Straightening the teeth not only helps the smile look better, but it can also improve a person’s oral health at the same time! When the teeth are properly aligned, there are fewer tiny spaces for plaque to hide and cause decay, meaning a person is able to brush and floss their teeth more effectively, lowering their risk for cavities long-term. And, thanks to Invisalign, you can now enjoy all of these benefits without getting metal braces. This treatment is a discreet and proven way to dramatically enhance your smile, and only you and your dentist will know you’re using it!
Instead of noticeable brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to straighten the teeth. A patient simply slips a tray over their teeth, and it places a small amount of pressure on them that gradually shifts them into the correct positions. After a patient has worn every tray in their entire series, that’s it--their new smile is ready for the world.
The trays themselves practically disappear on the teeth when worn, meaning patients are able to smile with confidence throughout their treatment. Plus, unlike with regular braces, people don’t have to alter their diet or brushing habits. You can simply take the trays off whenever you like, helping Invisalign slip seamlessly into any lifestyle.
Could Invisalign be exactly what your smile needs? To learn more about the treatment and see if it would be a good fit for you, contact us today.
Invisalign aligners have several benefits, especially when compared to metal braces. Below, you’ll find a list of ways that they could improve the smile straightening experience for you. Of course, if you have questions and would rather speak to someone face-to-face, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
If you’ve had metal braces or knew someone who did, you probably remember how they can poke and prod at your soft oral tissues. Even when the wire isn’t giving you trouble, you could get pinched by the brackets!
Invisalign doesn’t have any metal or pokey parts to speak of. All you’ll find with these aligners are a pair of smooth, soft plastic trays.
These comfortable trays are also quite discreet – something you might be aware of considering that’s how Invisalign got its name! The trays will be customized to match the shape of your smile, and if you keep them clean, they’ll remain invisible to onlookers.
That’s right – with Invisalign, you can eat more food. Braces can make certain treats difficult to enjoy, sometimes impossible. However, if there’s a meal you want to dig into while wearing Invisalign, simply pop off your trays and store them in their case. Then you’re free to feast on whatever you’d like!
The brackets and wires involved with metal braces makes them much harder to clean. And who knows what sort of bacteria are taking up residence near hard-to-reach spots?
This is yet another situation where the removability of Invisalign comes in handy. To keep your teeth clean, all you have to do is remove your aligners and brush and floss as normal. Give your aligners a scrub while you’re at it, and maintain an oral hygiene routine so you can have a healthy mouth for your treatment.
Even the placement process for braces can be uncomfortable. There’s some adhesive and squeezing involved, which can make your teeth feel quite sensitive. For Invisalign, on the other hand, all your dentist really needs are dental impressions. From there slipping on the trays is easy enough!
A follow-up appointment with braces likely involves tightening the wire, which can take some time. With Invisalign, your dentist will quickly look at your progress, make adjustments to your plan accordingly, and send you on your way.
An Invisalign treatment takes about 6 to 12 months to complete. Compared to an average range of 12 to 18 months with metal braces, and that’s a pretty speedy timeline! Despite this, Invisalign results still look just as good as ones achieved with braces.
Finally, imagine how great your teeth will look after your treatment. Isn’t it nice to know that soon you’ll have an evenly straight smile? Correcting your teeth with Invisalign can boost your self confidence so you can fearlessly take selfies, smile wide, and be more present.
For patients with mildly crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth, Invisalign is definitely a viable treatment option. It’s best for adults and older teens because the aligners need to be worn for about 20-22 hours a day to be as effective as possible, and this does require some self-discipline on the patient’s part. The best way to figure out if Invisalign would work for you or your child is to simply schedule an in-person consultation here at Advanced Smile Design. We’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions!
Are you interested in getting an estimate of the cost of your Invisalign treatment? Then the best thing to do is schedule a consultation at our Willow Grove dental office. That way, we can determine factors unique to your case, like how many clear aligners need to be made, and provide you with a price. If you want to learn some general information on the topic before then, then read on!
At your consultation, we will conduct a comprehensive oral exam and learn about your dental history to determine:
Mail-in aligners usually cost less because they skip the initial consultation, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t have a licensed dental professional overseeing the treatment process. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses state-of-the-art digital impressions to ensure maximum comfort and precision. Plus, the entire treatment process is overseen by a dentist or orthodontist to ensure that the teeth move gradually and safely into their properly aligned positions. In other words, Invisalign requires a higher upfront investment, but it’s well worth it.
Although orthodontic benefits are often reserved for traditional braces and patients who are under the age of 18, there are some exceptions. So, don’t hesitate to read through the fine print on your plan to see if a portion of the cost of Invisalign is covered. We can help too! We are proud to work with many of the nation’s leading providers, including Anthem, BlueCross/BlueShield, and Cigna. That means we can review your coverage, give you an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, and even handle the paperwork for you.
The last thing we want is for the cost to prevent you from pursuing your dream smile. That’s why we offer several financial solutions! The first is a free Invisalign consultation, so you can meet our team, learn about the treatment process, and get an estimate of the cost without any stress. We also offer an in-house savings plan (which includes a significant discount on cosmetic services), and we welcome payment plans with trusted third-party financiers like CareCredit.
Ultimately, our goal as your dental team is to make every aspect of your treatment, including the finances, completely stress-free. So, if you have a question for us about Invisalign – whether it’s about the cost or what happens after you’re done – don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Since your teeth will need to get used to wearing your clear aligners at the beginning, you will likely experience some soreness when first putting on your trays. This is the normal indication that your smile is starting to shift, which is a good sign! While soreness is typically temporary, you can easily manage this through various methods, such as taking over-the-counter pain medications as instructed or even sipping on cool water. Every time you switch to a new pair of clear aligners, you’ll feel some tenderness from your teeth moving into their ideal positions. Fortunately, this is a sign that you’re getting closer and closer to achieving your dream smile.
Invisalign treatment has the great benefit of being able to be removed from your mouth, meaning you’ll be free to enjoy most of your favorite foods and drinks, including coffee. However, it’s important to always remove your trays before eating or drinking anything (other than pure water). Coffee can easily stain your clear aligners, and hot temperatures can also warp their shape, making them ineffective at straightening your smile. To enjoy this beverage, try drinking it with your breakfast, avoid sipping on it for too long, and be sure to meet your 20-22 hour-a-day wear time so you can make steady orthodontic progress.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are quite easy to maintain. You simply have to develop the habit of rinsing them off with cool or lukewarm water every time you remove them. When brushing them, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to ensure a thorough cleaning every morning and evening. You might consider using mild dishwashing liquid to ensure they’re maintained but be sure to rinse any chemicals off so that you don’t accidentally ingest them. Avoid using toothpaste and bleach, as these can potentially damage your aligners.
During your “final” appointment, our team will verify that you’re satisfied with the results as well as take “after” photos to show you the outcome of all of your hard work. We’ll then provide you with your custom retainers, which are orthodontic appliances worn to ensure your teeth remain in place after your treatment process. Orthodontic relapse typically occurs right after your treatment ends, so it’s important to prevent your smile from shifting out of proper alignment. Our team will instruct you on how often you need to wear your retainers and the best methods for maintaining them so that you can set yourself up for orthodontic success in the long run.
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