• Facebook
  • Gplus
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Call Us Today: (503) 397-6144
Hiebert Smith Dental Group
  • Home
  • About
    • David R. Hiebert, DDS
    • Keri L. Smith, DDS
  • Services
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Porcelain Restorations
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Tooth Filling in Saint Helens, OR
      • Inlays and Onlays in Saint Helens, OR
      • Invisalign® Clear Braces
    • General Dentistry
      • Root Canal Therapy
      • Periodontal Disease
      • Dental Implants in St. Helens, OR
      • Dental Crowns
    • TMD and Neuromuscular Dentistry
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Advanced Dental Technologies
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Arrangements
    • Patient Portal
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu

Invisalign® Clear Braces in Saint Helens, OR

invisalign

Straightening misaligned teeth with traditional braces is somewhat of an ordeal. There are sharp wires poking cheeks, metal bands rubbing on lips, metal everywhere in sight. Hiebert Smith Dental Group is proud to offer Invisalign in St. Helens, OR. Invisalign® is an equally effective, but far more civilized method for straightening our patients’ teeth.

In stark contrast to traditional braces, Invisalign® is very comfortable. The clear braces fit snugly over the teeth. The movements created are subtle and don’t involve the pain after traditional braces are “tightened.”

Contact Us Today For A Consultation

 

See What Our Patients Have To Say…

” Dr. Hiebert and his staff have done a great job for me over the years, have improved my teeth greatly. Thank you.” -Steven

“Excellent service from all the staff. I am very comfortable knowing that all of my dental needs are being addressed. Dr. Smith is especially detailed in explaining what needs to be done.” – Carl

“Awesome place to get your dental work done. Everyone is very caring and comforting. Very experienced and knowledgeable about their work. Highly recommended!” – Joe


What is Invisalign®?

The Invisalign® Logo & text
Invisalign® is a dramatically different approach to straightening teeth. Traditional metal braces move the teeth by tightening the connecting wires and adding rubber bands. This can create significant discomfort in the days following an adjustment. Invisalign moves the teeth just as effectively, but without pain. Instead of using metal bands cemented onto the teeth and tied together with wires,

Invisalign moves the teeth with a series of clear braces. The aligners are designed using the system’s 3D computer imaging software. This software plots the necessary movement of the teeth and then designs a series to aligners to accomplish the movement in two-week periods. After each set of aligners has been used for two weeks the aligner is then discarded and the next in the series takes its place. This process continues until the teeth are in their final position. Most Invisalign patients wear the clear braces for about one year to attain the necessary movement.

What Invisalign Treats

Invisalign can be used when mild to moderate repositioning is necessary. However, it can’t be used in cases where severe movement is required. Here are the kinds of conditions we treat with Invisalign® at Hiebert Smith Dental Group:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Crossbites

What are the advantages of Invisalign in St. Helens, OR?

Our patients love Invisalign®. Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Virtually Invisible: The clear plastic aligners are almost impossible to see, even when a person is talking to you at close range.
  • Comfortable: No wires to poke your cheeks or bands that rub your lips and tongue.
  • No eating restrictions: No need to have your corn on the cob cut off or to avoid eating chewy foods.
  • Easy hygiene: When it’s time to brush and floss, you simply remove the clear braces.
  • No tightening pain: No need to come in for painful monthly tightening. Simply change out the aligners every two weeks and out in the next pair in the series.
  • Greater flexibility: These clear braces are removable so patients can remove them when eating, brushing, or for a special occasion.
  • Little or no impact: Traditional braces are challenging cosmetically and for home hygiene. These clear braces allow you to eat, brush, and live normally.

The Invisalign Process

A happy Asian girl holding Invisalign clear braces provided by Hiebert Smith Dental Group located in St. Helens, OR

The Invisalign® process begins with a full dental exam and bites analysis using the iTero® digital scanning system. From these scans, 3D digital images of your teeth are created. Using these images, Dr. Hiebert or Dr. Smith then map out the precise treatment plan for moving the teeth into their final position. The Invisalign software then breaks the movement down by stages, and we can show the patient how the movement will progress. We send this information off to Align Technology, the fabricator of the aligner trays.

When your custom aligner trays arrive in our offices, you return for your next appointment. Dr. Hiebert or Dr. Smith will explain the system and give you the first few pairs of aligner trays. Each is clearly marked with the dates to be worn. All you do is wear clear braces every day for two weeks, and then you switch to the next pair. We want to see you every six weeks to monitor your progress.

Wearing Your Clear Braces

During your appointments, we’ll stress the importance of wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours every day. This may seem like a long time, but you’ll begin to forget you’re wearing clear braces because they are so comfortable. When you’re eating or brushing you simply take the aligners out, but the rest of the day they should be worn. Each aligner exerts subtle pressure on the teeth to move them, that’s why they need the maximum time on the teeth each day.

Invisalign Results

Every patient’s scenario is unique, but the average patient who comes to us for Invisalign in St. Helens, OR will find that the process takes about 1 year to show proper results. Less severe movement can take less time and more severe movement may require more time. If, when we come to where we charted your final position to be, we feel more movement is needed, we can simply order a few more sets of aligners.

Is Invisalign Painful?

Traditional braces would not be deemed comfortable by anyone. Beyond the poking from stray wires and the rubbing of lips, cheeks, and tongue, there are also the “tightening” sessions when the wires are tightened and new rubber bands applied. Patients sometimes require over-the-counter pain medication for a couple of days afterward.

In contrast, the Invisalign® trays are comfortable on your teeth with no wires or bands. There are no “tightening” sessions and you simply replace the two aligners every two weeks with the next pair in the series. When the new aligners are put in, the initial adjustment is nowhere near the same as a tightening session with traditional braces.

Will I Need a Retainer After Treatment?

After adjustment with regular braces, patients switch to a retainer that is usually worn at least at night. This prevents the teeth from drifting back to their former positions. With Invisalign®, instead of a hard plastic retainer that clicks into the roof of your mouth, we use Vivera® retainers made of the same material as the Invisalign® aligners. The retainers are similar to the clear braces but are thicker and more durable because they need to be worn for longer periods than the two-week aligners. Patients receive four Vivera® retainers, so they replace them over the course of their retention to keep them from becoming less-than-hygienically appealing.

How to Care for My Clear Braces

Patients simply need to rinse and gently brush their aligners every night with a toothbrush to keep them fresh and clean. When they are out, you need to diligently brush and floss your teeth before putting the clear braces back in. You can also soak your aligners in denture cleaner, Retainer Brite®, or the official Invisalign® crystals to keep them clear and sanitized. Another method is to use clear anti-bacterial soft hand soap to clean your aligners.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re interested in seeing if getting Invisalign in St. Helens, OR would be the right choice for you or your child, please call us at (503) 397-6144 to schedule a consultation with us.

  • Advanced Dental Technologies
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental Crowns
    • Inlays and Onlays in Saint Helens, OR
    • Invisalign® Clear Braces in Saint Helens, OR
    • Porcelain Restorations
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Tooth Filling in Saint Helens, OR
  • General Dentistry in Saint Helens, OR
    • Dental Implants in St. Helens, OR
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Root Canal
  • Sleep Apnea Treatment in Saint Helens, OR
  • TMD and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Contact Us

Contact Us

Contact Us

Phone: (503) 397-6144

Hiebert Smith Dental Group
1550 Saint Helens Street
Saint Helens, OR 97051

Connect With Us

Locate Us

© Hiebert Smith Dental Group | Website and Marketing Powered by MyAdvice
  • Facebook
  • Gplus
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Sitemap
  • Terms Of Use
Scroll to top