People with straight teeth are often seen as more attractive, healthy, and successful. If you have crooked teeth, you may feel self-conscious and worry that they give the wrong impression. Fortunately, Invisalign can straighten your smile without the hassle of traditional metal braces. These discreet plastic trays can correct a variety of existing malocclusions, including crooked or misaligned teeth, teeth that are spaced too far apart, crossbite, overbite, underbite, and it can also simply improve aesthetics. Ready to achieve the perfectly aligned smile you’ve always wanted? Continue reading or contact us today to schedule a consultation!
How Invisalign Works
First, a consultation is necessary to determine whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Our team will ask you to define your treatment goals and address any questions you may have regarding the orthodontic process. If you’re a viable candidate, we’ll move forward with diagnostics.
Upper and lower impressions, photographs, existing current radiographs, and a C/R or bite registration along with an online script will be created by Dr. Emirzian. This information is then sent to an Invisalign lab, and they will then review the information and set up a Clincheck or three-dimensional movie showing how your teeth will move over time.
At this point, we will be able to answer questions like how many aligners will be needed, over what period of time will you be in treatment, and if any specific modifications will be made to your teeth. You should be able to preview the result of your treatment through the Clincheck. If everything looks good, we will accept treatment online, and the lab will begin manufacturing the actual aligners, which will be shipped within two weeks!
Indications for Invisalign
Invisalign can benefit a wide range of patients, spanning from young individuals to adults. These clear aligners effectively address mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Here are some of the most common problems this orthodontic treatment frequently corrects:
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth are overlapping, Invisalign might be the solution you need! These clear aligners can effectively reposition your teeth, giving you a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between your teeth can affect your self-confidence and increase the risk of dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, Invisalign's clear aligners can close these gaps, giving you a healthier, more confident smile.
Bite Alignment
Bite issues can affect the look, function, and health of your smile. Invisalign trays can effectively address overbites, underbites, crossbites, and more.
Benefits of Invisalign
Over two decades since its debut, Invisalign remains one of the most sought-after orthodontic treatments. If you’re currently in the process of deciding if it’s the right one for you, don’t worry – we will help you determine the answer at your consultation. Until then, you can read on to learn a few of the many benefits of clear aligners.
Learn More
Fast Treatment
Usually, Invisalign treatment plans are between 12 and 18 months. Conversely, metal braces often take two years or more. So, whether you want to have straight teeth for an important event, like a wedding, or you simply want to have your dream smile as soon as possible, there’s a good chance that clear aligner treatment is for you.
Removable Aligners
One of the most underrated perks of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. As a result, you don’t have to eliminate any foods from your diet! All we ask is that you do your best to keep added sugar to a minimum and that you exercise caution with extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels. After all, we don’t want a cavity, a crack, or some other form of dental damage negatively impacting your treatment.
Simple Maintenance
In order to maintain their smiles and their braces, patients with traditional orthodontics need to use special oral hygiene tools and adopt a more intensive regimen. Don’t worry – that’s not the case with Invisalign. In fact, one reason it’s so widely loved is because it’s easy to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash; just take your aligners off first!
Comfortable Trays
Invisalign aligners aren’t just clear; they are comfortable! That’s because they are smooth, low-profile, and custom-made to fit the contours of your mouth perfectly. In other words, they are designed to minimize gum and mouth irritation, which makes the journey to a straighter smile even more convenient.
Note: Some soreness is to be expected, especially when you transition to a new set of aligners. To keep you comfortable, avoid crunchy foods, take OTC pain medication, and use dental wax (if needed).
Fewer Appointments
If you had traditional braces in the past, then you may remember coming in for adjustment appointments every four weeks. Invisalign, however, doesn’t have adjustment appointments. Instead, you’ll come in every 6 or 8 weeks so we can monitor the movement of your teeth. Outside of that, you’ll be progressing through your treatment plan at home!
Discreet Braces
We’re ending this list with one of the biggest reasons patients choose Invisalign: the trays are completely see-through. So, when you put them on, they blend in seamlessly with your teeth (unlike traditional braces that stand out considerably). Plus, you always have the option of removing them before senior pictures, professional headshots, an important presentation, or something similar. Just make sure to put them back on shortly after!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Now that you understand more about how Invisalign works and how it might benefit you, it’s natural to wonder what daily life is like throughout this alternative orthodontic treatment. Many patients feel anxious when they’re not sure what to expect, but our team is here to put your mind at ease!
Continue reading to learn more about how these clear aligners might impact your regular routines, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
Learn More
Wearing Your Trays
You might be surprised to learn that for this method to effectively shift your teeth, you will need to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. Essentially, that means you should only remove them for meals and cleanings. Then, every one to two weeks, your provider will give you a new set of trays to account for the ongoing movement.
If you fail to wear your Invisalign for the allotted time, your teeth could revert to their previous positions, delaying your overall treatment timeline.
Cleaning Your Aligners
One of the reasons Invisalign continues to gain popularity with teens and adults is that the clear plastic is completely transparent, so their natural smiles shine through. However, germs in your mouth can form a layer of plaque that leaves them looking cloudy, defeating the purpose of “invisible” orthodontics. Furthermore, they can be stained by dark foods and beverages.
You should remove your trays twice daily to gently brush them with lukewarm water that isn’t so hot it warps the material. Scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap, then thoroughly rinse them before reinserting them into your mouth.
You can also soak them in special cleaning solutions for about 15 minutes daily to eradicate bacterial buildup.
Eating & Drinking
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can be removed for meals, so there are no associated dietary restrictions. However, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything besides water with them in your mouth, or they might be damaged or discolored.
Instead, take them out of your mouth and safely stow them in their carrier case while you eat. Try not to leave them under a napkin, or somewhere you might accidentally toss them out with your trash!
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Although it’s natural to panic if you realize you’ve lost a try, remember that you’re not the first patient to do so and likely won’t be the last. That said, you should let your dentist know right away so they can help you avoid delaying your treatment progress.
In some cases, you may have to wear a previous set of aligners until the lost ones have been replaced. In others, your dentist might direct you to switch to the next pair earlier than initially intended.
Routine Check-Ins
Invisalign follow-up appointments tend to be much faster than those for braces because there’s no need to adjust the tension of wires or brackets. Instead, you’ll see your dentist every four to eight weeks, depending on your schedule, to ensure that you’re still on track with your timeline. Often, these visits only take about 15 minutes, which is much shorter than for traditional orthodontics.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign in East Longmeadow will be based on the length and complexity of your treatment and will be reviewed prior to your acceptance. Not everyone will have dental insurance for Invisalign – it requires a specific type of coverage. Our administrative insurance specialist will be able to determine if your insurance will cover part of your Invisalign treatment. Read on to learn more about the costs and prices associated with Invisalign.
Learn More
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
While every Invisalign treatment is unique, there are three main factors that will influence the final cost:
-
Severity of issue: More complex orthodontic problems will cost more time and money to address than minor issues.
-
Length of treatment: The longer your treatment is, the more aligners you’ll need to pay for.
-
Patient compliance: Invisalign comes with many freedoms and responsibilities. It’s up to you to wear your aligners often enough and keep them in good condition. If you don’t, you could end up making your treatment longer or more expensive.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Clear Aligners: Which Costs More?
Patients looking for a “quick fix” for their crooked teeth may be attracted to the idea of mail-in aligners. However, while these DIY orthodontics may seem like a temptingly less expensive and more convenient option than Invisalign, they could potentially cost you much more in many ways.
Mail-in aligners have no direct oversight from a professional. From taking impressions to slightly incorrect aligners, there’s a lot that can go wrong! Your teeth could be moved into the wrong positions, leaving you with worse problems than you began with! Thankfully, when you come see us here at EMA Dental, we’ll be with you every step of the way during your Invisalign treatment to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
The answer to this question depends on the details of your unique dental insurance policy. Some offer orthodontic coverage and others do not, and even among those that do, not all include Invisalign coverage. Our knowledgeable front desk team will be happy to review your plan with you and ensure your benefits are being maximized.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Dental insurance isn’t your only option for making Invisalign in East Longmeadow affordable. Uninsured patients or patients with inadequate insurance coverage may be interested in our financing options through CareCredit and Lending Club. These third-party companies have low- to no-interest payment plans that can help you get started on your Invisalign treatment right away and then pay for it slowly over time in a way that works best for you.
Invisalign FAQs
Learn More
What Foods Can I Eat During My Invisalign Treatment?
One of the great things about Invisalign treatment is that you can continue to eat all your favorite foods! You will just need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything (besides water). Whenever you take your aligners out, you should keep them in their protective case. If you wrap them in your napkin, you could easily forget about them and leave them behind. When you are finished eating, be sure to brush your teeth to remove any tiny leftover bits of food before popping your aligners back in.
Is the Invisalign Plastic Safe to Wear?
Invisalign is a very safe and effective way to straighten teeth. In fact, more than 10 million people worldwide, including 2.6 million teenagers, have successfully undergone Invisalign treatment. The medical-grade polyurethane plastic used to craft custom Invisalign aligners has been approved by approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term use in the body. In addition, the aligners do not contain any Bisphenol A (BPA), parabens, latex, phthalates, glutaraldehyde or epoxy, according to the manufacturer.
I Had Metal Braces in the Past. Can I Still Benefit from Invisalign?
Teeth can slowly shift over long periods of time, even if you have worn metal braces in the past. Are you no longer happy with the way your teeth line up? If so, you can likely benefit from Invisalign treatment! This time around, you won’t have to deal with any uncomfortable and unsightly metal brackets and wires. Instead, you can maintain your professional appearance while subtly straightening your smile. Your coworkers and friends will likely not even realize when you wearing your aligners!
How Do I Clean My Aligners?
It is very important to regularly clean your Invisalign aligners to prevent bacteria and plaque from building up inside them. Be sure to brush your teeth and your aligners after every meal or at least twice a day. To avoid scratching the aligner plastic, use a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Before placing your aligners back in your mouth, rinse them with lukewarm water. Never wash your aligners with hot water, as this could warp the plastic and delay your treatment plan.
Can I Smoke While Undergoing Invisalign Treatment?
Smoking while wearing Invisalign will quickly stain the plastic aligners and make them very noticeable. Basically, you would be taking the “invisible” out of Invisalign! Of course, another option would be to remove your aligners every time you step outside for a cigarette. However, frequently taking out your aligners can significantly delay completion of your treatment. So, although it is possible to continue smoking while straightening your teeth with Invisalign, a much better option would be to kick the bad habit. Quitting tobacco will not only boost your overall health but could help you achieve a straighter smile faster.
