What is Invisalign?

Aligner: A custom-made, nearly invisible dental device designed, patented, and manufactured by Align Technology. Advanced imaging technology is used to transform plaster models of a patient?s teeth into a highly accurate 3-D digital image. This image is then used to create a series of aligners that a doctor will use over the course of treatment to correct the positioning of a patient?s teeth.
Attachments: Forms bonded onto front or back surfaces of teeth to help achieve certain types of tooth movement with Invisalign^®.

Braces: Dental appliances used to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth.

ClinCheck^®: Proprietary software that depicts the movement of a patient's teeth in a three-dimensional view from the beginning to the end of treatment. Also allows the patient and doctor to review the projected movement.
Cross Bite: When the upper back teeth fit inside the lower teeth.
Crowding: A state in which teeth are positioned very close together and, in some cases, overlapping.

Deep Bite: Excessive overbite in which the upper front teeth hide the lower teeth.

Invisalign Platinum Doctor: An Invisalign Platinum Doctor has received special training in the Invisalign system and has successfully treated 40 or more patient cases.

Malocclusion: Improper alignment of the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth.

Occlusion: The contact between the upper and lower teeth, more commonly known as the bite.
Open Bite: A condition in which the teeth don?t close or come together in the front, side or back of the mouth.
Orthodontist: A dentist specialising in the prevention or correction of misalignment of the teeth.
Overbite: When the upper jaw and teeth overlap the bottom jaw and teeth. Sometimes known as ?buck teeth.?

Preferred Provider: Preferred Provider is a designation that belongs to a select group of Invisalign-certified Doctors who have achieved an exceptional level of Invisalign experience.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): The joint between the head of the lower jawbone and the temporal bone that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Only the lower jaw moves when a person talks, chews or breathes. The upper jaw is stationary. A TMJ misalignment can result in the entire lower set of teeth being out of alignment. The result is commonly known as "overbite" when the lower jaw extends past the upper jaw, or "underbite" when the lower jaw rests behind the upper jaw. Misalignment of the TMJ can result in serious pain in the joint, headaches, and resistance when opening and closing the mouth.