The restrictive brackets & wires of traditional metal braces can trap bits of food & make cleaning your teeth more difficult. If you don’t thoroughly clean your teeth while wearing metal braces, you may end up with stains when they’re removed.
With Invisalign®, there is no need for fixed wires & brackets, so you won’t have to worry about food stuck in your braces. Plus you can smile confidently without trying to hide a mouthful of metal! Placing & removing Invisalign® aligners is seamless & convenient, & they can be easily removed before meals or social engagements. Even when you’re wearing them, they are discreet & blend in with your smile.
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, & comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3D computer imaging technology & has been proven effective. Invisalign digital Clin Check® software makes the process more predictable for doctors, giving the patient the best possible result.
You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, & floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to the final position as prescribed. You’ll visit our office about once every three months to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months.
Introducing ClinCheck®
ClinCheck® pilot to improve a doctors digital treatment plan experience by increasing control of the treatment planning modifications process while using 3-D controls.
Why Dental Care of Northfield?
When it comes to Invisalign treatment, experience, advanced training, & attention to detail matter.
Dr. Patricia Raczka is a Pearl Preferred Invisalign Provider & was recognized as a 2025 Top Invisalign Provider in the North Shore area. Her commitment to Invisalign goes well beyond simply offering clear aligner treatment. Dr. Raczka continually advances her expertise through specialized education in Invisalign treatment planning, orthodontic tooth movement, & the management of both straightforward & more complex cases.
She works closely with leading Invisalign providers from around the world & with Align Technology to remain at the forefront of evolving techniques, technology, & treatment strategies.
For her patients, that means Invisalign treatment backed by extensive training, thoughtful planning, & a dentist who understands that creating a beautiful smile is about much more than straightening teeth. It is about achieving the right balance of function, health, facial aesthetics, & long-term stability.
At Dental Care of Northfield, Invisalign isn’t simply something we offer—it’s an area of dentistry in which Dr. Raczka has invested significant time, training, & expertise.
How Invisalign Differs from Traditional Braces
When considering orthodontic treatment options, many people are familiar with traditional metal braces. While effective in straightening teeth & correcting bite issues, they can also be uncomfortable & noticeable. Invisalign offers an alternative that is both discreet & comfortable.
One of the biggest differences between Invisalign & traditional braces is their appearance. Instead of metal brackets & wires on your teeth, you wear a series of clear plastic aligners that are virtually invisible when worn. This makes them a popular choice for adults who may feel self-conscious about wearing visible braces.
In addition to their cosmetic benefits, Invisalign aligners are removable. With traditional braces, food particles can get stuck in the brackets or wires which can make brushing difficult leading to decay or gum disease if not addressed properly. But with Invisalign’s removable feature, you can easily take out your aligner trays before meals or snacks making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene practices.
Another difference lies within how each system works towards moving teeth into proper alignment: Traditional braces use fixed brackets connected by archwires which apply pressure on the teeth to move them into position while Invisalign uses custom-made sets of clear plastic trays called “Aligners” that gently shift misaligned teeth over time until they reach desired positions.
These differences give patients more flexibility during their treatment period compared to traditional metal braces as well as providing comfortability throughout the course of their treatment journey – without sacrificing results!
Procedure Overview
As your treatment progresses, each new set will have minor adjustments. You may notice that a new set doesn’t fit quite right at first. This is because your teeth need to shift to fit the aligner’s shape. Invisalign® is a gradual process, so each aligner only moves a few specific teeth at a time. Your dentist or orthodontist will check up on your progress every few weeks & give you new sets of clear aligners based on your current progress.
The pressure from the aligner is strong enough to move most teeth, but some may need an extra push. Your dentist or orthodontist can add attachments to help guide your teeth into place. An attachment is made with a small dot of liquid bonding resin that is applied to a specific tooth & hardened with a special curing light. This dot helps make contact with the aligner, applying extra force to teeth that may not shift on their own. Adding & later removing this bonding resin is a simple process that doesn’t require any anesthesia.
