North Lakewood near the Wheat Ridge border has its own rhythm. The W Line light rail runs through Two Creeks. Lamar Station sits a short walk from neighborhoods that have been here for decades. Families settle in, kids grow up, and adults often find themselves wishing they’d straightened their teeth back when they had the chance.
Here’s the thing — most adults we see for Invisalign Lakewood appointments skipped braces as kids. Maybe their family couldn’t swing it. Maybe their teeth looked fine at twelve and shifted in their twenties. Either way, they’re now in their thirties or forties, and a crowded smile or a noticeable overbite has finally crossed the threshold from “I’ll deal with it later” to “let’s actually do this.”
Then there are the teens. If your kid is heading toward an orthodontic evaluation, you’ve probably got questions about whether aligners or traditional braces make more sense. Sometimes it’s both — parent and teen, scanning together, starting plans within weeks of each other. We see that all the time.
Invisalign uses clear, removable trays. You swap them every one to two weeks, and they slowly shift your teeth into place. No metal brackets. No food restrictions. No “metal mouth” photos in client meetings.
The catch is the check-ins. Aligner treatment runs every six to eight weeks for short progress visits. Driving 30 minutes each way for those add-up appointments wears thin. A nearby Lakewood office cuts that drive to roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the Wheat Ridge border, which keeps the routine actually manageable.
Scans run during weekday hours. We’ll show you what’s possible before you commit to anything.
Crowding and Bite Issues Common in North Lakewood Adults
A lot of adults near West Colfax and Two Creeks come in thinking the issue is purely cosmetic. Crooked front teeth, a small gap, maybe one tooth that rotated over the years. Then the scan shows more.
Crowded teeth are harder to clean. Floss can’t reach where it needs to. Plaque builds up in tight spots, and the gum line slowly pulls back. Over time, this raises the risk of gum disease and decay between the teeth.
Bite issues cause their own set of problems:
- Open bites make it hard to close down on certain foods
- Overbites wear down the front teeth at uneven angles
- Crossbites pull the jaw out of alignment, which often leads to headaches and jaw soreness
- Mouth breathing during sleep can hint at airway issues, not just crowding
That last one is worth slowing down on. If a teen breathes through their mouth at night, it’s often a sign the airway isn’t fully open. Straightening the teeth alone won’t fix that. The American Association of Orthodontists has a clear breakdown of common bite issues if you want to read more.
A scan finds problems X-rays sometimes miss — gaps in alignment, root angles, hidden crowding. We start there.
How Clear Aligners Compare to Traditional Metal Braces
Both work. Both straighten teeth. The right choice depends on your case and your daily life.
Aligners are clear, removable trays. You swap them every one to two weeks, and they shift teeth gradually. They come out for meals, so there are no food restrictions. Brushing and flossing stay simple — you just take the trays out, brush, and put them back in.
Braces use metal brackets glued to each tooth, with a wire connecting them. They stay in for the full treatment. Foods like popcorn, gum, and hard candy are off the menu. Cleaning around the brackets takes more effort.
Here’s a side-by-side look at how they compare:
| Factor | Invisalign Clear Aligners | Traditional Metal Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, nearly invisible | Visible metal brackets and wires |
| Removable | Yes, for meals and brushing | No, fixed in place |
| Food restrictions | None | Avoid popcorn, gum, hard candy |
| Brushing & flossing | Simple — trays come out | Requires extra tools and time |
| Best for | Mild to moderate cases, adults, motivated teens | Severe rotation, complex bites, impacted teeth |
| Treatment length | 6–18 months | 12–24 months |
| Office visits | Every 6–8 weeks | Every 4–6 weeks |
| Comfort | Smooth plastic, no poking wires | Occasional wire adjustments needed |
A few practical notes beyond the table:
- Severe rotation or impacted teeth sometimes still need braces — aligners can’t move every tooth equally well
- Adults in client-facing roles usually pick aligners to avoid the “metal mouth” look on camera
- Teens can do either, depending on whether they’ll actually wear the trays consistently
The American Association of Orthodontists has a straightforward overview of clear aligner therapy if you’re still weighing options.
A consult and scan show you which makes more sense for your specific case.
What Wearing Invisalign Looks Like Day to Day
The daily routine is simpler than people expect.
You wear the trays 20 to 22 hours a day. That sounds like a lot, but you only take them out for meals and brushing. Pop them into a case, eat lunch — maybe at the Edgewater Public Market — then rinse and reinsert before you head back to your day.
Up close, they’re nearly invisible. Most coworkers and clients won’t notice unless you point them out. On camera, they don’t show.
The check-in cadence works like this:
- Visit 1 — full scan, photos, and digital plan
- Every 6–8 weeks — short progress check, new trays handed off
- Total visits — usually 6 to 10 across the full plan
- Treatment length — 6 to 18 months depending on the case
Each check-in runs short. We make sure the trays are tracking the teeth correctly, hand off the next set, and you’re back out the door. Comfort amenities — Netflix on the ceiling, noise-canceling headphones — make even the longer scan visits feel quick.
Quick callout: The 20–22 hour rule isn’t a suggestion. Aligners only work when they’re actually in your mouth. The most common reason treatment stalls is patients leaving them out too long during the day.
Holding Your Result With Retainers After Two Creeks Treatment
Teeth want to drift. That’s just biology. Without something holding them in place, they slowly shift back toward where they started.
That’s why retainers matter as much as the aligners themselves.
Your custom retainer gets made the same day your last aligner comes off. We scan, the lab makes it, and it fits perfectly because it’s molded to the teeth you just spent months straightening.
The wear schedule:
- First year — every night, all night
- After year one — a few nights a week, long-term
- Forever — yes, basically forever, if you want the result to hold
Cleaning the retainer daily prevents buildup and odor. A worn retainer is much cheaper to replace than redoing the aligner plan, so let us know the moment one cracks or warps.
If you grind at night — and a lot of stressed-out adults do — we’ll screen for it during treatment. A nightguard can be built into the plan if needed, protecting both your retainer and your teeth.
Reaching Our Lakewood Office From the Wheat Ridge Border
The office sits on W Jefferson Ave near Highway 121, also known as S Wadsworth Blvd.
Most patients near the Wheat Ridge border take Wadsworth Boulevard south. From West Colfax and Two Creeks, Kipling Street south is often faster. During peak hours, US-6 east then south to Wadsworth works well.
The drive runs roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the Wheat Ridge border depending on traffic.
Free surface parking sits right outside the door. No garage walk, no parking app, no meters.
Aligner check-ins are short — usually under 30 minutes — so the drive matters more than the visit. A close office means you actually keep the appointments instead of pushing them back. We’re open Monday through Thursday with morning and afternoon slots.
Balanced Dental Studio 7373 W Jefferson Ave STE 104, Lakewood, CO 80235 (303) 989-3192
FAQ
How far is the drive from the Wheat Ridge border to your Lakewood office?
Most patients reach the office in 15–20 minutes via Wadsworth or Kipling south. US-6 east then south to Wadsworth works well during peak hours.
Can my teen and I both do Invisalign at the same time?
Yes, family scans and overlapping plans are common. Ask about scheduling visits together to save trips for parent-and-teen treatment.
Will aligners affect work calls or client meetings?
No — they’re nearly invisible on camera and can be removed briefly if needed. Most coworkers don’t notice them at all.
Can I take light rail to my appointment from Lamar Station?
The office is best reached by car, but light rail riders can drive a short final leg from a park-and-ride. Free parking at our door makes the last mile easy.
How often do I need check-ins during treatment?
Most patients come in every 6–8 weeks for short progress checks. Each visit runs under 30 minutes from check-in to checkout.
What happens if I lose a tray?
Move back to the previous tray and call us right away. Replacement aligners are ordered quickly so the plan stays on track.
