Have you wanted to straighten your teeth for years, but you don’t think it’s worth the time or expense just to improve how your smile looks? The truth is that properly aligned teeth are not only more aesthetically pleasing, but healthier as well. When the teeth are spaced correctly, they are much easier to clean, meaning a patient has a lower risk of developing cavities and gum disease, which can go a long way in protecting both their oral and overall health. And, because Invisalign trays are clear, you can enjoy a confident smile while you’re enhancing it at the same time.
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign patients simply wear a series of lightweight, clear plastic mouth trays that slip over the teeth. Each one is shaped slightly differently to shift the teeth towards their perfect positions. They are created using a digital impression of the mouth, and a patient simply wears one set of trays for 20-22 hours a day for one to two weeks before progressing onto the next. After they have gone through their entire series, they’re finished, and will receive a retainer to keep their smile ideal.
Why are so many patients choosing Invisalign over long-trusted metal braces? The benefits speak for themselves:
Living with Invisalign means that you get to enjoy a more flexible form of treatment – one that doesn’t interfere with your daily lifestyle. Whether you’re a student or a working professional, these aligners make it easy to work toward a straighter smile without having to give up the foods you love or the ability to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. Whether you are preparing for Invisalign treatment or have already started, below are a few things you should know to make your day-to-day life easier.
Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn for 20-22 hours each day. This ensures that your teeth continue to move in the right direction. After one to two weeks, you’ll be required to swap out your current set of aligners for the next ones in the series. Your dentist will determine how long you should wear each set. If you fail to wear them for the designated amount of time, you could face a delay in your treatment; however, when you do remove them, make sure it is only to eat, drink (anything but water), or clean/soak them.
You’ll need to clean your Invisalign aligners with lukewarm water only. Hot water can cause the trays to become warped, resulting in irreversible damage. Before reinserting them into your mouth, make sure to brush and floss your teeth like normal so that bad bacteria do not transfer to your trays. If possible, do this after eating a meal as well.
Your aligners should also go through a thorough soaking once a day. They can soak for 15-30 minutes with the help of Invisalign Cleaning Crystals – a product that is designed to eliminate harmful bacteria and particles that form on trays throughout the day.
There are virtually no food restrictions while wearing Invisalign; however, the most important rule is to remember to take them out before eating. Aligners are not designed to withstand the pressure that is required to bite down and chew, so removing them beforehand keeps them better protected from possible damage. Also, food will be unable to lodge between the trays and your teeth, reducing the risk of potential cavities.
You should also know that drinking or eating anything that is darkly pigmented can lead to discoloration of your Invisalign aligners, so it’s important to rinse your mouth or brush and floss before reinserting your trays.
Although it is not necessary to panic if you lose an Invisalign aligner, you should not wait to have it replaced. Doing so can cause you to experience a delay in your treatment. It is not uncommon to lose an aligner while enjoying a meal with family and friends, as some patients place their Invisalign in a napkin instead of a protective case. Unfortunately, this can lead to the napkin (and braces) being accidentally thrown away.
Should you discover that you have lost or damaged an aligner, make sure to contact our dental office so that we can have a new one created. Depending on how far along you are in your treatment, it may be possible to move on to the next set.
Throughout your Invisalign treatment, you will need to keep your regular check-ins with our team. These usually occur every 4-8 weeks depending on your case. The good news is that these visits are short because there is no wire tightening or replacement required. Instead, we simply look at your smile and determine if everything is moving as it should.
If you think Invisalign might be just what your smile needs, then we invite you to give Bionica Dental Wellness of Delafield a call. After a comprehensive exam and consultation, we can take a digital impression of your teeth, and you’ll have your trays in no time!
To learn more about Invisalign and start your journey to a straighter smile, contact us today.
Achieving a straighter smile usually means that orthodontic treatment must be involved. Although traditional metal braces were once the only method of care available, there are now more advanced and discreet options available such as Invisalign. Knowing which one is right for you requires meeting with a trusted dentist, but finding out more about their differences can help you decide how you would like to move toward a healthier, more perfectly aligned smile.
Attempting to understand the cost of Invisalign in Delafield requires scheduling a consultation with Dr. Holinbeck. It is during this visit that she will evaluate your smile to determine if you are a qualified candidate and how much you can expect to pay for treatment. Crooked, misaligned, gapped, and overcrowded teeth deserve high-quality care, but it does come at a cost, which is why our team will be here to help maximize your benefits and discuss available financing options to make Invisalign treatment more readily accessible and affordable.
There are many unique factors that your Invisalign dentist in Delafield must consider, such as:
When considering these variables, you can expect Dr. Holinbeck to go over them with you and discuss how each factor into your overall cost estimate.
It’s not uncommon for many patients to assume a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution like Smile Direct Club is a more suitable and affordable way to straighten teeth. Although the price tag is significantly less than Invisalign, many negative components can cause you to experience serious issues down the road. Here are just a few reasons why it’s better to choose professional help with Invisalign:
Some dental insurance companies do provide coverage for Invisalign in Delafield, however, not all do, so you’ll need to review your plan beforehand. You can also have a member of our team do it for you if you like. It is possible to receive up to 50% of the total cost paid for by your insurer, so you can count on our team to help you maximize these benefits in a way that helps you save the most money.
Outside the realm of dental insurance, Dr. Holinbeck and the team at Bionica Dental Wellness of Delafield are pleased to offer other payment options, such as flexible financing through CareCredit and Lending Club – These two companies offer low- and no-interest payment plans for patients.
Many adults prefer to avoid the metal brackets and wires that come with traditional braces. Although they are proven effective at straightening teeth and misaligned bites, they lack the discreteness that most professionals and older adults desire. The good news is that with Invisalign clear aligners, adults can enjoy the results of a straighter, more perfectly aligned smile without the unwanted attention of bulky metal.
Learn More About Invisalign for Adults
If you are considering Invisalign in Delafield, you probably have many questions. Dr. Holinbeck and our team at Bionica Dental Wellness of Delafield never want you to feel uninformed about your treatment, which is why we invite you to review the following Q&As below. We’ve compiled questions from our patients over the years and provided clear, honest answers to help you feel more confident in your decision to pursue a straighter smile. Call us today to schedule an appointment when you’re ready to get started.
One of the unique advantages of Invisalign is that it is a more comfortable option than traditional metal braces. Instead of protruding brackets and wires that rub against your soft oral tissues, Invisalign fits snugly against your teeth, creating a more pleasant experience. You should expect there to be some slight discomfort when first wearing your aligners and when swapping them out for a new set every few weeks. Fortunately, it will dissipate within a few days with the help of an over-the-counter pain reliever.
The results of your Invisalign treatment can be permanent as long as you wear your retainer accordingly. After completing the process of wearing your clear trays, your cosmetic dentist in Delafield will provide a customized retainer that you’ll be required to wear for a specific amount of time. Teeth can shift over time, so without a retainer to hold them in place, you can undo all your hard work. Going through the retention phase will ensure that your pearly whites remain firmly in place for more beautiful results.
If you accidentally lose your Invisalign trays, it’s important that you do not dispose of your previous aligners. While waiting to see Dr. Holinbeck for an appointment, you can wear your most recent set of trays to keep your teeth from shifting too much. This will minimize the potential delay in treatment.
You should know that investing in one or two protective cases is well worth it, as you are less likely to lose or damage your trays during the Invisalign treatment process.
The only way to know if you can be treated with Invisalign is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holinbeck. It is during this meeting that she will examine your smile and determine if you are a candidate for treatment. Many patients who previously wore metal braces can achieve success with Invisalign; however, if your teeth or bite are severely misaligned, you may be required to wear traditional brackets and wires once again.