What is Invisalign?
Invisalign involves a patient wearing clear trays or clear aligners for orthodontic treatment. When patients wear these trays, along with the attachments on the teeth, they move the teeth in a certain manner discreetly. That's what Invisalign means—it's invisible, and you're getting your orthodontic treatment done. The basic difference is aesthetics. That's number one. Invisalign is much faster.
How does Invisalign work?
In terms of aesthetics, when we do Invisalign, we put attachments on your teeth that match the color of your teeth, and the trays, which are clear, go on top. You wear these trays, and they move your teeth. With traditional braces, you have wires and metal brackets, so everybody can see them.
With Invisalign, nobody knows you're undergoing treatment. Invisalign is faster than braces and very efficient, and the best part is nobody knows about it for two reasons. First, you can remove your trays to brush and floss normally.
Second, when you're eating, you can take out your trays, eat normally, brush and floss, and then put your trays back on. That's the most important part. With traditional braces, you have brackets and wires, and everything gets stuck in between, making it a struggle to clean. With Invisalign, because there are no wires, food doesn't stick around, and you can eat and be normal.
What kind of bite problems can Invisalign® correct?
Invisalign® corrects the same dental problems as traditional metal braces; the only difference is that Invisalign® trays are almost invisible to the naked eye, and can be removed at will.
Here are some problems that are commonly corrected with Invisalign®:
- Overcrowding – This occurs when there is too little space for the teeth to align normally in the mouth. Overcrowding can cause tooth decay and increase the likelihood of gum disease.
- Large gaps between teeth – This can sometimes occur because teeth are missing or because the jaw continues to grow abnormally.
- Crossbite – This common dental problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. As a consequence, uneven wear can lead to bone erosion and gum disease.
- Overbite – This problem occurs when the upper teeth project further than, or completely cover, the lower teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ may occur.
- Underbite – This is the inverse of the overbite; the lower teeth project further than, or completely cover, the upper teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ can occur.
What advantages does Invisalign® offer over traditional braces and veneers?
Traditional dental braces, Invisalign® aligning trays, and dental veneers are three different ways to perfect the alignment of the teeth. There are many different considerations to make when deciding which treatment will be best, and each of these options works better in certain situations.
Invisalign® differs from traditional braces in that the aligning trays are fully removable. This means that more discipline and commitment is required from the patient. This is not usually a problem since the trays are comfortable and nearly invisible. Almost identical results can be obtained by using either treatment.
Invisalign® is preferable to veneers in many cases because unlike veneers, Invisalign® actually straightens the teeth. Veneers are thin covers that the dentist permanently affixes to the teeth. Teeth must be etched beforehand, meaning that to remove dental veneers, an alternative covering must be constructed. In addition to being somewhat expensive, veneers can break and often last for less than 20 years.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
It depends on how complicated or uncomplicated your case is. Typically, it takes anywhere between 4 months to about a year.
What is the Invisalign process?
The process is very simple. We take records, which include pictures of your mouth and scans of your teeth, and send all of that to Invisalign with our treatment plan. Invisalign responds with the number of steps and trays required. We bring you in, deliver the trays, and place attachments on your teeth. You leave with a certain number of trays. We ask you to change your trays every week or two, depending on your progress.
You regularly come back to see us so we can track your progress and provide the next batch of trays. If you're traveling, we give you all your trays, and you send us pictures to track your progress. It's very simple and hassle-free.
What are Invisalign trays?
The trays are clear and cover all surfaces of your teeth on the top and bottom arches. The number of trays depends on the duration and goals of your treatment. You wear your Invisalign trays about 22 hours a day, similar to traditional braces worn for 24 hours.
The only time you remove your trays is when brushing, flossing, drinking something hot, or eating. That's the only time we ask you to take off your trays, enjoy your meal or snack, and then put the trays back on.
Are there any limitations to using Invisalign?
The only time we advise against Invisalign is if jaw surgery is required. In such cases, traditional braces are the way to go. However, in today's time, almost everything can be achieved with Invisalign. It can fix crossbites, both bilateral and unilateral. These days, Invisalign goes above and beyond to care for all sorts of patients.
Is Invisalign painful?
Not at all. There may be minor soreness, but none of our patients have reported significant pain. Any discomfort can be managed with Tylenol or ibuprofen. It's a very pleasant process to undergo.
Does insurance cover Invisalign?
Invisalign is orthodontic treatment. Depending on your plan, your insurance should cover some part of it. Medicaid coverage for Invisalign may be possible, but we would need to discuss this with your plan and insurance.
How much does Invisalign cost?
The typical cost of Invisalign ranges from $5,500 to $7,000, depending on the complexity of your case. There may be a median within that range.
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (202) 223-2070 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!
