How Invisalign Works
Invisalign works by using clear, plastic aligner trays that are customized to the progression of your teeth as they gently shift toward the desired result. Each tray represents a different stage in your smile. After two weeks of earing one set of aligners, you will switch to the next set in the series. Each set moves you closer to your new smile.
What Can I Expect When Beginning Invisalign?
There are four steps when being treated with Invisalign. These are:
- Your initial consultation : This is where Dr. Cure will discuss whether Invisalign is right for you. We’ll take pictures and digital impressions of your teeth and show you what areas we intend to focus on during treatment.
- The creation : Dr. Cure and our team will work to ensure your Invisalign aligners are created just how we want them. Once everything is sent to the lab, Dr. Cure will receive a mock-up of each stage in the treatment plan. Making any necessary modifications, he will send them back to the lab, so they can tweak and begin to create the final product.
- Delivery : When you return to our dental office to receive your aligners, we’ll test out your first set to make sure they fit properly. You’ll receive small attachments that will fit onto your teeth that will help to hold the aligners in place. Luckily, these are completely invisible, are painless, and will be removed once you are finished with treatment.
- Straightening : Over the duration of your treatment, you’ll watch the straightening of your teeth occur. Wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours each day will ensure you have no delays. You can expect a bit of soreness after each new set, but this will dissipate after a few days. You’ll visit us over the course of your time with Invisalign. This will allow our cosmetic dentist in Greeley to monitor your progress.
Am I A Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Wearing Invisalign does require that you remain committed to your treatment plan. Typically, young children and teenagers are not the best candidates for clear braces. However, adults often qualify for candidacy with Invisalign. This is because you will be required to wear your aligners 20-22 hours each day, remember to put them back in after eating and/or drinking, as well as take proper care in cleaning and maintaining your aligners to prevent a delay in treatment.
While traditional orthodontics like braces are still the best solution for severe misalignment issues, Invisalign is ideal for dealing with mild to moderate cases of the following:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded, overlapping teeth influence more than just your appearance. They create small spaces that trap plaque, which in turn increases your risk of cavities and gum disease. Thankfully, Invisalign can reposition your teeth to give you a beautiful, even smile.
Gaps Between Teeth
Too much space between two or more teeth leaves them susceptible to excess wear and tear as well as damage. With a carefully designed Invisalign treatment plan, we can bring them closer together to help you achieve a uniform set of pearly whites.
Bite Alignment
Overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite are some of the most common bite issues Invisalign treats. Left untreated, these jaw problems can cause teeth grinding, soreness, lockjaw, and TMJ disorder. With a customized treatment plan that’s designed for your unique needs, Invisalign can give you a stronger, healthier bite.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign® clear braces have a variety of benefits. Some of these include:
- No food restrictions. Since your aligners are removable, you can continue to enjoy all your favorite foods and drinks.
- Practically invisible aligners. Invisalign aligners are clear, which means it is quite difficult for anyone to notice you’re being treated with Invisalign.
- Shorter treatment. While this may depend on your specific dental needs, most patients complete their treatment in two years or less.
- No irritation. Forget the feeling of brackets and/or wires rubbing and irritating your gums, cheeks, and tongue. Clear braces are smooth, so the soft tissues of your mouth will be protected.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Every case is different, so depending on your individual needs, the cost of treatment may vary. Many different factors influence the final price. When you visit us for a consultation, we’ll take into account all these different factors and more to provide a personalized estimate. Yes, straightening your teeth with Invisalign is an investment, but the results are worth the time and money. Read on to learn more about the cost of Invisalign in Greeley.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
There are three main factors that will affect the cost of your Invisalign treatment:
- Your oral health: It’s important that your smile is healthy before we start treatment and stays that way throughout. Cavities, gum disease, and other issues will need to be addressed beforehand, or they may slow down your treatment and damage your teeth.
- The severity of the issue: Are you closing a gap between your two front teeth, correcting a few crooked teeth, or realigning an entire arch? As you may suspect, the more severe the problem, the more the treatment will cost.
- Your compliance during treatment. Invisalign comes with a lot of freedoms, but that also means you have a lot of responsibility for keeping your treatment on track. If you don’t follow your treatment guidelines, you could potentially increase the length and cost!
Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Companies like the Smile Direct Club™ tempt patients with notions of convenient, DIY orthodontic treatment that can be completed entirely from home. What’s more, they often come at a lower price point than a professional Invisalign treatment. However, these mail-in aligners could easily end up costing you far more time, money, and hassle in the long run!
Without the supervision of a dentist, it will be completely up to you to ensure your impressions are taken correctly, that the aligners are made to standard, and that your treatment is staying on track. If something goes astray, your teeth may be moved into the wrong positions and you’ll need to visit a professional anyways! The extra money spent on seeing a dentist for Invisalign is well worth the peace-of-mind you’ll have knowing your smile is in the hands of a professional.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Dental insurance companies are all over the board when it comes to Invisalign coverage. Some policies don’t offer any orthodontic coverage at all, and even among those that do, Invisalign isn’t always covered. To see what exactly your policy covers, you’ll need to speak to your insurance provider or with one of our knowledgeable team members. We’ll be happy to help you learn more about your coverage and will always work to ensure your benefits are being maximized.
Save Money On Invisalign With Our In-House Membership Plan
Dental insurance isn’t the only way to make Invisalign affordable. Uninsured patients may be interested in enrolling in our in-house membership plan. Our membership plan works very similarly to dental insurance, except with no confusing jargon, frustrating limitations, or annual maximums and deductibles. Plus, you’ll receive a 15% discount on nearly all our treatments, including those not often covered by insurance! To learn more or enroll, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Invisalign FAQs
Every year, more and more adults choose to straighten their smiles with Invisalign rather than the clunky awkwardness of traditional metal braces. As outlined above, Invisalign in Greeley comes with a whole host of advantages over conventional orthodontic treatment. If you’re considering achieving your dream smile with Invisalign, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us to see if it’s the right treatment for you. In the meantime, you can read through this list of some of our most frequently asked questions about Invisalign to get a better idea of what the process will be like.
Will I Have to Wear a Retainer After I’m Done with Invisalign?
Most likely, yes. If you don’t wear some kind of retainer after your treatment is finished, your teeth will almost certainly shift back into their original crooked state, meaning the year or so you spent wearing the aligners was all for nothing. The length of time you’ll have to wear a retainer will vary from patient to patient. In many cases, you’ll be required to wear one for at least 22 hours a day for a few weeks or months, but can then switch to only wearing it at night.
How Do I Keep My Aligners Clean?
Maintaining clean aligners is imperative if you want to keep them clear and unnoticeable. Always rinse your aligners in cold or lukewarm water (neverhot water) when you take them out. After you eat, brush your teeth before placing your aligners back in. This prevents food particles and bacteria from getting trapped against your teeth and contributing to stains as well as cavities and gum disease. Lastly, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a clear hand soap to gently scrub your aligners clean at least once a day.
Is Invisalign Safe?
The aligners are made of a safe plastic material, so they have been deemed 100% safe, even for patients who are pregnant or nursing. The only health issue that may arise would be if a patient had an allergy to plastic. In that case, that patient might benefit more from traditional orthodontic treatment.
How Often Will I Have to Visit the Dentist During My Treatment?
With traditional braces, you have to visit your orthodontist every few weeks and sit in the dental chair for quite some time while they adjust your brackets and wires, which can be uncomfortable and cause your teeth to be sensitive for the next few days. With Invisalign, you still need to see your dentist in Greeley every six to eight weeks. The good news is that you won’t have to spend nearly as much time in the dental chair. These appointments are brief. We’ll pretty much evaluate your progress, hand you your next few sets of aligners, and send you on your way!