If you are looking for a more discreet orthodontic treatment, Invisalign® clear aligners could be the right choice for you! This nearly invisible orthodontic treatment allows you to maintain a natural appearance while also straightening your teeth and smile. To learn more about Invisalign treatment in Beacon, New York, and schedule a consultation with our orthodontist, contact Beacon Dental at (845) 384-1131.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign® aligners are a great choice for patients who are searching for a more discreet orthodontic treatment option for straightening their smile. Rather than using metal brackets and wires like traditional braces, the Invisalign system uses a series of custom-made, computer-generated plastic aligners to straighten teeth. Each set of aligners is designed to make small changes to the alignment of the teeth. As you switch sets of aligners about every two weeks, your teeth will gradually and gently move to their proper positions. You will also visit our office on a regular basis during treatment to make certain that your smile is progressing as planned.
How does Invisalign compare to traditional braces?
With Invisalign, you can take it out when you eat and you can take it out to brush. Whereas braces, they are bonded to your teeth over the course of your treatment. Braces are obviously very visible to people, especially when you're close up. Whereas Invisalign is more invisible and less noticeable.
In general, Invisalign aligners can be used to treat the same orthodontic issues that are normally treated with braces.
Our dentists may recommend Invisalign treatment to correct:
- Crowded teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped and spaced teeth
- Certain problems with the bite, such as an overbite, open bite, underbite or crossbite
Is Invisalign really faster than braces?
The speed of the treatment depends on where your starting point is. If you've had Invisalign treatment or braces treatment before, you're going to have a much closer starting point to your desired end result. But if you've never had any sort of orthodontic treatment before, it's going to be a longer process.
Why is Invisalign often considered more comfortable than braces?
Invisalign is often seen as being more comfortable than braces because you can take them off, and that is the biggest point. With braces, you do have metal in your mouth, so it is a little less comfortable.
How long does Invisalign take?
Invisalign treatment can vary. As mentioned earlier, it depends on where you are starting with the treatment length.
What is the process involved with Invisalign treatment?
The process for Invisalign is fairly simple. Upon your first visit, you would have a consultation with our in-house orthodontist. After completing any paperwork and consent forms, his assistant would bring you in the back and get you scanned for the Invisalign trays that day.
About two and a half to three weeks later, when the orthodontist receives the trays back from Invisalign, you would have your first tray of Invisalign delivered to you.
Then about every 2 and 1/2 weeks, you would get a new tray. Sometimes our orthodontist sends a few home with you so you don't have to come in every two weeks. Other times, he might just give them to you one at a time. It is more common to do the one-at-a-time method when you're first starting treatment, and then once you're a little further along, he has more trust in you that you're going to follow his instructions. He'll give you a few more at a time then.
What are the trays, and how many will I need?
The Invisalign trays are the actual appliance that will shift your teeth. They are made out of a clear plastic material. They're made by the lab, and usually, every two to two and a half weeks you would switch, depending on how fast your teeth are shifting. For Invisalign, you do have to wear it 22 hours out of the day. The two hours out of the 24 that you're not wearing it is for when you eat. Yes, you would have to sleep with it in.
Is there anything that could disqualify me from Invisalign treatment?
There are a few reasons why a person wouldn't be a good candidate for Invisalign. For instance, I grind my teeth a lot, and I was actually going through and cracking my trays maybe two days after I got them delivered. We had to switch over to braces. So, that is definitely one.
Another issue is if your treatment speed is not progressing as the orthodontist expected, he might have to switch you over to a braces appliance because the Invisalign might not be achieving the desired results.
Is Invisalign painful?
Invisalign can be a little painful. When you first get a tray, either as a new patient or at an appointment, you will feel your teeth starting to shift. You will experience a little soreness at the delivery of each retainer tray.
Does most dental insurance cover the cost of Invisalign?
Invisalign and ortho in general is one of those taboo sections for most insurances. Even if they do cover it, some insurances will put an age maximum on this. If you are looking to have your insurance cover ortho, you have to be specific with them, especially if you're purchasing a plan.
For example, I've had a patient who purchased an insurance policy specifically for orthodontic treatment, and it didn't even cover his age. So, if you do, please be super specific about it with your insurance company. It was unfortunate. He paid so much for it, and they were like, "Oh, you're over the age of 26. We can't cover you. It's only for those younger than 26." For some, it's 19, for others, it's 26. For my insurance, for example, under my dad, because I'm 20 years old, I have it up until I'm 26. But my dad, who's the policyholder, can do it even though he's like 50 because there's no age limitation. Sometimes there are policyholder rules and then dependent rules, like, "Oh, you're not paying towards it, so we're going to give you fewer benefits." It's crazy. Yes, it is. It's unfortunate.
Invisalign at Beacon Dental
During your initial visit, we will determine whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. This treatment is often a good choice for adult patients and others who are interested in a virtually invisible orthodontic treatment. In addition to being discreet, Invisalign aligners are very comfortable because they are custom made from smooth, thin plastic. The aligners are removable as well, which allows you to easily remove them as needed to eat, brush and floss. We welcome you to call or visit us today to learn more about Invisalign clear aligners.
Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.