What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
Invisalign is an FDA-cleared clear aligner system that uses custom-made, removable plastic trays to straighten teeth without metal brackets or wires. Each tray applies gentle pressure to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment over a series of weeks or months, giving adults a discreet alternative to traditional braces.
The material behind Invisalign is called SmartTrack, a patented thermoplastic polymer designed specifically for orthodontic tooth movement. It’s more flexible and comfortable than earlier aligner plastics. It also maintains consistent force throughout each wear cycle, which means your teeth keep moving predictably between visits.
SmartTrack fits more precisely against your teeth than older aligner materials. That precision improves both comfort and effectiveness. According to Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign, SmartTrack was selected from over 260 material options after eight years of research and development. The result is an aligner that delivers gentler, more constant force on your teeth compared to previous generations of clear aligners. Our team in Nashville, TN combines this material with 3D digital mapping to create a treatment plan built around your goals.
Here’s how the system works: during your free exam, we capture detailed digital scans of your teeth. No goopy impressions required. Specialized software then maps out exactly how each tooth needs to move, week by week, from start to finish. This digital blueprint guides the fabrication of your sequential aligner trays.
Each custom tray is slightly different from the last. As you progress through the sequence, wearing each set for one to two weeks before moving to the next, your teeth gradually shift into their final positions. The movement is precise and predictable because every millimeter of change has been planned digitally before treatment even begins.
Nashville adults appreciate that this level of planning means fewer surprises along the way. You know what to expect before you start, and the digital roadmap keeps everything on track.
Unlike traditional braces, which use brackets bonded to your teeth and wires that require periodic tightening, Invisalign aligners are completely removable. You take them out to eat, brush, and floss. This fundamental difference affects everything from daily comfort to oral hygiene to the foods you can enjoy during treatment.
Elevation Orthodontics is a certified Invisalign provider serving adults throughout Nashville. Dr. Brice and his team have completed extensive training in clear aligner therapy, giving you access to every Invisalign treatment option right here in East Nashville. Whether you’re dealing with crowding, gaps, or bite issues, the Invisalign system can often address these concerns without a single metal bracket.
Why Nashville Adults Choose Invisalign at Elevation Orthodontics
Adults across Nashville choose Invisalign at Elevation Orthodontics for reasons that go well beyond straight teeth. The treatment fits right into busy professional lives, active social calendars, and the reality that most grown-ups simply don’t want a mouth full of metal.
Here’s a quick look at what draws adults to Invisalign at our practice:
- Nearly invisible aligners for client-facing professionals
- Zero food restrictions during treatment
- Fewer office visits than traditional braces
- Comfortable SmartTrack plastic with no sharp edges
- Digital preview of your projected results before you commit
- Accelerated treatment options available
- An adult-only practice designed around your needs
Now, the details behind each of those benefits:
Discreet Enough for Client-Facing Work
The clear aligners are virtually undetectable when you’re speaking, smiling, or presenting in meetings. Many of our adults report that coworkers and friends don’t even notice they’re in treatment. For Nashville professionals who spend time in client-facing roles, on video calls, or networking around town, this discretion matters.
No Food Restrictions. Seriously.
Pop out your aligners before lunch at Hattie B’s or dinner in Germantown. There’s no restricted foods list. No working around brackets with your toothbrush. No threading floss under wires. You eat what you want, brush and floss normally, then slip your aligners back in.
Fewer practice visits are another big draw. Traditional braces require adjustments every four to six weeks. With Invisalign, we generally see you every six to eight weeks for progress checks. Your time is valuable, and this treatment respects that.
Comfortable From Day One
The SmartTrack plastic is trimmed to follow your gumline and polished smooth. No sharp bracket edges catching your cheeks. No wire ends poking your tongue. Most adults adjust within the first few days.
You can actually preview your results before committing. Our digital treatment simulation lets you visualize your projected Invisalign before and after outcome during your initial free exam. Dr. Brice walks you through the preview personally so you understand exactly what’s possible. Seeing a 3D model of your future smile makes the decision feel real, not abstract.
Speed It Up If You Want
For adults who want faster results, we offer accelerated orthodontics that can potentially reduce treatment time. Dr. Brice will discuss whether these options make sense for your specific case during your exam.
And then there’s the practice itself. We’re Nashville’s first adult-only orthodontic office. Every aspect of our practice is designed with adults in mind. The atmosphere is relaxed. The scheduling works around your calendar. The treatment options reflect what grown-ups actually need. You won’t be sharing the waiting room with fidgety teenagers. Dr. Brice and his team, backed by years of specialized training in adult orthodontics, built this practice specifically for you.
The Invisalign Process at Our Nashville, TN Practice
Getting started with Invisalign at Elevation Orthodontics follows a clear, straightforward process. Here’s what to expect from your first visit through your final retainer:
- Free exam and digital assessment
- Custom treatment planning
- Receive your custom aligners
- Wear aligners 20 to 22 hours daily
- Periodic progress check-ins
- Complete treatment and receive retainers
Step 1: Free Exam and Digital Assessment
Your Invisalign experience begins with a complimentary exam at our East Nashville practice. 3D imaging captures precise measurements of every tooth surface, the relationship between your upper and lower arches, and your bite alignment. No goopy trays. Just a quick digital scan.
Then we talk about your goals. What bothers you about your current smile? Are there specific teeth you want to address? Do you have a timeline in mind, like an upcoming wedding or career change? Understanding what matters to you helps us design a treatment plan that actually fits your life.
Step 2: Custom Treatment Planning
Using your digital scans, Dr. Brice develops your treatment plan with ClinCheck software. This is the part that gets most adults excited.
The software maps out every stage of your tooth movement, from day one through final alignment. A 3D simulation shows how your teeth will shift over time. We can rotate the view, zoom in on specific areas, and show you the projected final result. Want to adjust something? Whether that’s the final position of a particular tooth or the overall treatment timeline, we discuss it before fabrication begins. Nothing moves forward until you’re satisfied with the plan.
Step 3: Receive Your Custom Aligners
Once you approve the plan, your aligners are fabricated at an Invisalign lab using your exact specifications. When they arrive, we bring you in to try on your first set and confirm the fit.
Proper aligner care, insertion, and removal techniques are all covered at this visit. Some adults receive their first several sets right away. Others pick up new trays at periodic check-ins. Either way, you leave knowing exactly what to do.
Step 4: Wear Your Aligners 20 to 22 Hours Daily
This is where your commitment matters. Aligners work through consistent wear. Keep them in for 20 to 22 hours each day, removing them only for meals, drinks other than water, and oral hygiene.
Every one to two weeks, switch to the next tray in your sequence. Each new aligner feels snug at first. That’s the pressure doing its job. The tightness gradually fades as your teeth adjust over a day or two.
Step 5: Periodic Progress Check-Ins
Every six to eight weeks, you’ll come in so we can monitor your progress. These visits are quick. The team verifies that your teeth are tracking correctly with the treatment plan and addresses any concerns.
If adjustments are needed, we handle them promptly. Digital planning makes it straightforward to identify whether everything is moving as expected or whether we need to modify the approach. New aligner sets get handed off at these visits too.
Step 6: Treatment Completion and Retainers
When you’ve worked through your final aligner tray and your teeth have reached their target positions, it’s time to celebrate your new smile. But the work isn’t quite done.
Teeth have a tendency to drift back toward their original positions. This is especially true in the months right after treatment. That’s why retainers are essential. Custom retainers and a wear schedule designed to protect your investment for the long term are part of every treatment plan we create.
Am I a Candidate for Invisalign in Nashville?
Invisalign handles many orthodontic issues in adults, including crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites, provided the case is mild to moderate in complexity. That said, it’s not the right solution for everyone. Here’s how to figure out if clear aligners might work for you.
Conditions Invisalign Can Address
- Crowded teeth: overlapping or twisted positioning
- Gaps and spacing: visible space between teeth
- Overbite: upper teeth extend too far over lower teeth
- Underbite: lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth
- Crossbite: some upper teeth close inside the lower teeth
- Open bite: upper and lower teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed
Who Makes an Ideal Candidate
The best candidates are adults who can commit to wearing their aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. Compliance is everything with clear aligner therapy. If you’re the type who will forget to put them back in after lunch or leave them out during a long dinner, traditional braces might actually serve you better.
Mild to moderate complexity cases tend to respond really well to Invisalign. Had braces as a teenager but your teeth have shifted over the years? Clear aligners can often restore that earlier result efficiently for Nashville adults looking to reclaim their smile. Same goes for adults who never had orthodontic treatment but have relatively straightforward alignment issues. Dr. Brice and the team at Elevation Orthodontics see these cases regularly and can tell you quickly whether you’re a good fit.
When Braces or Combined Treatment Might Be Better
Severe skeletal discrepancies, meaning issues with jaw position rather than just tooth position, often require more than aligners alone. Significant tooth rotations, especially in premolars and molars, can be challenging for clear aligners to correct fully. Some complex bite problems benefit from the precise control that brackets and wires provide.
That said, many cases that were once considered “braces only” can now be treated with Invisalign thanks to advances in the technology. The only way to know for sure is to have an orthodontist evaluate your specific situation. Plenty of adults are surprised to learn they’re candidates after assuming they’d need traditional braces. Looking at Invisalign before and after results from similar cases can also give you a sense of what’s realistic.
Find Out at Your Free Exam
Elevation Orthodontics offers complimentary exams to determine your candidacy for Invisalign in Nashville, TN. Dr. Brice will examine your teeth, review your digital scans, and give you an honest assessment of whether clear aligners can achieve your goals, or whether an alternative approach would serve you better. No pressure either way.
Why Nashville Trusts Elevation Orthodontics for Invisalign
Choosing where to get Invisalign isn’t just about finding a provider who offers the treatment. It’s about finding a team with the expertise, the tech, and the focus to deliver excellent results. The Invisalign cost you invest should come with real confidence in your provider. Elevation Orthodontics in Nashville, TN has built its reputation on specialized adult orthodontic care and proven Invisalign results.
Specialized Orthodontic Expertise
Dr. Brice completed his orthodontic specialty training after dental school, including advanced education focused specifically on treating adults. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and Meharry Medical College, then pursued additional training in Washington DC. This background means you’re getting care from someone who understands the unique considerations of adult orthodontics, not just a general dentist who took a weekend course. That distinction matters when your smile is on the line.
Proven Invisalign Experience
Our practice has successfully completed Invisalign treatment for adults throughout the Nashville area. This experience translates to more predictable outcomes and the ability to handle unexpected challenges if they arise during your treatment. When something doesn’t track exactly as planned, and that happens occasionally with any aligner case, our team knows how to course-correct quickly.
Digital Scanning That Actually Works
3D scanning equipment captures your tooth impressions digitally. No messy putty trays, no gagging, no retakes because the impression didn’t set correctly. The digital scans are more accurate than traditional impressions, which means better-fitting aligners and more precise treatment planning. The entire scan takes just a few minutes, and you can see the results on screen immediately.
Flexible Financing Options
Cost shouldn’t prevent you from getting the smile you want. Our practice offers payment plans, and our team will work with your insurance to maximize any orthodontic benefits you have. A payment calculator on our website lets you explore options before your visit, so there are no surprises when it comes to the financial side.
Our Adults Love Us
The feedback on Google speaks for itself. Adults appreciate our relaxed atmosphere, our respect for their time, and the attention they receive from Dr. Brice and the team. Real reviews from real adults who’ve been through the process tell you more than any marketing copy ever could.
Built for Grown-Ups, Period
As Nashville’s first adult-only orthodontic office, everything about Elevation Orthodontics caters to grown-up adults. The environment is relaxed. The scheduling is flexible. The communication is straightforward. It’s all built around what adults actually want from their orthodontic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign in Nashville, TN
How much does Invisalign cost in Nashville, TN?
Invisalign cost in Nashville typically ranges from $3,500 to $7,000, depending on case complexity and treatment length. Simpler cases with minor crowding fall toward the lower end, while more involved treatments cost more. Every case is different, so a specific quote requires an in-person evaluation.
Elevation Orthodontics offers flexible payment plans to make treatment accessible. During your free exam, we’ll provide a specific cost estimate and walk through financing options that fit your budget. Our online payment calculator can also give you a head start on understanding your options.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Invisalign treatment typically takes 12 to 18 months, though mild cases may finish in as few as 6 months and complex cases may take up to 2 years. Dr. Brice will give you a realistic timeline during your free exam based on your specific treatment plan. Factors like the severity of misalignment, your compliance with wear time, and whether accelerated options are used all influence the final timeline.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Most adults experience only mild pressure and tightness during the first few days of each new aligner tray. That’s normal, and it means the aligners are doing their job. It fades fast. Over-the-counter relievers can help if needed, though many adults skip them entirely. Compared to the bracket adjustments and wire tightenings that come with traditional braces, most adults find Invisalign significantly more comfortable overall.
Can I eat with Invisalign?
No, always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. This protects the aligners from staining and damage and prevents food particles from getting trapped against your teeth.
The good news? Once the aligners are out, eat whatever you want. No food restrictions like you’d have with traditional braces. Just brush before putting them back in. Nashville has too many great restaurants to spend your treatment avoiding certain foods.
Is Invisalign as effective as braces?
For mild to moderate cases, yes. Invisalign achieves results comparable to traditional braces for many common alignment issues. The American Association of Orthodontists recognizes clear aligners as an effective treatment option for many adults seeking orthodontic correction.
Some complex cases involving severe rotations, significant bite problems, or skeletal discrepancies respond better to braces or a combination approach. The best way to find out what works for your situation is an orthodontic evaluation with a trained specialist like Dr. Brice.
Does insurance cover Invisalign in Nashville?
Many dental and orthodontic insurance plans cover Invisalign similarly to traditional braces. Coverage amounts vary widely, but orthodontic benefits typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 toward lifetime orthodontic treatment. Our team will verify your benefits during your free exam and help you understand exactly what your plan covers.
We’ll also explain how to maximize those benefits and coordinate any remaining balance with our payment plan options. If you’re unsure whether your plan includes orthodontic coverage, bring your insurance card to your free exam and we’ll look into it for you.
How often do I need to visit the orthodontist during Invisalign treatment?
Check-in visits happen every six to eight weeks. These are usually brief, often 15 to 20 minutes, and focus on verifying that your teeth are tracking correctly. That’s less frequent than traditional braces, which typically require adjustments every four to six weeks. For busy Nashville professionals, fewer visits means less time away from work and fewer calendar disruptions.
What happens if I lose an Invisalign tray?
Contact us right away. Depending on where you are in treatment, we may advise you to move to your next tray early or wear your previous tray while we order a replacement. Don’t skip ahead multiple trays or go without aligners for an extended period. That can set back your progress significantly.
Keeping your aligners in their case whenever they’re out of your mouth is the best way to avoid losing them. Most lost trays happen at restaurants, so get in the habit of using the case every single time.
Start Your Invisalign Treatment in Nashville, Schedule a Free Exam
Ready to see what Invisalign can do for your smile specifically?
Request your free exam at our Nashville practice. During this no-obligation visit, Dr. Brice will evaluate your teeth, capture digital scans, and discuss whether Invisalign is the right fit for your goals. You’ll see a preview of your potential results before making any commitment. No pressure, no obligation, and no cost for the exam itself.
Prefer to start from home? We offer virtual consultation options so you can connect with our team online, share photos of your smile, and get preliminary feedback before scheduling an in-person visit. It’s a great first step if your schedule is packed or you just want to get a feel for the process before committing to a visit.
Elevation Orthodontics is located in Nashville, TN 37206, in the heart of East Nashville. Call us at (615)437-8620 or request your free exam online at elevationorthodontics.com.
Adulting sucks. Straight teeth don’t. Let’s Elevate your smile.