Invisalign, a new technology that repositions misaligned teeth without the inconvenience of traditional braces, is taking the world by storm.
Straighter teeth not only give you a more attractive smile but also help improve dental health, prevent gum diseases, and even resolve issues such as bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth sensitivity.
If you’re wondering, “should I get Invisalign?” then here are a few things you should know:
5 Things to Know About Invisalign
Here are some key points you should consider before getting your Invisalign:
1. The Cost of Invisalign
The cost of getting Invisalign can vary based on location. For example, if you’re purchasing Invisalign in NYC, you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of $3,500 to $8,000, which is comparable to the price of getting braces (around $4,000 to $5,000).
The cost varies based on many factors, such as treatment duration and whether further orthodontic intervention is required after the Invisalign treatment.
Many dental insurance companies now offer partial coverage for Invisalign treatment. In addition, many dental offices also provide payment plans and financing options to meet the needs of their patients.
2. Invisalign Treatment Procedure
Here’s what to expect during your Invisalign treatment:
- Consultation: a certified and licensed orthodontist will examine your teeth and discuss whether Invisalign is right for you.
- Personalized treatment plan: your doctor will use a fast and precise digital scan to map out a custom treatment plan that details the different stages of teeth positioning.
- Your first aligner: clear plastic aligners made of BPA-free plastics will be created for you based on your treatment plan.
- New aligner: following the treatment plan, your doctor will provide a new aligner set every two weeks. You’ll also get a checkup every six weeks to evaluate your progress.
3. How Invisalign Works with Your Life
When you eat or drink anything other than cold water, you’ll need to remove the aligners. However, make sure you’re wearing the aligners for at least 22 hours per day so that your treatment can progress as planned and you can achieve the best result.
Because Invisalign is designed to move your teeth gradually, the treatment is generally pain-free. The aligners could make your teeth appear shinier and may discolor slightly as you get close to the next aligner change. The good news is, most people don’t experience any problems with dating or kissing while wearing the aligners.
4. How to Facilitate Your Treatment
It’s crucial that you pay attention to oral hygiene during treatment. Make sure to brush after every meal and floss every day as food left in the aligners can cause cavities and tooth decay.
You should also keep the aligners clean to prevent germs and bacteria from growing on the aligner trays. You can use a special Invisalign cleaner or simply soak your aligners in soap and water. Brushing them with regular toothpaste could cause damage.
5. Post-Treatment Maintenance
To ensure that your teeth stay straight and don’t shift back to their original positions, you’ll need to wear a retainer after you have finished the Invisalign treatment. It’s vital to discuss this final stage of the treatment with your doctor to make sure you maintain the results of all the hard work and investment.
Invisalign might not be for everyone due to the upkeep and appearance. However, it’s considerably easier to see those pearly whites without traditional braces in the way.
Author’s Bio:
Jessica is a health fanatic, but her main focus is on oral care and the importance of keeping up to date on new treatments and groundbreaking news in dentistry. Before joining Advanced Dental Arts NYC in 2016 as the Content Marketing Manager, she enjoyed writing for various blogs, including her own, on similar oral health subjects.