INVISALIGN
If you were given an option between traditional metal braces or clear aligners to correct your overcrowded, crooked teeth, what would you choose? If you say clear aligners, you’re not the only one. Over the past couple of decades, Invisalign clear aligners have become one of the most popular options for realigning teeth.
Invisalign was introduced to the market by Align Technology in 1998. Since that time, other brands have come to the market- but Invisalign remains at the top.
Invisalign clear aligners are just one of the options we offer at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry for correcting dental issues such as crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, teeth gaps, and misaligned teeth.
INVISALIGN
If you were given an option between traditional metal braces or clear aligners to correct your overcrowded, crooked teeth, what would you choose? If you say clear aligners, you’re not the only one. Over the past couple of decades, Invisalign clear aligners have become one of the most popular options for realigning teeth.
Invisalign was introduced to the market by Align Technology in 1998. Since that time, other brands have come to the market- but Invisalign remains at the top.
Invisalign clear aligners are just one of the options we offer at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry for correcting dental issues such as crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, teeth gaps, and misaligned teeth.
WHAT IS INVISALIGN?
Invisalign clear aligners are a type of thin, clear aligner used to treat orthodontic issues including misaligned teeth. It is made from a flexible thermoplastic material commonly known as SmartTrack.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, this treatment option is designed to make orthodontic treatment “less conspicuous”. Invisalign clear aligners are transparent and fit tightly over your teeth, so they are much less obvious than traditional metal braces.
WHO NEEDS INVISALIGN?
At Wolf Schwartz Dentistry, we consider the following criteria to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment:
Your case is simple
Invisalign can fix most case of crooked teeth, including crossbites, underbites, open bites, overbites, crowded teeth, or gaps between teeth. However, this does not mean that it will be effective for everyone. Dr. Schwartz will be able to examine your mouth and determine if Invisalign treatment is suitable for you. If your case is more complex, you may need dental surgery or you may require traditional metal braces.
You are responsible
One of the reasons that we recommend Invisalign for people over a certain age is that you must wear them in order for them to be effective. The aligners are removable, which means you can remove them as you wish- but they must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day to be effective. This typically means that you will need to wear them all the time, except when you are eating.
Since they are removable, many patients choose not to wear them at all, and sometimes, the aligners get lost. These patients will not be successful with their Invisalign treatment. Therefore, if you’re not willing to commit to wearing them, this isn’t the best option for you.
You have all of your adult teeth
We only recommend Invisalign clear aligners for patients who have all of their adult teeth because it’s impossible to predict when a child’s secondary teeth will come in.
Before you can get started with Invisalign, you must have all of your adult teeth. If you still have baby teeth remaining, you may need further dental work before you can get started with Invisalign.
You practice proper oral hygiene habits
Proper oral hygiene habits are a must- especially if you are using Invisalign clear aligners. You must keep your mouth healthy and also take care of your trays to avoid triggering infection or other dental complications.
This aligns with the rule that you must be responsible enough for Invisalign. The trays must be cleaned and taken care of, otherwise, you may have to pay a lot to replace them. You need to brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist for regular cleanings and exams to ensure your mouth is free of disease or other dental issues.
You are a non-smoker
Since you will be wearing your Invisalign clear aligners most of the day, you should not be smoking or using tobacco because it will stain the trays and can keep them from being effective. If you do insist on smoking and you remove them while you smoke, you’re taking way from the time that you are wearing them, which means they are less effective.
Also, it’s important to note that smoking not only negatively impacts your teeth but your overall health. If you are a smoker and want to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, it might be a good time to quit.
INVISALIGN FOR TEENS
If you’re curious what makes Invisalign for Teens different than Invisalign for adults, it’s a series of blue dots. If you’re a parent who is worried about whether or not your teen is wearing their aligners as prescribed, you can check the blue dots. They fade over time if the aligners are being worn properly.
Though this isn’t exactly a perfect method, it can help. If you notice the dots on a set of aligners that your teen has had for some time are still bright, they’re likely not wearing them as they should. This is also a great way to keep from switching to a new set before they are ready.
BENEFITS OF INVISALIGN FOR TEENS
Just like traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners put pressure on the teeth to move them into alignment. Each set of aligners is worn for a couple of weeks before changing to a new set. By the end of treatment, the patient should be left with an even smile. Some of the benefits of Invisalign for Teens include:
Easier to brush/floss
When it comes to oral hygiene, it can be difficult to maneuver around the wires and brackets. However, since Invisalign aligners can be removed, your teen can brush and floss easily. Since they are able to practice proper oral hygiene, their risk of developing cavities is reduced.
Improves self-confidence
Traditional metal braces can have a negative impact on your teen’s self-esteem. The good news is, Invisalign clear aligners are nearly invisible, so they are not as obvious, which may support their mental health as well.
Less irritating
The metal brackets and wires used with traditional braces can cause sore spots inside your mouth from rubbing up against your cheeks and lips. Since there are no brackets or wires with Invisalign, this doesn’t happen.
Fewer emergencies
The wires and brackets used in traditional metal braces are susceptible to breakage. This will not be a problem with Invisalign clear aligners. You won’t have to call for an emergency appointment to have broken brackets or wires repaired.
Drawbacks of Invisalign for Teens
It’s also important to take note of the potential drawbacks of Invisalign for Teens:
Results are mixed
According to an analysis of 11 studies in 2015, results are mixed when it comes to Invisalign for Teens. In other words, this option may not be as effective as you might hope and your teen may still end up needing traditional metal braces.
Requires compliance
If your teen isn’t great at following instructions and complying with treatment, you’ll want to consider that to help you decide. Aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day for them to be effective. They can be removed to eat, drink, and be cleaned. However, they must be replaced afterward. If your teen doesn’t wear them, they won’t work.
Easy to lose
Since they can be removed for eating, your teen may take them out to eat lunch and forget them on their lunch tray. This results in the aligner being thrown out. This isn’t something you want to deal with after spending thousands on them. You must consider how responsible your teen is to determine if Invisalign for Teens is a good idea.
Insurance may not cover the cost
As a general rule, braces can be expensive. Most dental insurance policies cover at least a portion of traditional metal braces- but not all of them will cover Invisalign. You will need this information to help you determine if Invisalign for Teens is in your budget.
INVISALIGN COSTS
Several factors affect the cost of Invisalign treatment, including the complexity and length of treatment. There are four different levels of treatment: Invisalign Express, Invisalign Lite, Invisalign Moderate, and Invisalign Comprehensive.
Invisalign Express is used to treat very mild to mild cases. The cost ranges from $1,200 to $1,800 for up to 5 aligners and $1,500 to $2,000 for up to 7 aligners.
Invisalign Lite and Invisalign Moderate is used for mild to moderate cases. Invisalign Lite offers up to 14 aligners and costs $3,000 to $4,500. Invisalign Moderate offers up to 20 aligners and costs $3,500 to $5,000.
Invisalign Comprehensive offers unlimited aligners and costs $4,500 to $8,000.
INVISALIGN CARE
If you want to keep your aligners discreet, you must take care of them. If you don’t, they may become discolored, full of plaque, and may even develop a bad odor.
What to Do with Invisalign?
Invisalign clear aligners can be removed to eat and drink- but they will still get dirty and need to be cleaned. Here is what you need to do to clean your Invisalign aligners to keep them in good shape:
- Rinse with water every time you take them out
- Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush every morning before putting them in and at night after removing them
- Soak with Invisalign cleaning crystals
- Brush/floss teeth to prevent tartar and plaque buildup underneath the aligners
What Not to Do with Invisalign?
There are a few common misconceptions when it comes to caring for Invisalign clear aligners. Here is what you do not want to do with them:
- Do not use toothpaste on them- it is abrasive. Only brush with plain water or clear anti-bacterial soap
- Don’t keep them in when eating or drinking, as it can cause stains and odors. You can drink water with them in
- Never leave aligners out in the open, as this exposes them to bacteria. When you remove them, place them in their case
Foods that You Should Avoid
Invisalign clear aligners should be removed when you’re eating or drinking- but you still need to pay attention to what you eat. While not as restrictive as traditional braces, there are some foods that you should avoid:
- A cup of coffee in the morning is fine- but don’t sip on it all day long. Coffee can stain the aligners and if you are always taking them out to drink, it takes away from the time that you should be wearing them
- Hard foods such as jawbreakers, uncooked carrots, etc, that can cause your teeth to be pushed out of alignment
- Sticky foods such as gum or caramel, as these promote plaque buildup and may pull at the aligners and break them
What to Expect with Invisalign Treatment
Results vary with Invisalign treatment, depending on the severity of the misalignment and your compliance with treatment. In addition to shifting teeth into their appropriate position, it can fix a variety of other dental issues, including:
- Overcrowding
- Overbites/Underbites
- Gapped teeth
- Crossbites
For many years, metal braces have continued to be the primary option for treating more complex issues. However, as the tech behind Invisalign clear aligners improves, the results are becoming more like traditional metal braces.
What Does Invisalign Treatment Not Fix?
While Invisalign clear aligners do fix a lot of dental issues, there are still several issues that cannot be fixed. For example, if you have one or several teeth that are significantly rotated, Invisalign may not be the best option for you.
Also, while it does fix gaps between teeth, it’s only effective for small gaps. If you have larger gaps, this may not be the best choice. Finally, if you have a midline discrepancy of more than 2 mm.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign and find out whether it’s an appropriate treatment for your misalignment, schedule your consultation with Dr. Schwartz and the team at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry. We have the experience and expertise to straighten your tooth misalignment.
Invisalign FAQs
Several questions often come up when discussing Invisalign clear aligners as a potential treatment for patients. Some of these are:
According to the experts, Invisalign can fix mild to moderate cases of crooked teeth. If a patient has severely crooked teeth, Dr. Schwartz may recommend another type of treatment.
It’s important to keep in mind that every situation is different and there really is no maximum for how crooked your teeth can be for Invisalign. The best thing to do is schedule a consultation to find out what the best treatment is for your situation.
There are several ways that Invisalign may be used to fix your crooked teeth:
Invisalign alone
Removing 1 or more teeth before beginning treatment with Invisalign to achieve your desired results
Starting with traditional braces and then switching to Invisalign to complete the straightening
The answer to this question is “YES!” Schedule your consultation with Dr. Schwartz at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry in Boca Raton today to learn more about Invisalign treatment for your crooked teeth.
If Invisalign is right for you, the timeline for adult patients is about 1 year. Teens and pediatric patients typically complete treatment in 6 months. Most patients see some changes within the first 2 weeks and will see significant improvement in 2 to 3 months.
Invisalign is effective for fixing dental crossbites, which are due to misaligned teeth. If your crossbite is caused by jaw issues or other skeletal irregularities, you will need lingual or traditional braces. If Dr. Schwartz recommends Invisalign clear aligners to treat your crossbite, you should see results within 12 to 36 months. This depends on the severity of your case as well as your compliance with wearing the aligners. If you have multiple issues, your treatment timeline may be longer.
When the mouth is closed and the lower teeth fall in front of the upper teeth, it’s known as an underbite. An underbite may be inherited or may be the result of childhood behaviors such as tongue thrusting, thumb-sucking, or using a pacifier for too long.
In mild to moderate underbites, Invisalign may be an appropriate treatment option- but if the case is severe, patients may need surgery in addition to Invisalign or other orthodontic treatments. If Dr. Schwartz decides that Invisalign is appropriate for your underbite, the average timeline for treatment is 12 to 18 months. Most patients see results within 2 weeks.
There are several reasons that patients have gaps between their teeth. Invisalign can fix the following types of teeth gaps:
- Midline Diastema: the gap between upper and lower incisors. This gap is the most noticeable
- Tongue Thrust: some patients naturally push their tongue against their teeth when they swallow, causing a gap to develop
- Thumb-sucking: pediatric patients who suck their thumb too long may develop a gap between their teeth
- Missing teeth: some patients are missing teeth due to genetics, which can cause gaps to develop, usually between the front teeth
- Enlarged frenulum: the soft tissue between your gums and lips, known as the frenulum, may become inflamed. This disrupts the normal development of the two front teeth, causing a gap. Invisalign, paired with a frenectomy, can fix this type of tooth gap
For most patients, tooth gaps are fixed within 3 to 6 months. If the case is severe, it may take up to 18 months.
DO YOU NEED INVISALIGN
IN BOCA RATON?
If you are looking for Invisalign near you, look no further than our dental practice. Our team strives to make you feel comfortable with each visit. Contact us today to set up an appointment!