Living with crooked teeth is about more than just the way your smile looks. Your self-confidence can suffer when you feel embarrassed about the appearance of your smile. As a result, you might hide your smile behind your hand or avoid showing it altogether.
But did you know that misaligned teeth also affect your oral health? It's more challenging to keep your teeth clean when they're not properly aligned, which increases your risk for developing tooth decay and gum disease. A misaligned bite can also increase your risk of damage to your teeth and fractures and contribute to jaw joint disorders.
Perhaps you’ve considered straightening your teeth, but you don’t want to wear the bulky metal brackets and wires of traditional orthodontics. Dr. Heather Gentry offers Invisalign at our Charlotte, NC, dental clinic to help you straighten your teeth quickly and with discretion.
Instead of using traditional brackets and wires, the Invisalign system consists of clear plastic aligners that gradually straighten teeth with gentle pressure. In addition, the clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible and easy to wear.
Your Charlotte, NC, dentist recommends that you wear the aligners 22 hours per day to achieve your desired results; however, you will remove them for eating and brushing. This means that there are no dietary restrictions or changes to your home care routine as there are with traditional orthodontics. You should change the clear aligners at the intervals prescribed by your dentist, and most patients reach their goals with Invisalign in around 12 to 18 months.
The best way to find out if Invisalign is right for you is to consult one of our dentists. This will include an examination, x-rays, and photos; they may also make models of your teeth. In addition, we use 3-D imaging to create an accurate treatment plan, which can also show you what your smile will look like after you have undergone treatment.
Invisalign achieves excellent results for busy adults and older teens who want to straighten their teeth discreetly.
Invisalign is ideal for teens and adults of any age who would like to straighten their teeth without wearing braces. It works well for cases of misalignment, bruxism (grinding), and orthodontic relapse, which means you may have undergone orthodontics previously but your teeth have moved or shifted. In many relapse cases, Invisalign treatment is often shorter than initial treatment was. 
Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to straighten your teeth instead of braces. Aligners fit snugly and are virtually invisible; they can also be easily removed for eating and oral hygiene. You’ll wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day and change them every two weeks. Aligners are comfortable and easy to wear, and you'll find that they don't interfere with your daily activities.
Dr. Gentry can determine whether Invisalign is right for your needs during a consultation in which she will take photos, x-rays, and models of your teeth. If Invisalign is not right for you, we're happy to discuss other options that will help you achieve your goals for your smile.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gentry to learn more about Invisalign and how we can help you attain a healthy, beautiful smile.
The aligners used for Invisalign are smooth and thin, so they are much more comfortable than metal braces that can cut or cause sores on your lips. There are a few days of soreness when you begin wearing aligners as the teeth begin moving. We recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the minor discomfort.
Dr. Gentry has helped countless patients straighten their smiles with Invisalign. If you have any further questions about Invisalign aligners or are interested in a consultation please contact our office.
Some amazing advantages to Invisalign clear aligners:
If you are ready to straighten your smile, Invisalign is a great option that provides stellar results. If you are interested in learning more about Invisalign contact Gentry Dental at (704) 554-1007!
To straighten your teeth using invisible braces, we start by taking impressions of your teeth. From there, we map out your entire treatment digitally to show us how your teeth are going to become straight over time.
We then create a sequence of custom clear aligners. Each aligner will be used for around two to three weeks. As you progress through your aligners your teeth will gently start to move to the proper alignment.
Once you have completed the entire treatment we will create a custom retainer to make sure your teeth stay in place.
Invisalign is a great option for patients looking to straighten their smiles without the distracting look of traditional braces. If you have any further questions about how invisible braces work, contact our office at (704) 554-1007 and we will be happy to explain!
If you are not happy with the appearance of your smile, the good news is that there are some excellent cosmetic options that Dr. Gentry can help you with including:
If you would like to learn more about what might be possible for your smile, the first step is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Gentry to discuss your goals for your smile and oral health. Dr. Gentry may take photos and x-rays, and she'll perform a thorough examination to determine your treatment needs. Then she will create a treatment plan that is customized for your specific needs.
A beautiful smile is just a phone call away! Contact Gentry Dental today to schedule your consultation.
Yes, you need a retainer after any orthodontics treatment to help prevent your teeth from relapsing to their original position. A retainer protects the investment of time and money you put into your treatment.
You can talk to Dr. Gentry about the type of retainer you prefer, including one that looks very similar to the Invisalign clear plastic aligners.
We warmly welcome new patients and serve the communities of Charlotte, Southpark, Madison Park, Starmount, Beverly Woods, Barclay Downs, and Montford. If you would like to learn more about the orthodontic options we offer, we encourage you to contact Gentry Dental in Charlotte, NC, today at (704) 554-1007 to schedule a smile evaluation with one of our dentists.
Originally from Alabama, Dr. Gentry graduated with honors from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. After moving to Charlotte in 2008, she planted roots in the community and opened her dental practice in 2014.
With over 20 years of experience in the dental field, Dr. Gentry brings both expertise and heart to her work. She’s known for her thoughtful, patient-centered approach—delivering high-quality, biocompatible dental care with compassion, integrity, and genuine connection. She believes in taking the time to truly listen, explain, and empower patients to make informed decisions about ...
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