Burien Dental is a Certified Gold Invisalign Provider

Burien Dental is a Certified Gold Invisalign Provider, which underscores our commitment to providing top-tier orthodontic care using clear aligners. Invisalign offers patients a discreet and convenient way to straighten their teeth without brackets or wires. This system has become especially popular with adults and teens who want effective orthodontic treatment but prefer a less noticeable method than traditional braces.

We strive to make the experience smooth, from your initial consultation through completion and retention. Our team has guided many patients through Invisalign, and we’re happy to help you explore whether aligners are right for your smile.

Why Choose Invisalign?

Clear Appearance: Each aligner is made from nearly transparent plastic, making it difficult for others to tell you’re wearing anything. This is especially appealing if you want a more subtle orthodontic solution.
Removable Convenience: You can remove the aligners when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. There are no diet restrictions since you aren’t worried about popping wires or damaging brackets.
Easy Oral Hygiene: With no braces to maneuver around, it’s simpler to maintain your normal routine. You can brush and floss as usual, reducing the risk of gum inflammation and tooth decay during treatment.
Fewer Office Visits: You typically switch to the next set of aligners at home every one to two weeks. You still see us periodically to check progress, but these visits tend to be shorter and less frequent than for braces adjustments.
Predictable Results: Invisalign software allows us to map out each stage of tooth movement, so you can see a digital preview of how your teeth should look once treatment is finished.
Comfortable Fit: The aligners are smooth, customized to your teeth, and generally gentler on the gums and cheeks than brackets or wires.

Because Invisalign can correct many (though not all) forms of malocclusion, it’s a popular treatment choice. We’ll help you determine whether your case is a good match for aligners, or if an alternate approach (such as braces) would be more beneficial.

How the Invisalign Process Works

Consultation and Assessment: We evaluate your teeth and jaw alignment to see if Invisalign is appropriate for you. This includes reviewing your oral health, bite, and any specific concerns you have—such as crowding, gaps, or misalignment.
Digital Imaging and Impressions: We take X-rays, photos, or digital scans of your teeth. These images are used to create a 3D model of your mouth and design a comprehensive treatment plan. You can often preview a computerized simulation of how your teeth will shift over time.
Custom Aligners: Your aligners are fabricated using the data we collect. Each aligner in the series is slightly different, guiding your teeth step by step toward their ideal positions. You’ll wear each set of trays for about two weeks, or as we direct, before moving to the next.
Daily Wear: Aim for 20–22 hours of aligner wear each day. The more consistently you wear them, the quicker and more reliably your teeth move. Remove them for meals and drinks other than water, then clean your aligners and brush your teeth before putting them back in.
Check-Up Visits: We’ll schedule quick visits approximately every 4–6 weeks to assess your progress, give you more aligners, and make sure your treatment is on track.
Completion and Retention: Most Invisalign cases finish within 9–15 months, though treatment length varies. Once you’ve worn your final set of trays, we move into the retention phase with a customized retainer (more details on retainers below). Retention is crucial for preserving your results.

Because each phase is mapped out ahead of time, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect. Invisalign can often treat moderate crowding, spacing, and many bite issues if the case isn’t extremely complex. If it is, we might suggest traditional braces or another orthodontic system. We want you to receive the best possible outcome, so we’ll always offer our honest recommendation.

Orthodontics: What It Is and Who It Helps

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and corrects misalignments of the teeth and jaws. Proper alignment is about more than having a pretty smile—straight teeth are typically easier to clean, less prone to excessive wear, and support comfortable jaw function.

Though orthodontic care was historically associated with children and teens, today, nearly one-third of orthodontic patients are adults. The American Dental Association recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation by age seven to catch any issues early, but it’s never too late to benefit from treatment. At Burien Dental, we see patients of all ages seeking a healthier, more functional bite.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

Cleaner Teeth and Healthier Gums: Aligned teeth have fewer tight spots for plaque to hide, making them easier to brush and floss thoroughly.
Improved Bite Function: Correct alignment spreads chewing force evenly, promoting effective biting and reducing stress on the jaw joints.
Reduced Risk of Tooth Wear: Crooked teeth can wear unevenly and fracture more easily.
Enhanced Facial Symmetry: Orthodontic corrections sometimes help balance the profile and jaw relationship.
Boosted Confidence: A straight smile can encourage you to grin more often and feel prouder of your overall appearance.

Common Orthodontic Issues

Overcrowding: Occurs when there isn’t enough space in the jaw for all adult teeth, causing overlap or twisting.
Overbite: The upper jaw or upper teeth protrude forward over the lower teeth.
Underbite: The lower jaw juts out, making the lower teeth sit ahead of the upper teeth.
Crossbite: Some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite down, which can lead to uneven wear or jaw shifting.
Open Bite: The upper and lower teeth don’t make proper contact when you bite together, often due to habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Spacing/Gaps: Extra space in the arches, either generalized or between specific teeth.

By diagnosing these issues early, treatment can be planned to intercept or correct alignment concerns. However, even if the problem has been present for years, orthodontics can still realign the teeth and improve the bite in adults and teens alike.

Braces for Adults: Orthodontic Options at Any Age

Many adults decide to correct long-standing alignment concerns because technology has made orthodontics more comfortable and less invasive. Adult treatment often requires a bit more time—your jaws are no longer growing, and teeth can be more settled in place—but the results are equally rewarding.

Why Adults Opt for Orthodontics

Confidence in Smiling: Straightened teeth help many people feel more at ease when smiling, speaking, or taking photos.
Functional Improvements: A misaligned bite can cause headaches, TMJ pain, or difficulty chewing. Proper alignment can help reduce these issues.
Oral Health Benefits: Straight teeth are simpler to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. In addition, issues like gum recession or bone loss can worsen if teeth remain crooked for many years.
Preventing Future Damage: An imbalanced bite can place extra force on certain teeth, leading to cracks or excessive wear. Realigning now can save you from more extensive restorative work later.

Types of Braces Adults Often Consider

Traditional Metal Braces: Modern braces use smaller brackets that can be more comfortable than the large “train tracks” you might remember. They can handle even complex cases effectively.
Tooth-Colored (Ceramic) Braces: These work like metal braces but use brackets that blend better with your teeth. They are less noticeable but can stain if you frequently consume coffee, tea, or other pigmented beverages without proper hygiene.
Lingual Braces: Brackets and wires placed on the tongue side (back) of the teeth so they’re hidden from view. This approach requires a specialized technique and can be more complex, but the invisibility factor appeals to some adults.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners: Removable trays that are nearly invisible when worn. Compliance is critical—if you forget to wear them, progress stalls. Not every adult case qualifies for aligners, especially if there’s severe crowding or jaw discrepancy, but many moderate cases respond very well.

Considerations for Adult Orthodontics

Pre-Treatment Dental Work: Before starting orthodontics, any active gum disease or tooth decay must be addressed. We’ll do a full exam to ensure your mouth is healthy. Existing restorations like crowns or implants don’t always preclude treatment, but we may need to plan around them.
Treatment Timeline: Movement can be slower in adults, partly because the jawbone is more rigid. That said, the final results can still be excellent.
Orthodontic Check-Ups: Whether you opt for braces or aligners, you’ll have periodic visits so we can track your progress, adjust wires or provide new aligners, and ensure everything is on target.
Retention: Like all orthodontic patients, adults must wear a retainer after active treatment to keep teeth from shifting back.

Improving your bite as an adult can be a transformative experience. Regardless of your age, you have options. Together, we’ll decide which appliance works best for your case and lifestyle. The outcome is a healthier, more confident smile that can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

Care After Orthodontics: Retainers Matter

Once your braces are removed or you finish your last set of aligners, there’s one crucial step left: retention. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back to their previous positions if not stabilized. Retainers hold teeth in their new alignment until the jaw, gums, and surrounding tissues fully adapt.

Why Retainers Are Essential

Prevent Relapse: Without a retainer, your teeth can shift toward their original alignment. All the time and effort you put into straightening them can be undone.
Maintain Your Investment: Orthodontic treatment represents a significant commitment. Wearing a retainer after is how you protect the final outcome.
Support Bone Remodeling: After teeth move, the bone around them must remodel and solidify. Retainers hold your teeth in place during this critical period.

Common Retainer Types

Hawley Retainer: Features a metal wire on an acrylic arch, occasionally adjustable to maintain the correct position.
Essix Retainer: A clear plastic (PVC) tray that covers the teeth. It’s affordable and nearly invisible but can scratch or break more easily.
Fixed Retainer: A wire bonded to the backside of a few teeth, typically used after rapid or significant tooth movement to prevent relapse.

Tips for Retainer Care

Avoid losing the appliance: Always keep it in its case when not worn.
Remove for eating and drinking: Prevents damage to the retainer and buildup of debris.
Clean thoroughly: Brush Hawley retainers with a soft brush; use denture or specialized cleaner for clear plastic retainers.
Wear as directed: Essential for stabilizing the teeth’s new position.

Who Can Benefit From Orthodontics?

Orthodontic treatment benefits children, teens, and adults alike. Malocclusions (improper bites) can affect speech, chewing, and facial symmetry. Severe malocclusions can also contribute to TMJ problems, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. Seeking early treatment can prevent the need for more extensive (and expensive) procedures later.

Typical Problems Orthodontics Can Resolve

Overcrowding: Not enough space in the jaw for teeth to fit properly.
Overbite: Upper jaw protrudes, creating a “toothy” look.
Underbite: Lower jaw protrudes, making the chin appear overly prominent.

Why Straighten Teeth?

Straighter teeth don’t just look better—they function more efficiently. Crooked teeth can make oral hygiene difficult, potentially leading to decay, gum disease, and jaw issues.

Periodontitis (Gum Disease): Misaligned teeth are harder to clean, increasing the risk of bacteria buildup.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: An improper bite can strain the jaw, causing pain and headaches.
Tooth Injury: Protruding teeth are more susceptible to damage.
Uneven Wear: Misaligned teeth may force some teeth to work harder than others.

Orthodontic treatment—whether through braces or aligners—can correct these issues, improving both oral health and appearance.

Ready to Get Started?

We invite you to schedule a consultation at Burien Dental to discuss your orthodontic needs. Whether you’re interested in Invisalign or exploring other braces options, we can guide you toward a straighter, healthier smile. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve the smile of your dreams!