Invisalign® treatment in Cleveland, OH: Straighten teeth, effectively and comfortably, without braces
Modern orthodontics takes the “best” of traditional systems and eliminates the “worst” things about braces. Hybrid treatment, such as Invisalign®, is precise and effective, and comfortable and discreet. Downtown Dental Services patients are often pleasantly surprised by how easy it is for Dr. Tony Lu to correct crooked, crowded teeth at Downtown Dental Services in Cleveland, OH.
Dr. Tony Lu: Hey guys, this is Dr. Tony Lu. I’m happy to have Megan here today. Megan just recently finished her Invisalign treatment in our office (Megan: Right) and we really appreciate that Megan takes the time with us today to share with you guys her experience (Megan: Right, yeah happy to do it). Okay, thank you very much. So, we just want you to talk about your experience when getting your Invisalign treatment. So, was that comfortable when you were wearing the Invisalign trays?
Megan: Yes, after a while, I sort of forgot I was wearing them. (Dr. Lu: Okay) At the beginning, you do feel a little discomfort. It wasn’t anything that was out of control. Certainly, the longer I wore it, the more it became just natural.
Dr. Lu: Okay, did people notice that you were wearing the trays?
Megan: They certainly didn’t mention anything. I think there are a couple of friends that knew that I was getting it done that didn’t actually recognize it until I pointed it out.
Dr. Lu: Okay, that’s very good. I guess the most important question is, do you like your new smile now?
Megan: Yeah, of course, of course. I’ve always been sort of a smiley person, it’s just nice to feel a little more confident in speaking with people, and laughing, and joking around. And yeah, it certainly is a confidence-boost, I think.
Dr. Lu: That’s great. I’m glad that it meets your expectation. So, do you want to talk about anything else or want to share with our patients?
Megan: I think it’s an important thing, I didn’t recognize how important it was to me, but it is, as I was going through it now I have finished it, it became just a big deal and at least for me. I don’t know how big a deal it is for other people necessarily, but it really helped me, I think.
Dr. Lu: Okay, that’s great. So that has given you a great smile and a boost to your confidence and I’m glad that the treatment went so well. Thank you so much.
Megan: Of course, no, Thank you.
Dr. Lu: Great.
Invisalign®: the “magic” is in the aligners
Conventional braces use silver-colored, stainless-steel wires and brackets to gradually reposition teeth. The wires and brackets place consistent pressure on the teeth, which facilitates movement. These components can only be adjusted or removed by your orthodontist. There is often an adjustment period, as patients figure out how to effectively clean around the wires and brackets, or how to eat comfortably and efficiently with braces.
Invisalign® uses a series of removable oral appliances to incrementally reposition teeth. These appliances, or aligner trays, can be taken out to effectively clean the teeth and gums, and when eating meals or snacks. They are made from a transparent, smooth plastic. So, when you smile, no one notices that you are wearing them! Also, there are no wires or brackets to get used to, which makes them a comfortable option. Aligners are also easy to care for with warm (not hot) water and nonabrasive cleansing products to prevent warping, staining, and bacterial overgrowth.
A Beautiful Smile in Less Than a Year with Invisalign
Okay, so can you tell me a little bit about your Invisalign experience?
I think it went perfectly the way I wanted, it took a few months and is affordable and it made my teeth beautiful and I feel comfortable smiling!
Oh, I am excited to hear that! So how long would you say your treatment was?
About 9 months to 1 year.
Oh cool so it is pretty quick
Yes a pretty quick process
Did you have any advice for future or existing Invisalign patients?
Yeah, I definitely recommend like most people if they are insecure about their teeth they should get Invisalign because it is easy to take out and easy to put it back in, and it doesn’t like hurt at all I feel like it’s just a small pinch.
Oh cool! Well, thank you so much for doing this video!
Yep.
Fixed My Overbite in Just 6 Months with Invisalign
Alrighty! So can you tell me a little bit about your treatment for Invisalign?
I had my overbite a couple of months ago so I searched online and found this fantastic clinic and I came here and after about I think 6 months of treatment I fixed my overbite and I got my confidence back!
Oh, we love to hear that! So your treatment was about 6 months long or so?
Yeah
And how was your experience? How would you describe it?
I think it was a great experience like everyone is really nice to me, really kind, answered the questions I had, yeah so basically it is like a really great experience comparing to like my past experiences!
Oh, thank you for that! And do you love your results?
Yeah definitely!
That is good to hear and then lastly do you have advice for any future Invisalign patients?
For advice, I think you guys do a great job! I don’t know how to give advice!
Thank you! No, you are fine! (Laughs) thank you so much for doing this video!
My Invisalign Experience: Painless, Easy, and Worth It
Ok so thank you for taking time to do this video with us, I just wanted to know what your experience was with our office with Invisalign!
Yeah it was painless, it was perfect, staff was great, my piece of advice if you are thinking about Invisalign, do it there’s no perfect time, the trays are easier to manage and the staff keeps you up to date with what to do. Cleaning is great and the results are the best! I guarantee you won’t regret it, doing Invisalign!
Aww, thank you so much! Thank you
I Wasn't Happy with My Smile Until Invisalign Changed That
Can you tell me a little bit about your Invisalign experience?
Yeah, it has been good, almost one year. Yeah, when I came in I had a lot of gaps, a lot of things.
Mhmm
So I just wanted those gaps to like get filled up because I was not very happy with my smile.
Ok
But after that day, Dr. Lu is very professional and he has explained everything throughout the journey and the entire process has been smooth.
That is good to hear!
And I am very happy with the way it was done.
Oh! I am happy to hear that! Do you have any tips or advise for any future Invisalign patients?
Just go for it – if you are even thinking about it – just go for it!
OK! And then would you recommend Invisalign to your friends and family?
Yeah of course!
Alright! Cool, thank you so much for doing this video!
Yeah, no problem.
Steps to a healthier, better-looking smile
The process starts with your free consultation at our downtown office. Dr. Lu uses advanced digital scanning and software to create a 3-dimensional model of your mouth. We will pull this simulation of your teeth up on a monitor and point out exactly how your teeth will be aligned with Invisalign®.
For more than 20 years, the system has been used to treat more than 9 million smiles worldwide. So, it can effectively reposition teeth with minor misalignment, as well as correct more severe bite problems. If you are an appropriate candidate, the 3-D model will be used to make your aligner trays. Wear the trays as directed by your dentist. Be sure to wear them in the correct order. Each tray corresponds with a different stage of treatment. Also, only take your aligners out when you eat, brush, and floss. Failure to comply with these instructions can delay the stunning results, which usually take about 6 to 12 months to be realized.We look forward to revamping your smile!
Schedule your free Invisalign® smile assessment today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign Treatment
Are you bothered by your misaligned smile? Invisalign treatment from Downtown Dental Services presents a discreet, comfortable orthodontic treatment. Instead of wires and brackets, Invisalign uses minimally visible, custom-designed clear trays to align your teeth and bite.
Before starting your Invisalign journey, you may have several questions about the treatment. Dr. Tony Lu responds to commonly asked questions about Invisalign to help you make an informed decision.
The results of Invisalign treatment have been nothing short of amazing for this patient.
Dr. Lu: Okay, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with our patients about Invisalign.
Patient: Absolutely, yeah.
Dr. Lu: So we finished the Invisalign treatment earlier this year, right?
Patient: Yes, a couple of months ago.
Dr. Lu: And the results were amazing.
Patient: I mean, literally, I feel so confident in my smile now. When I first came to you, that was my biggest thing… I wanted to correct my lower teeth especially. And it took 23 trays, a little bit of pain, but it was fantastic. The results are amazing. And now I feel like I talk more with my teeth than I did before, because I feel really confident.
Dr. Lu: So, we started the treatment last year, right? And you said it took roughly 10 months. (Patient: Yes, it was about 10 months) from start to finish. So, you are really good with the treatment. And every time I see you, for the progress, monitoring, you are wearing your trays. (Patient: You have to) I want the people to know you have to wear the trays.
Patient: Yeah. Well, I mean, you spend all the money for a perfect smile. Might as well maintain it.
Dr. Lu: I’m glad everything works great, right? And you mentioned it helps with your gum… the recession.
Patient: Yeah. One of the biggest concerns for me was that, as you guys know, I hadn’t come to the dentist for about five years prior to seeing you: It was a big mistake, but when I came here, I had recession in my lower gums, and the Invisalign helped it. I mean, they’re on my teeth. They look so much better than what I was without you guys. So, thank you so much.
Dr. Lu: Oh, you’re welcome. It’s our pleasure. Thank you. Great.
Patient: Thank you
Root canal, Invisalign, and implant - all successfully and comfortably concluded
Dr. Lu: Thank you so much for agreeing to talk about your dental treatment. To show our other patients how it works. It’s my pleasure working with you for several years already.
Patient: Definitely.
Dr. Lu: Yeah. We did several dental treatments.
Patient: Definitely
Dr. Lu: Recently, we did a root canal for a molar tooth.
Patient: Definitely.
Dr. Lu: Earlier this year, we finished the Invisalign treatment and we did dental implants. You want to talk about these treatments?
Patient: Oh yeah, definitely.
Dr. Lu: You can start with this root canal, right?
Patient: Yeah, definitely.
Dr. Lu: So, the tooth really bothered you.
Patient: Oh yeah, it was actually pretty bad. On one side of my mouth, it was just fine. But on the other side, if I drank a bottle of cold water, I love drinking my cold water, it was impossible to do it on this side. It was just so bad.
Dr. Lu: I see, it bothers and really hurts. (Patient: Absolutely) So, we decided to do a root canal, right? (Patient: Exactly) So, we were able to do everything in one visit, right?
Patient: Oh, yeah, yeah, took care of all of it in one visit. It was great. It was nice and fast and everything.
Dr. Lu: And then you felt better the next day.
Patient: Oh yeah. Seriously, like immediately. I just immediately felt like it was normal. Now I can drink from both sides of the mouth and man, oh man, it was unbelievable. It was almost like night and day. It was like just yesterday, I couldn’t drink on that side of my mouth, but now, it’s just fine.
Dr. Lu: I’m really happy that root canal worked really well for you. Because a lot of patients are afraid when they hear about the root canal. But the root canal can definitely help you.
Patient: Oh yeah, definitely. Root canal is definitely very helpful, and it really alleviates the pain, and everything is great.
Dr. Lu: I know you did awesome. It didn’t hurt much, right? It doesn’t always happen that way. It worked really well.
Patient: Yeah, absolutely.
Dr. Lu: Yeah, that’s very good. Next, maybe we can talk about the Invisalign treatment, and also during the Invisalign treatment, we did an implant to replace a tooth.
Patient: Absolutely.
Dr. Lu: So, when did it start?
Patient: Yeah, we actually started that Invisalign process in March or April… No, no, it was May. May of 2024, and it went all the way to earlier this year.
Dr. Lu: So, it was about a year, right?
Patient: Yeah, roughly about a year.
Dr. Lu: I remember the teeth were really crooked. (Patient: Oh yeah) Then we just straightened everything. Now it looks really nice.
Patient: Absolutely. It was a great process. I mean, you change a new one (Invisalign aligners) every couple of weeks. you really feel like your teeth are getting straighter and I’ve actually had people giving me more compliments on the teeth as the process was in motion.
Dr. Lu: And the reason people usually prefer Invisalign clear aligners is because people are working. (Patient: Absolutely) They don’t want to wear braces, and Invisalign is more comfortable than braces.
Patient: Oh, very much more comfortable.
Dr. Lu: It worked out really well, and I remember you had a missing tooth. When we started Invisalign, we decided to replace that missing tooth with a dental implant. (Patient: Absolutely)
So the next thing is, we do both procedures in our office, Invisalign and dental implant (Patient: Absolutely) so we can coordinate the treatment time, right? So, remember, toward the end of the Invisalign, three months before it finishes, I put an implant in your mouth. So, it can take three months for the implant to grow with the bone, and then when you finish the Invisalign, we put the implant crown tooth back. (Patient: Absolutely) So it’s beautiful, coordinated, and everything was down.
Patient: Yeah, definitely.
Dr. Lu: How do you like the implant?
Patient: Oh, the implant is excellent. And also, there’s one thing I wanted to mention. I remember in November of last year, when you actually first put the implant in, and you say, “Three months from now, we’re going to put the real thing in here”. And boy, it was a really exciting time. And then, when the day actually came, it was so smooth. It was just kind of like an in-and-out process, and things have been much, much better with that area.
Dr. Lu: That’s awesome. As I always say, it’s my pleasure working with you.
Patient: Definitely.
Dr. Lu: Thank you so much. I think everything went really well, Invisalign, implant and the root canal. I know a lot of patients tell us, “We like you guys, but I don’t want to come here very often.” Hopefully we’ll give you a break. (Patient: Yeah, definitely) The teeth will be in good shape.
Patient: Oh yeah. I just want to thank you very much because you really made everything smooth and simple and everything is very much improved.
Dr. Lu: Okay, you’re welcome. And thank you again for sharing with us about your dental treatment.
Patient: My pleasure.
Dr. Lu: Take care.
Dr. Lu: Thank you.
Sticking to a routine led this patient to great results with Invisalign!
Thank you.
Dr. Lu: Congratulations!
Patient: Thank you.
Dr. Lu: Today you finished your Invisalign journey, right? Yeah, everything went so well. And thank you so much for agreeing to talk about your experience.
Patient: Yeah, of course.
Dr. Lu: So it took around a year, right, from start to finish.
Patient: Yeah, just over a year.
Dr. Lu: And the results are really great.
Patient: I’m very happy.
Dr. Lu: Yeah, I love the fact that you were wearing the Invisalign aligners to your last appointment, you know, that shows your dedication, right?
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Lu: So during the treatment, I think you were able to wear the aligners enough time, right?
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Lu: We talk about the rule of thumb is 22 hours a day, so how do you keep up with the routine?
Patient: I just got in a routine of only taking them out when I would eat, and then I would just put them back in, and I would sleep with them all the time, and kept them in for at least 22 hours.
Dr. Lu: So then a year later, all the teeth are aligned super straight. That’s, yeah, that’s the experience I want to talk about. Yeah, that’s really awesome.
Patient: Okay.
Dr. Lu: Again, congratulations.
Can Invisalign fix my teeth (instead of braces)?
While Invisalign is a relatively new orthodontic treatment, its technology continues to improve over the years. It can predictably solve teeth alignment problems, including but not limited to crookedness, overcrowding, spacing, and malocclusion (bite problem). Since its invention, Invisalign has transformed over 16 million smiles, and patients have great experience with Invisalign.
Will it be painful?
When you first start wearing your new aligners, the force exerted may result in some tenderness. However, this discomfort dissipates after a few days of getting used to the aligners.
How long will it take?
Typically, Invisalign takes about 9-15 months to complete treatment, although mild cases can take as few as six months. To ensure Invisalign treatment works properly, you must comply with your dentist’s instructions to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily.
Can I talk and work normally wearing Invisalign?
Invisalign is designed to bring minimal disruptions in your everyday life. In the first few days of use, some patients may feel that they pronounce certain words slightly differently. After you get used to the aligners, your natural speech will be restored quickly. There’s generally no interruption of the work schedule at all.
Can I keep my teeth clean during treatment?
Unlike traditional braces, you don’t have to learn new techniques to clean your teeth. Because the Invisalign aligners are removable, you’ll clean your teeth as usual after removing the aligners and wear the aligners back when you’re done.
Will other people notice I’m wearing Invisalign?
Not at all. Invisalign uses clear aligners that are barely noticeable when worn. This way, you’ll undergo orthodontic treatment without drawing unnecessary attention.
Will my insurance cover some of the cost?
Some insurance plans have adult orthodontic coverage, which will contribute to the cost of Invisalign. We will verify your insurance benefits during your consultation appointment, and make sure all the available insurance benefits are utilized for your Invisalign treatment.
Is there a monthly payment plan?
We offer flexible financing through CareCredit and Healthcare Financing Direct to help you get necessary treatments and pay monthly over time.
Would you like to learn more about Invisalign? Please call (216) 616-1155 to talk to Downtown Dental Services of Cleveland, Ohio.
