Do you dream about having a smile full of sparkling, straight teeth, but you just can’t imagine yourself wearing traditional metal braces? You’ve probably invested in a professional, mature image, and you shouldn’t have to look like a teenager to straighten your teeth. We agree. Now we can make your dreams come true!
Invisalign is a virtually invisible method that can straighten your teeth without metal braces. With Invisalign, a custom-molded set of transparent, removable aligners will progressively reposition your teeth. You can remove the aligners for eating, brushing, flossing, or for special occasions. Invisalign is more comfortable and convenient than traditional braces. Patients do not experience the abrasions caused by metal and wires. Plus, Invisalign aligners are easy to clean, and frequent adjustment appointments aren’t needed.
First, we use 3D computer imaging to design a comprehensive treatment plan. This allows you to preview the final positioning of your teeth before any work starts. Yes, you will see your future smile before treatment begins!
Then, a lab will create a series of aligners to reposition your teeth over one to two years. You’ll change aligners every two weeks until your smile is straight and beautiful. Typically, you will visit us every six weeks for progress reports. Transparent, removable, no-hassle orthodontia – now that should put a smile on your face!
Invisalign originally made a splash in the field of orthodontics because the aligners were completely metal-free. Over two decades later, and that continues to be a huge draw. However, that’s just one of the many perks of this orthodontic treatment. In this next section, you’ll learn a few other noteworthy benefits of clear aligner treatment.
Traditional braces can only be removed by a dental professional. That’s not the case with Invisalign aligners. As long as you wear them for 20+ hours a day, you can take them out whenever you want. For example, if you have an important presentation at work, and you’d prefer not to wear your aligners, you have that option. Similarly, if you are going to take a new passport or driver’s license photo, and you want to take them off, you can!
Oftentimes, patients with traditional braces experience a bit of a learning curve when it comes to oral hygiene. As a result, many buy special products, like interproximal toothbrushes, or adopt cumbersome dental care regimens. Don’t worry – Invisalign is very different because the aligners are removable. All you have to do is take them off, store them properly, and continue your dental care regimen as usual.
Thin pizza crust, whole apples, raw celery, and popcorn are just a few of the foods patients with traditional braces need to avoid. Invisalign, on the other hand, doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions. In other words, you don’t have to change your diet – you can eat all of your favorite foods throughout your orthodontic treatment! All we ask is that you don’t overindulge on foods that can negatively impact your oral health, like potato chips and ice cream.
It goes without saying that metal-free trays are more aesthetically-pleasing. But that’s not all; metal-free trays are also considerably more comfortable! As a result, many patients don’t experience any soft-tissue irritation during the teeth-straightening process.
It’s true! The average treatment timeline with traditional braces is 2-3 years. In contrast, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months. That said, there are several factors that impact the length of your orthodontic treatment – from your age to your compliance with the guidelines. If you want an estimate, then schedule a consultation with us so we can review your case!
Last, but certainly not least, there usually aren’t monthly check-in appointments with Invisalign. Since you’ll have multiple sets of aligners to work through at home, the visits are usually every six or eight
Since Invisalign has helped more than 12 million patients around the world, there’s a good chance that this discreet orthodontic treatment can help you too! The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with our Moses Lake dental team. That said, you can also read on to learn a bit more about how clear aligner treatment can address some of the most common orthodontic problems.
Simply put, your teeth won’t sit in their perfectly aligned positions if there isn’t enough room in your mouth. To create space, patients often needed to have one or more teeth extracted prior to getting traditional braces. However, Invisalign takes a different approach: IPR. This involves the sides of a few of your teeth being shaved (which is completely painless). That way, your teeth have room to move from the guidance of the clear aligners.
If you have the opposite problem (there is too much space in your mouth), then your teeth won’t sit in their perfectly aligned positions either. The good news is that we can close the gaps in your mouth with clear aligners! Sometimes, this requires the use of attachments, buttons, and rubber bands, but don’t worry – they are nowhere near as attention-grabbing as traditional braces.
Having your top teeth sit in front of your bottom teeth is good. Having your top teeth protrude far beyond your bottom teeth isn’t. That’s because this bite problem (known as an overbite) can make it difficult to chew properly, speak clearly, and even smile confidently. Fortunately, Invisalign has proven to be reliable when it comes to addressing mild to moderate cases. Plus, the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months!
If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, then you have an underbite. If you don’t have it fixed, then you can experience everything from premature wear and tear on certain teeth to jaw pain. That’s why it’s important to schedule a consultation with us to learn about your treatment options! If Invisalign is a good fit for you, then we can bring your bite into proper alignment with clear, comfortable, and custom-made aligners.
If some, but not all, of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, there’s a good chance that you have a crossbite. Premature wear and tear on your teeth are a primary concern with this orthodontic problem, as well as chronic jaw pain, trouble chewing properly, and low self-esteem. Simply put, if you have a crossbite, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to schedule an Invisalign consultation.
An open bite is when your teeth don’t come together evenly when you bite down because there is space in the front or back of your mouth. Like the other bite problems on this list, it can make everything from chewing properly to smiling confidently difficult, which is why we recommend having it fixed sooner rather than later.
If you are dreaming of a more aligned smile, Invisalign may seem like the perfect solution. After all, it has so many unique benefits that you can’t find anywhere else. However, it is crucial that you understand the cost of the treatment so that you don’t end up with unnecessary surprises. To learn more about how much your Invisalign treatment will cost, give us a call so we can get you started with your initial consultation.
The cost of Invisalign varies from person to person based on several different factors. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
When a patient is looking for a “quick fix,” lower budget options, like Smile Direct Club™, may seem tempting. However, a lower cost doesn’t always mean that it’s a better option. While the price is generally lower than Invisalign, Smile Direct Club™ has a “do it yourself” approach with little oversight from a professional. Ultimately, this means more room for errors to be made. You could even end up with serious issues that will need to be treated by a professional anyways.
Fortunately, with Invisalign, you have the trusted oversight of our dentists for each and every step along the way. Invisalign is professionally made, uses highly accurate impressions, and will result in a more successful treatment process overall. The cost difference is certainly worth it for a smoother, worry-free orthodontic treatment!
Some dental insurance plans will include coverage for orthodontic treatment, so it is a good idea to check with your provider to you know what is included. Our team is also always available to help you understand what your plan consists of. You can also use your FSA account to help cover the cost if you have one.
If you don’t have dental insurance, you aren’t completely out of luck. We have another option to help make your treatment more affordable. CareCredit is a third-party financing company that can help approved patients to cover dental care costs over multiple months instead of all at once.
We are eager to help you achieve your dream smile. Schedule your initial consultation to learn more about the financial details of Invisalign!
Getting metal braces typically isn’t the change in appearance that teens are thrilled about. In fact, during this highly image-conscious time in their lives, a noticeable orthodontic appliance can impact their confidence in social settings, like in afterschool activities, as they navigate new friendships, and in their yearbook photos. Invisalign Teen is a discreet clear aligner system designed with teens in mind.
Invisalign Teen in Moses Lake is very similar to Invisalign for adults, but it has a couple of additional features that lend itself to being more friendly for younger patients trying to build responsibility. Here are the two key differences of Invisalign Teen:
Invisalign Teen isn’t the perfect fit for every young patient. Typically, our team at Moses Lake Family Dentistry recommends it in the following situations:
Invisalign Teen offers a certain amount of freedom and flexibility that they may not be able to enjoy with metal braces. Some of these advantages include:
Do you still have questions about Invisalign in Moses Lake? This modern orthodontic treatment has so much to offer, and you won’t want to miss out! For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive from our patients about Invisalign treatment below.
It’s true that Invisalign trays are removable, but when you take them out too frequently, it could set back your treatment timeline. That’s why it’s important to keep your trays in for at least 22 hours every day. The only time you should be taking them out is when you brush, floss, eat, or drink anything besides water. When you forget to put your aligners back in your mouth, it can derail your treatment, which can be frustrating. Typically, you should be switching out your aligners every two weeks to advance to the next pair.
Mail-order orthodontic aligners are becoming more popular because of their convenience and low price-point. They’re a different product compared to Invisalign because the process isn’t completed by or overseen by a dental professional. When you visit Dr. Harder, you dentist in Moses Lake, he will thoroughly examine your mouth and conduct an in-depth assessment of the orthodontic problems you face before taking in-person impressions of your mouth to model your aligners after.
Although the process of Invisalign may seem similar, it’s significantly safer than using mail-in trays. Throughout your treatment, your dentist will keep a close eye on the progress you’re making and monitor each stage of the process to make sure no complications arise. Every six to eight weeks, you’ll visit Dr. Harder to receive your next sets of trays.
One great benefit of Invisalign treatment is that you won’t have to give up some of your favorite snacks out of fear of breaking a bracket or wire. All you need to do before you eat or drink anything besides water is remove your trays. Before you put them back in, be sure to clean your teeth and rinse the trays to prevent food debris becoming trapped between your teeth and orthodontic appliance.
People who get braces often go on about how much it hurts to have them tightened every eight or so weeks. Fortunately, when you wear aligners, you won’t have to worry about this. Although you may experience some slight tenderness as you advance to your next aligners, it’s nothing that can’t be taken care of with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. Each set of your trays will be made from smooth, custom-fitted plastic that’s specially built for your unique dental structure. This way, you won’t have to worry about wires and metal scraping against your oral tissues and causing irritation and pain.