Invisalign – Worcester, MA

Crowded Teeth

If there isn’t enough room in your mouth, then your teeth will crowd together, creating unique crevices in the process. This makes it harder for your toothbrush and floss to remove plaque, food particles, and other debris, which is why patients with this orthodontic problem are at a higher risk of developing oral health issues, like gum disease. The good news is that Invisalign can gently guide your teeth into proper alignment, improving your confidence and your oral health.

Gaps Between Teeth

Spaced-out teeth are also quite common, and they can have the same negative effect on your confidence and oral health as crowded teeth. Fortunately, if you’re a candidate for Invisalign, we can create a series of clear aligners to gently close the gaps. Plus, the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months, and you’ll notice improvements even sooner since the aligners are clear and removable!

Overbite

If your upper teeth jut out beyond your lower ones, but you’re not thrilled about the idea of wearing noticeable brackets and wires, you might be asking yourself, “Does Invisalign fix overbites?” Good news: clear aligners can correct mild to moderate cases of common bite problems, including overbites. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us to find out if you’re a candidate! If you are, then your journey to your dream smile will be considerably more discreet and comfortable.

Underbite

Even in mild cases, underbites can make it difficult to chew properly, enunciate clearly, and smile confidently. For this reason, we don’t recommend taking the “wait and see” approach. Instead, explore your treatment options! While there was once a time when traditional braces were the only solution, Invisalign has proven to be effective at correcting mild to moderate cases.

Crossbite

One of our primary concerns with crossbites is that they place immense pressure on certain teeth, increasing the chances of a chip, crack, or fracture. That’s why we don’t recommend putting off scheduling an appointment; we want to improve your confidence as well as reduce your risk of dental damage. When you come to our office, we will complete a comprehensive oral exam, determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, and, if you are, begin working on your custom treatment plan.

 

Open Bite

Open bites can form for several reasons – from thumb-sucking to genetics. Regardless, it’s important to have it fixed. If you’ve been hesitant because you don’t want to wear metal brackets and wires, we have good news: Invisalign has proven to be an effective solution!

There aren’t any dietary restrictions

Did you know that you have to change your diet with traditional braces? It’s true! To reduce the risk of a bracket or wire coming loose, patients are asked to eliminate certain foods, like hard pretzels, popcorn, carrot sticks, whole apples, and peanut brittle. With Invisalign, patients don’t need to make the same adjustments because the aligners are removable. So, as long as you take them out and store them properly, you can eat whatever you’d like!

Brushing and flossing are easy

Since traditional braces are bonded in place, patients need to buy special dental care products, like interproximal toothbrushes and pre-threaded floss. That’s not the case with Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual. Not only does this save you time and money, but it also makes keeping your smile healthy considerably easier.

The aligners are removable

In addition to being basically invisible, Invisalign aligners are removable. So, if there does come a time when you want to take them off, like before going on a first date or giving an important presentation at work, you can! All we ask is that you keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours each day. This is a small habit that will make a big difference when it comes to staying on-track with your treatment plan.

The average treatment timeline is shorter

Typically, patients wear braces for 2-3 years. Invisalign, on the other hand, has an average treatment timeline of only 12-18 months. Of course, yours will depend on several factors, including the orthodontic problems that need to be corrected and how severe they are. So, if you are interested in getting an estimate, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with us. Once we have all of the information we need, we can give you an answer.

There are fewer check-in visits

Another perk that is often overlooked is that there are fewer check-in visits with Invisalign. Usually, they are every 6-8 weeks and last less than 30 minutes. Conversely, traditional braces require monthly adjustment appointments that can last significantly longer. In other words, if you choose clear aligners, there’s a good chance you’ll spend considerably less time in the treatment chair overall.

Wearing Your Trays

There’s one main rule when it comes to wearing your trays: you need to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours each day. As you can see, that doesn’t leave you with a lot of aligner-free time throughout the day, so it’s best to only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary. It’s also smart to use the stopwatch on your phone so you have an idea of how close or far you are from the mark.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t need to completely alter your oral hygiene regimen. You also don’t need to buy any special or expensive cleaning products to keep them stain and odor-free! Simply use clean, cool water to rinse them when you take them off and use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to clean them before putting them back on.

Eating & Drinking

Another perk of Invisalign: you don’t need to completely change your diet. In fact, as long as you take your aligners off and keep cavity-causing foods to a minimum, you can enjoy all of your favorites throughout the teeth-straightening process!

Important reminder: You should not drink coffee with your aligners on (including iced coffee). There are a few reasons for this, including that doing so can increase your risk of tooth decay and cause stubborn, yellow stains to surface.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

It’s important to incorporate good habits into your routine to avoid accidentally losing or misplacing one of your aligners, like putting them in their designated case anytime you aren’t wearing them. That said, accidents sometimes happen! The best thing to do is call us. Rest assured, we won’t judge. Instead, we will take a look at where you are in your treatment plan and determine if it’s safe for you to move on to the next set in the series a bit early.

Attending Progress Visits

In addition to scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning every six months, you need to come to our office for progress visits. If you’re a busy student, parent, or professional, don’t worry – they aren’t every month. Usually, patients come to our Worcester dental office every 6-8 weeks so we can make sure they are on track with their treatment plan. If you are, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be in and out of our office in less than 30 minutes!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

At your consultation, we will take X-rays, complete a visual exam, and learn all about your smile goals. From there, we can determine:

• If tooth-colored fillings or any other restorative treatments are needed
• If single-arch treatment is possible
• How many aligners are needed to achieve the desired results
• If any orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, should be added to your treatment plan
• The type of retainer you need

With all of this information, we can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of the cost. That said, it is possible for there to be additional fees down the line. To prevent that from happening, we will provide you with helpful tips, like always putting your aligners in their designated case to avoid losing them.

Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Usually, mail-order alternatives are cheaper. While this might initially seem like a good thing, it’s actually because these companies cut corners, like not offering an initial consultation to ensure you’re a candidate and asking you to take your own impressions, which is difficult to do correctly. For that reason, we strongly recommend choosing a reputable orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign, instead. Even if the upfront cost is higher, the investment is worth it, especially when it comes to something as important as your oral health.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

If you have dental insurance, you might be wondering if your provider will cover a portion of the cost of Invisalign. The answer might be “yes!” The easiest way to find out is by reading through the fine print on your plan. If the unfamiliar jargon and lengthy paperwork are making it difficult for you to understand your benefits, don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance. After all, we’re in-network with several popular providers, including Altus, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Delta Dental

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dream smile! After all, it’s not the only financial solution available. CareCredit is another great option, particularly for uninsured patients who would prefer to break up the cost of Invisalign into smaller, more manageable chunks. If you are interested in learning more about this third-party financier, including how to sign up, don’t hesitate to let us know.

If you want to learn more about Invisalign or any of the other cosmetic dental services we offer, reach out to us!