Invisalign® Clear Braces
If you’re looking to correct misaligned teeth and noticeable gaps easily, Invisalign® is one of our best orthodontic options. Traditional braces require daily maintenance, while Invisalign® clear aligners are designed to adapt to your daily routine much more easily, allowing you to continue enjoying your favorite foods, practice your normal oral hygiene routine, and smile with confidence day in and day out. If you’re ready to explore the benefits of Invisalign® even further, contact our office today and schedule a consultation with our dentists.
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® treatment uses a series of clear, customized aligners that are each meant to represent a different stage of your orthodontic movement. These aligners are able to be removed at any time from the mouth, especially when brushing, flossing, or eating meals. You can even briefly take them out in situations where you want your smile to look it's very best, such as at parties or in photographs!
How Does Invisalign® Work?
First, our dentists will capture detailed impressions and photographs of your teeth. We will be able to use this information to create a three-dimensional digital projection of how your smile will appear once you’ve completed treatment. Then, we send all of this along to the Invisalign® Laboratory, where they will expertly manufacture your set of aligners and return them to our practice in a timely fashion.
Our dentists will provide you with a couple of aligners at a time, and you will be instructed to wear each one for about two weeks and at least 20 hours each day. During this time, you will be attending regular checkups as well, during which we’ll assess your progress and provide you with your new aligners. Most patients are able to complete treatment with Invisalign® in under one year; however, it’s important to remember that every case is different.
Benefits of Invisalign
So far, over 18 million people have chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign. If you’re considering clear aligners for yourself, then you’ll be happy to hear their discreet appearance is just one of the many reasons they are so loved. In this next section, you’ll find a few other noteworthy benefits.
Virtually Invisible Aligners
As we mentioned above, Invisalign is widely loved because there aren’t any brackets or wires. Instead, crooked, spaced out, and otherwise misaligned teeth are moved into their properly aligned positions with clear, low-profile aligners. Each one is custom-made as well, which ensures that they don’t protrude unnaturally. Instead, they will fit snugly against your teeth, applying just enough pressure to move them, but not drawing any unwanted attention to your smile.
Freedom to Eat What You Want
Another considerable perk of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. As a result, you don’t have to make any changes to your diet, which is not the case with traditional braces. In fact, all we ask is that you do your best to fill up on nutrient-dense foods instead of sugary and starchy ones in an effort to prevent tooth decay. Remember, oral health problems will bring your teeth-straightening journey to a temporary stop, which we want to avoid.
Easy Dental Care
Removable aligners also mean easy dental care! Instead of having to adopt cumbersome oral hygiene regimens and use special products, like interproximal toothbrushes, all you have to do is remove your trays. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual.
Tip: Since you need to complete your oral hygiene regimen after each meal, including lunch, keep travel-sized essentials, like a toothbrush and toothpaste, with you.
Shorter Average Treatment Timelines
Typically, patients wear traditional braces for two or three years. Conversely, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is just 12-18 months. Since the complexity of your case and the number of aligners needed will play a role in how long your teeth-straightening journey is, we won’t be able to provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline until your consultation. At that point, we will also share what to do (and what not to do) to stay on-track.
Comfortable Trays
Invisalign aligners aren’t just clear; they are comfortable. That’s because they are made from smooth, low-profile plastic. Plus, they are custom-made just for you, ensuring they fit the contours of your mouth and don’t irritate the soft tissue. In short, the only soreness you feel will be from the movement of your teeth, which is good news (that means your aligners are working!).
Fewer (and Shorter!) Check-In Visits
Patients with traditional braces need to plan for adjustment appointments, which are often frequent and time-consuming. The teeth-straightening process is a bit different with Invisalign because you’ll be given several sets of aligners at a time. In turn, you’ll only need to come to our office every six or eight weeks instead of every four!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign is an excellent, discreet way to achieve a straighter smile that makes you feel confident to show off. However, throughout the duration of your treatment, it’s important that you are taking all of the right steps to care for them. Here are some things you should know about living with your Invisalign aligners.
Wearing Your Trays
Having removable aligners is a great benefit when it comes to eating and cleaning your teeth. However, this also means that you need to be disciplined about putting them back into your mouth in a timely manner so your treatment stays on track. You should make an effort to keep your aligners in for at least 20-22 hours each day so that your teeth keep shifting as anticipated. You should only take them out to eat, drink, and clean your teeth/trays.
Cleaning Your Aligners
When you get Invisalign, you don’t need to worry about purchasing any special products to keep your trays in excellent shape. All you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean water. Just use the toothbrush to gently brush each surface. If your aligners appear stained or you want extra freshness, try using your Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Eating and Drinking
Your trays need to be removed when you eat or drink anything that isn’t water. Ultimately, since your trays are taken out, you don’t need to abide by any eating restrictions. That being said, getting a cavity at this time could slow down your treatment, so you should be mindful of the number of sugary foods and beverages you are consuming and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
When you aren’t wearing your aligners, you should put them in their case or a safe place to minimize your chances of losing them. If one does become lost, let us know right away so we can tell you what to do next. The same goes for if one of them becomes damaged. Don’t attempt to repair it on your own. Instead, give us a call so we can help.
Routine Check-Ins
In addition to getting new aligners during your checkups, we will also examine your smile to ensure that everything looks as it should. Teeth don’t always move exactly how we expect them to, so adjustments may need to be made. This is also a great time to ask any questions you have about your treatment.
What Orthodontic Problems Can Invisalign® Correct?
- Overbite – when your row of upper teeth naturally rests over the row of lower teeth
- Crossbite – When the upper and lower arches are noticeably misaligned, which can cause some of the upper teeth to end up biting on the inside of the lower arch
- Spaced Teeth – When your teeth have too much space between them due to abnormal jawbone growth or unexpected shifting after teeth are lost
- Overcrowding – When there is not enough space in the jaw to safely accommodate all of the patient’s teeth
- Simple Malocclusions – When your bite has irregularities that need correction.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Now that you know more about Invisalign and how you might benefit from this treatment, you’re probably wondering how much it costs. The price depends on your unique circumstances, so you must schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. Once they verify that you’re a good candidate, our team will provide a detailed estimate. Rest assured, we’ll take time to walk you through the information for approval before proceeding.
Continue reading below to learn more about what influences the total amount owed for your Invisalign, and feel free to contact us if you’d like more information.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Several different things can impact the total due for your Invisalign treatment, such as:
- Whether you’re treating one or both arches (upper and lower). If only one set of teeth has an issue, it’s possible (but not common) to only treat that row.
- The length of your proposed treatment. A longer treatment timeline involves additional follow-up appointments and sets of trays that must be paid for.
- The severity of your condition. If you have overly crooked or overcrowded teeth, you’ll require longer treatment and more aligners than someone with a slight gap to close, for example.
- Whether you comply with guidelines. You’ll need to wear your trays for 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their previous placements. Otherwise, you might have to repeat a previous set of trays, which adds to your timeframe.
Invisalign or Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
If you’re on an incredibly tight budget, you might feel tempted to seek alternative cost-effective options to straighten your smile, like mail-order clear aligners. Several online services claim that their “do it yourself” kits can straighten your teeth at a lower rate. However, they offer no oral examination in advance and include no professional oversight, and you might harm your grin more than help it. Without any guidance, you could potentially push your teeth farther out of place. That means you might spend even more money trying to fix the damage.
When you start with a professional like one of our dental experts, we can ensure you have no oral issues like cavities or gum disease before getting started. Then, we’ll provide customized trays designed just for you to get optimal results.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Many insurance providers consider Invisalign to be a cosmetic rather than an orthodontic service and don’t include it in their plans, but that’s not always the case. Your policy might include provisions for this service if it’s deemed necessary for your oral health.
If you’re not sure what’s included in your insurance or are having challenges finding the information, don’t hesitate to let us know! Our friendly office staff are familiar with many different plans and are happy to help you maximize your benefits.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance and are worried about paying for Invisalign, don’t lose hope! We know that not everyone can afford the cost upfront, and so we offer the following options to help you manage the expense:
- Flexible Financing. We’ve partnered with a third-party financer, CareCredit. If your application is approved, you’ll be able to break down your total invoice into more manageable monthly installments.
- Special Offers. We frequently have special offers that can lead to discounted services. Currently, you can save up to $1,000 on Invisalign or take advantage of our $99 new patient special.
Invisalign® FAQs
Can I Get Invisalign for Only the Top Teeth?
Single arch treatment with Invisalign in Canton is possible, but it is rarely recommended. Your upper and lower teeth must be balanced when the mouth is closed. Adjusting the positions of teeth in one arch will affect the way your top and bottom teeth come together. Not only can this lead to jaw pain, but it can also damage your teeth and affect your oral functions. Most patients will require clear aligner treatment for both arches.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
No orthodontic treatment is completely pain-free. It's actually a sign that your treatment is working because your aligners will apply gentle pressure to your teeth to move them in small increments. It's normal for your mouth to be sore for a few days after first getting Invisalign and when switching to a new set of aligners in your series. However, your discomfort will become less frequent as you continue your treatment. You can manage any discomfort with an over-the-counter pain reliever and eating soft foods.
Is Invisalign Expensive?
Invisalign is often thought to be expensive, but it can cost about the same as metal braces. Various factors affect the cost of Invisalign, like the complexity of the tooth movements needed. However, your cosmetic dentist in Canton will strive to keep your treatment within your budget. Many dental insurance plans offer orthodontic coverage, which can be used to lower the amount you will pay out-of-pocket. Our office accepts various payment options for any remaining balance, like monthly installments through CareCredit. You can benefit from little or no interest in financing based on your credit approval.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The average treatment with Invisalign is about 12 to 18 months. Many things influence the duration of your timeline, like the complexity of your case and even your age. Teenagers are still growing and developing, so their teeth may move quicker than adults. You can ensure nothing delays your journey to a straight smile by complying with your treatment plan. You must commit to wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours per day. Switch to the next set of aligners every 1 to 2 weeks, as instructed by your dentist. Maintain your regular appointments to check in with your dentist to ensure your treatment stays on track.