invisalign® in Little Rock & Jacksonville, AR

Adults of all ages desire a straighter, healthier smile without the inconvenience or obvious nature of traditional metal braces. However, many don't realize that innovative options exist to make this a simple reality. Dr. Michael Ashcraft is pleased to provide Invisalign — clear, removable aligners for patients in Little Rock and Jacksonville, AR. The Invisalign advanced aligner system is digitally designed to comfortably fit your specific mouth so that your orthodontic care is more discreet and attractive than traditional metal braces. Invisalign can also be taken out to make eating, brushing, and flossing your teeth much easier. If you're interested in having healthier teeth without metal braces, ask us about the Invisalign system. Schedule your visit to Ashcraft Orthodontics today.

There are several factors that can alter the alignment of your teeth. For example, if you sucked your thumb, genetics, missing a tooth or teeth, and trauma to your face. Dental misalignment may cause more oral health concerns, such as a bad bite (dental malocclusion), uneven wear on the enamel, difficulty chewing and speaking, and jaw pain and/or toothaches. Following an examination of your mouth, Dr. Ashcraft can recommend an orthodontic treatment method that meets your unique needs.

The Invisalign system is an ideal system for adults who would like straighter, healthier teeth without dealing with the hassle, pain, and appearance of braces. Even though the aligners should remain in place the majority of the day, Invisalign trays may be removed for cleaning your teeth, eating, special occasions, and physical activities. Candidates who benefit most from Invisalign may have one or more of the following conditions:

• Misaligned or rotated teeth

• Spacing between teeth

• Overbite or openbite

• Crossbite or underbite

• Crooked or crowded teeth

Before your treatment begins, a member of our team will obtain digital impressions of your upper and lower arches. Using these comprehensive images, your Invisalign aligners will be created in a special lab with state-of-the-art digital technology. A full series of aligners will be custom created at this time to meet your aesthetic needs. When they are ready, you will return to Ashcraft Orthodontics to pick up your aligners. You need to keep your aligners in for at least 20 – 22 hours every day for your treatment to work properly, ideally taking them out only for cleaning and eating. Every two weeks, you will change out your set of trays for the next in the series. You should have follow-ups about every 4 – 6 weeks at Ashcraft Orthodontics to have your progress monitored. How long you will need to wear Invisalign trays could vary, according to the initial condition of your teeth and your aesthetic goals. However, many patients need to wear trays for around a year.

When your bite is aligned and your treatment is complete, it is crucial to prevent your teeth from returning to their original position. A new set of digital impressions will be taken so that a Vivera retainer can be created for you. Vivera by Invisalign retainers is made using the same materials as your aligners to keep your teeth in their new position once your treatment is complete. Every retainer is made custom at the Invisalign dental lab based on impressions taken after your orthodontic treatment is done. Dr. Ashcraft will discuss with you how many hours a day you should wear your retainer, plus how to clean it after it is sent from the laboratory. Dr. Ashcraft will continue to monitor the alignment of your teeth and bite during your annual examinations to ensure your teeth remain in their proper position.

Many of our patients find that part of their treatment cost is paid by insurance. Our office can determine your coverage and figure out any out-of-pocket expenses. Ashcraft Orthodontics offers several methods of payment if you do not have or do not wish to use your dental insurance. During your consultation, a member of our team will discuss costs and explain how our office can help to make your Invisalign treatment affordable for you.

If you or someone in your family is curious about attaining healthier, straighter teeth without the hassle of metal braces, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ashcraft to determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign advanced teeth straightening system. He will create your unique treatment plan with Invisalign at your consultation at Ashcraft Orthodontics and help start you on the journey to a beautiful smile.