Invisalign® Clear Aligners Throughout New England
Straightening Smiles in a Confident Way!
With traditional braces, you’re forced to learn how to accommodate metal brackets and other hardware into your daily life. This means making significant changes to the foods you can eat and the way you practice brushing and flossing. That said, Invisalign can be an ideal solution for those looking to obtain more freedom in their daily orthodontic routine. To learn more about Invisalign in New England and how it might be able to help you achieve your smile goals, don’t wait to give our Simply Orthodontics team a call!
How Does Invisalign® Work?
At the start of treatment, you’ll receive a series of clear plastic trays. They’re worn for about 22 hours per day, allowing them to slowly push the teeth into position; every two weeks, you’ll move on to the next stage of treatment, which means wearing new trays. Since all the aligners are made from the start, the number of times you’ll need to visit our orthodontic office will be kept to a minimum. Treatment can take several months, and a retainer will be required afterward so that the teeth stay in their new position.
Who Invisalign® Can Help
We typically recommend Invisalign for older children and adults only. Because young children’s mouths are still growing and developing, braces tend to be a much better fit. It should also be noted that severe orthodontic issues, such as pronounced overbites or underbites, can sometimes only be corrected using braces. Overall, most people who are interested in Invisalign are good candidates for it, but we can give you a definitive answer when you come to see us for a consultation. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more!
Crowded Teeth
Patients often visit us to improve the appearance of their smile. However, crowded teeth do more than take a toll on your self-esteem; they increase your risk of oral health problems, like cavities. So, it’s safe to say that investing your valuable time and money in Invisalign is well worth it!
Gaps Between Teeth
While some patients don’t have enough room in their mouth for their teeth to sit properly, others have the opposite problem: there is too much space! The good news is that Invisalign can gently guide your teeth into proper alignment if that’s the case – all without the metal.
Bite Alignment
If your upper and lower teeth don’t come together evenly, you could experience numerous problems – from chronic jaw pain to difficulty enunciating clearly. Fortunately, Invisalign can address mild to moderate cases of overbites, crossbites, underbites and open bites.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Since Invisalign continues to be one of the most sought-after orthodontic treatments year after year, you likely already know quite a bit about it. But do you know what your day-to-day life will look like, including how often you need to wear your aligners in order to stay on track with your treatment plan? If not, don’t worry – this next section is covering everything you need to know about life with Invisalign.
Wearing Your Trays
At the very least, you should wear your aligners for 20 hours a day. However, 22 hours a day is more ideal. There is an important reason for this: if you take them off too often, then the necessary shifts won’t happen. This, in turn, will result in your teeth not reaching their straighter, healthier positions. If you aren’t quite sure whether or not you’re meeting the mark, consider using the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time throughout the day!
Cleaning Your Aligners
Like many other patients, you may have been drawn to Invisalign because the aligners are basically invisible. However, they will only maintain their discreet appearance if you take good care of them. That’s why we recommend rinsing them with clean, cool water and storing them in the provided case whenever they’re not in your mouth. Then, before you put them back on, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to clean the surface.
Eating & Drinking
Fortunately, there aren’t any strict dietary restrictions with Invisalign. That said, there is an important rule you need to keep in mind: you need to take your aligners off before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, just do your best to eat lots of nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals so you’re less likely to snack throughout the day (which can make meeting the 20+ hour wear-time difficult).
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Of course, it’s also important to know what to do if something goes wrong, like you misplace or damage your aligners. We recommend calling our team at Simply Orthodontics right away. From there, we can determine if it’s safe to progress to the next set of trays in the series or if you need to revert to the previous set while we have a replacement made.
Attending Progress Visits
Another important aspect of life with Invisalign is the progress visits. These typically occur every 6-8 weeks. At each appointment, we will take new scans of your teeth so we can make sure they’re moving as anticipated. If they aren’t, then we can pinpoint why that is as well as what adjustments need to be made to your treatment plan to get you back on track.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners Made Specifically for Teens
Invisalign Teen is comparable to the traditional Invisalign system, with a few distinct differences. With Invisalign Teen, each clear custom aligner includes a blue dot that fades as it’s used. This fading blue dot has two functions: to help our team gauge how well the treatment is working and to remind the wearer to switch to the next aligner in their set. Additionally, if an aligner is broken or lost, Invisalign Teen also allows a limited number of backup aligners, available upon request.
Benefits of Invisalign
Play Video Over the years, Invisalign has helped millions of patients achieve their smile goals – and more and more continue to choose it every day! If you’re considering this clear aligner treatment for yourself, then keep reading to learn a few of the many noteworthy benefits that come with it.
The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter
On average, patients achieve the desired results with Invisalign in just 12-18 months. Traditional braces, on the other hand, often take two or more years. So, if you want to have the straight smile you’ve always wanted sooner rather than later, you should consider clear aligners! During your consultation, we can provide you with a more precise estimate as well as discuss how to avoid frustrating delays, like keeping them on for a minimum of 20 hours each day.
The Aligners Are Virtually Undetectable
One of the most obvious benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are not obvious at all! This is largely because they are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic. However, the fact that they have a low profile helps as well. Once they are seated in position, they will blend in seamlessly, preventing unwanted attention from being drawn to your smile.
Maintaining a Healthy Smile Is Easy
Another reason to choose Invisalign over other orthodontic treatments is that the aligners are fully removable. As a result, maintaining a healthy smile is much less of a hassle. In fact, you don’t need interproximal toothbrushes, pre-threaded floss, or any other special dental hygiene products. All you need to do is take your aligners off, rinse them with clean, cool water, and store them properly. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, like usual.
There Aren’t Any Dietary Restrictions
Another perk of Invisalign in New England: there aren’t any dietary restrictions. That’s because the aligners are removable, so there isn’t the same risk of an orthodontic emergency like there is with traditional braces. As a result, all we ask is that you do your best to eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals. That way, your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.
There Are Fewer Check-In Visits
Are you a parent with a jam-packed schedule? Maybe you’re a busy student or have a demanding job. Whatever the case may be, we have good news if you’re considering Invisalign near you: there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, there are progress visits every 6-8 weeks. So, there’s a good chance that you’ll spend considerably less time in the treatment chair overall.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign®
You’ve learned about how Invisalign works and what life with clear aligners is like, but how much does it cost? Pinpointing an exact answer without a consultation is quite difficult. That’s because no two treatment plans look identical. Luckily, that doesn’t mean finding the answer will be stressful. To learn some helpful cost-related information, read on. Otherwise, you can contact our team directly!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
To provide you with a cost estimate, one of our orthodontists will need to conduct a thorough dental exam. From there, they can determine:
- The severity of the misalignment
- Whether you need to straighten one arch or both
- How many clear aligners are needed
- If any additional accessories are required
Of course, other factors will come into play once you begin treatment. For example, if you neglect to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, then you’ll likely fall off track with your original timeline. This can result in additional costs, so follow all of the Invisalign guidelines for the sake of your smile and your wallet!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Sometimes, yes! Of course, the answer will depend on your unique dental plan. However, many do include a once-in-a-lifetime benefit that covers a portion of the cost of your Invisalign treatment. If you’re unsure how to find this information, don’t hesitate to ask our team during your initial consultation. We have experience working with Guardian, Humana, MetLife and many others, ensuring we can make utilizing any available benefits you have as easy as possible.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, that’s okay too! This doesn’t automatically mean that getting Invisalign is out of your budget. In fact, there are financial options that are designed to fit the treatment you desire into your monthly budget, like CareCredit. To learn more about these solutions, reach out to our team.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?
Traditional metal braces are a reliable orthodontic treatment, but their wires and brackets can irritate the lips, cheeks and tongue. With Invisalign aligners, you can expect a much more comfortable experience! Each one is crafted from a single piece of smooth, biocompatible plastic, allowing it to glide past your soft tissues instead of scratching them.
However, it’s normal to feel a little soreness in your teeth when first starting a new set of aligners. Thankfully, any discomfort you feel shouldn’t last for very long. If you need to, you can easily manage your symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, applying an ice pack or starting each new set of aligners right before bed.
How Are Invisalign Aligners Cared For?
The removable nature of Invisalign aligners makes them easy to care for with a few simple habits:
- Don’t use your normal toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your aligners—instead, soak them regularly, use an ultra-soft bristle toothbrush and clean them with whatever gentle toothpaste or cleaning solution your dentist recommends for you.
- Rinse off your aligners every time you take them out to prevent saliva, plaque and bacteria from drying out and hardening on them.
- Protect your aligners from discoloration by brushing your teeth before putting your aligners back in after eating.
Do I Have to Avoid Certain Foods During My Invisalign Treatment?
Unlike traditional braces that require you to adhere to certain dietary restrictions, you are free to eat and drink whatever you like during your Invisalign treatment! Simply remove your aligners, enjoy your meal or beverage, then give your teeth a quick brush before popping your aligners back into place. As long as you follow this pattern and practice great oral hygiene, you can continue to enjoy popcorn, apples and anything else on your plate.
Remember, eating or drinking anything besides plain water with your aligners can warp, weaken or break them, so you should always take them out!
Can I Get Invisalign If I’ve Had Metal Braces Before?
Did you complete a traditional orthodontic treatment years ago but find that your teeth have shifted out of place again? This is likely because many patients chose not to wear their retainer to maintain their results. In most cases, mild changes in bite and teeth alignment can be treated with Invisalign. However, every case is different. During your initial consultation, we’ll closely inspect your mouth and jaw to determine which orthodontic treatment will best help you achieve the straighter, healthier smile you deserve.
Will I Need a Retainer After Wearing Invisalign?
Yes, you will need to wear a retainer after completing Invisalign treatment. This unique oral device helps keep your teeth in their new location, preventing them from shifting back to their original spot. Our team will go over the necessary instructions regarding how to wear your retainer, as well as for how long. It is not unusual to wear your retainer all the time in the beginning; however, once we feel your smile is in a more permanent location, you may only need to wear it at night while you sleep.
Our orthodontists at Simply Orthodontics understand this is an added expense, but we will be happy to check with your dental insurance, as well as recommend flexible financing should you need it.
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