Most orthodontic practices have one doctor and one treatment angle. Pacific Northwest Orthodontics has two specialists whose combined training spans orthodontics, TMJ disorders, orofacial pain, sleep medicine, and craniofacial research at the PhD level.
For Auburn patients looking for Invisalign, that depth matters, not because every Invisalign case is complex, but because you want the people planning your treatment to understand what is actually happening in your mouth beyond the surface level. Three locations serve Auburn from different directions, whichever is most convenient for your commute or schedule.
Invisalign is a series of custom clear aligner trays that move teeth gradually into alignment. Each tray advances the position of your teeth by a small, planned increment. The system works well across a broad range of cases. What determines how well it works for your specific case is the quality of the treatment plan behind it. Poor digital planning leads to mid-course corrections, extended timelines, and results that do not match what was promised. The detail on how PNW Ortho approaches Invisalign is covered at pnwortho.com/invisalign-info.
| Question | Invisalign | Braces |
| Can I remove it? | Yes, for meals and hygiene | No |
| Will people notice? | Nearly invisible | Visible brackets and wires |
| Food restrictions? | None | Several |
| Cleaning difficulty? | Normal brushing and flossing | Extra effort required |
| Works for complex cases? | Many, but not all | All case types |
| Treatment length? | Typically 12 to 20 months | Typically 18 to 24 months |
| Compliance required? | Yes, 20 to 22 hrs/day | Built in |
Not sure which is right for your case? The common treatments page at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics covers the full range of options, and the free consultation is where Dr. Virk or Dr. Tamasas will give you an honest recommendation based on your specific teeth.
Adults in Auburn choose Invisalign because treatment fits into professional and personal life without anyone noticing. Removable for meals, business meetings, and social events. No dietary restrictions. No metal hardware. Pacific Northwest Orthodontics has treated adults of all ages, from those correcting childhood relapse to those addressing bite issues that have developed over decades.
Invisalign Teen is designed around real teenage life, with compliance indicators so parents can verify wear time and replacement aligners included for the inevitable lost tray. For Auburn teens who play sports, instruments, or simply do not want the bracket experience, Invisalign Teen is worth a serious look.
This is where Pacific Northwest Orthodontics has a genuine advantage. Dr. Tamasas holds a master’s degree in Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders from Tufts University and a PhD from the University of Washington. If your Invisalign case involves bite correction or jaw alignment, having a doctor with that level of specialist knowledge planning your treatment is a different proposition than a standard Invisalign provider. For patients with complex functional needs, the Forsus appliance is also available as an adjunct to aligner therapy where bite correction requires additional support.
Dr. Bobby Virk earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1998, practiced family and cosmetic dentistry for six years, then pursued his orthodontic specialization at Boston University, completing his Orthodontic Degree and Master of Science in Dentistry in 2006. He returned to Washington State and has been practicing orthodontics here since.
Dr. Virk accumulates over 200 hours of continuing education per year and holds membership in the AAO, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, the World Federation of Orthodontists, and the American Dental Association. He has a particular clinical interest in TMJ dysfunction and sleep apnea.
Dr. Basma Tamasas completed her dental degree at the University of Benghazi, earned a clinical certificate and master’s degree in Orofacial Pain, Sleep, and Temporomandibular Disorders at Tufts University, then earned her PhD at the University of Washington conducting research at Seattle Children’s Hospital on craniofacial conditions and sleep disorders in children.
After a postdoctoral fellowship at the UW/SCH Craniofacial Center, she completed her Orthodontic Degree and Master of Science in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Boston University. She brings over 15 years of professional dental experience to every case.
Why two specialists matters: Pacific Northwest Orthodontics has been serving this region since 1994. The practice is now creating healthy smiles for the children of some of its original patients. That kind of continuity, backed by two doctors with this level of combined training, is not something that shows up at every office in the South King County area.
Invisalign cost at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics depends on case complexity and treatment length. General ranges for the South King County area:
Financial options: Pacific Northwest Orthodontics offers flexible payment arrangements and works with most major insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits. Full details are available at the financial information page. The free consultation includes a complete cost and payment breakdown.
Auburn sits at a convenient geographic midpoint between three Pacific Northwest Orthodontics locations:
Pacific Northwest Orthodontics welcomes patients from Auburn and the surrounding South Sound and King County communities:
“Pacific Northwest Orthodontics has been providing gentle and patient-focused care since 1994, and it shows in how the whole team operates. Every appointment felt like they actually knew who I was and cared about my outcome.”
– Auburn area patient
“Dr. Tamasas’s background is unlike any orthodontist I had seen before. She understood not just my teeth but how my bite was affecting my jaw. The Invisalign plan she designed addressed everything, not just the cosmetic part.”
– South King County patient
“My daughter and I both did Invisalign here at different times. The team made it genuinely enjoyable, both times. The results speak for themselves.”
– Federal Way patient
The Federal Way office is the closest location to Auburn, approximately 10 minutes north via I-5 or Auburn Way North. The Southcenter office in Tukwila is about 15 minutes north and the Tacoma office is about 20 minutes south. All three serve Auburn patients.
Both doctors practice at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics locations across the South Sound. Your treatment will be overseen by one of the two doctors based on your location and scheduling. Either way, you receive the same level of specialist care. Both doctors hold orthodontic degrees from Boston University and bring significant additional specialty training to their practice.
Many bite corrections are achievable with Invisalign, including overbites, underbites, and crossbites, depending on severity. For cases that require additional bite correction support, the Forsus appliance can be used alongside aligner therapy. Dr. Tamasas’s background in orofacial pain and TMJ disorders makes Pacific Northwest Orthodontics particularly well positioned to evaluate and treat cases where the bite is a primary concern.
Most full Invisalign treatments take between 12 and 20 months. Simpler cases using Invisalign Lite may complete in three to six months. The specific timeline is determined at your free consultation based on the number and complexity of movements your teeth require.
Retainers are fitted once the final aligner is complete. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift without retention, so wearing retainers as directed is what makes your results last. Pacific Northwest Orthodontics provides a customized retention plan at the end of treatment.
Two specialist orthodontists, three convenient locations, and a practice with 30 years of roots in this community. Auburn patients looking for Invisalign will not find a more credentialed team in the South Sound region. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.
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