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps and spacing between teeth
- Rotated or misaligned teeth
- Cosmetic alignment concerns
- Orthodontic relapse after previous treatment
- Certain overbites, underbites and crossbites
- Certain open bites and deep bites
Whether Invisalign can address a specific bite or alignment concern depends on its severity and complexity. Two patients with similar concerns may require different treatment because the amount and direction of tooth movement can vary.
Some patients require braces because fixed appliances can provide greater control over complex movements. Dr. Smith will explain what Invisalign can reasonably accomplish and work with you to create a treatment plan based on your needs.
Who Is a Candidate for Invisalign?
Most of Dr. Smith’s clear aligner patients are adults, although some teens and children may also be candidates. Age alone does not determine eligibility. Oral health, dental development, treatment needs and the patient’s ability to wear the aligners consistently are also important.
You may be a candidate for Invisalign aligners if you:
- Want a less noticeable orthodontic option
- Have crowding, spacing or another concern that aligners may improve
- Can wear your aligners as directed
- Prefer to remove your orthodontic appliance for meals and oral hygiene
- Previously completed orthodontic treatment but experienced tooth movement
- Started clear aligner treatment with another orthodontic provider
- Previously used direct-to-consumer or mail-order aligners
Patients who were previously told they were not candidates for clear aligners are welcome to schedule another evaluation. Our orthodontist will review your current alignment and bite before discussing Invisalign, another aligner system or traditional braces.
Why Choose Dr. Smith for Invisalign Treatment?
Dr. Smith has more than two decades of clear aligner experience. He has treated thousands of clear aligner cases and currently oversees hundreds of cases each year. His experience includes several years of Invisalign treatment and thousands of Invisalign cases.
Dr. Smith earned his DMD from the University of Pittsburgh and completed specialty training in orthodontics at New York University. At NYU, he was named chief resident, received a faculty position and was elected to the orthodontic program’s admissions board.
He also completed advanced training through the NYU Craniofacial Center and the Gelb Institute for TMD/TMJ, with a focus on cleft palate, facial anomalies and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Dr. Smith remains directly involved in designing and monitoring each patient’s Invisalign treatment. He reviews the planned movement of individual teeth and follows the case throughout treatment to determine whether adjustments or refinements are needed.
Customized Digital Invisalign Planning
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics uses digital technology to support Invisalign diagnosis, planning and monitoring.
Your treatment may include:
- Digital impressions with an iTero® intraoral scanner
- CBCT or 3D imaging when clinically appropriate
- Digital photographs and facial scans
- Digital smile-planning tools
- Customized treatment-planning software
- Grin remote-monitoring technology between office visits
The iTero scanner captures a detailed digital model of your teeth without relying on traditional putty impressions. These records help Dr. Smith evaluate tooth positions, plan movement and create a customized series of Invisalign aligners.
During routine visits, our team can show you how the aligners are intended to move your teeth and support proper function.
Advanced Invisalign Treatment Features
Depending on your orthodontic needs, Dr. Smith may incorporate attachments, elastics, bite ramps, precision cuts or other features into your Invisalign plan.
Attachments are small shapes placed temporarily on selected teeth to help the aligners apply force more effectively. Elastics, bite ramps and precision cuts may support bite correction or other planned movements when appropriate.
Refinement aligners may also be recommended when additional tooth movement is needed. Refinements allow Dr. Smith to update the plan based on your progress and remaining treatment goals.
What to Expect During Invisalign Treatment
Complimentary Consultation
Your first visit includes an evaluation of your teeth, bite and treatment goals. Our orthodontist and team will discuss whether Invisalign is appropriate or whether another orthodontic option may provide better control.
Digital Scans and Orthodontic Records
Patients may be able to complete digital scans and begin orthodontic records during the initial consultation. Same-day digital scanning may be used when appropriate.
Customized Treatment Planning
Dr. Smith uses your records to create and oversee a customized digital treatment plan. The plan maps the intended movement of your teeth and guides the design of your aligner series.
Wearing Your Aligners
You will wear each set of aligners according to the instructions provided by our orthodontist and team. Aligners should generally be removed for meals, drinks other than water, brushing and flossing.
Consistent wear is important because the aligners can only guide tooth movement while they are in place.
Progress Visits
Patients typically visit Smiles By Smith Orthodontics every six to seven weeks during active Invisalign treatment. These appointments allow our orthodontist to evaluate tooth movement, aligner fit and overall progress.
Grin technology may also be used to support progress monitoring between office visits.
Refinements and Retention
Additional aligners may be recommended if further movement is needed. After treatment, each patient receives a custom fixed lingual retainer and a clear removable retainer to help maintain the corrected tooth positions.
Benefits of Invisalign Clear Aligners
- Discreet Appearance: The clear trays are less noticeable than metal brackets and wires.
- Removable Design: Aligners can be taken out for meals and oral hygiene.
- Customized Digital Planning: Tooth movement is organized through a personalized digital workflow overseen by Dr. Smith.
- Fewer Food Restrictions: Because the aligners are removed while eating, patients do not have the same food limitations commonly associated with braces.
- Easier Brushing and Flossing: Patients can clean their teeth without working around fixed brackets and wires.
- Professional Oversight: Dr. Smith monitors progress and can make clinical adjustments when appropriate.
Invisalign for Adults
Adults make up most of the clear aligner patients treated by Dr. Smith. Invisalign may appeal to adults who want to improve their smiles while maintaining a professional appearance and an active lifestyle.
Adult orthodontic treatment may address concerns that were never corrected earlier in life, as well as teeth that shifted after previous braces or aligner treatment.
Dr. Smith also evaluates adults who need help completing a transfer case or correcting concerns after direct-to-consumer aligner treatment.
Invisalign for Teens and Children
Some teens and children may be eligible for Invisalign based on their dental development, orthodontic needs and ability to follow wear instructions. Clear aligner treatment for younger patients is considered case by case.
Dr. Smith has a special interest in early interventional orthodontics and airway-focused care. When evaluating a younger patient, he considers growth, dental development, bite function and whether clear aligners or another orthodontic approach would provide appropriate control.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
Invisalign and braces can both move teeth, but they use different methods. Invisalign aligners are removable and less noticeable, while braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment.
Braces may provide greater control for certain complex movements and do not depend on the patient remembering to wear removable trays. Invisalign may be appropriate for patients who can follow the prescribed wear schedule and whose treatment needs can be managed with aligners.
Dr. Smith will explain the advantages and limitations of each option so you can make an informed decision.
Invisalign Transfer Cases and Retreatment
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics accepts Invisalign and clear aligner transfer cases from other orthodontic providers. Dr. Smith can review your records, current aligners and treatment progress to determine the appropriate next step.
Our orthodontist also evaluates patients who:
- Stopped treatment before completing their aligner series
- Experienced orthodontic relapse after prior treatment
- Need additional refinements
- Used direct-to-consumer or mail-order aligners
- Were previously told clear aligners were not an option
A consultation is necessary to determine whether treatment can be continued, revised or restarted. Existing aligners cannot always be reused, and updated scans or a different orthodontic approach may be required.
Retainers After Invisalign
Retainers help maintain tooth positions after active Invisalign treatment. At the end of treatment, patients receive both a custom fixed lingual retainer and a clear removable retainer.
Our team also uses iTero scans and 3D printing to create customized models of patients’ teeth and fabricate Essix-style retainers in-house.
Although Smiles By Smith Orthodontics does not offer a formal long-term retainer program, patients receive a custom 3D-printed model that they may bring back if a clear removable retainer needs to be remade.
Invisalign Cost, Insurance and Payment Options
The cost of Invisalign depends on the complexity of the case, the expected treatment length and whether additional aligners or refinements are required.
You will receive personalized treatment and payment information after Dr. Smith evaluates your orthodontic needs.
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics accepts applicable orthodontic insurance benefits and offers flexible payment or financing options for clear aligner treatment. Please visit our financial options page or contact our team for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Treatment time varies according to the amount and complexity of tooth movement required. Our orthodontist will provide a personalized estimate after reviewing your teeth, bite and treatment goals.
How often will I visit the orthodontist?
Patients typically return to Smiles By Smith Orthodontics every six to seven weeks during active Invisalign treatment. Our orthodontist may adjust that schedule based on your progress and clinical needs.
Can Invisalign fix crowded teeth?
Invisalign may be used to improve many cases of dental crowding. Severe or complex crowding may require braces or another treatment approach, so an orthodontic evaluation is necessary.
Can Invisalign close gaps between teeth?
Invisalign can often close gaps and improve uneven spacing. The size and cause of the spaces will affect the recommended treatment plan.
Can Invisalign correct bite problems?
Selected overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite and deep bite concerns may be treated with Invisalign. More complex bite conditions may require braces or another form of orthodontic treatment.
Am I too old for Invisalign?
There is no single age limit for Invisalign treatment. Many of Dr. Smith’s clear aligner patients are adults. Healthy teeth and gums, appropriate orthodontic needs and consistent aligner wear are more important than age alone.
Can teens or children use Invisalign?
Some teens and children may be candidates, but treatment is determined case by case. Dr. Smith considers dental development, treatment complexity and whether the patient can follow the recommended wear schedule.
What happens if I was told I am not an Invisalign candidate?
You may schedule another evaluation. Our orthodontist will review your current condition and discuss whether Invisalign, another clear aligner system or braces would be the most appropriate option.
Can I transfer my Invisalign treatment to Smiles By Smith Orthodontics?
Yes. The practice accepts clear aligner transfer cases. Dr. Smith will evaluate your current treatment, available records and remaining needs before recommending how to proceed.
Can you help after mail-order aligner treatment?
Yes. Patients who previously used direct-to-consumer or mail-order aligners may be evaluated for corrective or continued orthodontic care.
Will I need refinements?
Some patients need refinement aligners to complete additional tooth movement. Our orthodontist will monitor your progress and recommend refinements when clinically appropriate.
Will I need a retainer after Invisalign?
Yes. Retainers are an important part of maintaining your results. Smiles By Smith Orthodontics provides a custom fixed lingual retainer and a clear removable retainer after treatment.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
Contact Smiles By Smith Orthodontics today to schedule your complimentary consultation with our orthodontist. Dr. Smith will evaluate your alignment and bite, discuss your goals and explain whether Invisalign clear aligners in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, are an appropriate option for your smile.
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