Invisalign in Washington, DC — Clear Aligners at Georgetown Orthodontics

Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners to gradually move your teeth into their ideal position. Unlike traditional braces, there are no brackets, no wires, and no adjustments in the traditional sense — you simply swap to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks as your teeth move.

Each set of aligners is precision-crafted using a 3D digital scan of your teeth. For complex tooth movements, Dr. Blackwood may use SmartForce® attachments — small, tooth-colored shapes bonded to certain teeth that help the aligners grip and move them more precisely. These are invisible to casual observers but give the aligners the leverage they need for cases that go beyond simple alignment.

The key requirement: aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day. You remove them for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing. This discipline is what makes Invisalign effective — and the compliance rate among patients who commit to wearing them is consistently excellent.

Invisalign can address a wide range of cases — crowded teeth, gaps, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and many bite irregularities that patients assume require braces. Modern Invisalign technology has advanced significantly; cases that couldn't be treated with aligners a decade ago are now routinely handled. Dr. Blackwood will be direct with you about whether Invisalign is the right tool for your specific situation, or whether a different approach would produce better results.

Treatment duration varies by case. Many straightforward alignment cases complete in 12–18 months. More complex bite cases may take longer. Dr. Blackwood will give you a specific estimate at your free consultation based on what he sees.

One detail that matters to many patients: Invisalign is a verifiable system. You can see a digital preview of what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of treatment before you begin. It's not a guarantee — tooth movement has biological variables — but seeing the roadmap before you start is meaningful.