Invisalign

How Does Invisalign Work?

While traditional metal braces rely on metal brackets, bands, and wires to slowly move teeth into the desired position, Invisalign takes a different approach. Invisalign and other similar products make use of clear plastic aligners, which gradually adjust the position of the teeth in a much more gentle and comfortable way. Here’s how it works: your dentist will take a series of measurements and images of your teeth and jaw, and use these to create a series of Invisalign clear aligners. You’ll wear each set of aligners for a few weeks before moving on to the next set. Over time, this gradually guides your teeth into the desired position, with minimal pain, discomfort, or inconvenience to you. You’ll wear your Invisalign clear aligners most of the day, including while sleeping, and only take them off to eat or drink.

Invisalign and similar products like SureSmile offer a number of advantages over conventional metal braces. They’re far more comfortable, for one, and much more convenient in that they allow you to eat and drink normally. They require far less maintenance than traditional metal braces, and thus make it  easier to maintain your oral hygiene and health. And perhaps best of all: they deliver faster results than traditional braces if used properly, with most Invisalign treatments lasting weeks or months in most cases–although your individual course of treatment will depend on your goals and your unique oral health situation.

What Does Invisalign Fix?

So what sort of problems can Invisalign fix? It depends on the individual patient and the severity of the correction, but Invisalign can be used successfully to treat the following:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Gap teeth
• Open bite
• Crowded teeth
• Misaligned baby teeth or permanent teeth

This covers a great many of the reasons why patients seek orthodontic treatment, and Invisalign has done wonderful things for patients with many of these conditions. However, as with all things Invisalign has its limits. Patients with complex malocclusions may be better served by traditional metal braces, which can correct those issues more accurately than Invisalign. LIkewise, patients suffering from TMJ or gum disease may need to treat those conditions first before pursuing an Invisalign treatment. Your dentist can help you understand the best course of treatment for you, and how to make your smile the best it can be.

So what does Invisalign cost? We get that question a lot, and there’s no hard and fast answer. Treatment via Invisalign, SureSmile, or other clear aligners depends on the individual condition of the patient and what their goals are, but in general most Invisalign treatments cost between $3,000 and $7,000, with most patients spending $5,000 or less. Insurances are occasionally willing to cover Invisalign treatments, so it’s worth asking if Invisalign may be right for you.

If you have questions about Invisalign, clear aligners, or any other dental treatment–even just a simple exam and cleaning–get in touch today. We’ll make an appointment and our friendly staff will do the rest!