One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment options for adults with crooked teeth, Invisalign is a brand of removable aligners comfortably straightening teeth without wires or brackets. Invisalign works by using a series of clear plastic aligners made with 3D imaging technology and are incrementally adjusted to gradually move your teeth into alignment. Most patients achieve the confident, beautiful smile of their dreams in under a year.
Align Technology, the parent company of Invisalign , was founded in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth in San Jose, California.
The first step is meeting with your doctor during a one on one consultation. They examine your smile, discuss your orthodontic goals, and determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. We take impressions or digital scans of your mouth and give you a sneak peek of your new smile with a digital mockup.
When your first set of aligners arrives at our office, you'll come in to pick them up and try them on. Your doctor instructs you on how to wear your aligners to get the best results. Most patients are instructed to wear them for at least 20 hours a day. You'll also switch out the aligners for the next set every two weeks.
We check in every 6 weeks to make sure your progress is on track. During these periodic check-ins, you'll also receive your next few sets of aligners. So long as you are diligent about wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time per day, your smile keeps shifting into the right position.
After completing treatment, you'll get a set of retainers to maintain your beautiful new smile. These durable retainers look similar to your original Invisalign aligners, but are better suited for long-term use as they can handle more pressure without breaking down. You'll likely need to wear these every night to help keep your teeth straight for years to come.
When the upper teeth overlap in front of the lower front teeth, this is called an overbite. Overbites are actually extremely common, but they become an issue when the gap is too large. This can cause premature wear and tear, or you may suffer from jaw pain from misalignment. Invisalign can fix this deep bite and shift your teeth into a healthy position.
An underbite is when your lower front teeth are in front of your upper arch of teeth. Usually, this occurs due to the lower jaw being too far forward. Underbites can make it difficult to properly chew and speak, and may cause the teeth to wear down. In some cases, Invisalign can fix underbites, but severe underbites might require additional oral surgery to prepare for orthodontic treatment.
In an ideal bite position, the upper front teeth would sit slightly in front of the lower front teeth. Crossbites occur when some of the upper teeth sit behind your lower teeth. This can cause wear and tear, chips, and can even cause gum recession in some cases. This can lead to painful sensitivity or even bone loss. Invisalign can fix some crossbites, but we recommend coming in for a consultation to see which option is right for you.
While they are very common, gaps between your teeth can make it much harder to keep food from getting stuck in the crevices. These spaces are also more likely to harbor bacteria that cause tender, sore gums and even lead to gum disease if not treated quickly enough. Invisalign can close these gaps and ensure a straighter, more seamless, and healthier smile!
Normally the upper and lower front teeth touch when the mouth is closed. If this is not the case, it’s called an open bite. Open bites can make chewing or biting certain foods extremely difficult. Invisalign can reposition the bite gradually until all teeth are aligned and sitting straight.
If there isn’t enough room in your mouth for your teeth to sit straight, they can bunch up and overlap in uncomfortable ways that make brushing or flossing difficult. This is called crowding. Crowded teeth can make it difficult to brush and floss properly. If you aren’t able to maintain a good oral health care routine at home, plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria begin to build up. Over time, this leads to tooth decay, cavities, and sometimes even gum disease. Usually, Invisalign can fix most cases of crowded teeth. Simply come in to speak with your dentist to see if it’s the right choice for your smile.
Invisalign has transformed over 8 million smiles!
Invisalign treatment typically costs between $3,000 and $8,000, depending on the complexity of your case and the number of aligners needed. Most Invisalign cases are comparable in cost to traditional braces. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign the same way they cover braces, with coverage typically ranging from 25-50% of treatment costs or up to $1,500-$3,000 for orthodontic benefits. At Mesa Dental, we work with most PPO insurance plans, including Cigna, MetLife, and United Healthcare, to maximize your benefits. We can submit a pre-treatment estimate to help you understand exactly what your insurance will cover before beginning treatment. For patients without insurance or with limited coverage, we offer flexible monthly payment plans and accept CareCredit financing to make your Invisalign treatment affordable. Schedule a consultation to get a personalized cost estimate based on your specific needs.
Most Invisalign treatments are completed in 12-18 months, though your specific timeline depends on the complexity of your case and how diligently you wear your aligners. You’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing your teeth. At Mesa Dental, we schedule check-in appointments approximately every 6 weeks to monitor your progress, make any necessary adjustments, and provide your next few sets of aligners. You’ll switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks as your teeth gradually shift into their ideal position. Patients with minor alignment issues may complete treatment in as little as 6-8 months, while more complex cases might take 18-24 months. Following your treatment plan precisely and wearing your aligners for the recommended time each day ensures you achieve your best results in the shortest timeframe.
Invisalign can effectively treat a wide range of orthodontic issues including overbites (where upper teeth overlap too far over lower teeth), underbites (where lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth), crossbites (where some upper teeth sit behind lower teeth), open bites (where upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when mouth is closed), gaps between teeth, and crowded or overlapping teeth. Invisalign has successfully transformed over 8 million smiles worldwide. However, severe misalignment, significant jaw problems, or extremely rotated teeth may require traditional braces or additional oral surgery before or instead of Invisalign treatment. The best way to determine if you’re a good candidate is to schedule a one-on-one consultation at Mesa Dental. We’ll examine your smile, discuss your orthodontic goals, take impressions or digital scans of your mouth, and show you a digital mockup of your potential results so you can see what your new smile could look like before committing to treatment.
Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is simple and essential for maintaining good oral hygiene during treatment. The easiest method is to brush your aligners with a soft toothbrush each time you brush your teeth using lukewarm water. Never use hot water as it can warp the plastic. When you’re away from home and don’t have access to your toothbrush, simply rinse your aligners thoroughly with lukewarm water. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, toothpaste, or colored soaps that might scratch or stain the clear plastic. You can also purchase an Invisalign Cleaning System for more thorough cleaning. Remember to brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in to prevent trapping food particles and bacteria against your teeth. Store your aligners in their protective case when not wearing them to prevent damage or loss. With proper care, your aligners will remain clear and virtually invisible throughout your treatment at Mesa Dental.
Yes, wearing a retainer after completing Invisalign treatment is essential to maintain your beautiful new smile and prevent your teeth from gradually shifting back to their original positions. After you finish your Invisalign treatment at Mesa Dental, you’ll receive a set of custom retainers looking similar to your Invisalign aligners but made from a more durable material designed for long-term use. Most patients need to wear their retainers every night indefinitely to keep their teeth straight for years to come. Initially, you may need to wear them more frequently (day and night for the first few months), then transition to nighttime-only wear as directed. Your teeth naturally want to return to their original position, especially in the first year after treatment, so consistent retainer wear is crucial. We’ll provide specific instructions for retainer care and wear schedule at your final appointment. Regular follow-up visits help us monitor your results and ensure your retainers continue fitting properly.
Most Invisalign treatments are completed in just 1 year.
Dr. Emily Browner
A Las Vegas native, Dr. Browner developed her passion for dentistry while working as a dental assistant throughout college. She earned her B.S. in Health Ecology from the University of Nevada Reno before completing her DMD at UNLV School of Dental Medicine. She focuses on personalized preventive and cosmetic dentistry, helping patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles through veneers, Invisalign, and whole-health dental care.
Dr. R.J. Guideng
Dr. Guideng brings specialized expertise in dental implantology to Mesa Dental. As an AAID-credentialed dentist through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, he is dedicated to advancing his skills in implant dentistry and providing patients with lasting solutions for missing teeth, including All-on-X full arch restorations and single-tooth implants.
We make quality dental care accessible with flexible payment options.
We work with most PPO insurance plans. Our office files claims on your behalf and provides benefit estimates before treatment begins.
We offer financing through CareCredit and in-house payment plans to help you break down treatment costs into manageable monthly payments. For patients without insurance, our in-house membership program starts at just $33/month and includes cleanings, exams, and 20% off all treatments.
Questions? Call us at (702) 640-0004 to discuss your coverage, financing, or membership options.
Mesa Dental offers comprehensive dentistry for patients throughout Las Vegas and Summerlin. From preventive care to advanced cosmetic procedures, our conservative and whole-health approach delivers exceptional results. Below are just some of the services we provide.
Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your goals and discover how Mesa Dental can help you achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
