If you’re considering Invisalign to straighten your smile, it’s important to understand what the treatment involves and what results you can expect.
Like traditional braces, Invisalign moves your teeth into the correct positions to improve bite alignment, chewing capabilities and cosmetic appearance. This is achieved by wearing clear plastic tray for a specific amount of time per day.
What is invisalign?
Invisalign is an array of clear, removable aligners which straightens your teeth without the use of metal brackets or wires. This treatment is FDA approved for mild to moderately crooked or crowded teeth. It also treats gaps between teeth.
Invisalign Cambridge Ma will assess your mouth before starting Invisalign to ensure that it is a good candidate. Next, digital images and impressions of your teeth will be taken. We use an intraoral scanner, which is the latest technology. This means that traditional braces are not necessary.
This information will be sent to Invisalign, who will create a 3-D model showing your tooth movement. We will review the results and may request changes before creating your custom trays.
During treatment, you will wear your aligners every day (except when you eat or brush your teeth). You may feel some discomfort at first, similar to what you would experience with traditional braces. However, this should subside soon after each tray change. Your treatment will be accelerated if you wear your aligners regularly and follow our instructions. Some patients may also experience increased sensitivity. This can be treated with toothpastes that are designed for sensitive teeth.
How does invisalign work?
Invisalign is a series of clear aligners that straighten teeth gradually. The aligners, made of SmartTrack materials, fit snugly over the contours of your mouth and apply consistent pressure to cause small movements over time. Some issues that Invisalign can address include overcrowding, overlapping, gaps between teeth and misaligned jaws. Invisalign can also correct bite problems like overbites, underbites, cross bites and open bites.
Invisalign begins with a consultation. This is to determine if this treatment is right for you. This involves a thorough oral exam and X-rays. After the exam, we will provide you with a detailed plan of treatment.
Once you’re ready to begin your treatment, we’ll schedule an appointment to fit you for your new aligners. Wear your aligners for 22 hours per day. Remove them only to eat, floss, and brush. They should be kept clean, preferably using a cleaning solution made from baking soda and water. If you do not clean your aligners properly, they may harbor bacteria that can lead to bad breath and gum disease.
Is invisalign right for me?
Misaligned teeth are a common problem, impacting four million people at any given time. While crookedness is not a life-threatening problem, it can have a negative impact on self-esteem. Modern orthodontic technology offers a way to correct your crooked teeth without using metal braces. Invisalign uses a series plastic aligner trays made of clear plastic to gradually straighten the teeth.
Invisalign is a great option for adults who are self-conscious about wearing braces. The aligners are virtually indiscernible and can be taken out to eat or brush your teeth. However, it is important to wear your trays for at least 22 hours each day to ensure that your smile is straightened within the proposed timeline.
If you cannot commit to wearing your aligners consistently or if you can’t maintain daily oral hygiene, you shouldn’t consider Invisalign. Invisalign is not recommended for severe dental problems, like gaps or overlapping. This type of misalignment may require more extensive orthodontic care than what can be provided through Invisalign.
How much will invisalign cost?
Invisalign can correct a variety of dental misalignments, but treatment costs vary based on the complexity of the case. Treatment of severe crowding and bite issues, for example, may require more aligners or office visits than milder cases. The cost of treatment can also be affected if the patient is not compliant with wearing aligners or attending regular appointments.
Many dental insurance plans do cover Invisalign treatments. Typically, your coverage will pay for a percentage of the costs or a fixed dollar amount, similar to how they cover traditional braces. You should check with your specific insurance provider because some insurers consider clear aligner treatments cosmetic and will only cover a certain amount.
Invisalign treatment costs can be covered by several options, even for patients with no dental insurance. Some orthodontic offices offer in-house payment plan options or third-party financing, which allows patients to make budget-friendly payments over months or years. Medically necessary expenses such as dental and orthodontic treatment can also be deducted.
Will invisalign work for me?
Invisalign is able to treat a variety of misaligned or crooked teeth, from mild cases to severe ones. Your doctor will use digital impressions to create a detailed treatment plan that shows how your teeth will shift during your Invisalign journey. The clear, smooth aligners are nearly invisible and comfortable enough to forget about. You can wear them for up to 22 hours per day. They are only removed when you eat and brush your teeth.
Invisalign is best for patients that are committed to their treatment. If you don’t wear your aligners and visit your orthodontist on a regular basis, the process may take longer than expected.
Invisalign corrects underbites and overbites as well as crossbites and open bites. It can also treat crowded or gapped tooth. However, it will not reliably close large gaps or straighten crooked teeth that have been shifted by an injury or birth trauma. Invisalign can also only reliably address a discrepancy of up to 6mm between the front teeth and the midline of the face per arch. Braces will be required to correct any larger issues.