What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a form of braces that use clear tray aligners. Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners made out of a unique plastic blend to gradually shift and straighten teeth. The procedure works in just three easy steps. First, we will take a 3D scan of your teeth to map out your treatment plan and for a model for your first set of aligners. Then, you will return to the dentist every few weeks for a check on the progress and to get the next batch of aligners. The aligners will progressively make your teeth straighter and shift them gradually to make the perfect smile! Finally, once the Invisalign treatment is done you must wear retainers to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original positions.
Invisalign trays are easily removable and must be taken out to eat, brush, and floss your teeth. You can also clean your Invisalign trays with your toothbrush and water! While they are removable, we recommend you wear your Invisalign for 20-22 hours a day.
Invisalign costs anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000, but patients have reported qualifying for up to $3,000 in help from their dental insurance. The cost depends on many factors like how much work needs to be done, your oral health
needs, and how much your insurance plan covers. For more information on cost coverage, contact your dental insurance company!
How long does Invisalign take?
Invisalign treatment length varies from patient to patient based on the complexity of the work to be done. Invisalign takes an average of 12 months but can take as little as 6 months. Length of treatment depends on a number of factors such as teeth crowding, the number of gaps in your teeth, patient age, and compliance and adherence to the treatment as set out by your dentist.
First, teeth crowding. Your teeth may be misaligned due to crowding; this means that your teeth are on the larger side or your teeth are on the larger side and your teeth are quite literally crowded in your mouth. The more crowding, the farther your teeth have to shift, and the longer your treatment will be. Moderate crowding cases can take up to a year to fix. For severe crowding cases, your Kipnis dentist may recommend another treatment before Invisalign.
Diastemata, or gaps between teeth, can arise because of tissue overgrowth or when teeth are small compared to the jawbone. Severe gaps in the teeth may take longer to fix. Additionally, if you have both gaps and crowding, treatment can be closer to 18 months depending on how fast your teeth adjust. With severe gaps, your dentist may also recommend bonding or veneers before Invisalign to fix the problem.
Generally, teens' teeth shift more quickly than adults because a teen is still growing. However, teeth adjustment time varies from patient to patient; therefore, treatment length depends on how responsive your teeth are to the adjustments.
Finally, if the aligners are not being worn often enough it can dramatically extend the treatment time. So it is recommended you wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day - EVERY day!
Invisalign vs Braces
Invisalign and Braces are both used to straighten and move teeth for a better smile! For years, both of these treatments
have been leaving patients more confident and happy with their appearance. However, the two treatments vary greatly; some of the differences between the two include:
- Removability: Braces are cemented onto the teeth and cannot be removed- they stay with you 24/7. Invisalign aligners are worn for 20 to 22 hours per day and are taken out to eat and to brush and floss your teeth. Also, with Invisalign, you receive new trays every couple of weeks. Some people prefer braces because they cannot be taken out and lost. Additionally, if Invisalign trays are taken out for too long, your teeth can shift significantly making traditional braces the optimal choice for children because they don’t have to remember to take them in and out or keep track of them all the time. However, cleaning your teeth is much easier with Invisalign- with braces food can get stuck in between brackets and wires making them hard to clean.
- Pain: Both invisalign and braces cause pain and discomfort in the mouth, but many people have reported less pain with invisalign. This is because invisalign utilizes a lighter and more gradual pressure to shift the teeth into the perfect position. Additionally, there is no risk of cutting your gums on metal with invisalign.
- Cost: Invisalign is generally more expensive than traditional braces are. Traditional braces usually cost $2,500 to $6,000 while invisalign cost between $3,500 and $8,000. However, both costs are based on the individual cases and for more information you must ask your Kipnis Dentist for projected prices. Additionally, insurances contribute to both treatments; contact your dental insurance company for more information on coverage
- Pressure: Traditional braces exert equal pressure on the entire tooth to push it into position- exerting pressure on both the top and bottom including the root. However, Invisalign focuses its pressure on the upper part of the tooth and does not reach the root or bottom of the tooth.
- Food Restriction:
With traditional braces, patients are advised to stay away from chewy, sticky, hard, or brittle foods as they can get stuck in or break wires and brackets, However, with removable Invisalign, you can still enjoy your favorite foods during the straightening process.
- Cosmetic Appeal: Lots of patients chose Invisalign because of its cosmetic appeal. Your teeth are straightened without a big hunk of metal in your teeth!
Additionally, braces are a better option for patients with severe teeth misalignment- especially severely rotated cylindrical or rounded bicuspids. This is because Invisalign trays have trouble gripping them without slipping. Some similarities include a retainer after treatment and regular visits to check progress and either tighten braces or receive new alignment trays.
Overall, this decision should be made with your Kipnis Dental professional and should be based on your oral health and financial needs!
