Invisalign Dentist In Mesa

How does Invisalign straighten my teeth?

The aligners are not only removable, they are also replaceable. In fact, you will need several sets of it throughout the course of the treatment. Your dentist will specifically plan out everything after examining your teeth. When your teeth have moved, you will need another aligner until the treatment is complete. Your teeth will approximately shift to a new better position every two weeks.

How long is the treatment?

There is no exact length of treatment. This is in a case to case basis. Several factors need to be determined by your dentist; such as the severity of your case and your age. The average length of treatment for adults, however, is around 12 months. But only your doctor can really say how long is the treatment.

How do I get started?

The first thing to do is to determine if Invisalign works for you. Do this by taking our assessment. After that, if the treatment is right for you, make the necessary appointment with a reliable provider. Make sure that you choose the doctor who has the experience and the right credentials. Find the one you’re most comfortable with.

Do all dentists treat with Invisalign?

No, only those who have attended and completed specialized instruction and training can perform the treatment. Not only that, even if they are already trained providers, they are still required to submit treatment reviews, on a regular basis, for proper review. In order for them to be a “Preferred Provider,” they must keep themselves abreast by completing clinical classes.

How often must I wear it?

Although the aligners are removable, you must not remove them for too long. As much as possible, only remove them when it’s really necessary, like when you eat or brush your teeth. Most providers suggest that wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day makes the treatment faster and more effective.

Do I need to continually see my doctor?

Yes, your aligners will need to be replaced with a new one after every two weeks or so. I some cases, regular appointments are once every four weeks. Regular appointments are necessary so that the doctor can properly track your progress and ensure that everything’s working out as planned.

Would I need attachments for my treatment?

This depends on your specific treatment, and how your teeth respond to it. In certain cases, “ridges” or “attachments” are required. They are used to help the aligner grip your teeth better. Attachments are enamel-colored composites which are placed on your teeth. The aligners will hold on to these for a better grip and effective results.

Is Invisalign painful?

Here’s a good thing about Invisalign. It is not painful and uncomfortable unlike metal braces. The worst that one can experience when wearing the aligners is a mere discomfort, which is temporary, and usually happens during the first few days of the treatment. This discomfort normally goes away on its own as it is only caused by the pressure inserted by the aligners to push your teeth in place.

How much does it cost?

There is no exact figure since only your provider or doctor can determine the cost for you. The cost will be determined from your specific needs and situation. The longer you need to wear the aligners or the more difficult your case is, the larger the cost. Generally, considering the amount of orthodontic work and the use of innovative technology, Invisalign is comparatively more expensive than traditional braces. The good news is, many dental offices offer affordable and flexible monthly payment options for their patients.

Will it be covered by my insurance?

If you have orthodontic coverage, then the answer is in the affirmative. This is for general cases. However, you must still check and go over your personal coverage plan since the benefits can vary from policy to policy.

Are the aligners prone to falling off?

No, they don’t fall off. They firmly grip your teeth, in certain cases, with extra help from attachments. So whether you are sleeping or talking, there’s no cause of concern; your aligners will stay where they are without making you uncomfortable and anxious.

Will the aligners affect my speech?

There is a possibility, but this is only temporary. The way some patients talk or pronounce some words may be affected. But this only usually happens during the early days of the treatment, since the patients are still adjusting to the aligners. But once the treatment is done or when you’ve gotten used to wearing the aligners, your speech will go back to normal.

Are there eating restrictions?

There are no restrictions, and that’s what makes this better. You can drink and eat anything you want; unlike when you’re wearing traditional braces where there are quite a handful of restrictions. This is because the aligners are removable. Doctors even require you to remove the aligners when you eat, drink or brush your teeth.

Can I smoke or drink while wearing the aligners?

When you’re on Invisalign treatment, you must not smoke when you’re wearing the aligners. If you really need to smoke, remove the aligners. They can become discolored if you smoke while wearing them. As with alcohol, you can if you only drink a moderate amount. This goes with any other sugary beverage as well like cola.

Can I chew gum with the aligners on?

No, you must not chew or eat anything while wearing the aligner; whether it’s a gum, a snack, or a full meal. We recommend that you remove the aligners when you eat.

How do I clean my aligners?

You can regularly clean the aligners by brushing them. You need to rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water before putting them back in. However, the best way to clean them is to use a product specially designed for it. It’s called the Invisalign Cleaning system.

Do I need to sanitize the aligners?

Yes. As a general rule, don’t put your aligners in your mouth if they are not clean and hygienic. For this, you can still use the Cleaning System. It both cleans and sanitizes. Take note that you must not use hot water in cleaning your aligners. Invisalign is made of a special kind of plastic, which may be irreparably warped if exposed to hot water.

What should I do if there’s a crack?

You must contact your Invisalign provider immediately. If there’s a crack or any damage, the aligners need to be replaced.

Will I need to wear retainers after the treatment?

Yes, just like in traditional braces, retainers are necessary. This is recommended by most doctors as it is considered part of the whole orthodontic treatment process, or shall we say, after-treatment process. A retainer is required in order to prevent your teeth from gradually shifting back to how they were before the treatment. As to what kind of retainer to use, discuss it with your dentist.

What’s the difference between Invisalign and traditional braces?

Invisalign® clear braces have many advantages over conventional braces. Though the cost may be a little bit higher, the appearance, convenience and comfort of Invisalign® may justify the price difference.

The Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. Invisalign patients won’t have a hard time eating their favorite foods or brushing their teeth. Clear aligners are removable, so when you want to eat something sticky or hard to chew, you can just take them off.

When it comes to the traditional braces, cleaning and flossing is a time-consuming task because of the wires and brackets. In many cases, patients develop cavities during the treatment due to the fact that some areas are harder to reach.

See additional details for differences between Invisalign and traditional braces.