What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a series of clear aligners designed to fit snugly over your teeth and shift them over time through consistent pressure and slight adjustments. These aligners are printed in a thermoplastic called SmartTrack® that was designed to provide you with comfort as well as make it easier to remove your aligners. During this treatment, you will receive a new set of aligners that have been adjusted slightly to move your teeth closer into place for your dream smile. Every treatment plan is customized by Dr. Speaks to treat your specific needs and orthodontic goals, and Invisalign gives you the freedom and flexibility to have a truly personalized smile.
How Do I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?
Caring for your Invisalign aligners is simple and only adds one more step to your daily oral hygiene routine. Once you brush your teeth and floss, just take your toothbrush along with some warm water and brush your aligners before putting them back in. This gets rid of any harmful bacteria that may be clinging to the aligners from the day. You don’t want to put dirty aligners on freshly cleaned teeth, so this is a step you don’t want to skip.
What Is the Treatment Process?
Every treatment process begins by using 3D computer imaging technology to get a full picture of what your teeth and mouth look like from every angle. This image serves a few different functions. To begin with, it allows Dr. Speaks to craft a plan that addresses all of your needs. After we assess your problem areas, we can use this rendering to project what your smile will look like once you complete treatment.
Once we have a starting and finishing point, we can plan a series of aligners that are adjusted slightly to move you along until your reach the desired results. Finally, we will print your first set of aligners in a thermoplastic that is often praised for its comfort. After your first set of custom clear aligners, we will give you a new set of adjusted aligners every two weeks until we reach the end of your treatment and you have a beautiful smile to last a lifetime. This process takes a high level of training and expertise to design correctly, so it’s important that you have an orthodontist like Dr. Speaks who is equipped to guide you along this journey.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Just like our patients, every treatment plan is unique. You have a set of needs and orthodontic goals that is special to you, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment that will meet your needs. The cost of Invisalign varies depending on how long a patient stays in treatment and how extensive their issues are, so it’s difficult to give an exact price before you have your initial consultation. To figure out what treatment might look like for you, schedule your first complimentary visit with Dr. Speaks today.
If you are worried about affording the smile of your dreams, just know that we are here to help. We want every member of our community to have a smile they are proud to see in the mirror. To make a healthy smile more accessible to everyone, we’ve created a series of flexible financing plans. We also work alongside your insurance provider to lessen out-of-pocket costs of treatment.
How Will Invisalign Affect My Lifestyle?
Invisalign doesn’t affect your lifestyle at all while you’re in treatment, but the results can be life-changing. Invisalign aligners are created to be nearly invisible as well as be easily moved in and out of the mouth. This means that no one around you will see that you’re in treatment even while you work toward the smile you’ve always wanted. You can also remove the aligners to enjoy all of your favorite treats. Once you finish treatment, you will have a flawless smile that has been designed specifically for you.
How Long Do I Have to Wear My Aligners for Each Day?
It’s important that you wear your Invisalign for at least 20 to 22 hours a day so your teeth have consistent pressure pushing them into place. If you leave your aligners out for a long period of time, you may suffer unwanted teeth shifting that slows your progress in treatment.
Are There Any Food Restrictions with Invisalign?
One of our patients’ favorite things about Invisalign, besides the beautiful results, is that they don’t have to give up any of their go-to snacks or favorite meals. You remove your aligners to eat, so there is no risk of you damaging your appliance no matter what you choose to eat. With no brackets and wires to worry about, your diet can remain the same during treatment as it was before.
Do I Still Need to See My Dentist While Wearing Invisalign?
Yes! While Dr. Speaks has experience as a general dentist, as an orthodontist he focuses on a different aspect of your oral health that is dependent on your continued good oral hygiene. It’s important that you continue to attend your regularly scheduled dentist appointments so that your teeth and mouth remain healthy during and after your orthodontic treatment. After all, no one wants to deal with cavities or gum disease.
