The Invisalign system is a series of custom-made, virtually invisible aligners. Invisalign aligners can be used to treat teeth alignment issues without brackets or metal wire.
Invisalign
Because the Invisalign aligners are removable, dental hygeine is easy. You should remove the aligners to eat, brush, and floss. While the end results compared to metal braces may appear the same, Invisalign’s scores higher than Braces in comfort, convenience, and overall dental health:
Benefits of Invisalign
- Freedom to eat whatever foods you enjoy.
- Remove the device when you want.
- Enjoy virtually invisible teeth-straightening.
- Brush and Floss normally for better periodontal health.
- Smooth and comfortable plastic aligners which are form fitting over the teeth, instead of sharp metal studs planted on the surface of the tooth in braces.
- Frees up your busy schedule, with office visits every four to six weeks.
Costs
We will be able to fully determine your cost after looking at your teeth, to better understand the specifics of your individual needs. Cost changing factors can include the complexity of your case, how long your treatment will take, and your orthodontic insurance coverage. The cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from $3,500 to $8,000, with the national average at about $5,000. About one-third of Invisalign patients use financing options to spread their treatment costs over time. For those with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), your Invisalign treatment is an allowed FSA expense.
0% Interest Rate & No Fees Financing
Seth financed his Invisalign and made easy monthly payments
Invisalign can also be financed through Beautiful Dentistry’s in-house program with CareCredit or SpringLeaf. If the patient portion of your dental bill is $500 or less, you can get 6 months same as cash at 0% interest and no fees. If your bill is up to $2000, you qualify for 12 months same as cash at 0% interest and no fees. Any procedures over $2000 qualify for 18 to 24 months of no interest and no fees financing based on the amount.
Cost Savings: Maximizing Your Insurance Benefit
Rose got a structured treatment plan to make Invisalign more affordable
Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign just as they would other orthodontic treatments like braces. About a quarter of Invisalign patients receive insurance compensation for their treatment. On average, insurance pays over $500 of treatment costs. We will review your payment options with you, and can structure your treatment plan to minimize your out of pocket expense, and maximize your insurance benefit.
Health Benefits
You may be surprised to know the benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health. With Invisalign, having a confident smile and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease go hand in hand.
Healthier Teeth & Gums
Swollen, red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems. That’s where Invisalign comes in. The comfortable and clear aligners gently and gradually begin to move your teeth into the proper position – without unsightly brackets and wires.
Easier Cleaning
One of the biggest challenges of having braces is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. This can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.
Overall Health
One of the biggest challenges of having braces is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. This can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.
Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, they can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss. Studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious ailments such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and diabetes. Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, thus reducing the risk of possible problems. And correctly aligned teeth can also alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel. Invisalign effectively addresses all of these orthodontic issues, so you’ll have the confidence of a great smile and increase the likelihood of improved oral health.
Eligibility Criteria
Invisalign is not just for minor corrections. You may have any combination of the issues listed below, and you could still be an excellent candidate for Invisalign:
Widely Spaced Teeth
This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, this can also be caused by the surrounding teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues between teeth can lead to gum problems (due to lack of protection by the teeth), periodontal pockets and increased risk of periodontal disease.
Overly Crowded Teeth
This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can get worse over time. This crowding can lead to plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased chance of gum disease.
Crossbite
This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and the sides of the mouth. This can lead to abnormal tooth wear and chipping, and periodontal problems including gum disease and bone loss.
Underbite
This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It’s usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars, which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.
Overbite
What people commonly refer to as an “overbite” is known to dental professionals as “overjet”. It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It’s typically caused by genetics, bad oral habits, or overdevelopment of the bone that supports the teeth. This can lead to gum disease and chipped or fractured front teeth.
Openbite
Open bite often occurs when some teeth are unable to make physical contact with the opposing teeth for a proper bite. Most often caused by a genetic abnormal jaw structure or excessive thumb-sucking, an open bite can cause poor or painful chewing, and even speech impairment. It can also lead to greater issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
When Invisalign Won’t Work
Situations which would require additional treatments, or alternative treatments, would include:
- Molar alignment issues, which require distalization of molars
- Class 3 Crossbite correction
- Extruding teeth, especially canines
It is important not to self diagnose and preclude yourself from Invisalign treatment. These situations have to be evaluated by Dr. Hetal Amin-Patel DDS, in order to piece together a treatment plan that facilitates healthier teeth and gums, and is in line with your cosmetic goals.
Other Treatment Options
Braces vs Invisalign
Keep in mind that not all dentists and orthodontists work with Invisalign, so it’s important to find a doctor who has received the proper Invisalign training and can truly evaluate your needs and determine how Invisalign can help you. At Beautiful Dentistry, we stay abreast of the latest innovations with Align Technology. Alternative treatments to Invisalign include Veneers and Braces. Veneers cover up dental imperfections instead of correcting them. Braces can yeild the same results as Invisalign, but they are not recommended as an alternative solution unless you have a condition which precludes you from Invisalign treatment. Complex dental cases would require treatment in phases, and rely on multiple products. For example, metal braces can be used for extruding canines and correcting extreme crossbites, Invisalign can be used after the metal braces finalize the heavy lifting, and Lumineers can add the finishing touches to your smile at the very end. Please call us today at (704) 633‑2612 to schedule your Smile Makeover consultation, and let us identify the best path to creating your perfect smile.
Invisalign Treatment
About the Procedure
Day of Appointment
We will take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a digital 3-D image of them. From these images we will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth. Using this same technology, we will even be able to show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will move with each stage of treatment.
Treatment Information & Management
Invisalign AlignerBased on your individual treatment plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners are then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Simply wear them throughout the day, and remove them when you eat or to brush and floss your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place. And because they’re virtually invisible, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Discomfort
Nicole speaks about Invisalign; her comfort, speech, & lifestyle
It may take up to 12 hours to get accustomed to the feel of Invisalign aligners over your teeth. Sometimes, people will speak with a slight lisp for a day or two. The lisp disappears as soon as your tongue gets accustomed to the aligner. The aligners themselves are very smooth, but if they are too close to your gums, they may feel a little sore. Should this happen, your aligners can be trimmed down in the office to eliminate the contact points which cause gumline soreness. Our goal is to make the Invisalign aligners as comfortable as a second skin.
Recovery Period
Getting Invisalign is easy. You slide on your Invisalign aligners yourself, and there is no need for anesthesia or sedatives. The process of getting Invisalign is not invasive. As such, there is no measurable recovery period, because there is nothing to recover from.
Follow-up Care
Approximately every two weeks, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with your doctor, usually only every six weeks or so. At every stage, you will be able to see how much closer you are to having the smile that reflects the real you. While every case is unique to each patient, treatment typically takes approximately a year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of braces, but since your teeth won’t be covered by wires and brackets, you’ll be able to see improvement much sooner.
Maintenance
Ensuring proper dental hygeine is a critical aspect of your treatment. Drilling and filling cavities in the middle of an Invisalign treatment could negatively affect the comfort of the aligner. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to increase the number of deep cleanings we do from once every 6 months, to once every 3 months.
During Your Treatment
The aligners are easily removable, so you can continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Cleaning your aligners is just as easy with the Invisalign cleaning kit. Or you can simply brush and rinse them in lukewarm water. That’s it! Achieving that great smile couldn’t be easier!
You’ll also remove the aligners each time you eat. This means you can continue to eat all the foods you love without any restrictions or worrying about food getting stuck in your wires and brackets. With other teeth-straightening methods, the simple act of eating can often be troublesome.
For those who are active in contact sports, Invisalign allows you to continue wearing your aligners without having to worry about any sharp brackets cutting your mouth. If your sport requires wearing a protective mouth guard, simply remove your aligners and you’re good to go!
Your bedtime routine can continue as before, with the simple addition of cleaning your aligners. You won’t be struggling with trying to floss and brush in between brackets and wires, which can be time-consuming.
Things to do at home
For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment. We strongly recommend keeping your old aligners, so you have the option to wear the previous set, if an issue arises with your current aligners.
Emergency Procedure
Should you break or lose your alinger, contact our office right away. It is extremely important to prevent your teeth from regressing, so wear your previous Invisalign aligner until your replacement arrives.
Before & After Photos show corrections which are easy with Invisalign
Crowded Teeth
Crossbite
Widely Spaced Teeth
Overbite
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After the Treatment is Complete
Finishing your treatment is as simple as discontinuing the use of your aligners during the daytime. You will be advised to wear a retainer, which is identical to the last aligner, for the next 3 months all the time. The retainer must be worn for 12 hours a day for the following 3 months, after which point the retainer should be worn nightly.
Not wearing the retainer as prescribed by your Dentist could result in undesirable shifting of your teeth.
Please call us if you have any questions: (704) 633‑2612
Warranties & Guarantees
Manufacturer Warranty
Aligners are subject to the Invisalign Product Warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. Align Technology’s materials and workmanship warranty is in force until the Invisalign case is completed. In the event the Aligners fall within the scope of the Invisalign product warranty, we will replace the Aligners at our expense. Our warranty is contingent upon proper use of the Aligners for the purposes for which they are intended.
Beautiful Dentistry’s Warranty
Our warranty provides a mid-course correction at no additional charge if a patient’s aligners stop fitting at any point during treatment, provided there have been no changes in treatment plan, patient compliance, or dental anatomy. Before starting your Invisalign treatment, Beautiful Dentistry will provide a structured treatment plan to maximize your Dental Insurance and Flexible Spending Account benefit, and create a dental treatment timeline to prevent situations which could void your Invisalign Warranty.
After the treatment is complete it is important to follow the post treatment care plan provided to you, to prevent undesirable shifting of your aligned teeth.
Our Guarantee
Dr. Hetal Amin-Patel has been Invisalign Certified by Align Technology since 2006, and has extensive experience with Invisalign treatment plans. Our promise to you is that the veneers, fillings, crowns, and bridges we create will look as good as or better than the teeth nature gave you. And to make sure we keep that promise, the products we recommend and use are of the highest quality and incredibly durable.