Invisalign

An Orthodontic Appliance for Adults, Teens, and Children

Invisalign is the common trade name for a clear, form-fitting orthodontic appliance employed by orthodontists to execute treatments. Dr. Wong utilizes his examination findings, a computerized model of your or your child’s dentition, and specialized orthodontic imaging to craft a comprehensive and fully customized treatment plan that is executed by a series of form-fitting aligners produced according to Dr. Wong’s prescription.

Why See an Orthodontist for Invisalign?

Comprehensive, Customized Treatment Planning

Treatment success with Invisalign aligners depends upon the quality of the treatment plan crafted by the practitioner.

As with braces, the clinician, not a computer program, determines the progression and types of tooth movement and, therefore, the treatment outcome and success.

Orthodontists differ from general dentists. Unlike dentists, they are trained in the movement and alignment of teeth and jaws and in assessing and determining the implications of facial changes in the child and adult for treatment planning and execution. This knowledge allows orthodontists to craft comprehensive treatment plans that result in a healthy and stable bite and smile throughout the lifetime.

Automated Invisalign treatment plans used by general dentists are insufficient and require extensive modification in over 95% of cases. Determining which cases require modification, of what type, and how to make those modifications is not in a dentist’s skill set.

Orthodontists override automated plans to arrive at the most efficient and effective course of movement to achieve a stable bite and attractive smile while enhancing facial balance.

Due to the complexities of orthodontic treatment planning, tooth root movement, and the unique mechanical properties of aligners, effective treatment using Invisalign aligners requires the clinician to be knowledgeable in both the specialty of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and the unique capabilities and limitations of aligners.

Orthodontists such as Dr. Wong are specialists who have completed a two to three-year post-doctoral (post-dental school) Master’s degree and residency in the science and practice of tooth movement, positioning, and jaw alignment.

Benefits of Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign aligners are discreet orthodontic tools that allow children, teens, and adults to benefit from treatment while maintaining confidence in their appearance. Aligners are removable for brief periods, such as during a speech or while playing a wind instrument, if they remain in place for the required 22 hours per day.

With consistent wear and remote monitoring through a specialized phone application used in Dr. Wong’s office, a patient can move from one aligner to the next with fewer office visits.

Dr. Wong has treated international patients successfully with minimal in-person visits when the patient’s treatment requirements and consistent aligner wear allow their teeth to move according to Dr. Wong’s treatment plan without additional appliances.

Invisalign Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost of treatment with Invisalign aligners is comparable to that with precision braces.

Determining factors of cost are those that influence treatment complexity and length, which Dr. Wong will determine during your complimentary consultation.

You will leave your complimentary consultation knowing a comprehensive price and will be presented with payment options, including a payment slider, which you may use to choose an individualized monthly payment.

Another factor that influences overall cost is the patient’s willingness or ability to wear the aligners as required. Additional Invisalign costs may be accrued if aligner wear is inconsistent or disrupted, resulting in the need for a new treatment plan and set of aligners.

Treatment with Invisalign aligners by an orthodontist is covered under orthodontic insurance plans.

Like braces, aligners are treatment tools employed by Dr. Wong to execute his custom treatment plan; they are not an automated modality. Aligner use is covered under orthodontic benefits.

Invisalign Treatment Duration

Treatment with Invisalign aligners varies in duration according to the biologic complexity of the required tooth movements and the consistency with which the patient wears the aligners.

Aligners are very well suited to some types of movements but less so to others, which require more time for an aligner to accomplish than would be the case if using a fixed appliance.

An experienced orthodontist such as Dr. Wong can determine an approximate length of treatment by thoroughly evaluating the patient’s face, bones, and dentition while considering the mechanical properties of aligners as they act on the teeth.

An orthodontist can also employ additional tools to hasten treatment and improve results.

Why Choose Dr. Wong for Invisalign Aligner Treatment?

An expert in orthodontic treatment planning and execution, Dr. Wong regularly participates in advanced conferences presented exclusively to orthodontists.

Using his expertise in orthodontic tooth movement and dento-facial orthopedics, Dr. Wong overrides automated Invisalign plans, which are insufficient and inaccurate in over 95% of cases, to produce a comprehensive, individualized prescription of non-intuitive organic movements to achieve a stable and aesthetically pleasing outcome for both the teeth and the face.

In addition to treatment-plan customization, Dr. Wong employs novel in-house modification of aligners, allowing him to complete movements with aligners that would otherwise require braces.

Dr. Wong—recognized for treatment excellence—recently attended a 15-person, invitation-only roundtable of leading North American orthodontists during which he presented innovative aligner techniques to his colleagues.

In addition, Dr. Wong has extensive experience and expertise in treatment planning for the growing child. He considers familial growth patterns, their influence on the developing face, and the potential modification of those patterns through orthodontic appliances in all treatment decisions.

For adult patients, Dr. Wong carefully considers ongoing facial changes when planning tooth movements and placement because where teeth reside in the bone affects soft tissues of the face—a critical consideration as one ages—and, therefore, the overall facial appearance. Orthodontists are trained to anticipate these changes and plan for the ideal placement of the teeth within the bones and the jaw bones within the face for facial aesthetics over time.

Dr. Wong’s intention for all patients, regardless of age, is to arrive at the most balanced and stable occlusion that enhances the patient’s appearance and health. He achieves this through an awareness of facial aesthetics and the changing structure of the face over time, as well as the knowledge and ability to achieve an occlusion (bite) that prevents wear and tear on teeth and gums over the lifetime.

Dr. Wong’s practice philosophy centers on excellence in treatment outcomes, patient experience, and communication with the patient and other participating practitioners, including each patient’s general or pediatric dentist and collaborating specialists, such as periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, and prosthodontists.

Having successfully treated over 8,000 orthodontic patients, Dr. Wong looks forward to exploring the potential of aligners as a treatment tool and prescribing the course of treatment for you or your child that will result in a stable, healthy, and beautiful smile!

For more information or to schedule a complimentary initial consultation, please visit our contact page or call 206-812-4494.