Invisalign – New Bedford, MA
Straighten Your Teeth Without Brackets and Wires
Invisalign has completely changed the field of orthodontic treatment, giving people a way to straighten their teeth without the many drawbacks of metal braces. At Clear Coast Dental, we love helping our patients get great results, comfortably and discreetly, and enjoy all the benefits that come with having a beautifully even smile. If you’d like to know how Invisalign can work for you, give us a call today to schedule a consultation with one of our talented cosmetic dentists in New Bedford!
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign moves your teeth into position through a series of smooth, plastic aligner trays, and each set is usually worn for two weeks at a time. Once we’ve made sure that Invisalign is right for you, we’ll take digital impressions of your teeth that the Invisalign lab will use to custom-make your trays.
Then you’ll return about three weeks later to pick up your first set of aligners and we’ll put small knobs of tooth-colored material on your teeth. These temporary “buttons” are used to anchor your trays and help them create movement. Next, you’ll try in your first set of trays and we’ll give you instructions for wearing and maintaining them. Throughout your treatment, you’ll return for progress visits every 4-8 weeks to pick up additional sets of trays.
What are the Benefits of Invisalign?
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Although Invisalign works for most patients, severe issues may be better addressed by traditional braces. Having said that, this orthodontic treatment is usually perfect for mild to moderate crowding, gaps, open bites, overbites, underbites, and more. If you’d like to know if Invisalign is right for you, start by scheduling a consultation. Our team will thoroughly evaluate your needs and recommend the treatment that will give you the best results. Until then, here are the common issues Invisalign can treat.
Crowded Teeth
In addition to negatively affecting the overall appearance of your smile, crowded teeth can also be detrimental to your oral health in the long run. Most who experience this issue usually struggle with problems like difficulty chewing, jaw soreness/discomfort, tooth decay, and gum disease. By undergoing Invisalign, you can gradually shift your teeth into better alignment in a relatively quicker process compared to traditional braces, that way you can have a much more comfortable and easier time maintaining a healthy smile.
Gaps Between Teeth
Too much space between your teeth can leave them vulnerable to objects getting stuck between them as well as bacteria/plaque buildup. This can end up increasing your risk of issues like gum disease and tooth decay. By closing these gaps with Invisalign, you’ll be able to achieve a more uniform smile while minimizing your chances of experiencing oral health problems.
Overbite
If your upper teeth are protruding too far out from your bottom pearly whites, then you likely have an overbite. Even if your teeth are relatively straight, this can lead to complications like uneven dental wear, jaw discomfort, speech problems, and trouble with closing/opening your mouth. The upper teeth may also be more susceptible to damage or injury because they’re too exposed. Invisalign, along with attachments or bands, can help correct minor overbites.
Underbite
Similar to an overbite, an underbite is when the lower teeth jut out further from the upper ones. Whether this was caused due to jaw injury, non-nutritive habits (like thumb sucking), or genetics, this can result in issues like mouth breathing, difficulty chewing/speaking, and even sleep apnea. Fortunately, for minor underbites, we can help realign your upper and lower jaws with elastic bands during Invisalign treatment. Afterward, you’ll be able to enjoy a more comfortable bite for the long term.
Crossbite
A crossbite is whenever your bottom teeth are slightly in front of your upper ones, and vice versa. This can often occur due to poor oral habits, premature loss of baby teeth, and genetics. If left unaddressed, you can end up experiencing problems with tooth decay, speech troubles, headaches, teeth grinding, jaw discomfort, and an increased risk of periodontal disease. Invisalign can help with more minor instances of a crossbite. For more complex situations, it might be necessary to combine this treatment with elastic bands or other accessories.
Open Bite
Sometimes a patient’s upper and lower teeth won’t touch or meet even after closing their mouth. This is known as an open bite, which can increase the chances of enamel wear as well as difficulty speaking/eating. With Invisalign, we can help gradually move the upper and lower teeth so that they can be closer together whenever you close your mouth, improving your bite pattern and minimizing the chance of dental damage.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
For patients who don’t want to show off metal brackets and wires throughout the duration of their orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is an excellent option. It has so many unique benefits! However, it is crucial that you understand the cost of treatment so you don’t end up with any unnecessary surprises. To learn exactly how much you can expect your treatment to cost, schedule a consultation with us. In the meantime, here are some things for you to consider.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of your Invisalign treatment will vary depending on a few factors. Here are some of the most prominent:
- Number of Arches: Most people who undergo Invisalign treatment will have both their upper and lower teeth straightened. However, in some cases, only one arch needs to be addressed. In this situation, the cost is lower.
- Complexity: If you have severe alignment issues, your treatment is likely to cost more. Closing a few small gaps is cheaper than correcting a significant bite problem.
- Length of Treatment: A longer treatment time means more aligners and a higher cost.
Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
When a patient is looking for a “quick fix,” lower budget option, services like Smile Direct Club™ may seem tempting. However, a cheaper cost doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best option. While DIY mail-in aligners are generally less expensive than Invisalign, Smile Direct Club™ has a do-it-yourself approach with little to no oversight from a dental professional. This means additional room for error, and you could even end up with serious issues that will need to be treated by a professional anyway.
With Invisalign, you have the trusted oversight of our dentists for each step along the way. Invisalign is professionally made, uses highly accurate impressions, and results in a more successful treatment overall. The cost difference is worth it for a smooth, stress-free orthodontic treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance plans include coverages for orthodontic treatment, so you should check with your insurance provider to see if this is the case for you. Our team is also available to help you understand what your plan consists of. If you have any questions, give us a call!
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have doesn’t insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be left in the dust. Currently, we have a special offer for a free orthodontic consultation that includes an exam and X-ray. We also have an in-house membership that can help you save on treatments completed at the practice. In addition to that, we work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can break the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. Talk to one of our friendly team members to learn more about your financial options.
To find out exactly how much your treatment will cost, see us for a consultation. We are eager to help you get on a path towards a straighter smile!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Reading through the above information – from how the clear aligners work to the benefits they come with – can give you valuable insight into this discreet orthodontic treatment. But what is life with Invisalign actually like? Below, you’ll find some helpful information to give you insight into the answer.
Wearing Your Trays
If you want your teeth to move, you need to wear your aligners. It’s as simple as that! The general rule is to wear them for 20-22 hours a day, taking them off only to eat, drink something other than water, and complete your oral hygiene regimen. If you aren’t sure if you are meeting this goal, try using the Invisalign app! You can also use the timer on your phone to make sure you’re wearing them enough.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Fortunately, cleaning your aligners is pretty simple. In addition to rinsing them thoroughly with clean, cool water each time you remove them, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub them after each meal. If stains begin to develop, then use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit to give them a deeper clean.
Important note: Do NOT use bleach or other household cleaners.
Eating & Drinking
Since your aligners are removable, you’re pretty much free to eat whatever you’d like throughout your teeth-straightening journey. With that said, we do recommend filling your plate with lots of nutrient-dense foods to keep your teeth and gums healthy. For the same reason, you should avoid over-indulging on sugary and starchy foods, like ice cream, caramel candies, and potato chips.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Patients often panic when they lose or damage a tray. Instead, give us a call and explain your situation. Depending on where you are in your treatment plan, we will recommend either moving onto the next set of aligners in the series or wearing the previous ones until a replacement arrives. Remember, you should NOT use superglue or simply move onto the next set of trays without talking to us!
Routine Check-Ins
At your routine check-in visits – which happen every six weeks or so – we will see how your treatment is going and take new scans of your teeth. If any of them aren’t tracking properly, we can make some slight adjustments to your treatment plan, like having you wear your current aligners for another week and increasing the frequency of using the chewies. If everything looks good, we’ll simply give you your next set of aligners!
Frequently Asked Questions - Invisalign®
As you prepare to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, Clear Coast Dental wants you to feel comfortable and confident about your upcoming treatment. You’ve made the right decision and will soon begin to see an improvement in your smile and overall oral health, but before you get started, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions about Invisalign that might prove beneficial. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact our office.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
The average treatment time for Invisalign is between 12-18 months. Much of this depends on the severity of the problem and how committed you are to wearing your clear aligners for 20-22 hours each day. The only time they should be removed is while eating, drinking, or cleaning them.
How often will I need to see the dentist during my Invisalign treatment?
Surprisingly, you will have fewer visits to the dentist during your treatment simply because there is no wire adjusting necessary. With traditional braces, the wires must be tightened every few weeks to forcibly move the teeth; however, with Invisalign, switching your trays gently shifts your teeth, requiring no special visits for adjustment. It is important that you keep your regularly scheduled appointments, as this will allow our team to examine the progress you’re making and ensure everything is moving along smoothly.
How do I care for my Invisalign aligners?
Fortunately, cleaning your aligners is quite easy. While you can go out and purchase the special Invisalign cleaning system, you can also opt for a more at-home approach. With a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear antibacterial soap, and lukewarm water, you can brush off any dried saliva and harmful bacteria from your aligners. It’s important to remember to never use hot water on your trays, as it can warp the plastic.
You should also remember to keep your aligners in a protective case when taking them out to eat or drink. This will protect them from bacteria floating around in the air as well as potential damage.
What happens after my Invisalign treatment?
Once you are finished with Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer for an allotted amount of time. Typically, a retainer is a lifelong commitment, but in the beginning, you’ll be expected to wear it all day, every day. Eventually, you’ll only be expected to wear it at night while you sleep, but this will prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original position.
It’s important that you wear your retainer so that the investment you made in your new smile isn’t all for nothing.
Do I have to wear Invisalign aligners all day?
We understand that Invisalign offers a much more flexible option; however, it also requires a greater level of responsibility. It is required that you wear your aligners at least 20-22 hours each day. The only time you should remove your Invisalign is while eating, drinking, or cleaning your trays. It is imperative that you wear them the appropriate amount of time, so you don’t run the risk of delaying your treatment.
