One of the key reasons patients are drawn to Invisalign instead of traditional braces is that you can eat whatever you want while receiving orthodontic treatment. Because Invisalign is removable, no foods are off-limits. However, eating, chewing gum, or drinking anything other than water while wearing your alignment trays is prohibited as food can damage the trays, and beverages can stain the trays. Read on to learn more about living with Invisalign.
The Freedom to Eat the Foods You Love With Invisalign
With metal braces or clear bracket braces, foods such as hard pretzels, popcorn, crusty pieces of bread such as sourdough, and chewy/ sticky foods risk damaging your brackets or the archwire running through them. That’s to say nothing of the many foods that tend to get stuck in metal or clear brackets.
By contrast, there are no restrictions on what you may eat while undergoing Invisalign treatment. You can eat anything you want, any time you want, by removing your trays. After your morning coffee, lunch, or dinner, just brush your teeth and your trays, and pop the trays back in. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you, it’s best to rinse your mouth and your trays before putting them back in.
Invisalign: It’s Your Responsibility to Wear as Directed
Invisalign gives you the freedom to enjoy your favorite foods, but in exchange for that freedom, you’ll need to be responsible for your treatment.
For your treatment to be completed on time, you must wear your Invisalign for at least 21-22 hours per day. Failing to wear your trays as prescribed can significantly lengthen the time it takes to align your teeth or correct a bite issue.
Because some adolescents can be less than responsible about keeping their trays in as prescribed, Invisalign Teen offers compliance indicators. Compliance indicators are blue marks that gradually fade as the trays are worn as directed. If the compliance indicators remain blue, that means the patient isn’t wearing them as frequently as necessary.
Invisalign Treatment: Six Steps to a New Smile
Irrespective of the specific alignment or bite issue that needs to be corrected, the Invisalign process will follow the same steps.
- Smile Scan
During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will examine your teeth and bite. Assuming you are approved for Invisalign treatment, your next step will be to have photos, necessary xrays, and a digital scan of your teeth taken. - Designing Your Treatment
Your orthodontist will then custom-design your treatment plan using advanced software. - Preview Your New Smile
If you choose, you can come back and preview a simulation of how your teeth will move and what they will look like after treatment. - Making Your Alignment Trays
Your digital impressions and the doctor’s design will be sent to the lab to create your trays. Most people have between 20-40 series of trays. Each set of trays in the series is generally worn for one to two weeks. - Begin Wearing Your Trays
Once your alignment trays have arrived from the lab, you’ll begin treatment immediately. You’ll follow up with your orthodontist periodically throughout treatment to ensure that your treatment is proceeding as planned. - Maintaining Your New Smile
Once you’ve completed wearing all of your trays, you’ll begin wearing a retainer to maintain the results. At first, you’ll wear the retainers most hours of the day. Over time, you may reduce your retainer wear to only at night.
Book an Invisalign or Invisalign Teen Appointment in Andover, MA
If you or your child are ready to transform your smile, book a consultation at Andover Orthodontics. To accommodate busy teens and adults, we begin seeing patients as early as 7:30 am Monday – Thursday. Call 978-475-0450, or send a message to request an appointment.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, all children should see an orthodontist for the first time no later than age 7. However, in some cases, orthodontic treatment may be necessary earlier. Read on to learn about early orthodontic intervention, orthodontic treatments for children, and signs your child needs to be seen by an orthodontist.
Early Symptoms of Orthodontic Problems
By the time your child is in second grade, they should see an orthodontist for an evaluation. There are, however, exceptions. Your pediatric dentist may inform you that your child needs interceptive orthodontics. Other symptoms that your child may need to begin orthodontic treatment earlier than age 7 include:
- Early loss of primary (baby teeth)
- Late loss of primary teeth
- Struggles with chewing
- Mouth breathing (while awake and asleep)
- Snoring or sleep apnea
- Protruding upper jaw
- Sunken lower jaw
- Crowded teeth
- Jaw dysfunction
- Long-term thumb or finger sucking
While some of these conditions may not require immediate treatment, it is best to have an orthodontist evaluate your child, as some problems that cause symptoms in childhood may extend into adulthood. Fortunately, most interceptive orthodontic treatments are painless, non-invasive, and incredibly effective.
Interceptive Orthodontics: Treatments for Kids
Four primary interceptive orthodontic treatments can correct most conditions in children. They include:
Palatal Expander
The palate is the roof of the mouth and determines the size of your child’s upper jaw. Before puberty, the palate is two halves. Before fusing around the time of puberty, the palate is extremely malleable. This makes it the perfect time to expand it. Your child may need a palatal expander device to prevent a host of problems including crowded teeth, crossbite, or impacted teeth.
Palatal expanders are also effective treatments for children who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and snoring caused by a narrow airway. Furthermore, palatal expanders can serve as a habit-breaking treatment for children who habitually suck their fingers or thumb.
Space Maintainer
A space maintainer may be recommended for children who have lost baby teeth early. A space maintainer is an oral appliance that prevents adjacent teeth from drifting into the space that the permanent tooth will eventually occupy.
Partial Braces
Partial braces may be recommended after your child has some permanent teeth, but before other permanent teeth erupt. They help correct misaligned teeth that are preventing the other teeth from erupting properly. Partial braces typically include brackets on 4-6 teeth. As the remaining teeth erupt, the child will graduate to complete braces.
Extractions
Occasionally, it may be necessary for your child to have a tooth extracted because there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate all of the permanent teeth. Extractions are always a last resort but may be unavoidable to assure your child has a functional bite and healthy mouth.
Book Your Child’s Orthodontic Appointment in Andover, MA
Andover Orthodontics is an all-age orthodontic practice providing comprehensive care to kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Helmed by Dr. Anthony Broccoli, Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Andover Orthodontics is a top-rated practice serving Andover, Burlington, Boxford, Middleton, Westford, Haverhill, Wilmington, and surrounding communities. Call 978-475-0450, or send us a message to book your child’s orthodontic checkup today.
Just because you’ve gotten orthodontic braces doesn’t mean you don’t have to adhere to the American Dental Association’s recommendations for good oral hygiene. In fact, you should be even more mindful of practicing excellent brushing and flossing habits while wearing braces. At a minimum, you should brush your teeth twice daily for a full two minutes each time. You should also floss your teeth once daily. Read on for helpful tips for flossing and caring for your teeth while wearing braces.
Brushing with Braces: Tips to Follow
When you first get your braces, getting used to brushing your teeth can take a few days. This is because you need to make sure you’re brushing around the brackets thoroughly. You should follow the same tips whether you have metal braces or clear bracket braces.
- Rinse your mouth with water before brushing to loosen food particles around the brackets
- Brush gently along the gumline of both the top and lower arches. This is critical and often skipped. Your gums need gentle stimulation or they will get puffy and bleed
- Holding your brush at an angle, brush along the tops of each bracket
- Change the angle to brush along the bottom of each bracket
- Brush the entire visible surface of the teeth
- Brush the backside of the teeth
- Brush your tongue
- Rinse thoroughly
It is natural for this process to take longer than normal when you first get braces. Electric toothbrushes can be helpful but you still have to be careful to move the brush head to stimulate your gum line. In time you will get used to brushing your teeth with braces.
Flossing With Braces: Tips to Follow
Flossing can be a little more complicated with braces. This is especially true for young people who have begun interceptive or 2-phase orthodontics. Following these tips can make it easier.
- Thread the floss under the wire, or use a floss threader
- Gently slide the floss between the teeth and wrap a bit around each tooth to remove debris at the gum line
- Repeat the process between all teeth
Water flossers like Water Piks can make flossing easier when you have braces. It may be a bit messy at first, but you’ll learn to direct the water to the sink in time.
Food to Avoid When You Have Braces
Certain foods are notorious for getting stuck in the brackets of your braces. Others may damage the brackets. It is best to avoid them altogether while wearing braces. They include:
- Large wads of surgery chewing gum. Small pieces of sugarless gum are often okay once stronger wires are placed. Ask your orthodontist.
- Crunching on hard candies
- Chewy sticky candy like salt water taffy, laughy taffy, airheads.
- No ice chewing
Other foods you typically bite into should be cut into pieces when you have braces. These include:
- Hard dinner rolls/bread
- Fruits (apples, pears, peaches, plums)
- Raw vegetables
- Corn on the cob
- Meat on bones (chicken wings, etc.)
When wearing braces, it’s also wise to reduce your consumption of sugary foods. The reason? Sugary foods mix with bacteria in the mouth to form plaque. Plaque leads to tooth decay and gum disease, so minimizing sugary beverages and foods while wearing braces is best.
Foods That May Stain Your Teeth While Wearing Braces
If you consume a lot of foods or beverages that are also known to stain the teeth, consider scaling back when wearing braces. They can cause staining to the exposed part of the tooth, while the part of the tooth protected by brackets will not stain. Foods that are known to stain teeth include:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Wine
- Bright-colored sports drinks
- Kool-aid
- Slushies
- Tomato sauces and pastes
- Foods that use food coloring (frostings, icings)
If you have questions about foods to avoid or if you need help brushing or flossing with braces, reach out to your orthodontist. They are here to help improve your smile and will be more than willing to talk with you or invite you to the office to show you how to brush and floss properly.
Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation in Andover, MA
Andover Orthodontics provides interceptive orthodontics and comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adolescents and adults in Andover, MA. To schedule a consultation, call 978-475-0450. You may also send us a message to request an appointment.
The question has been nagging at you, but you’re not sure how to tell… do you need braces? If it’s been on your mind for a while, chances are good that seeking orthodontic treatment will provide a positive outcome, whether it be for cosmetic purposes, better oral health or both.
Braces can be an excellent option to transform your smile. They can help with straightening teeth, correcting an overbite or underbite, adjust spacing between teeth and addressing many other concerns. But before you make a decision either way if braces are right for you, the first step is to see an orthodontist for a complete consultation.
Get an Expert Evaluation
It may be tempting to act on a video you saw on TikTok or a TV commercial promoting aligners that can be ordered from a website, but the first step in determining whether braces are right for you is to consult with an orthodontist for a thorough evaluation of your individual situation. These experienced practitioners complete thousands of hours of training that makes them uniquely and expertly qualified to assess treatment options customized just for you.
At Andover Orthodontics, we provide patients in Andover, MA and the surrounding areas with orthodontic services, including braces and clear aligners. We put our years of experience to work for you to deliver exceptional treatment, further enhanced by using both tried-and-true approaches along with state-of-the-art technology. As you consider what’s right for you, Andover Orthodontics has the answers on whether braces are your next step!
Signs You May Need Braces
Straight teeth are one distinct advantage to getting braces, but you may not realize the many other ways that braces can aid in your oral health. Orthodontic treatment goes beyond aesthetics and can also assist in the following examples:
- Minimizing or eliminating gaps between the teeth
- Adjusting excessive crowding of the teeth
- Straightening crooked teeth
- Correcting overbites, wherein the top teeth jet out over the bottom teeth
- Realigning underbites, wherein the bottom teeth protrude out in front of the top teeth
Braces work to correct conditions such as these as well as enhance appearance, but they also serve to improve oral health and overall wellness. Over time, misaligned teeth and jaws can lead to further health complications such as increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, unhealthy wear patterns of the teeth and TMJ disorders, in addition to difficulty biting, chewing or speaking properly.
At Andover Orthodontics, we will help you feel more comfortable in making an informed choice as to whether braces are your next step toward regaining and maintaining a healthy, beautiful mouth.
Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation Now
We’re here to help you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve. Learn more about your options with a free consultation at Andover Orthodontics so we can help you determine if braces are right for you. Call our office in Andover, MA today at 978-475-0450 to schedule an evaluation, or request an appointment online.
Comfortable, efficient, effective – that’s Invisalign, the orthodontic treatment that aligns your teeth like traditional metal braces, but without using wires or brackets. Instead, Invisalign relies on a series of clear aligners to position your teeth. The aligners are shaped from images that are computer-generated and based on a digital scan of your teeth by your dentist.
How the Invisalign System Works
The Invisalign system’s aligners gradually move your teeth into straighter positions. You change aligners every few weeks during your treatment, so each time you put a new aligner into your mouth, your teeth are a little bit straighter. With each tray shaped for teeth slightly straighter than your own, a gentle pressure moves your teeth to meet the aligner over time.
Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners shift your teeth incrementally into a new position to fit the aligner shape. About once every six or eight weeks, you visit your dentist to be sure treatment is progressing properly.
Why Use Invisalign?
There are many advantages to the Invisalign system versus standard metal braces. Made from clear plastic, they’re almost invisible to other people, and they’re more comfortable, too. Afterall, you can remove them for 2 to 4 hours every day, while metal braces are worn all the time no matter how uncomfortable they might feel, for twenty-four hours a day, every day.
Invisalign also makes it easier to care for your teeth. Metal braces can make it necessary to change your dental hygiene routine and some of your food choices, but Invisalign lets you brush and floss normally by just removing the trays. And you also enjoy any food you want without worrying about the metal braces and wires of traditional braces.
Invisalign works well to treat kids, teens, and adults. But you must wear them as directed every day or the treatment may not be effective.
Traditional Braces or Invisalign? Which is Cheaper?
While Invisalign may cost slightly more than traditional metal braces at first glance, the Invisalign process’ comfort, convenience, and discreet appearance still make it a terrific choice. And the basic cost differences can be very minimal. Traditional braces range from around $3000 to $6000, while Invisalign will range between $3000 and $7000. Plus, the cost of Invisalign varies based on your needs. In the end, Invisalign may cost a little less or a little more than standard metal braces.
Here’s another Invisalign plus: many times, you’ll need to wear Invisalign for less time than metal braces. While metal braces typically take about 2 years for treatment, Invisalign ranges from 6 months to 18 months on average. Less time means less cost, and more convenience.
While most full mouth Invisalign treatments take from 10 to 18 months, limited treatments such as straightening just a few front teeth, can take only 3 to 6 months.
Our dental team can help with financial inquiries for Invisalign, including checking to see if your dental insurance plan offers any orthodontic benefits. We can help make Invisalign more affordable overall and work with you to come up with a payment plan that best fits your budget.
Ready to Learn More about Invisalign?
If you’re ready to learn more about Invisalign, we’re here to help! Simply reach out to us today, and our team will be happy to schedule a consultation or discuss your options for straighter teeth.
Invisalign is an effective and comfortable orthodontic treatment. It is designed to align your teeth, just as traditional metal braces do. But unlike metal braces, Invisalign is more comfortable and easier to wear. Instead of metal wires pulling your teeth into position, the Invisalign process uses a series of clear aligners that position your teeth. The aligners are shaped from images which are computer-generated and based on a digital scan of your teeth taken by your orthodontist.
The Invisalign System
The Invisalign system works by gradually moving your teeth into straighter positions. Clear plastic aligners are changed every few weeks over the course of your treatment, so that each time that you place a new aligner into your mouth, your teeth are a little bit straighter. Each tray is shaped for teeth slightly straighter than your teeth. The result is a gentle pressure that moves your teeth to meet the aligner incrementally and gradually.
In short: Invisalign uses clear aligner molds that shift your teeth in a new position as they move to fit the aligner shape. You will visit your orthodontist about once every eight weeks, to be sure that the treatment is progressing properly.
Why Choose Invisalign?
There’s a range of advantages for selecting Invisalign over standard metal braces. Made from clear plastic, they’re almost invisible to other people, considerably less obtrusive than traditional metal braces. And, they can be removed for 2 to 4 hours every day. Metal braces must be worn all the time, 24/7.
It’s also easier to care for your teeth when you choose Invisalign. Metal braces may require you to change your dental hygiene routine and at least some of your food choices. But Invisalign trays allow you to brush and floss normally by simply removing the trays. This means you can also consume the foods that you love without any risk that metal braces and wires are coming loose.
Invisalign works well for most ages. They’re the modern alternative to metal braces as an orthodontic treatment, an unobtrusive way to get a straighter smile regardless of your age.
One important note, however: you must wear them as directed every day or the treatment may not work.
Is Invisalign Worth It?
While Invisalign can cost a bit more than traditional metal braces, the comfort, convenience, and unobtrusiveness of the Invisalign system make it a terrific choice. The cost of Invisalign will vary depending on your dental needs, and you may be surprised at how affordable your options are.
Another bonus with Invisalign: in many cases, you will wear Invisalign for less time than metal braces. Depending on your specific needs, Invisalign treatment can take 6 to 18 months.
Our skilled dental team can assist you with financial inquiries for Invisalign, and review your treatment options. We can help you make the Invisalign choice that is best for you and your budget. Most insurance plans that have orthodontic coverage will cover Invisalign.
Ready to Learn More about Invisalign?
If you’re ready to learn more about Invisalign, we’re here to help! Just reach out to us today, and our team will be happy to schedule a consultation to discuss your options for straighter teeth.
Invisalign, the clear, removable alternative to traditional braces has revolutionized orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth, and bite problems. With millions of Americans opting for the discreet, convenient alternative to brackets and wires, Invisalign is only growing in popularity. In addition to offering a far more subtle alternative to braces, Invisalign is popular because it is affordable. Even without insurance, Invisalign typically costs less than $7000. For those only needing minor corrections, the cost of Invisalign may only be a few thousand dollars. Read on for everything to know about Invisalign orthodontic treatment.
Paying for Invisalign: What to Know
If your dental insurance provides coverage for orthodontic treatment, the coverage typically applies to traditional braces or Invisalign treatment. However, before committing to orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, it is always wise to confirm your specific coverage with your insurer.
Your orthodontist should submit claims for your treatment on your behalf, but be sure that you understand that you will be financially responsible for any coverages they deny. To that end, be sure to inquire about the total fees for Invisalign treatment. Your orthodontist should be completely transparent with all costs and fees so that you don’t receive surprise bills.
If you do not have insurance, Invisalign can still be affordable. Most orthodontists accept credit card payments. Others offer in-house zero percent financing. If you have a Health Savings Account through your job, orthodontic treatment can often be paid for with funds in your HSA.
Getting Started With Invisalign
If you’re ready to correct imperfections in your smile with Invisalign, or if your teen needs orthodontic treatment, schedule a consultation with your orthodontist about your options. Invisalign continues to prove incredibly effective at treating even severe alignment or bite issues, thanks to the use of attachments, also known as buttons. (The early iterations of Invisalign did not include the use of buttons to apply the additional pressure necessary to correct more severe bite and alignment issues). Today, Invisalign excels in correcting even severe alignment problems and bite issues such as an open bite, crossbite, underbite, and overbite.
Your orthodontist will examine your teeth, jaw, and bite before recommending the best treatment, or providing all possible treatments. In many cases, you will have a choice between traditional braces or Invisalign. Then it will be up to you to decide which treatment you prefer.
Invisalign has many benefits when compared to traditional braces. Most people find them far more comfortable than braces. Most people like that the alignment trays are nearly invisible. Nearly all patients find that being able to eat whatever they want, because the aligners are removable, is a huge benefit.
Orthodontists love Invisalign because it allows for better oral hygiene. With Invisalign, patients can brush the entire surface of the tooth, rather than only brushing around brackets. You can also floss without using special tools to clean between all teeth. Invisalign can also prevent the staining of teeth surrounding the brackets. Overall, this can lead to better oral health, with a reduced risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Andover, MA
When you’re ready to take the first steps towards improving your oral health by aligning your teeth, and correcting bite issues, Andover Orthodontics is here to help. Dr. Anthony Broccoli has provided Andover and surrounding communities with the best orthodontic care available for decades. At Andover Orthodontics, Dr. Broccoli provides comprehensive orthodontic care to children, teens, and adults. Contact us today at 978-475-0450 or request an appointment online.
If you’re ready to correct gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, crowded teeth, or a problem with your bite, it’s time to talk with your orthodontist about Invisalign. Invisalign is only available through an Invisalign provider. Your orthodontist will examine your mouth and bite, and take digital x-rays. After your examination, and review of x-rays, your orthodontist will determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. Most, but not all alignment and bite issues can be successfully treated with Invisalign. Here’s what to know about correcting your smile with Invisalign.
What Conditions Can Invisalign Fix?
Invisalign uses alignment technology to correct problems with tooth alignment in teens and adults. It can be used to fix:
- Slanted teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Misaligned teeth
Invisalign treatment from your orthodontist can also be used to correct minor to moderate problems with your bite, such as:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
Most people, who are free of gum disease, and who are not missing teeth will find that they are excellent candidates for Invisalign treatment. However, some complex problems may require other types of orthodontic treatment. Very large gaps between teeth may need a combination of alignment, and cosmetic dentistry to fill in the gaps. Severe bite issues may require surgery to treat. Teeth that are severely rotated may also need alternate treatment.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic, alignment trays to gradually shift teeth into alignment and correct bite issues. Unlike traditional braces, in which the archwire that runs through the brackets pulls the teeth into alignment, each set of Invisalign trays is a little straighter than your teeth. By wearing the aligners the teeth are gradually pushed into alignment over time. To correct issues with a bite, Invisalign often uses elastics and what are known as buttons, or attachments.
Buttons are small, tooth-colored hooks that your orthodontist will bond to the outside of the teeth. The buttons allow for precise tooth movements that may not be possible with the aligners alone. The alignment trays will push on the buttons, resulting in a snug fit, and ultimately, more efficient alignment and bite correction.
Each set of aligners is typically worn for a few weeks before you’ll switch to the next trays in the series. Patients who only need a few teeth to be aligned often complete treatment in less than a year. Most patients who need alignment of most or all teeth can expect to complete treatment in less than two years, on average.
After you’ve completed treatment with your Invisalign trays, you’ll need to wear a retainer, just like you would after completing orthodontic treatment with traditional braces. Invisible retainers are similar to your aligner trays and work great! Although you’ll likely wear your retainer most of the day initially, over time your orthodontist will tell you that you only need to wear it at night.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Andover, MA
At Andover Orthodontics, Dr. Broccoli provides Invisalign treatment for teens and adults. In most cases, dental insurance will cover a portion of orthodontic treatment. If you do not have insurance, payment plans are available. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Broccoli, call 978-475-0450 or feel free to request an appointment online.
Invisalign orthodontic treatment really works to align teeth in a more comfortable way than traditional metal braces. Instead of metal brackets, Invisalign relies on clear aligners that are custom made to position your teeth and bite. These aligners are smooth and clear, and are made from computer-generated images or scans that your orthodontist takes.
The Invisalign Process
While Invisalign’s modern aligner system is more comfortable than metal braces, the system is also less awkward. Invisalign aligners work by moving your teeth into straighter positions in incremental steps. Aligners are changed throughout the course of treatment, so that every time you place a new aligner in your mouth your teeth become a bit straighter. The result is a gentle pressure on your teeth, one that moves them gradually to match with the new aligner.
Each individual Invisalign aligner set is worn for one to two weeks. Patients using the Invisalign system visit their orthodontist once every eight to twelve weeks to be sure their treatment is progressing well.
Why Use Invisalign?
There are a number of advantages to using Invisalign aligners instead of metal braces for straightening. Most patients will find the process not only less painful, but far less visible than metal braces. They’re made from clear plastic rendering them practically invisible, and they can be removed from your mouth for 2 to 4 hours each day, while metal braces cannot be removed at all. This ability to remove the aligners allows for trouble free eating, and easy cleaning of your teeth. And, wearing Invisalign to straighten teeth can often take less time than metal braces due to the gentle, continuous nature of the forces. Metal braces can take as much as two years to complete straightening your teeth, while Invisalign commonly takes between 6 and 18 months.
Does Invisalign Work?
Considering how much more comfortable Invisalign is than metal braces, you may still be wondering if the process really works. The answer is yes – as long as you – or your teen – follow your dentist’s instructions for wearing the aligners.
Over the months that you wear Invisalign, you’ll be wearing between 20 and 50 different aligners. The number depends on you and your teeth: you’re both unique, after all. No matter how many aligner trays are worn, you must keep them in your mouth for the number of hours that are required daily. If you don’t – your teeth will not move into the position anticipated, which throws off the aligner fit, and can derail the straightening progress.
Besides the importance of wearing your aligners for the amount of time your orthodontist tells you to every day, it’s also important that you remove them whenever you eat or drink anything besides water.
And, do not forget to remove them to brush and floss twice a day, too, and clean your aligner with a toothbrush at the same time.
In short, wear them as directed, care for the aligners properly, and remove them when eating or drinking, and then, yes, Invisalign does really work.
Andover Orthodontics is Ready to Help
If you want to know more about Invisalign, our dental team is here to answer any questions. Call us today at Andover Orthodontics, for an appointment or simply to learn more about the Invisalign process.
Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment used to correct gapped teeth, crooked teeth, protruding teeth, slanted teeth, and a variety of bite issues in teens and adults. If your insurance plan covers orthodontic treatment, it will likely cover a portion of Invisalign treatment. Insurance plans often pay for a percentage of orthodontic treatment. Other plans offer a set coverage amount. Check with your insurance provider to learn specifics about your coverage for orthodontics and Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
If you have decided to straighten your smile with Invisalign, you’ll first meet with your orthodontist. They will examine teeth, mouth, and gums to confirm that you are free of active gum disease, and/or untreated tooth decay. Then a series of painless, digital, 3-D scans will be taken to create an image of your mouth. Your orthodontist will design your treatment, and can even show you what your teeth will look like once you’ve completed treatment. Your scans will be used to create your series of alignment trays.
Alignment technology works differently than traditional orthodontic treatment with braces. Instead of adhering metal or clear brackets to the surface of each tooth, Invisalign uses clear, plastic, removable alignment trays to shift teeth into place over time. Each set of alignment trays is typically worn for one to two weeks before you graduate to the next set of trays. Invisalign is suited for patients of any age, especially teens and adults, who are committed to wearing their aligner trays at least 20-22 hours per day.
Is Invisalign Better Than Metal Braces?
Invisalign offers many benefits for both teens and adults. The nearly invisible alignment trays allow many people to feel more confident while receiving orthodontic treatment. Patients also report that the alignment trays are comfortable to wear because they do not scrape on the insides of your lips or cheeks.
Those who choose Invisalign instead of traditional braces are also able to eat anything they want, and won’t have to worry about food becoming stuck. Dentists and orthodontists also love the fact that with Invisalign you can brush the entire surface of the teeth, and floss normally. This helps maintain excellent oral hygiene habits during orthodontic treatment. Invisalign treatment may also be completed a bit sooner than treatment with traditional bracket and wire braces.
Upon completion of treatment, all patients will need to wear a retainer to maintain the new alignment of the teeth. Clear plastic retainers are available so that they offer the same nearly invisible look as your alignment trays.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost Without Insurance?
The cost of Invisalign will vary depending upon the type and complexity of corrections that need to be made. Most patients find treatment to cost between $2500-$6500. For patients who only have a few teeth that need to be straightened, in-house alignment trays can reduce the cost to less than $500.
Learn More About Invisalign for Teens and Adults in Andover, MA
Today, you and your teen have more choices than ever when it comes to selecting orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is one of the most effective and popular choices in Andover, MA. Invisalign consultations with Dr. Broccoli are free. So, if you’re ready to learn more about Invisalign, contact our friendly team today by calling 978-475-0450 . You may also request an appointment online.