Hello, I'm Dr. Jacobs and I'm here to answer some of the most common questions about Invisalign, the innovative clear aligner treatment. Invisalign is an effective and discreet way to straighten teeth without the need for traditional metal braces. Many of my patients are curious about how it works, who it is suitable for, and what to expect during the process. I'll be addressing some of the most frequently asked questions to help you understand how Invisalign might be the right solution for your smile. Let's dive into some key questions people typically have about Invisalign treatment.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a method of clear aligners that fit over your teeth to move them. This means that you no longer need the metal braces you often see children and teenagers wearing, and adults really prefer this to other traditional methods. Basically, you get the same results between the metal braces and the clear aligners, Invisalign, but sometimes we do have to use metal braces. The good thing about metal braces is that once you glue them on, the patients cannot take them out, and they're especially good for kids. The downside of Invisalign treatment is that sometimes patients do not wear them as often as they should, which can affect the effectiveness of the treatment.
Does Invisalign cause pain?
In terms of pain, patients do not really complain about it. What they do mention is a little pressure, but it goes away with each aligner. You may get anywhere between 5 to 20 aligners. You wear each aligner for two weeks at a time. You'll start with aligner one. Two weeks later, you go to aligner two, and so forth until you reach the end. You do need to wear it 23 hours a day, which means you sleep with it. You only take them out to eat and to brush your teeth. Any other time that you're not eating or brushing your teeth, they need to be with you, and you do need to wear them during your sleep.
What is the Invisalign process?
The process is very simple. You come into our office, and we take some photographs of your teeth. We have a scanner that will scan your teeth, and everything is emailed to Invisalign. Invisalign will put a plan together, which is reviewed by the dentist. The dentist is in charge of your treatment. Once the dentist approves the process by which your teeth are going to end up, the dentist then goes ahead and approves the treatment, and Invisalign makes the aligners.
Who qualifies for Invisalign?
There are some people who don't qualify, and those are individuals with extremely crooked teeth. However, sometimes we can use metal braces for half the treatment and finish off with Invisalign, which seems to work very well. Most insurances do cover Invisalign treatment. However, it varies by individual, and you can expect to pay anywhere between $5,000 to $6,000 for your Invisalign treatment. If you're considering Invisalign, it is important to remember that every smile is unique, and we can tailor the treatment to fit your specific needs.
I encourage you to schedule an appointment with us for a consultation so we can discuss your options. You can reach us here at our office at (951) 904-3164, or you can visit our website at riversidecenterforestheticdentistry.com. Thank you for your time. I look forward to helping you achieve the smile you deserve. Thank you.
Invisalign®: A Comfortable and Convenient Alternative to Braces
Straighten your teeth with clear aligners that are virtually invisible.
How is Invisalign® Different From Traditional Braces?
Invisalign® straightens your teeth just as effectively as traditional metal braces, but using a modern approach that is best suited for an active and social lifestyle. The clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible, so no one has to know they are there. And unlike traditional braces, they are removable! This makes it possible to brush and floss your teeth without the interference of brackets that can contribute to tooth decay. You can pop these clear braces out to eat and drink whatever you like with no food restrictions. Traditional braces use wires and metal that can poke and irritate your gums. Invisalign® is made of smooth plastic that is comfortable to wear. The convenience of Invisalign® appeals to people in all stages of life. Enjoy the significant benefits of improving your smile with minimal impact on how you look and feel.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
Invisalign® effectively corrects a wide variety of dental problems, including teeth that are widely gapped, overly crowded, or somewhere in between. Invisalign® treatment begins with a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate and to answer all of your questions. Not all dentists or orthodontists work with Invisalign®. We are specially trained providers who will develop an individualized treatment plan for your best results.
We’ll start with x-rays and impressions of your teeth to create a 3-dimensional image. Using this, we can map out the exact movements of your teeth and create a virtual image for you of how your teeth will look. Based on your individualized plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners are made specifically for you. The aligners are made of BPA-free clear plastic and fit easily over your teeth. They are smooth and should be comfortable to wear. You can remove them to clean your teeth and to eat and drink. About every two weeks you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, progressing you through to your treatment goals. To make sure things are going well, you will have a check-up in the office every six weeks or so to monitor your progress.
How Long Will I Have To Wear Invisalign®?
While each case is unique, depending on the treatment needed, Invisalign® usually takes approximately one year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces. For fastest results, you should wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually shift into place. Once you have achieved the beautiful smile you desire, we may recommend retainers to keep your teeth looking good.
What About Special Occasions or Playing Sports?
Since Invisalign® is designed to be removable, it is perfectly fine to take out your aligners for a special night or event. Or if you play a contact sport that requires a mouth guard, you can simply replace your aligners with the mouth guard while you play. If your contact sport does not require a mouth guard, an extra advantage to Invisalign® is that it allows you to continue to wear your aligners without worrying about sharp brackets or wire ends cutting your mouth.
More than One Million Patients Worldwide Have Been Treated with Invisalign®. Call us for an appointment to get the smile you want without having to change a thing!
Advantages of Invisalign®
Why Over One Million Patients Have Used Invisalign®
- Invisalign® works with your schedule. There is minimal time required in our office for treatment as there are no wires and brackets to fix.
- You can keep up with your traditional oral health routine. Traditional braces often cause tooth decay around the brackets because it’s hard to floss and brush, especially between teeth. Invisalign® allows you to completely remove your aligners for easy and thorough cleaning.
- You can occasionally remove them to enjoy a special night out. Life happens, and you want to have the chance to look your best when you need it!
- You can eat or drink whatever you would like. With Invisalign®, there is no risk of breakage or loosening of wires while you are enjoying crunchy or sticky foods. No stress at meal and snack times.
- You can feel like yourself. No need to hide your smile or worry that food is caught in your braces. With Invisalign®, you can feel confident in knowing that you look good and that your breath is fresh.
- You can see what your teeth will look like before you even begin. With Invisalign® advanced 3D imaging computer technology, you can get a sneak peek at what your teeth will look like during each phase of treatment, all the way to the final dazzling result!
- It’s comfortable. Aligners are made of smooth plastic that is custom made for your teeth. There is no risk of poking, bleeding, or irritation when you participate in sports or play a musical instrument.
- Invisalign® is affordable and may be covered by your dental insurance.
Invisalign® has all of these advantages for the same cost as traditional braces! Call us to set up your Invisalign® consultation.
Invisalign® Teen could be the answer for your family
Invisalign® Teen offers a completely new approach to orthodontics, giving you the smile you want without the embarrassment and hassles of traditional braces. No teen wants to have metal in their mouth. And no parent wants to argue about what their teen can and can’t do with braces. Invisalign® Teen straightens teeth using clear plastic aligners, doing the job of braces without metal brackets and wires – a win for both parents and teens alike.
Clear. Removable. Comfortable. Customized.
With Invisalign® Teen, you can:
- Eat the foods you love without worrying about breaking brackets or loosening wires. Simply remove the aligners while you eat your favorite foods and then put them back in when you are done.
- Feel Confident. Since Invisalign® Teen aligners are clear, no one will see them in pictures or in person.
- Brush and floss as usual to maintain good oral health and fresh breath. Simply remove your aligners to clean your teeth in the morning and evening as you normally would.
- Participate in your favorite activities without worry. Invisalign® Teen allows you to play sports or a musical instrument without worrying about cutting your mouth. And you can temporarily replace your aligners with a mouth guard when required for contact sports.
- Be comfortable! Invisalign® Teen plastic aligners are custom fit for comfort and durability.
With Invisalign® Teen, parents can expect:
- Compliance. Teen aligners have blue dots that fade when they are worn. If a teen isn’t wearing them, the dots won’t fade. This allows parents to make the most of their investment by ensuring that their teen is wearing the aligners as prescribed: 20-22 hours per day.
- Affordability. The cost is usually the same as metal braces, and up to half of the cost may be covered by dental insurance. In addition to that, Invisalign® Teen provides six replacement aligners in case they are lost.
Now your teen can have a straighter smile with a state of the art system that fits his or her busy lifestyle. In fact, Invisalign® Teen clear braces are so convenient, they’re a great fit for the entire family.
