Glen Lake Dental

Comprehensive Care for All Ages

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(952) 935-5212

General and Aesthetic Dentistry

14421 Excelsior Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55345

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Glen Lake Dental > Services > Invisalign® Clear Aligners

With Invisalign® clear aligners from Glen Lake Dental, you can comfortably shift your teeth into the proper position without brackets or wires.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment system that gives you beautiful, straight teeth without traditional metal braces.

Instead, we use clear plastic aligners to move your teeth into the correct alignment gradually. Invisalign many of the same alignment problems as traditional braces, from crooked teeth to dental bite issues.

You should wear your aligners at night and throughout the day, removing them only for meals and brushing and flossing. They are virtually invisible, and most people will never know that you are wearing them.

Invisalign is available for both teenagers and adults. Average treatment times are 12 to 18 months, but everyone starts with different needs, so your treatment time may be longer or shorter. Our dentist will work with you to create your customized plan and keep you informed of your progress.

Why Choose Invisalign?

Invisalign has numerous advantages over traditional braces:

Traditional braces require appointments to tighten the wires and check the condition of the braces. With Invisalign, you just switch to the next set of aligners in the order of treatment laid out by your dentist.
Braces can leave permanent marks on your teeth, and even with good oral hygiene, plaque can develop around brackets and damage tooth enamel.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign allows you to eat any foods you want without restrictions.
The wires of traditional braces can poke at your mouth and cause pain and even injury. A broken wire often means an additional visit to your dentist or orthodontist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clear aligners work for me?

While metal braces have come a long way in comfort and appearance, adults and older teens have more aesthetic options that better suit their lifestyles. Clear aligners can fix many cosmetic dental problems and are virtually undetectable. Since the trays are removable, you can clean your teeth thoroughly and eat the foods you enjoy.

Your orthodontist specialist can tell you if you’d benefit from clear aligners. In general, you’re a good candidate for clear aligners if:

Your oral issues are not severe. For example, an excessive open bite or underbite requires shifting the jaw using a more intensive treatment.
Your jaw has stopped growing, and you have all your permanent teeth.
You have the discipline to wear clear aligner trays for about 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat and clean teeth.

If you do have a severe misalignment issue, your dentist may be able to develop a treatment plan for you that includes both braces and clear aligners.

That doesn’t mean that less severe problems aren’t important enough to fix, however. Even slightly misaligned or overcrowded teeth can cause more serious problems if not treated. If you have any of these oral health issues, clear aligners might be perfect for you:

Mildly misaligned teeth
Minor bite problems
Protruding teeth
Gaps in teeth
Overcrowding
Malocclusion
Overbite

Who Is a Candidate for Invisalign?

Are you concerned about crooked teeth? Do you have a prominent overbite or underbite?

Invisalign can treat these common problems and many others, including:

Protruding teeth
Wide gaps
Uneven spacing
Crowding
Overbite
Crossbite

Caring for Invisalign

It is easy to practice good oral hygiene habits during Invisalign. Remove the aligners and brush and floss your teeth as usual. Brush your aligners and rinse with warm water or use the Invisalign cleaning kit to keep your aligners in good shape and free from bacteria.

Never use hot water to rinse or clean your aligners, as it can warp the plastic. You should also call our office if you crack or damage your aligner in any other way. A cracked aligner will not correctly move your teeth and impede your progress.

You should always brush your teeth following a meal and before placing your aligners back in your mouth. If you don't brush, bacteria become trapped against your teeth, and your aligners can become stained or damaged.

Please contact our office to find out more information. We are happy to schedule a consultation appointment to find out whether Invisalign is a good option for you.

Our Team

Meet More of Our Team

Dr. Kristy Taran DDS

Dr. Kristy Taran brings a compassionate, relationship-focused approach to dentistry, blending clinical excellence with a deep commitment to patient care. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, followed by her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the Marquette School of Dentistry.

Since graduating in 2007, Dr. Taran has been helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. She joined the team at Glen Lake Dental in 2021, where she’s known for her warm demeanor and ability to put patients at ease.

“I love forming meaningful relationships with my patients,” she ...

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