Reclaim your smile without braces: An introduction to clear aligner therapy with Invisalign®
It can be tough to smile freely when you don’t love the look of your smile due to crowding, gaps, and other spacing issues. Fortunately, your tooth tribe at Semidey Dental in Davie, Florida, has a solution to straighten teeth and achieve your healthiest, most confident smile, and it doesn’t involve braces!
Top 5 Invisalign FAQ
Hi everyone, Dr. Alex here. So as a premier Invisalign provider, we see tons of Invisalign cases here in the office, and we get a lot of the same types of questions. So we thought we’d put a video together to address some of those questions here today.
Now before we get to the top five questions that we hear, I want to introduce you to the Invisalign system. So some of you have seen people wearing Invisalign trays, and you can tell they’re basically invisible. You have to really stare in someone’s mouth to see that they’re wearing anything.
So the magic comes with these clear aligners. It’s a flexible plastic that we replace every two weeks, and that gradually shifts teeth where we want them to go. Okay, now you don’t have to come into the office every two weeks.
I’ll check out your progress every three months or so to make sure that we’re on track. Okay, so what kinds of cases do we treat with Invisalign? It’s a phenomenal question. Really, it is limitless.
We can treat crowding, spacing, deep bite, overbite, underbite, all sorts of different what we call malocclusions can be treated predictably with Invisalign. All right, now one of the key differences between Invisalign and some of the DIY ortho alternatives out there are what we call attachments. Attachments are these little composite or filling material, almost like little buttons that will go on teeth, and those serve as handles to move teeth and rotate them and accomplish movements that if we didn’t have those handles would be almost impossible to achieve.
Okay, so let’s get into the five questions here. So, number one, how long does it take? Great question. Now, every case is a little bit different.
The average Invisalign treatment takes around 10 months, and now what I can tell you is what we accomplish in about two years with braces, we accomplish in nine months with Invisalign, and that’s because there’s no wasted movement with Invisalign. When you put a wire on your arch, or on your teeth, that wire is expanding everything at the same time, right? With Invisalign, we’re moving teeth individually, so teeth that don’t have to move, we’re not wasting time moving them around. All right, so that’s a key difference here.
So, question number two is, does it hurt? Now, I never lie to my patients. It’s going to feel tight, but tightness is progress, right? We’re looking to move teeth through the jawbone, and the way we accomplish that is with sustained pressure, okay? Now, it is nothing compared to braces when you have those wires tightened, or those bands adjusted where everything is hurting, because remember, Invisalign is moving teeth individually, so if you go from tray three to four, you may notice that the pressure point may shift from the left to the right side, or vice versa, right? You’re going to feel some tightness the first day when you go into your new trays, but again, that’s a good thing. That means we’re getting closer to your dream spot, right? So, question number three, how long do I have to wear them? Now, the beauty of Invisalign is that you get to take them out, and eat, and brush, right? You don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in your braces, or anything like that.
Now, the number one drawback of Invisalign is that you can take them out. You got to put them back in. The goal is to wear these trays 22 hours a day, so they’ll come out for you to eat, brush, and floss, and then you snap them right back in.
If you don’t, it’s going to compromise our progress, right? And we’re after that dream smile, but let’s stick to the 22 hours, shall we?
Question number four, how much does it cost? Now, we offer here at the office different tiers of pricing, depending on the complexity of your case. The average case can be done for a couple hundred bucks a month, and we offer great financing options for all of those tiers.
Number five, retainers. Great question. I always get asked, doc, do I have to wear my retainers? Yes. Whether you straighten your smile with braces, or with Invisalign, retainers are a must, because guess what? Your teeth have memories and longings to go back home where they came from.
If we don’t wear retainers, they will eventually drift back where we brought them from, okay? So, I recommend that my patients wear retainers every single night. And one thing that I have noticed is that Invisalign patients tend to be far more compliant with their retainers than braces patients, because you’re already used to wearing basically something that looks like a retainer. So, when you transition from your active trays to your retention trays, it’s going to be a snack.
Pun fully intended. So, we are offering complimentary consultations here at the office. If you are interested in Invisalign, we’ll get you in.
We’ll take a 3D scan of your mouth, and we’ll actually be able to show you right then and there what the projected outcome of your smile transformation is. So, give us a call or email us. All the information is below, and keep smiling.
It looks good on you.
What are my alternatives to braces?
Our dentists, Drs. Alex Semidey and Sara Tarte, are proud to offer orthodontic treatment with Invisalign®. As premier Invisalign® providers with advanced training, they have helped hundreds of patients achieve their goals of straighter teeth and healthier bites.
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are oral appliances that are customized to fit your mouth. You will need to wear them each day as directed by your dentist. When worn as directed, they place consistent pressure on the teeth to gently, yet effectively, reposition them. Made from clear, smooth, and flexible BPA-free plastic, these aligners are designed to support the most comfortable, discreet, and safe treatment with Invisalign®.
Am I a candidate for Invisalign®?
Millions of people have successfully corrected misaligned teeth and bite imbalances with Invisalign® over the past 25-plus years. It is effective for both patients with more minor cosmetic needs to “fix” crowded or crooked teeth and for individuals with an overbite, underbite, or other discrepancies between the opposing teeth in the upper and lower jaw. We will not know for sure if you are a good candidate, though, until after your mouth is evaluated. Our dentists use advanced software to scan and render a three-dimensional image of your smile. This can then be used to both show you how your teeth will be repositioned throughout treatment and to make each of the aligners needed for every step in your treatment plan.
What else can I expect from Invisalign® treatment?
We will go over everything with you in detail during your visit, but generally, the aligner trays should be worn at all times except when eating or cleaning your teeth. Unlike braces, aligners are removable, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods without restrictions and maintain a much healthier, cleaner mouth when compared to braces.
To keep your aligner trays clean, soak them in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water while you brush your teeth. Avoid cleaning your trays with toothpaste, as it can scratch the trays. It’s also important to wear each tray in the correct order.
We recommend hygiene visits once every three months. We can also sync your orthodontic check-ins with your professional cleanings to help minimize the total number of visits to our office. Invisalign® is all about effective treatment without the hassle!
How long does treatment take?
When in Dr. Alex’s and Dr. Sara’s highly skilled and qualified hands, the average treatment can be completed within six to eight months—this compares favorably to braces, which can take 24 months. At Semidey Dental in Davie, FL, you can spend less time in treatment and more time enjoying life and your newfound or restored smile. Schedule your Invisalign® consultation today by calling us at (954) 939-0996.
FAQs
Does Invisalign® straighten as well as braces?
Invisalign® has been used to effectively straighten teeth and correct bite imbalances for over 25 years. It is based on the same fundamental principles as traditional orthodontic treatment with braces. Both braces and Invisalign® trigger a process; pressure is placed on the teeth to gradually move them into healthy, proper positions. How they do this differs, with Invisalign® using a series of removable aligners and braces using fixed (non-removable) brackets and wires.
How many aligners are required for treatment?
The total number of aligners to complete your treatment depends on your needs. Generally, you may need fewer aligners if we treat minor cosmetic needs. More aligners are necessary if you have bite problems, such as an underbite or overbite.
Is Invisalign® for both teens and adults?
Yes. Invisalign® is an attractive alternative for younger and older patients alike. Patients of all ages like that the aligners are made from an advanced plastic. They are not noticeable when you smile. They also like that the aligners can be removed. This means you can enjoy all of your favorite foods throughout treatment. We also like that this feature makes brushing and flossing a breeze. No orthodontic “hardware” gets in the way when you brush and floss your teeth. Good oral hygiene during treatment helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
How do the aligners feel?
Each aligner easily slips over your teeth. The aligner material is flexible and smooth for your comfort. So, patients often find the adjustment to Invisalign® to be fast and hassle-free. Contact us immediately if you have any concerns about persistent discomfort or soreness. We are here to help and can advise on products for comfort or make adjustments as necessary. In no time, you will forget you are wearing them!
Do I have to wear a retainer?
Following treatment, a retainer is recommended. Retainers are important because they prevent the teeth from shifting out of alignment and back into their pre-treatment positions. Our dentists will advise on wear time to keep your smile looking great and healthy, as evenly spaced teeth are simply easier to clean.
How long do I need to wear each aligner?
Each aligner is associated with a different step in your treatment plan. Wear each for one to two weeks before moving on to another aligner that corresponds with the next phase of treatment. Invisalign® makes this process simple by marking each aligner with a number and a “U” or “L” for “upper” and “lower.”
What happens if I don’t wear my aligners as directed?
Complying with any instructions we provide is important. If you do not wear your aligners long enough each day, this can delay the treatment process. Also, if you do not properly clean and care for your aligners, harmful bacteria can build up on them. This bacteria can cause bad breath and increase your risk of cavities and gum disease. Good care also helps to keep your aligners looking great and stain-free!
