Cosmetic
Invisalign & clear aligners in Billerica
Straighter teeth without metal brackets — a series of clear, removable trays that move your teeth a little at a time.
Why straighten teeth
Appearance is the reason most patients ask, and it is a legitimate one. Crowded and overlapping teeth are also harder to clean, and the areas a brush cannot reach are where decay and gum disease begin. Teeth that meet unevenly wear against each other and can contribute to jaw pain.
Straightening is one of the few cosmetic treatments that also improves long-term oral health.
What clear aligners can correct
Crowding
Teeth overlapping because there isn’t room for them along the arch.
Gaps
Spacing between teeth, whether from a narrow arch or a missing tooth.
Rotated or tipped teeth
Individual teeth turned out of line with their neighbors.
Mild to moderate bite problems
Overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite, within limits. Severe skeletal bite problems require an orthodontist, and sometimes traditional braces. We will tell you if that applies to your case.
How treatment works
Most cases take between six and eighteen months, depending on how far the teeth have to move.
1
A free consultation
We examine the teeth and bite and advise whether aligners can achieve the result you want, and whether treatment is better carried out here or by an orthodontist. If aligners are not suitable, you will be told at this stage rather than partway through treatment. There is no charge for the consultation.
2
Scan and plan
Digital impressions are used to map the movement tooth by tooth. A projection of the finished result is provided before you commit.
3
Wear the trays
Each set is worn 20 to 22 hours a day and replaced every one to two weeks. They are removed to eat and to brush.
4
Retain
Teeth drift back if nothing holds them in position. A retainer after treatment is required rather than optional; it is what preserves the result.
Aligners or braces
Aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and impose no dietary restrictions. They also require consistency: they work only while they are being worn, and the most common cause of extended treatment is irregular wear.
Fixed braces remain the better option for complex movements and for patients unlikely to wear a removable appliance reliably, which often includes teenagers. Where that is the case, we will refer you rather than recommend the more convenient treatment.
Common questions
Does Invisalign hurt?
There's pressure and tenderness for a day or two with each new tray. That feeling is the tooth moving, and it fades quickly.
Will people notice I'm wearing them?
Rarely in normal conversation. They're clear and thin, though close up someone may catch the edge along the gumline.
Can I eat with them in?
No — take them out to eat and to drink anything but water, then brush before putting them back. Sugary drinks trapped under a tray are a fast route to cavities.
Am I too old for aligners?
No. Teeth move at any age. A good share of aligner patients are adults who never had orthodontics as a teenager.
Related treatments
Porcelain veneers
Thin custom shells for chipped, stained, or uneven front teeth.
Teeth whitening
In-office and custom take-home options.
Checkups & cleanings
The twice-yearly visit that prevents the rest.
Have a question about aligners?
Call and we’ll talk it through — no appointment needed to ask.