Straighter Teeth Without Metal Braces
Invisalign at Desert Hills Dental Care in Farmington, New Mexico straightens teeth with a series of clear, removable aligners instead of brackets and wires. Most adult cases take about 12 to 18 months, and treatment usually costs between $3,000 and $8,000 depending on how much your teeth need to move. Payment plans are available. Call (505) 327-4863 to book an Invisalign consultation.
Crowding, gaps, and teeth that have shifted since high school are the usual reasons adults ask us about Invisalign. Clear aligners let you fix them quietly, without a mouth full of metal.
You take the aligners out to eat and to brush, so there’s no list of foods to avoid and no brushing around wires. Most people won’t notice them.
Why You Might Want Invisalign
People usually come in for Invisalign for one of the following reasons:
- Teeth that overlap or feel crowded, which makes flossing hard
- Gaps between teeth that have opened up over time
- Front teeth that have shifted after braces as a kid
- An overbite, underbite, or crossbite that’s mild to moderate
- A bite that feels “off” or wears teeth unevenly
Crowded teeth trap plaque, so they’re harder to keep clean, and a poor bite can wear down or chip teeth over time. If you wait, crowding often gets a little worse with age, and worn enamel doesn’t grow back.
Invisalign works best for mild to moderate problems. If your bite needs more than aligners can do, we’ll tell you at the consultation and refer you to an orthodontist. Been putting it off? Call (505) 327-4863. One exam tells us whether aligners will work for your teeth.
How Clear Aligners Work
Clear aligners are thin plastic trays made from a scan of your teeth. Each set moves your teeth a little, and the next set picks up where the last one stopped.
We plan your treatment with a digital scan of your teeth instead of goopy impression trays, so you can see a preview of how your teeth are expected to move before you start.
To work, aligners need to be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day. You take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush.
Clear Aligners vs. Braces
| Clear aligners (Invisalign) | Traditional braces | |
|---|---|---|
| How they look | Clear and hard to notice | Visible brackets and wires |
| Eating | Take them out, eat what you like | Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods |
| Brushing and flossing | Normal, with aligners out | Slower, around brackets |
| Comfort | Smooth plastic, some pressure with each new set | Brackets can rub cheeks and lips |
| Your part | Wear them 20 to 22 hours a day | Fixed in place, nothing to remember |
| Best for | Mild to moderate crowding, gaps, and bite issues | Mild to complex cases |
Want the longer version? Read our guide on Invisalign vs braces.
Invisalign for Adults
There’s no upper age limit for clear aligners. What matters is healthy gums and enough bone around your teeth. Many of our Invisalign patients are adults in their 30s, 40s, and older. If you have gum disease, we’ll treat that first, then start your aligners once your gums are stable.
There are no brackets to break, so there are no extra visits to fix one. You can take the aligners out for a work presentation or a family photo, as long as you still get 20 to 22 hours of wear that day.
Invisalign for Teens
Teens can wear clear aligners too. Teen aligners can include small indicators that fade as they’re worn, so parents and dentists can check wear time. Learn more about Invisalign Teen, or ask us at your child’s next checkup whether it’s a good fit. We’ll let you know if a younger child would be better served by an orthodontist.
Your Invisalign Treatment Steps at Desert Hills Dental Care
- Consultation. We look at your teeth, gums, and bite, talk about your goals, and tell you honestly whether aligners can get you there.
- Digital scan and plan. We scan your teeth and map out each stage of movement.
- Your first aligners. You’ll get your first set, along with tips for wearing and cleaning them. Some patients need small tooth-colored bumps called attachments, which help the aligners grip.
- New aligners every one to two weeks. Each new set moves your teeth a little further.
- Check-ins every six to eight weeks. We make sure everything is on track.
- Retainers. When your teeth are where they should be, a retainer keeps them there.
Living With Your Aligners
To get the most out of your Invisalign treatment, make sure you’re taking proper care of them:
- Take aligners out to eat or drink anything but plain water.
- Brush your teeth before putting them back in so food isn’t trapped against your teeth.
- Clean your aligners each day with cool water and a soft brush. Hot water can warp them.
- Keep them in their case when they’re out. Napkins are how most aligners get thrown away.
- Wear your retainer as directed after treatment, or teeth can drift back.
How Much Invisalign Costs in Farmington
Most Invisalign treatment at our office costs between $3,000 and $8,000. Where you fall in that range depends on how many aligners you need, how long treatment takes, and whether you need refinements at the end. We’ll give you an exact price at your consultation, before you commit to anything.
Some dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that help with Invisalign. You can also spread the cost into monthly payments through Cherry, CareCredit, or Sunbit. See our Invisalign cost page for a full breakdown, or visit payment options for every plan we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 30-minute rule means keeping your aligners out for no more than about 30 minutes at a time when you eat. Short breaks help you reach the 20 to 22 hours of daily wear that keeps treatment on schedule. Brush before you put them back in.
No. Adults of any age can straighten their teeth with Invisalign as long as their gums and the bone around their teeth are healthy. Gum and bone health matter more than your age. A short exam will tell you if you’re a candidate.
Invisalign isn’t painful for most people. You’ll feel pressure for a day or two each time you switch to a new set. That’s your teeth starting to move. With no wires or brackets, nothing rubs the inside of your cheeks the way braces can.
Yes, teens can, and many do well with Invisalign Teen. Younger children may be candidates in some cases, depending on their teeth and jaw growth. We’ll check at your child’s visit and recommend an orthodontist if that’s the better fit.
Not always. Attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps that help aligners grip and move certain teeth. Whether you need them depends on which teeth are moving and how.
Clear aligners are removable plastic trays you change every week or two. Braces are brackets and wires fixed to your teeth until treatment ends. Aligners are harder to see and easier to clean around, while braces can handle more complex bites. The table above sums up the differences.
Book Your Invisalign Consultation in Farmington
We see patients from Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, and Kirtland at our office on E 30th St. Call (505) 327-4863 or request a consultation online, and we’ll tell you if Invisalign is right for you and what it will cost.