Straight Teeth Are About More Than Just Looks
When people think about straightening their teeth, the first thing that often comes to mind is the cosmetic payoff — a more confident smile, better photos, fewer self-conscious moments. And while those things absolutely matter, there’s a deeper reason Dr. Kessler and Dr. Yarmark at Bloomfield Dental are passionate about orthodontic care: properly aligned teeth are genuinely healthier teeth. They’re easier to clean, less prone to uneven wear, and less likely to cause jaw tension or bite problems down the road.
For years, patients in Drexel Hill and throughout the greater Philadelphia area who wanted straighter teeth faced a choice that felt less than ideal — visible metal braces or doing nothing. Invisalign changed that equation. As a provider of Invisalign treatment, our team has seen firsthand how transformative clear aligner therapy can be, not just for smiles, but for patients’ overall sense of confidence and comfort in their own skin.
What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that gradually moves your teeth into their ideal position through a series of custom-fabricated, virtually invisible trays. Each set of aligners is worn for roughly one to two weeks before progressing to the next, with each tray making small, precise adjustments that build on the last. The aligners are made from a smooth, BPA-free plastic that fits snugly over your teeth — most people who interact with you daily won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
One of the biggest differences between Invisalign and traditional braces is that the aligners are removable. You take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss — which means none of the dietary restrictions or complicated cleaning routines that come with metal brackets and wires. You wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, and your smile steadily transforms on a schedule that’s entirely predictable from the start.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign is remarkably versatile and works well for a wide range of orthodontic concerns — including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. It’s effective for both adults and teenagers, and for many patients it achieves results that are comparable or even superior to what braces would accomplish, with far greater comfort and discretion along the way.
That said, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Patients with very complex bite issues or certain tooth movement needs may still be better served by traditional orthodontics. The only way to know for certain is a proper clinical evaluation — which is exactly what we do during your Invisalign consultation at Bloomfield Dental. We’ll take a thorough look at your bite, your tooth positions, and your overall oral health to give you an honest recommendation. Our goal is never to sell you on a treatment; it’s to help you understand what will genuinely serve you best.
What to Expect During Invisalign Treatment
One of the things patients appreciate most about Invisalign is how clearly mapped out the process is from the beginning. Using digital scanning technology, we create a precise 3D model of your teeth and map out the full movement plan before you ever receive your first set of aligners. You’ll actually be able to see a digital preview of what your smile is expected to look like at the end of treatment — which many patients find both motivating and reassuring.
Treatment timelines vary depending on the complexity of your case, but most Invisalign patients at Bloomfield Dental complete treatment somewhere between 6 and 18 months. Throughout the process, you’ll come in periodically so we can check your progress, address any questions, and make sure everything is tracking as expected. These visits are typically short, and because there are no wires to adjust or brackets to check, they’re also much more comfortable than the equivalent appointments with traditional braces.
Life During Invisalign: What Our Patients Actually Experience
Most patients adjust to their aligners within a few days. There’s often some mild pressure or awareness when you switch to a new tray — a sign that the aligners are doing their job — but it typically subsides quickly. Because there are no metal components, you won’t experience the irritation or soreness that braces can cause on the inside of your cheeks and lips.
Eating remains completely normal since you remove your aligners for meals. Brushing and flossing are just as easy as they’ve always been. Many patients tell us that Invisalign actually improved their overall oral hygiene during treatment because they became more consistent about brushing after meals before putting their aligners back in. And at the end of it all? The confidence boost that comes with a straighter, healthier smile is something our patients describe again and again as completely worth it.
Ready to Find Out If Invisalign Is Right for You?
At Bloomfield Dental, we believe everyone deserves to feel good about their smile — and we believe the path to get there should be as comfortable and manageable as possible. If you’ve been curious about Invisalign but weren’t sure where to start, we’d love to sit down with you and answer every question you have. There’s no pressure, no commitment — just a conversation about what’s possible for your smile.
We welcome patients from Drexel Hill, Springfield, Havertown, Lansdowne, Upper Darby, and across the greater Philadelphia area. Call us at (610) 284-4770 or schedule your Invisalign consultation online. We look forward to meeting you.