Invisalign and Traditional Braces

At McKay’s Mill Dental, we offer Invisalign clear aligners and traditional braces for adults and teens. If you or a family member need to correct crooked or crowded teeth or uneven spacing, we can help you find the right solution for your needs.

Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is the perfect choice for adults who want straighter teeth but don’t want or need traditional braces.

Traditional bracket-and-wire braces work great for children and adults who have more complex alignment or bite issues.

How Invisalign Moves Teeth

Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners, leading-edge technology, and modern treatment methods to straighten your teeth. The result is a straighter, more even smile without brackets and wires.

After creating your personalized Invisalign treatment plan, you’ll receive 2-3 sets of plastic aligners customized just for you. You'll wear one set for 2-3 weeks, then switch to the next set. Continue these steps and visit McKay's Mill Dental every so Dr. Avrit every 4-6 weeks so he can check on your progress.

Invisalign treatment is complete after you've worn all your aligners and your teeth are in their proper position. The length of treatment depends on how serious the misalignment was when you started and how much we need to move your teeth. On average, Invisalign treatment takes about 12-18 months.

Benefits of Invisalign to Straighten Crooked Teeth

Invisalign aligners are more convenient and offer benefits that traditional braces don't. However, Invisalign may not be suitable if you have more complicated alignment issues or severe bite problems to correct.

If you are a good candidate for Invisalign, you’ll enjoy these benefits:

• Discreet and nearly invisible aligners: The patented material used for Invisalign plastic aligners is crystal clear and blends in with your smile, and most people won’t notice them.
• Removable for meals and oral hygiene: Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you have the freedom to enjoy whatever foods you want. You can also continue to brush and floss as you usually do.
• Comfortable to wear: The smooth surface of Invisalign aligners eliminates rough edges that irritate the inside of your mouth.

Since you can take your aligners out, you must be conscientious about wearing them for 22 hours a day. When you do, you’ll get a straighter smile sooner; if you don't think you can comply with this routine, traditional braces bonded to your teeth might be the best option.

How Traditional Braces Move Teeth

With traditional braces, Dr. Avrit develops a treatment plan to move your teeth, then bonds tooth-colored brackets to each tooth. Next, a thin metal wire called an ‘archwire’ is placed along the uneven path of your misaligned teeth, which then gradually moves back into its original shape, shifting the teeth along with it.

With bracket-and-wire braces, you’ll visit our dental office for regular adjustments every month so that Dr. Avrit can tighten the wires to keep treatment progressing.

Which Option Is Right for You?

There are pros and cons to each method, but traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners both have a place in modern orthodontics. The best way to find out which is right for you is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Avrit.

Using modern technology like panoramic x-rays and digital impressions, he’ll determine the extent of your tooth misalignment. After discussing his findings with you, you and he can decide if Invisalign is right for you.

Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation in Franklin, TN

Dr. Avrit and his dental team look forward to helping you with your orthodontic needs and welcome you to schedule an appointment at McKay's Mill Dental to get started.

We are pleased to serve the communities of Franklin, Brentwood, Nashville, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, and all surrounding areas.