Metal braces work. They have worked for decades. But for many adults and older teens, the idea of wearing brackets and wires for a year or two is enough to keep them from addressing teeth that genuinely bother them.
Invisalign was developed as an answer to that hesitation. Clear, removable aligners that move teeth gradually, without anything permanently attached to your teeth, and without anyone noticing you are in treatment unless you tell them. At Greenspoint Dental, we offer Invisalign as part of our orthodontics services, and candidacy may be broader than you expect.
How Invisalign Works
The treatment begins with a digital scan using the iTero intraoral scanner. No impressions, no trays of material, just a fast and accurate 3D map of your teeth. That scan feeds into ClinCheck software, which generates a virtual treatment simulation showing how your teeth will move from start to finish.
Once you approve the plan, a series of custom aligner trays is manufactured. Each tray is worn for one to two weeks, then replaced with the next one in the sequence. Each successive tray moves teeth slightly closer to the final position.
Most patients wear 20 to 40 sets of aligners, though simple cases can require fewer. Aligners are worn 20 to 22 hours per day, removed only to eat, drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. Treatment typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on complexity.
Who Qualifies for Invisalign?
Invisalign is effective for a wide range of alignment issues, but not all of them.
Good candidates typically have mild to moderate crowding, gaps between teeth, mild overbite or underbite or crossbite, teeth that shifted after previous orthodontic treatment, or a desire to improve alignment without visible braces.
Cases where Invisalign is less suitable include severe bite problems that require more precise mechanical control, significant rotation needs, patients under 14 or 15 whose jaw development is incomplete, or patients unlikely to maintain the required wear time. Invisalign requires discipline.
The iTero scan and consultation give us an accurate picture of whether your case falls within Invisalign’s effective range. Some patients who assume they are poor candidates are surprised. Others who assume they qualify need an alternative we can recommend.
Adult Invisalign: Why More Adults Are Doing It Now
Adults now represent a growing share of orthodontic patients nationally, and Invisalign’s discretion is a large reason for that shift.
Adults are motivated differently than teenagers. Many had braces as adolescents but never wore their retainers consistently, and their teeth shifted back. Others simply never addressed alignment issues that have bothered them for years and finally decide they are ready.
Invisalign fits adult life in ways metal braces do not. There are no dietary restrictions since you remove aligners to eat. There are no broken brackets from biting something hard. Professional presentations are unaffected because the aligners are nearly invisible.
For adults with existing dental work like crowns, bridges, or veneers, we assess how that affects the plan on a case-by-case basis.
Invisalign and Teen Patients
Invisalign Teen was developed for patients 13 and older whose permanent teeth have fully erupted. It includes compliance indicators, small blue dots on the aligners that fade with wear, letting parents and dentists monitor whether aligners are being worn as directed.
The biggest factor in teen candidacy is motivation. A teenager who is genuinely bothered by their alignment and wants to address it will do well. A teenager who is indifferent will struggle with the discipline of wearing aligners 22 hours a day.
We discuss this honestly during the consultation. In some cases, traditional braces are a better fit for teenagers because there is no compliance variable.
Cost and Insurance
Invisalign treatment at Greenspoint Dental is priced comparably to traditional orthodontic treatment, typically between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on case complexity.
Many dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits cover Invisalign at the same level they cover braces, usually 50% up to a lifetime maximum. We verify your benefits before treatment begins.
Financing through CareCredit and other providers is available for patients who prefer monthly payments.
Book your free Invisalign consultation at Greenspoint Dental. Call (281) 823-9987 or schedule at greenspointdental.com. Se habla español, and we serve patients from across the greater Houston area.