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Invisalign Therapy
Invisalign therapy is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth and align the jaws. The aligners are custom-made for each patient and are designed to gradually move the teeth into their proper positions. For almost all patients, Invisalign is a superior solution to traditional braces as well as other clear aligner therapies. Invisalign therapy can improve oral health, esthetics, and whole-body wellness.
How can Invisalign improve health & esthetics?
In today's society, physical appearance plays a crucial role in the way people perceive themselves and others. A beautiful and healthy smile can help boost self-confidence and improve overall health. However, many individuals are self-conscious about their crooked teeth, which can negatively impact their daily lives. Fortunately, Invisalign offers a solution that can improve both health and esthetics.
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Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. Unlike traditional braces, which use metal wires and brackets, Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible and more comfortable to wear. They are custom-made for each patient and are designed to gradually move teeth into their proper positions.
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One of the significant benefits of Invisalign is improved oral health. Misaligned teeth can create crevices and tight spaces where food particles and bacteria can accumulate, leading to plaque buildup and eventually, tooth decay and gum disease. With Invisalign, patients can achieve straighter teeth and a healthier mouth, reducing the risk of oral health problems.
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In addition to health benefits, Invisalign can also improve esthetics. Crooked teeth can cause many individuals to feel self-conscious about their smile, leading them to avoid smiling or covering their mouth when they do. Invisalign can help patients achieve a straighter smile, improving their confidence and self-esteem. The clear aligners are virtually invisible, making it a discreet and attractive option for individuals who do not want to wear noticeable metal braces.
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Moreover, Invisalign treatment is more convenient than traditional braces. The aligners are removable, which means patients can eat their favorite foods without restrictions, unlike braces where certain foods are off-limits. They are also easier to clean and maintain, reducing the risk of dental problems.
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Patients can begin treatment with Invisalign as early as 6 years old. For most of our adult patients, total treatment takes approximately 4-7 months, with many of our growing pediatric patients needing closer to 12-18 months before transitioning into a retention phase. The length of time of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's misalignment and their chief concerns; and Dr. Beth can develop your treatment via multiple plans to optimize for your preferences and to make sure we are achieving our target outcome as efficiently as possible. During the treatment process, patients will wear a series of aligners changing every 1-2 weeks (pending the individual's treatment plan). This gradual process allows for a more comfortable and natural adjustment of the teeth, reducing the risk of discomfort or pain and increasing the stability of the results.
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OVerall, Invisalign offers a practical and convenient solution to improving oral health and esthetics. With clear aligners that are virtually invisible and comfortable to wear, patients can achieve a straighter smile while maintaining their daily routine. Improved self-confidence and overall health are among the many benefits of Invisalign treatment. Therefore, if you are considering orthodontic treatment, Invisalign may be the perfect option for you. Consult with an experienced orthodontist today and learn more about how Invisalign can transform your smile and improve your quality of life.
Why is Invisalign better than traditional braces?
When it comes to straightening teeth, there are two primary options: traditional braces and Invisalign. While both treatments can achieve excellent results, Invisalign offers several benefits over traditional braces. Here are some of the key advantages of Invisalign:
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Appearance: Traditional braces are conspicuous and can be a source of embarrassment for many patients. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses clear, removable aligners that are virtually invisible. This means that patients can straighten their teeth discreetly and without feeling self-conscious.
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Comfort: Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires that can irritate the cheeks, lips, and tongue. Invisalign aligners are made of smooth, comfortable plastic that is less likely to cause irritation or discomfort.
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Convenience: Traditional braces require frequent adjustments, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Invisalign aligners are custom-made for each patient and utilize all the benefits of telehealth, so it is easier to manage your case while traveling and/or if you are not available to come in office for an in-person checkup. And as for quality-of-life while in therapy, these aligners are removable, making it easier to brush and floss properly and eat a wider variety of foods.
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Predictable results: Invisalign uses advanced 3D imaging technology to create a virtual model of the patient's teeth. This allows the orthodontist to create a treatment plan that is tailored to the patient's specific needs and can predict the movement of the teeth. Traditional braces, on the other hand, rely on a more generalized approach that may not be as precise.
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Improved oral hygiene: Traditional braces can make it difficult to brush and floss properly, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign aligners are removable, which makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene and reduce the risk of dental problems.
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Faster results: Aligntech leverages the data from millions of cases worldwide to learn the best ways in which to move teeth. The advanced technology of this system ensures a patient's case is optimized for speed and stability of the target outcome.
Essentially, Invisalign offers several advantages over traditional braces, including improved appearance, comfort, convenience, predictability, and oral hygiene. If you are considering orthodontic treatment, book a consult with Dr. Beth today to decide which option is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does Invisalign cost?
A patient's case can range from $3000-4800, pending the severity of one's case, their treatment goals, patient age, among other variables. After an initial consult with Dr. Beth, you will be given a detailed plan for your treatment, which will include projected timeline and total fee. We offer a variety of flexible financial options to help make this treatment more affordable to our patients such as discounts for payment in full upfront and monthly payment plans.
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How long does Invisalign treatment take?
The majority of adult cases will span approximately 6-12 months, pending patient chief complaint and severity of condition. Pediatric and teen cases can take upwards of 12-18 months, pending how much growth and development the child has remaining and how many of their permanent teeth have erupted.
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How often do I need to wear my Invisalign aligners?
The most predictable progress will be achieved by wearing your aligners 22hrs/day, only removing the aligners to eat and to brush and floss your teeth.
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Can I eat and drink while wearing Invisalign aligners?
You can drink most anything you'd like while wearing your aligners. If you have a sugary beverage (which ideally we've already eliminated that from your diet), then you will want to brush your teeth after drinking to decrease cavity risk.
As far as eating, we typically advise removing the aligners prior to eating, but it really is based on patient comfort and preference. Leaving your aligners in will decrease chewing efficiency, making it hard to eat crispy fruits and vegetables and/or grind up meat. But some patients find it tolerable to keep their aligners in while eating softer foods and small snacks. In some cases (based on discussion with patient parents), we advise that our pediatric patients keep their aligners in while eating lunch at school to decrease the risk of misplacing them.
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How often do I need to change my Invisalign aligners?
For most of our patients, they start off switching their aligners every 2 weeks for the first 3 sets of aligners, and then if all is progressing as predicted, they begin to switch their aligners once per week to expedite the therapy. In rare instances we have patients who cannot tolerate wearing their aligners during the day (ie professionally they do not wish to work while wearing their aligners); in those cases, we make individual plans where the patient is switching every 3 weeks since they are only wearing their aligners for ~14 hrs per day. This pathway has a higher chance of complications and the case not progressing as predicted, which will require closer monitoring and more frequent in-office visits. It is still possible to achieve the target outcome, but patients should be aware of the risk factors associated with this to manage expectations moving through the course of treatment.
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Is Invisalign treatment painful?
This is very patient-dependent. Pressure is being applied to your teeth, and so there is some discomfort with each new aligner placed, especially with the very first one when treatment is just started. This pressure/discomfort normally subsides after 24-48 hrs of initial insertion. Also, sometimes an aligner can cause irritation to the lips, cheek, or gums; in those cases, there are ways to troubleshoot in the near-term and ensure the case continues to progress without this type of irritation. Overall, the discomfort is tolerable and can be managed with holistic anti-inflammatory agents and/or over-the-counter medication to address the temporary discomfort.
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Can Invisalign fix all types of orthodontic problems?
Technically, yes. It can be used as a component of treatment plans for almost all types of orthodontic problems: crowding, spacing, overjet, overbite. However, for patients with impacted teeth, genetic malformation of jaws, and other exceedingly rare clinical conditions, additional ortho therapeutics may be necessary to achieve an optimal clinical outcome.
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Can I still play sports and musical instruments while wearing Invisalign aligners?
Yes! Absolutely! Pending the sport and/or instrument, specific modifications may be necessary, but all within reason.
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How do I clean and care for my Invisalign aligners?
The best means by which to take care of your aligners is to rinse and brush them and your teeth after every meal. There are additional cleansing/soaking products that can be used to enhance your hygiene routine. But fortunately, because many of our patients will be switching their aligners so frequently, cleanliness and staining tend to not be big issues after completion of the first 6 weeks of treatment.
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Is Invisalign covered by insurance?
Short answer: yes! Many insurance plans off a one time, lifetime orthodontic coverage for their patients ranging from $1000-2000 per patient. If you plan to use your dental insurance, we recommend you call to confirm your benefits available. After your initial consult, we will create your specific treatment plan that you can then send for pre-approval.
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If you have more questions or you'd like to book your consult now, please contact us today, and we'd be happy to take care of your smile :)
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214-997-0366