Invisalign
Cherry Creek Dental Arts offers Invisalign clear aligners in Glendale, CO, straightening teeth discreetly for teens and adults. Dr. Alyssa Rudawsky uses digital photogrammetry impressions to plan treatment precisely, without the messy molds required by many other orthodontic providers in the area.
Crowded, gapped, or slightly misaligned teeth can make you self-conscious about smiling in photos or at work, even when everything else about your smile looks great. At Cherry Creek Dental Arts, Dr. Alyssa Rudawsky, DDS offers Invisalign clear aligners for teens and adults throughout Glendale who want straighter teeth without traditional metal braces.
Treatment begins with digital photogrammetry impressions, replacing the uncomfortable putty trays used for older-style aligner systems. Families near Infinity Park often choose Invisalign for active teens who play sports or instruments, since the aligners are removable and less likely to cause injury than metal brackets. Whether you are a parent researching options for a teenager or an adult ready to straighten your own teeth, we will help you find the right fit.
Clinical Overview and Patient Experience
Many adults considering Invisalign worry that clear aligners will look obvious or feel uncomfortable throughout the day. That concern fades quickly for most patients, since the trays are nearly invisible and can be removed for eating, brushing, and special occasions. Parents often ask whether a teenager will actually wear the aligners consistently enough for treatment to work. Cost and insurance coverage also come up often, and we walk through what your specific plan covers before treatment begins.
Active families near Infinity Park appreciate that aligners come out during sports, band practice, or any activity where a mouth guard would otherwise be needed. Professionals who attend frequent meetings or events appreciate the discreet appearance compared to traditional braces, since most people will not notice you are in treatment at all. Teens balancing school, sports, and social activities benefit from fewer dietary restrictions than metal braces require, since aligners are simply removed before eating. For anyone weighing Invisalign against traditional braces, a consultation usually clarifies which option truly fits their lifestyle.
Clinical Options and Treatment Comparison
| Option | Typical Treatment Time | Visibility | Clinical Supervision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invisalign Clear Aligners | 6 to 18 months | Nearly invisible | Regular in-office checkups |
| Traditional Metal Braces | 18 to 24 months | Highly visible | Regular in-office adjustments |
| Ceramic Braces | 18 to 24 months | Less visible than metal | Regular in-office adjustments |
| At-Home Mail-Order Aligners | Varies, often longer | Nearly invisible | Little to no in-person supervision |
Invisalign often moves teeth faster than traditional braces for mild to moderate cases, since the aligners apply continuous, carefully calculated pressure. Traditional metal braces remain the most effective option for complex bite corrections that require more dramatic tooth movement. Ceramic braces offer a middle ground, using tooth colored brackets that blend in more than metal while still handling more complex cases than aligners typically can. At-home mail-order aligners may look like a lower-cost option, but treatment happens with little or no in-person supervision, which makes it harder to catch problems like poor tooth movement or bite changes early. Dr. Rudawsky evaluates your bite and alignment in person before recommending the approach that best protects both your smile and your long-term oral health.
Procedural Workflow and Biological Mechanics
The Biology of Guided Tooth Movement
Teeth move because of a biological process called bone remodeling, where gentle, consistent pressure on a tooth causes bone to dissolve on one side of the root and rebuild on the other. Invisalign aligners apply this pressure through a series of custom trays, each one shifting your teeth slightly closer to their final position. Traditional braces use brackets and wires to apply similar pressure, though the force is delivered continuously rather than through a changing series of trays.
Digital photogrammetry impressions play a central role in planning this movement accurately. Rather than relying on a single physical mold, this technology captures a detailed digital model of your teeth from multiple angles, allowing our team to map out every stage of tooth movement before treatment even begins. This digital plan lets you see a simulation of your projected results, which isn’t possible with traditional braces or most mail-order aligner systems.
Each set of aligners is worn for about one to two weeks before moving to the next tray in the series, allowing bone remodeling to keep pace with the gradual pressure. Wearing aligners for the recommended twenty to twenty-two hours a day matters because inconsistent wear slows the remodeling process and can extend total treatment time. Removing aligners only to eat and brush keeps the pressure consistent enough for steady progress.
Root health and gum tissue respond differently to orthodontic pressure depending on a patient’s age and bone density, which is one reason in-person monitoring matters throughout treatment. Dr. Rudawsky checks tooth and gum response at each visit, adjusting the treatment plan if movement is happening faster or slower than expected. This kind of monitoring is exactly what mail-order aligner services cannot offer, since no clinician examines your mouth in person during treatment.
Your Invisalign Treatment Timeline
- Consultation and Digital Impressions. Dr. Rudawsky evaluates your bite and captures a digital impression of your teeth.
- Treatment Simulation. You review a digital simulation showing how your teeth are expected to move over time.
- Aligner Fabrication. Your custom series of aligner trays is fabricated based on your treatment plan.
- Initial Fitting. You receive your first set of aligners along with instructions on wearing and caring for them.
- Progress Checkups. Regular in-office visits every six to eight weeks track your progress and catch any issues early.
- Tray Progression. You move through each tray in the series, typically every one to two weeks.
- Retention. After active treatment ends, a retainer keeps your teeth from shifting back to their original position.
Weighing the Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign typically costs somewhat more than traditional metal braces, though the gap has narrowed considerably in recent years. Part of that cost reflects the technology involved, since each aligner is custom-fabricated based on your specific digital treatment plan rather than mass-produced. Many dental insurance plans now cover orthodontic treatment similarly, whether you choose aligners or traditional braces, so the true out-of-pocket difference is often smaller than patients expect.
Mail-order aligner services often advertise a lower price than in-office treatment, and it helps to understand what that savings actually reflects. Skipping in-person supervision reduces the provider’s cost, but it also removes the checkpoints that catch problems like poor tooth movement, bite changes, or gum irritation before they become serious. Correcting a case that has gone wrong under unsupervised treatment often costs far more than the original savings, both financially and in terms of your oral health.
Consistency also affects the real cost of any orthodontic treatment. Aligners that are lost, damaged, or worn inconsistently can extend treatment time and sometimes require additional trays, adding unplanned expense. Traditional braces avoid that particular risk since the hardware stays in place, though they carry higher costs for emergency repairs if a bracket breaks. When you compare the full cost of treatment, including monitoring, retainers, and the risk of complications, in-office supervised Invisalign treatment often provides better long-term value than a mail-order alternative, even when the upfront price looks similar. Financing options are available, and our team can review your specific coverage during a consultation.
Patient Insights and Local Outcomes
“I did Invisalign with Dr. Rudawsky, and the results were better than I expected. The team explained every step and made the process easy.”
“I’m finishing up my Invisalign treatment and the staff has been amazing. They always make sure my trays fit perfectly.”
“Highly recommend this office for Invisalign. They use really advanced imaging and made my aligner plan super accurate.”
Families near Infinity Park often choose Invisalign for teens who play sports or an instrument, since aligners come out easily for practice or a game without the injury risk of metal brackets. Adults training for a race or staying active at the park appreciate that treatment does not interfere with their routine the way traditional braces sometimes can. For many patients, Invisalign fits into an already active Glendale lifestyle rather than requiring them to work around it.
Many teens who start treatment here return years later as adults for their own family’s care, continuing a pattern of trust that spans this practice’s multiple generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Most Invisalign treatment plans take between six and eighteen months, depending on how much movement your teeth need. Mild cases sometimes finish sooner, while more complex bites can take longer. Dr. Rudawsky will give you a personalized estimate after your initial evaluation.
Is Invisalign uncomfortable?
Most patients feel mild pressure for the first few days after switching to a new aligner tray. This sensation is a normal sign that the aligner is working and typically fades quickly. Aligners do not cause the mouth irritation that metal brackets and wires sometimes create.
How much does Invisalign cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Invisalign cost depends on the complexity and length of your treatment plan. Many dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment similarly, whether you choose aligners or traditional braces. Our team verifies your specific benefits and offers financing options before treatment begins.
Is Invisalign a good option for teens or only adults?
Invisalign works well for many teens and adults, especially those active in sports or music who want to avoid metal brackets. Success depends on a teen’s willingness to wear the aligners as directed for the recommended hours each day. Dr. Rudawsky evaluates each teen individually to determine whether aligners or traditional braces better fit their needs.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation in Glendale
Straighter teeth do not have to mean months of visible metal brackets. Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Alyssa Rudawsky at Cherry Creek Dental Arts to find out whether Invisalign is the right fit for you or your teenager. Our Glendale office at 400 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 820, is close to Infinity Park, and our team is ready to answer all your questions.
