Services
Invisalign in Huntersville, NC
Clear aligners from Dr. Bryan Kreeb, a general dentist and Invisalign provider. See who is a candidate, how aligners compare with braces, and what to expect.
Invisalign® is a set of clear, removable plastic aligners that move your teeth a little at a time. At Kreeb Family Dentistry, Dr. Bryan Kreeb is an Invisalign provider. Aligners can treat mild to moderate crowding, gaps and bite problems. You wear the aligners at least 22 hours a day, move to a new set on the schedule your dentist sets, and wear a retainer when treatment ends.
| Quick facts | Option |
|---|---|
| Visits | An exam and consultation, a scan or impressions, a fitting visit, then regular check-ups |
| Daily wear | At least 22 hours a day (AAO) |
| New aligners | On the schedule your dentist sets; the AAO says each aligner is typically worn about 1 week |
| How it feels | Pressure or mild soreness for the first few days of each new set |
| What drives the cost | How complex your case is, how many aligners you need, any fine-tuning aligners, retainers |
| Insurance | Orthodontic benefits vary by plan; call us to ask about yours |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Is Invisalign right for you?
Invisalign is often a good fit if you have mild to moderate crowding, gaps, or an overbite, underbite, open bite or crossbite, and you can wear aligners almost all day. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) lists these as common problems aligners treat, and notes that some cases are treated more predictably with braces.
You may not be a good candidate if:
- Your bite problem is complex, or it involves how your jaws line up. The AAO notes that some cases are treated more predictably with braces.
- You have untreated gum disease or tooth decay. These need care first, at a dental exam and cleaning.
- You know you will not keep the aligners in for at least 22 hours a day.
Can a general dentist provide Invisalign?
Yes. Dr. Bryan Kreeb is a general dentist and an Invisalign provider.
Some complex bite and jaw problems are better treated by a dentist who has completed specialty training in orthodontics. If your exam points that way, we will tell you plainly so you can choose your next step.
What happens during Invisalign treatment?
Exam and consultation
Dr. Bryan Kreeb checks your teeth, gums, jaw joints and bite and talks through your goals.
Scan or impressions
We record the shape of your teeth. Your aligners are designed from this record and your dentist's plan. The AAO notes that delivery from the maker can take 4 to 6 weeks.
Fitting visit
You get your first aligners and learn how to wear and clean them. Some plans use small tooth-colored bumps, called attachments, that help the aligners grip.
Active treatment
You switch to the next set on the schedule your dentist sets. You come in for check-ups so Dr. Bryan Kreeb can see that your teeth are moving to plan.
Retainers
When your teeth reach their planned position, you wear a retainer to hold them there.
How long does Invisalign take?
Invisalign treatment time depends on your case. ADA MouthHealthy says most people are in orthodontic treatment for one to three years. The AAO says the number of aligners and the treatment time vary with your bite and the tooth movements needed.
One review found aligner treatment was shorter on average than braces in the mild to moderate cases studied, but your own estimate comes from your exam. Wearing your aligners as directed is the part you control.
Invisalign vs braces: how do they compare?
Both can straighten teeth. They differ in how they look, whether they come out, and how much depends on you.
| Option | Invisalign clear aligners | Traditional braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, thin plastic trays that are nearly invisible | Brackets joined by a wire; metal or tooth-colored, sometimes placed behind the teeth |
| Removable | Yes. You take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss | No. Brackets are bonded to the teeth |
| Typical treatment time | Depends on the case; most orthodontic treatment takes 1 to 3 years | Most orthodontic treatment takes 1 to 3 years |
| Food rules | Aligners come out when you eat or drink | Avoid foods such as popcorn, gum, corn on the cob, whole apples and other sticky foods |
| Visits | Regular check-ups during treatment | The wire is tightened from time to time |
| Best suited for | Mild to moderate problems, and people who will wear aligners at least 22 hours a day | A wider range of cases, including some that aligners treat less predictably |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Most people feel pressure, not sharp pain. The AAO says mild discomfort is common for the first few days.
The AAO describes an adjustment period of about a week while your mouth gets used to the aligners. Call us if soreness does not ease or an aligner edge rubs your cheek.
Risks, limits and alternatives
Know these limits before you start:
It only works when you wear it
The AAO says to wear aligners at least 22 hours a day, so they need to be in almost all the time.
Some movements are harder
A review found aligners were less effective than braces at fine-tuning how the back teeth meet, controlling root angle and keeping results stable.
Retainers are needed afterwards
Without a retainer, teeth tend to drift back toward where they started. Researchers call this relapse. The AAO says a retainer is typically needed for life, though you may wear it less often over time.
Other options include:
- Traditional braces, which suit a wider range of bite problems.
- Porcelain veneers, which change how front teeth look for some small cosmetic concerns but do not move them.
- Doing nothing. Ask what happens if you wait.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Your cost depends on your plan. Ask for an estimate after your exam. What drives the cost:
- How complex your case is
- How many aligners you need
- Whether you need extra aligners at the end to fine-tune the result (often called refinements)
- Your retainers after treatment
The AAO says dental plans with orthodontic coverage usually cover braces and clear aligners equally, but each plan is different. Ask about payment options on our insurance and payment page.
Why patients choose Kreeb Family Dentistry for Invisalign
An Invisalign provider who knows your whole mouth
Dr. Bryan Kreeb provides Invisalign and completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at the University of Florida.
Aligner visits and regular dental care in one office
Early appointments
We open at 7:00 AM, Monday to Friday, so a visit can fit before work or school.
Next steps if you want them
After your teeth are straight, you can ask about teeth whitening or our other cosmetic dentistry options.
How long does Invisalign take?
It depends on your case. ADA MouthHealthy says most orthodontic treatment takes one to three years, and the AAO says time varies with your bite and the movements needed. Dr. Bryan Kreeb gives you an estimate for your own teeth after your exam.
How many hours a day do I need to wear Invisalign?
The American Association of Orthodontists says to wear aligners at least 22 hours a day. In practice, that means you take the aligners out only to eat, drink, brush and floss, then put them right back in.
Is Invisalign better than braces?
Neither is better for everyone. Aligners are removable and hard to see, which many people like. Braces can be more predictable for some complex bite problems. Your exam shows which option fits your teeth, your bite and how well you can keep aligners in all day.
Is Invisalign an option for teens?
It can be. Invisalign makes clear aligners designed for teens. A teen needs to wear them at least 22 hours a day, just like an adult, so commitment matters as much as the bite. Ask at your visit whether your teen is a candidate.
Will I need a retainer after Invisalign?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back toward where they started once treatment ends. A retainer holds them in place. The American Association of Orthodontists says a retainer is typically needed for life, although many people wear it less often as time goes on.
Does insurance cover Invisalign?
Some plans do. Dental plans with orthodontic coverage usually cover clear aligners and braces equally, but each plan is different. Call us with your plan details and ask what it may cover before you decide.
Book your Invisalign consultation in Huntersville
Find out whether aligners suit your teeth at an exam with Dr. Bryan Kreeb.