Invisalign® in Akron, PA
Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom aligners to move your teeth gradually into place. No brackets, no wires, nothing metal showing when you talk. You take them out to eat and to brush, and most people you see every day won’t notice you’re wearing them.
Dr. Sara Gotwalt offers Invisalign at our Akron office for teens and adults who want a straighter smile without spending a year or two in traditional braces.
Why Have Your Dentist Do It
Straightening teeth isn’t only a cosmetic project. Moving teeth changes how they meet, which affects your bite, your existing fillings and crowns, your gums, and how easy your teeth are to keep clean.
Dr. Sara already knows all of that about your mouth. She’s seen your X-rays, she knows which teeth have been restored, she knows whether you grind at night. When she plans your aligners, she’s planning around the whole picture — not just the front six teeth in a photo.
That’s the difference between a general dentist you already trust doing your Invisalign and a clear-aligner service that has never examined you.
What Invisalign Can Fix
Invisalign works well for:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that have shifted back after braces years ago
- Mild to moderate bite issues
It’s not the right tool for everything. Severe bite problems, significant jaw positioning issues, or complex cases sometimes need traditional braces or an orthodontist, and if that’s your situation Dr. Sara will tell you plainly rather than start a treatment that won’t get you where you want to go.
What to Expect
- Consultation. Dr. Sara examines your teeth and gums, talks through what you want to change, and tells you honestly whether Invisalign will get you there.
- Digital scan and plan. We take 3D images of your teeth and map out how they'll move. You'll see a preview of the projected result before you commit to anything.
- Your aligners arrive. You'll get your first sets along with instructions. Most people wear each set for one to two weeks, then move to the next.
- Check-ins every six to eight weeks. Short appointments to confirm things are tracking and hand off your next aligners.
- Retainers. Once you're finished, retainers hold everything in place. This part is not optional — teeth drift back without them, and that's the most common reason people end up needing treatment twice.
Most cases run twelve to eighteen months, though simpler ones finish faster. Dr. Sara will give you a realistic timeline at the consultation, not a best-case one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign®
Does Invisalign hurt?
There’s pressure and some tenderness for a day or two after switching to a new set — that’s the teeth moving. Most people find it much more comfortable than braces, with no brackets or wires to irritate the inside of your lips.
Will it affect how I talk?
There’s usually a slight lisp for the first few days while your tongue adjusts. It passes quickly, and most people find it’s gone within a week.
Can I eat normally?
Yes. That’s one of the real advantages over braces — you take the aligners out to eat, so nothing is off limits.
I had braces as a teenager and my teeth shifted back. Can Invisalign fix that?
Very often, yes, and these cases are frequently quicker than starting from scratch. It’s one of the most common reasons adults come in.
Am I too old for Invisalign?
No. Teeth move at any age as long as your gums and bone are healthy. We treat plenty of adults well past the age they assumed the window had closed.
How is this different from the aligners I can order online?
An in-office plan starts with an actual examination — gums, bone, existing dental work, bite. It’s monitored as it goes, and adjusted when teeth don’t move as predicted. Mail-order aligners skip all of that.
Ready to Talk About It?
If you’ve been thinking about straightening your teeth, come in and find out what it would actually involve. No pressure, no obligation — just an honest answer about whether it’s the right fit.