Invisalign Is a Tool. The Orthodontist Is the Difference.
Invisalign aligners do not decide how your teeth move. The doctor who designs your treatment plan does. Every tooth movement, attachment, and finished bite is prescribed by the provider. That is why choosing an experienced orthodontic specialist like Dr. LynAnn Mastaj is the single most important decision in your Invisalign treatment.
Understanding Invisalign
How does Invisalign actually work?
Invisalign uses a series of custom, removable clear aligners that shift your teeth in small, planned steps. The doctor maps every movement in 3D software, and each aligner is manufactured to carry out one stage of that plan.
Does the computer design my treatment?
No. The software produces a starting proposal, but it does not understand your jaw, gums, bite, or facial profile. A skilled orthodontist rewrites that proposal, adjusting tooth movements, attachments, staging, and elastics, so the result is healthy and stable, not just straight on a screen.
Can Invisalign fix bite problems, or only crooked teeth?
In experienced hands, Invisalign can correct many overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, crowding, and spacing. Treating bite problems with aligners requires advanced planning skill. That is where orthodontic training and case volume matter most.
Orthodontist vs. General Dentist
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist who offers Invisalign?
An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an additional two to three years of full-time, accredited residency training focused only on tooth movement, bite correction, and jaw growth. A general dentist can begin offering Invisalign after a short certification course. Both may use the same aligners, but their training in planning complex tooth movement is very different.
Why does it matter who plans my Invisalign treatment?
Because aligners move teeth exactly as prescribed, including any mistakes in the plan. An orthodontist evaluates the whole system: tooth roots, bone support, bite, jaw joints, and facial balance. That reduces the risk of results that look straight but do not bite correctly, relapse, or need a second round of treatment.
What can go wrong when Invisalign is planned without orthodontic expertise?
Common problems include a bite that does not fit together, teeth tipped instead of moved bodily, gaps reopening, gum recession from moving teeth beyond their bone support, and longer treatment with extra refinements. Orthodontists frequently see patients who need their aligner treatment redone.
Is Invisalign cheaper at a general dentist?
Sometimes the upfront fee is lower, but it is often not the better value. A retreatment or a switch to braces mid-course can cost more in time and money than getting it right the first time. At Mastaj Orthodontics, Invisalign is generally priced in line with braces, with flexible payment plans and HSA/FSA eligibility.
Why Dr. Mastaj
What makes Dr. Mastaj a top choice for Invisalign in Bryn Mawr and Philadelphia?
- Orthodontic specialist: DMD from the University of Pennsylvania and orthodontic specialty training at Albert Einstein Medical Center.
- Experience: treating Philadelphia-area patients since 1988, more than 35 years.
- Invisalign Platinum Provider: a tier Align Technology awards based on treatment volume, and recognized as one of the area’s most experienced Invisalign providers.
- Recognition: Top Dentist honors in 2024 and 2025.
- Technology: 3D intraoral scanning, virtual visits, and same-day consults.
- Artistry: patients consistently note her eye for a smile that fits the whole face, not just straight teeth.
What is an Invisalign Platinum Provider?
Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign, ranks providers into tiers based on the number of cases they treat. Platinum status reflects a high volume of completed Invisalign cases, meaning more experience with the full range of bites and challenges.
Can Dr. Mastaj treat me with Invisalign if another office said I needed braces or extractions?
Often, yes. Many patients come to Mastaj Orthodontics for a second opinion after being told Invisalign was not an option or that teeth had to be removed. Dr. Mastaj evaluates each case individually and favors non-extraction approaches whenever they are healthy and stable.
Is Invisalign available for kids and teens?
Yes. Dr. Mastaj offers Invisalign First for children as young as 7 to guide jaw and arch development, and Invisalign Teen for teens, especially popular with athletes and musicians.
Results & Next Steps
How long does Invisalign take with Dr. Mastaj?
Most Invisalign treatment takes 6 to 24 months, and many patients see visible change within about three months.
How do I know if Invisalign is right for me?
Try the free Invisalign Smile Simulator on our website, then book a complimentary consultation. Dr. Mastaj will tell you honestly whether Invisalign, braces, or clear braces will give you the best result.
Call to Action
Get your Invisalign plan from a specialist. Call (610) 525-2277 or request your complimentary consultation online. Mastaj Orthodontics, 976 E. Railroad Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.