Family Dentistry at LIV
Healthy Smiles
That Will
Last A Lifetime
Invisalign® Clear Aligner Therapy
Protect Your Teeth and Jaw Joint From Nocturnal Clenching and Grinding
A dental nightguard is a clear plastic appliance that is worn over the upper or lower teeth during sleep. The appliance is custom made to fit your teeth and bite, and it is designed to stabilize the jaw joint and protect the teeth from clenching and grinding (also known as bruxism).
Excessive force from bruxism can create a great deal of inflammation in the jaw joint and cause destruction of the teeth. The nightguard acts as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding or clenching against each other. This helps prevent damage such as chips, cracks, and enamel loss.
For some people, the way their teeth naturally close together is not the way their jaw joint wants to close, and the interlock of their teeth constantly forces their joint into a non-ideal position. This can lead to a great amount of inflammation and damage to the jaw joint, especially if heavy bruxing forces are then applied in this incorrect position. A nightguard acts to stabilize the jaw joint by providing an even plane for the teeth to close upon, which in turn allows the joint to close where it wants to. This relieves muscle tension and inflammation in the joint.
Invisalign is an effective way to treat many alignment and bite issues including:
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Crowding
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Spacing
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Overbite
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Overjet
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Open bite
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Crossbite
The first step is an initial consultation with the dentist to evaluate your oral health, teeth and bite, and discuss your goals for treatment.
Your treatment plan will be developed from a digital scan of your teeth and bite, which we accurately capture using our state-of-the-art iTero® 3D scanner. From this 3D scan we are able to map out your new smile and simulate the final outcome before your eyes.
Once the treatment plan is complete, Invisalign will use the 3D scan to fabricate a series of custom-made aligners, each one designed to gradually move your teeth into the desired position.
The aligners are made of a clear plastic material that is almost invisible when worn, hence the name “Invisalign.” You will receive a series of aligners, each one slightly different from the previous one, which you will wear for 1-2 weeks before switching to the next set. Check-in visits are usually scheduled every 4-6 weeks to ensure the teeth are moving as planned and to provide the next set of aligners.
Treatment time varies, but typically ranges between 6 months – 2 years depending on the individual case.
Before/After: Invisalign treatment for spacing and open bite
Before/After: Invisalign treatment for overjet and crossbite
Already have a dentist you love and just need an Invisalign provider? Not a problem! We are happy to see you for your Invisalign and you can continue to see your usual dentist for everything else.