Straightening your teeth no longer means a mouth full of metal. At Wire Orthodontics, the top benefits of choosing Invisalign for a discreet, more confident smile include nearly invisible aligners, removable convenience, fewer office visits, and digitally planned results. Led by Dr. Clint Wire, a board-certified orthodontist and certified Invisalign provider, our family-owned practice helps teens and adults straighten their teeth without putting life on pause.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that gradually straightens teeth using a series of custom-made, BPA-free plastic trays. The aligners are nearly invisible and removable, allowing you to straighten your teeth without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces. Each set is worn 20 to 22 hours per day and swapped about every one to two weeks.
Treatment is digitally planned using 3D imaging, so Dr. Wire can map each tooth movement before your first aligner is made. This precision gives you a clear preview of how your smile will look at the finish line. Because the trays come out for meals and brushing, daily life stays close to normal.
At Wire Orthodontics, Invisalign is offered as a discreet alternative to braces for patients who want effective orthodontic care that fits a busy lifestyle. Whether you’re a working professional, a parent, or a teen heading into senior photos, clear aligners give you flexibility without sacrificing results.
How Invisalign Works: The Treatment Process
Invisalign treatment follows five clear steps: consultation, 3D digital scan, custom aligner fabrication, progress checkups every six to eight weeks, and retainers to hold your results. Dr. Wire designs each step using digital planning software, then guides you through every aligner change so your teeth shift safely and predictably toward their final position.
What Happens During the Free Consultation?
Your first visit is a free consultation with Dr. Wire. He’ll review your bite, smile goals, and overall oral health to confirm whether Invisalign is the right fit.
What Does the Digital 3D Scan Involve?
Instead of messy impressions, we use a quick digital scanner to capture a detailed 3D model of your teeth. From that scan, Dr. Wire builds a movement-by-movement plan and shows you a preview of your projected smile.
How Are Custom Aligners Made?
Your aligners are manufactured specifically for your teeth and shipped to our practice. You’ll receive a series of trays, each slightly different from the last, designed to move teeth in small, controlled steps.
What Happens at Progress Checkups?
Plan on visiting Wire Orthodontics every six to eight weeks so Dr. Wire can check your progress, make any refinements, and hand off your next set of aligners.
Why Are Retainers Important?
Once your active treatment wraps up, retainers keep your new smile stable for the long run. Wearing them as directed is the key to protecting your investment.
Top Benefits of Choosing Invisalign
Patients choose Invisalign because it blends effective orthodontic care with everyday convenience. From its clear appearance to its removable design, the system is built around real life. Here’s a closer look at what makes it stand out, and why so many families across Spokane ask about it during their first visit.
What Makes Invisalign So Convenient?
- Nearly invisible appearance. The clear plastic trays are difficult to notice in conversation or photos. You can straighten your teeth without announcing it to the world.
- Removable for eating and hygiene. Take the aligners out to eat, drink anything besides water, brush, and floss. That means no special tools and no working around brackets.
- More comfort than metal. Smooth, custom-trimmed plastic is gentler on cheeks and gums than traditional braces. You may feel mild pressure with each new aligner, but that’s a sign your teeth are moving as planned.
- Fewer office visits. Because you change aligners at home, checkups are typically spaced six to eight weeks apart. That saves time for school, work, and family.
How Does Invisalign Deliver Predictable Results?
- Digitally planned movements. Dr. Wire maps every movement in advance, and you can see a preview of your final smile before treatment begins. That kind of attention to detail builds confidence from day one.
- Versatile for many cases. Invisalign treats crowding, spacing, rotated teeth, and many mild to moderate bite issues. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, clear aligners can be an effective option for many common orthodontic concerns.
The result is a smile you’ll love and a treatment experience that fits the way you actually live. From your first visit to your final reveal, our team answers your questions, tracks your progress, and adjusts your plan as your teeth move.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces: A Comparison
Both Invisalign and traditional braces can produce amazing results. The right choice depends on your case, your lifestyle, and your preferences. Here’s how the two options compare on the factors patients ask about most.
| Feature | Invisalign | Traditional Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, nearly invisible aligners | Visible metal brackets and wires |
| Comfort | Smooth plastic, minimal irritation | Can rub cheeks and gums |
| Maintenance | Remove to brush and floss normally | Special brushes and threaders required |
| Diet | No food restrictions | Avoid sticky, hard, and chewy foods |
| Office Visits | Every 6-8 weeks | Every 4-6 weeks for adjustments |
| Complexity | Mild to moderate cases, many complex cases | Often preferred for severe alignment or bite issues |
| Compliance | Must wear 20-22 hours daily | Worn 24/7 automatically |
For many adults and teens, Invisalign offers the discretion and flexibility they want. With more complex bite corrections, Dr. Wire may recommend traditional braces or a combination approach. During your consultation, he’ll walk you through which option best matches your goals.
Invisalign Cost Factors
Invisalign cost depends on three main things: case complexity, treatment length, and the number of aligner sets needed. Simpler cases that finish in a few months typically cost less than full treatment lasting a year or more. Dental insurance with orthodontic benefits may cover part of the cost, and HSA or FSA funds can be applied. A consultation gives you a personalized estimate.
Several factors influence your final investment:
- Case complexity. Minor crowding requires fewer aligners than full-arch corrections with bite changes.
- Treatment length. Longer cases involve more aligner sets and more checkups.
- Insurance benefits. Many plans include an orthodontic allowance that applies to Invisalign.
- Payment options. Flexible monthly payment plans can spread the cost over the course of treatment.
- HSA and FSA dollars. Pre-tax accounts can be used toward orthodontic care.
At your free consultation, Dr. Wire and our team will review your treatment plan, check your insurance benefits, and outline payment options so you know exactly what to expect before you commit.
Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Most teens and adults with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates for Invisalign. The system works well for crowding, spacing, gaps, rotations, and many mild to moderate bite concerns. The biggest factor in your success is consistency: aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours every day to move teeth on schedule. Patients throughout the Spokane area come to us with exactly these kinds of concerns.
You may be a strong candidate if:
- A discreet option for straightening your teeth appeals to you.
- You can commit to wearing aligners 20-22 hours daily.
- Crowding, gaps, or mild to moderate bite issues are part of your concerns.
- Healthy teeth and gums with no active dental issues describe your current oral health.
- As a teen with most permanent teeth in place, or an adult of any age, you fit the typical age range.
Severe skeletal bite problems, significantly rotated teeth, or cases involving major tooth movements may respond better to traditional braces or a combined approach. The only way to know for sure is an in-person evaluation with a board-certified orthodontist. Dr. Wire will examine your bite, review your goals, and recommend the option that delivers the best results in the shortest time possible.
Wire Orthodontics is a family-owned practice led by Dr. Clint Wire, a board-certified orthodontist and certified Invisalign provider who earned his DDS from dental school (graduating first in his class) and his Master of Science in Orthodontics, where he served as Chief Resident. He’s also an inductee of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. Schedule your free consultation today to find out whether Invisalign is the right fit for your smile. You can schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward exceptional treatment and amazing results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Most Invisalign cases at Wire Orthodontics finish in about 12 to 18 months, though simpler cases can wrap up sooner and more complex ones may take longer. Your exact timeline depends on how much your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your aligners. Dr. Wire will give you a personalized estimate after your 3D scan.
Does Invisalign hurt?
You’ll feel mild pressure or tightness for a day or two each time you switch to a new aligner, which is a normal sign your teeth are shifting. Most patients describe it as noticeable but very manageable, and the smooth plastic is far gentler on cheeks and lips than metal brackets.
Can I eat with Invisalign in?
No, you’ll remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides plain water. That’s actually one of the perks: there are no food restrictions, and you can brush and floss normally before putting your aligners back in. Just be sure to log enough total wear time each day.
How many hours a day do I need to wear my aligners?
Aim for 20 to 22 hours per day. The aligners only work when they’re on your teeth, so consistent wear is the single most important factor in finishing on time and getting the result you want.
Is Invisalign as effective as traditional braces?
For many common orthodontic concerns, including crowding, spacing, and mild to moderate bite issues, Invisalign produces results comparable to traditional braces. Severe cases may still call for braces or a combined approach. Dr. Wire will recommend the option that fits your specific case during your consultation.
