Traditional braces are not the only way to straighten teeth. Invisalign® treatment uses a planned series of clear, removable aligners to guide selected teeth into new positions without metal brackets or wires.

Dr. John Savukinas has 12 years of experience providing clear aligner and orthodontic treatment. He has completed more than 500 clear aligner or orthodontic cases and more than 1,000 hours of continuing education in clear aligners and orthodontics.

Because every bite and alignment concern is different, Dr. Savukinas begins with a detailed evaluation before deciding whether Invisalign treatment is suitable.

Interested in Invisalign in Rockville, MD?
Call 301-738-1155 or request a clear aligner consultation online.

A Straighter Smile Without Metal Braces

Invisalign aligners are made from clear plastic and fit closely over the teeth. Each aligner is designed to apply controlled pressure to selected areas according to the treatment plan.

You remove the aligners for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing. The rest of the time, they generally need to remain in place as directed for treatment to progress predictably.

Patients often consider clear aligners because they want orthodontic treatment that:

• Is less noticeable in everyday situations
• Does not use metal brackets or wires
• Can be removed for meals
• Allows normal brushing and flossing
• Fits more easily into work, school, and social routines
• Uses digital planning to map intended tooth movement

Clear aligners are not automatically easier than braces. They require consistent wear, careful handling, regular cleaning, and attendance at progress visits.

What Can Invisalign Treatment Correct?

Invisalign may be used for selected alignment and bite concerns. The type and complexity of the problem determine whether clear aligners are appropriate.

Dr. Savukinas may evaluate Invisalign treatment for:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Spaces between teeth
• Crooked or rotated teeth
• Minor relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
• Selected overbite concerns
• Selected underbite concerns
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Teeth that are difficult to clean because of their position

Some bite problems require treatment beyond clear aligners. Dr. Savukinas will explain the limits of Invisalign and whether another orthodontic approach or referral should be considered.

Your Invisalign Consultation

The first visit is used to determine what is causing the visible crowding, spacing, or bite concern. Straightening the front teeth alone may not address how the upper and lower teeth fit together.

During the consultation, Dr. Savukinas may review:

• The position of each tooth
• The relationship between the upper and lower jaws
• Available space within the dental arches
• Areas of crowding or spacing
• Gum and bone health
• Existing fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants
• Wisdom teeth and other unerupted teeth
• Previous orthodontic treatment
• Clenching, grinding, or jaw discomfort
• Your ability to wear and care for aligners consistently

Dental decay, active gum disease, or other oral health concerns may need treatment before orthodontic care begins.

Digital Planning for Clear Aligner Treatment

When Invisalign is appropriate, digital records are used to capture the current position of your teeth. These may include photographs, dental images, and digital impressions.

The digital treatment plan helps illustrate:

• Which teeth are expected to move
• The direction of planned movement
• The sequence in which movement may occur
• Where additional space may be needed
• Whether attachments may be recommended
• An estimated number of aligner stages

The digital preview is a planning tool rather than a guarantee of the final result. Teeth do not always move exactly as projected, so treatment may need to be modified as it progresses.

How Invisalign Aligners Move Your Teeth

You will receive a series of aligners rather than one appliance for the entire treatment. Each set represents another stage in the planned movement of your teeth.

Dr. Savukinas will tell you:

• How many hours each day to wear the aligners
• When to change to the next set
• How to insert and remove them safely
• How to clean and store them
• When to return for progress checks
• What to do if an aligner does not fit properly

Skipping ahead, wearing aligners inconsistently, or leaving them out for extended periods may delay treatment or affect how well the next set fits.

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Some treatment plans use small, tooth-colored attachments bonded to selected teeth. These shapes give the aligners additional grip and may help produce movements that would be difficult with smooth trays alone.

Attachments may be used to help:

• Rotate a tooth
• Move a tooth vertically
• Control the angle of a tooth
• Improve aligner retention
• Coordinate more complex movement

Although the aligners are clear, attachments can make treatment more visible at close range. Dr. Savukinas will explain whether they are part of your plan.

Making Room for Crowded Teeth

Crowding occurs when the dental arch does not provide enough room for the teeth to align properly. Creating space may involve more than simply pushing the teeth outward.

Depending on the case, treatment planning may include:

• Controlled movement of selected teeth
• Expansion within appropriate limits
• Minor reshaping between teeth
• Removal of a tooth in selected cases
• Coordination with other dental treatment

Dr. Savukinas will explain how space may be created and how the proposed changes could affect your bite and facial profile.

Invisalign for Adults

Adults often choose clear aligners because they want to improve tooth position without the appearance of traditional braces.

Treatment may address:

• Crowding that has developed over time
• Teeth that shifted after previous orthodontic care
• Spaces that affect smile appearance
• Alignment before veneers, bonding, crowns, or implants
• Areas that are difficult to brush or floss

Adult treatment may require additional planning around existing dental work, missing teeth, gum recession, or bone loss. Dr. Savukinas will assess these factors before recommending movement.

Invisalign for Teens

Clear aligners may be an option for teenagers whose teeth and jaws are ready for the proposed treatment. Success depends heavily on wearing the aligners consistently and keeping track of them.

A teen considering Invisalign should be prepared to:

• Wear the aligners for the prescribed time
• Remove them before eating
• Brush before reinserting them
• Keep the trays in their case when not in use
• Attend scheduled progress visits
• Follow instructions for changing aligners

Dr. Savukinas will discuss whether clear aligners or another orthodontic method better fits the patient’s needs and level of responsibility.

Eating and Drinking With Invisalign

Because the aligners are removable, there are fewer food restrictions than with traditional braces. However, food should not be eaten while the trays are in place.

Remove the aligners before:

• Meals
• Snacks
• Chewing gum
• Drinking beverages other than plain water

Eating with the aligners may crack, distort, or stain them. Sugary or acidic drinks trapped beneath the trays may also increase the risk of tooth decay or enamel damage.

After eating, clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in whenever possible.

Keeping Your Aligners and Teeth Clean

Clear aligners cover the teeth for much of the day. Good hygiene is important because plaque, food particles, and sugary liquids can become trapped beneath them.

Daily care should include:

• Brushing your teeth before reinserting the trays
• Cleaning between the teeth every day
• Rinsing the aligners after removal
• Cleaning them with the method recommended by our team
• Avoiding hot water, which may distort the plastic
• Keeping the trays in their case when not being worn
• Attending regular dental examinations and cleanings

Learn more about maintaining your teeth and gums on our oral hygiene page.

Will Invisalign Affect Your Speech?

Some patients notice a slight change in speech when they begin wearing aligners. This usually relates to the tongue adjusting to the thin layer of material covering the teeth.

Speaking aloud and wearing the aligners consistently may help you adapt. Contact our office if the trays feel unusually bulky, distorted, or poorly fitted.

What Does Invisalign Feel Like?

A new set of aligners may create pressure or tenderness as the teeth begin responding to the next planned movement. This is different from sharp pain and often decreases as you adjust to the tray.

The edges of an aligner may occasionally irritate the tongue, cheeks, or gums. Do not trim or alter the trays without instructions. Contact our team so the fit can be reviewed.

Progress Visits and Treatment Adjustments

Invisalign treatment still requires professional supervision. Periodic visits allow Dr. Savukinas to compare actual tooth movement with the digital plan.

At these appointments, he may:

• Check how closely the aligners fit
• Review wear habits
• Assess tooth and gum health
• Provide additional aligners
• Adjust or replace attachments
• Modify the treatment sequence
• Determine whether refinement aligners are needed

A refinement is an additional series of aligners created when further movement is needed after the initial sequence.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Treatment time varies. A small relapse after previous orthodontic care may require less time than significant crowding or a complex bite concern.

The timeline may be influenced by:

• The number of teeth being moved
• The type of movement required
• The severity of crowding or spacing
• Bite complexity
• How consistently the aligners are worn
• How the teeth respond biologically
• Whether refinement aligners are needed

Dr. Savukinas will provide an individualized estimate after reviewing your records. That estimate may change if treatment does not progress as planned.

Retainers After Invisalign

Teeth have a natural tendency to shift after orthodontic treatment. Retainers help hold them in their improved positions while the surrounding tissues adapt.

The retention phase is essential. Without consistent retainer use, teeth may move and reduce the stability of the result.

Dr. Savukinas will explain:

• Which type of retainer is recommended
• When to begin wearing it
• How often it should be worn
• How to clean and store it
• When it may need replacement

Learn more about orthodontic retainers.

Clear Aligners as Part of a Cosmetic Plan

Sometimes alignment should be addressed before whitening, bonding, veneers, or other cosmetic dentistry.

Moving teeth first may:

• Reduce the amount of reshaping needed
• Improve spacing before veneers or bonding
• Create a more balanced gumline
• Position teeth more favorably for future restorations
• Provide a more conservative path to improving the smile

Dr. Savukinas can coordinate the sequence so that orthodontic and cosmetic treatment support the same long-term plan.

Experience With Clear Aligner Treatment

Clear aligner treatment involves more than ordering a series of trays. The plan must account for tooth position, bite forces, gum health, existing restorations, and long-term retention.

Dr. Savukinas has:

• 12 years of clear aligner and orthodontic experience
• Completed more than 500 clear aligner or orthodontic cases
• Completed more than 1,000 hours of continuing education in clear aligners and orthodontics
• 34 years of restorative and cosmetic dentistry experience
• Extensive experience coordinating alignment with cosmetic and restorative care

He is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and has served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 1994.

Meet Dr. John Savukinas

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign

Find Out Whether Invisalign Fits Your Smile

Clear aligners may offer a discreet way to improve crowding, spacing, or selected bite concerns, but successful treatment depends on appropriate planning and consistent wear.

To learn whether Invisalign in Rockville, MD, may be right for you, call 301-738-1155 or schedule your clear aligner consultation online.

Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.