Kelly Smile Dentistry is certified to fit Invisalign braces to our patients at a very affordable price. The alignment is seen as a better alternative to traditional metal braces because it is convenient, effective and more importantly, the procedure is almost pain-free. The whole process will take a minimum of three months, but it is not uncommon for some cases to continue the treatment for several years. These are extreme situations, however, and are very rare. For optimal results, you need to wear the aligners from 20 to 22 hours a day.
Not a New Technology
Not many people know it, but the company that manufactures Invisalign has been around since 1997. The vision was way ahead of its time. However, the technology did not catch up with what they initially envisioned until recently. The computers that allow for extremely high accuracy did not exist back then. Today, we have technology that can outline even the most minute details of your teeth, especially the sections where correction is needed, to provide exceptional results.
Now, more and more dental offices are offering Invisalign treatment because modern technology has helped advance the procedure. Robots are used for fabrication of the product, which negates any risk of human error, and each tray is customized to provide a highly accurate fit.
The first tray will be worn for an initial two-week period, then you will return to us for a second fitting, and the next tray is designed. The process will be repeated until we get to the final phase where the repositioning of the teeth is complete.
The trays themselves are almost invisible, thus the name. This makes them ideal for those who may be uncomfortable with wearing metal wires across their teeth, like teenagers and business professionals.
Worldwide, according to the manufacturer, there are already 4 million patients who have been fitted with Invisalign.
What Is Invisalign Made Out Of?
A typical Invisalign is manufactured from medical grade polyurethane from methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Each device gets the seal of approval from U.S. Pharmacopeia, which means that the Invisalign tray will not be toxic to the wearer. The polymer is very durable, allowing it to be worn for extended periods of time, and it is also flexible enough to prevent moderate to high levels of discomfort for the user.
Invisalign Is BPA Free, so it is Safe for Pregnant Women.
We recommend Invisalign aligners to pregnant women who are looking to improve their smiles. The rapid hormonal changes in an expectant mother will allow the ligaments within the mouth to loosen up. This means pregnant women are more likely to experience faster, more effective results in most cases. Traditional bracers are less forgiving and far less gentle than Invisalign. As the gums swell and the teeth shift slightly, more pressure is exerted by the braces, which could increase discomfort and or pain.
Imagine how painful it would be if the pregnant woman is fitted with metal braces. Swelling gums will make it harder to take care of their teeth.
All that convenience and efficiency will cost a bit more than traditional braces. The price will range between $3,500 to $8,500 depending on the customization options, the extent of the problem that needs to be addressed, as well as the number of teeth that need correction, among other factors
You can compare it to the regular metal braces, which will range in cost between $2,000 and as high as $5,500.
Why Choose Invisalign?
What makes Invisalign popular among our patients is the fact that they can take it out when they eat or drink. They can also remove it when they need to brush or floss their teeth. This is a more convenient option, especially for people who think that metal braces get in the way of oral hygiene.
As previously mentioned, the plastic is virtually invisible, even when you flash those pearly whites.
Adjustments are also easier for everyone involved, including us. There are no brackets to adjust or wires to tighten, which can be painful and time-consuming. Unfortunately, you have to take into account the potential of an additional cost for any non-scheduled adjustments, as well as the wait time for the creation and delivery of the new tray.
The Invisalign procedure can target a particular tooth at any one time. We can manipulate the movement, according to specific timelines depending on the overall treatment plan. Traditional metal braces do not offer this kind of option or flexibility. A single crooked tooth may require additional metal wiring to affect the correction.
If you have already had metal braces fitted, you can still shift to Invisalign. This is not uncommon among our patients. Some of them even have a combination of traditional metal braces and the modern aligners.
In theory, Invisalign aligners can also be used if you have had other dental work done like crowns and veneers. It is different with bridges, however, because they connect to two teeth or more. However, we will check your mouth to determine the best course of action before suggesting anything.
It has been proven time and again that Invisalign will yield quicker results when compared to metal braces. On average, it takes about a couple of months for the patients to start to notice some of the changes in their teeth. Compare that to traditional orthodontic braces, which may take one year before the patient will observe any type of positive transformation.
Downsides of Wearing Invisalign
Admittedly, one of its greatest strengths is also its greatest weakness. The temptation comes from the fact that Invisalign is removable. If the patient does not have the discipline to keep it on for the required 20 to 22 hours a day, the desired outcome will be difficult to obtain. Teenagers often fall into this trap because they could not muster the resolve to follow through with the recommended instructions, especially when there is some pain or discomfort involved.
Removable clear aligners are convenient in the sense that they can easily be cleaned, which can promote good oral hygiene habits. They can be troublesome because you need to take them out every time you eat or drink. You have to weigh the pros and cons of any dental procedure and using Invisalign is no different. In the end, there is no such thing as a perfect method to correct crooked teeth.
Is Invisalign Covered by Insurance?
The typical dental insurance should cover this procedure. It is important to note that there may be some out of pocket expenses, so it is important to find out how much of the procedure your plan will cover. Some insurance companies can cover as much as $3,500 for Invisalign. In these cases, the patient may go home without paying anything at all. If your plan does not cover this procedure, you can contact your insurance company to find out if they offer the option to update or upgrade your plan to include it. You could always change your insurance provider, but that is typically a much bigger headache that is not worth the effort.
You can also withdraw from your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), if you have one, to be utilized for your Invisalign trays. We understand that life is not perfect, and as such, we also provide our own budget-friendly payment plan which can help our patients get the help they need, without destroying their household budget. Talk with a member of our staff and they will determine how much your insurance will cover and if you are eligible for our installment program.
Will Invisalign Affect the Way I Talk?
This is one of the most common questions that our patients ask. The results from an Invisalign fitting vary. Some will have a noticeable lisp when they talk, particularly in the early days, but this is mostly due to the foreign object that is inside their mouths. This can easily be corrected once the patient gets used to using the tray. That is also one of the benefits of not taking off the device unless you are eating or drinking. Pretty soon, you will hardly notice the aligner in your mouth until the next replacement.
Invisalign and Overbites
Apart from aesthetic issues, an overbite will have some repercussions to the health of the patient. Among the problems that may be encountered is nagging pain in the misaligned jaw. This can result in the patient developing temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ.
Another issue is damage to the enamel because the misaligned jaw will cause the upper set of teeth to hit the lower teeth at weird angles. It is not uncommon for people with overbites to also suffer from tooth decay. Of course, a speech impediment is also common, as is sleep apnea, which is characterized by the obstruction of the airways. This is a very dangerous condition as it claims 38,000 lives in the U.S. every year.
Overbites were traditionally resolved through corrective surgery and orthodontic braces. Too many patients are under the impression that only an invasive surgical procedure will treat an overbite. What prevents them from undergoing surgery are the expected expenses that are involved.
Invisalign has been known to correct overbites. The patients, however, need a thorough evaluation to ensure that they are eligible for the procedure. Sometimes, a malocclusion correction may be necessary to repair a more dramatic overbite or deep bite.
Nevertheless, we have the expertise to repair your overbite or deep bite, whether through Invisalign or other surgical and non-invasive methods.
Food Restrictions
Unlike with metal braces, there are virtually no restrictions when it comes to food when you have your teeth fitted with Invisalign.
For instance, when you have metal braces, food can get caught in any of the components like the glue, rubber, and or the wires. That means you need to stay away from munching on hard foods like raw vegetables or pizza crust. You should also avoid overindulging on pork or beef products, especially if are not cooked to a velvety soft degree.
Sticky food and gums are also not allowed, as well as hard candy, which can damage the braces.
You will not have such restrictions with Invisalign. Moreover, because you can take them out when you drink or eat, maintenance is also very easy. You can purchase a cleaning solution for your aligners or simply brush and rinse them with lukewarm water.
Is Invisalign Painful?
Orthodontic braces can be painful, particularly in the early stages. When it is not painful, it can be highly discomforting. People with braces struggle with the brackets tightening up on them or when they sip on a cold drink and pain will shoot up their mouth without warning.
The experience is not going to be the same for everybody. Some patients have reported soreness from wearing the device 22 hours a day, while some only claimed minor discomfort. There is a transition period where you adjust to the aligner being fastened on your teeth for most of the day. As the teeth straighten, the patient may feel some pressure on the mouth, which may range from discomfort to pain. However, it is less than the amount those with traditional braces would experience, especially during the initial adjustment period when your mouth has not yet developed the calluses to numb the pain. The pressure buildup only happens in the first few days after the Invisalign is fitted before it fades. The whole process then starts over when a new set of aligners are placed in your mouth.
Some patients will also complain of sharp edges and ill-fitting aligners, which can cause cuts and lesions inside the mouth. Fortunately, this is the easiest to correct. You just need to come back in to see us so that we can make the necessary corrections. Inflammation should also be expected during the first few days, but this can be addressed through antibiotics and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used to counteract the effects of discomfort or pain. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, do not hesitate to talk to us about it. We will help advise you on the best course of action to alleviate the pain.
Contact Our Office Today
Our skilled orthodontists at Kelly Smile Dentistry have been helping countless patients achieve their dream smiles through Invisalign clear aligners or other dental procedures. If you have any more questions regarding this Invisalign, call us at 760-242-2338, we’re more than happy to help.