Invisalign® – Newington, CT
Discreetly Achieve a Straighter, Healthier Smile
Are you plagued by misaligned teeth? You may find that maintaining oral hygiene is a challenge, that your bite is uncomfortable, and that you hold back from smiling in social situations. Seeking orthodontic treatment could dramatically increase your confidence and spare you from painful dental issues. At Family Dental Practice of Newington, we’re proud to offer a discreet and efficient way to correct orthodontic problems — Invisalign®.
How Invisalign® Works
Invisalign® is cosmetic and oral health-promoting treatment that uses a series of clear, thermoplastic aligners to apply gentle, sustained pressure to the teeth. You wear each aligner for 20 – 22 hours each day for about two weeks, and as you graduate from one aligner to the next, your teeth slowly move into their ideal positions. After you finish using all of your aligners, a retainer helps you keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
The Invisalign® process begins when you visit us for a consultation. One of our dentists will evaluate your smile’s alignment problems. Then, your dentist will recommend a treatment plan that fits your circumstances. If Invisalign® is right for you, we can get to work on designing and ordering your aligner trays. Throughout the course of your treatment, you’ll need to visit us for periodic checkups.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
At our practice in Newington, CT, we understand that every patient desires a healthy and beautiful smile. Invisalign is an excellent orthodontic solution for people of various age groups and backgrounds who want to align their teeth and discover new confidence. During your consultation, we will help you determine if it is right for you and your unique circumstances. It is capable of addressing a wide range of mild to moderate orthodontic issues, including the ones listed below.
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth are crowded and overlapping, it can make proper cleaning difficult and increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Can Invisalign fix crowded teeth? Very often, yes! Invisalign clear aligners may be able to reposition your teeth to create balanced spacing, which can significantly enhance oral hygiene and comfort. In some situations, our team may recommend minor tooth reshaping or, if necessary, extraction of certain teeth to provide adequate space for effective alignment.
Gaps Between Teeth
Noticeable spaces between teeth not only impact appearance but may also expose your gums to irritation and discomfort. Invisalign treatment may be able to close these gaps, allowing for a more uniform bite and an improved smile. In addition, filling these spaces can help shield the gums from excessive exposure to food debris and bacteria, leading to better overall oral health.
Overbite
An overbite is the name for the condition wherein the upper front teeth rest too far in front of the lower teeth. This misalignment can sometimes lead to discomfort in the jaw, difficulty with speech, and excessive wear on certain teeth. In many instances, Invisalign, together with specially designed attachments, allows patients to achieve a more harmonious relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
Underbite
When the lower teeth rest in front of the upper teeth, an underbite is present. This condition may lead to challenges with chewing, articulation, and even breathing. With the aid of Invisalign aligners and additional orthodontic appliances when appropriate, our dental team can frequently correct mild to moderate underbites, thereby delivering both improved function and aesthetics to our patients' smiles.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs if certain lower teeth sit in front of their upper counterparts. If left untreated, this condition may result in persistent jaw discomfort, speech difficulties, and unappealing facial asymmetry, among other challenges. Invisalign can assist in moving the teeth into proper alignment, helping to relieve these symptoms and promote long-term oral health and wellness.
Open Bite
An open bite describes a situation where the upper and lower front teeth do not touch even when the back teeth meet. Individuals with open bites may experience challenges while enunciating certain sounds, and the teeth may wear unevenly. In many cases, Invisalign aligners can be used to effectively close an open bite.
The Benefits of Invisalign®
Invisalign® offers a number of remarkable benefits:
- The aligners are extremely discreet, allowing you to maintain a professional image. Many people may not even notice that you’re wearing them.
- Since the aligners are removable, you won’t have to navigate around any hardware when you’re brushing and flossing your teeth.
- The removable nature of the aligners allows you to eat and drink all of your favorite goodies, including foods that regular braces would bar you from enjoying.
- The aligners are relatively comfortable since there are no metal bits that might irritate your lips or cheeks.
- Invisalign® is suitable for addressing a range of mild to moderate orthodontic problems, including crooked teeth, small gaps between the teeth, and occlusion (bite) issues. Both teenagers and adults may be candidates for this treatment.
- You may begin to see results in as little as a few months. The average overall treatment time with Invisalign® in Newington is one year.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign depends on a number of different factors. During your consultation, our team will provide you with more specific pricing information. We can also assist you as you explore your payment options. Our practice even offers periodic promotional pricing to help our patients afford Invisalign. This treatment can be a great investment in your oral health and confidence!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Some factors that can influence the cost of Invisalign include:
- The severity and complexity of your case. More severe dental misalignment takes longer to correct, requires more aligners, and necessitates more visits to our practice. Therefore, complex cases tend to incur higher fees than simpler ones.
- Whether you are straightening one dental arch or both. Most patients must get aligners for both their upper and lower teeth. However, your cost might be reduced if you only need to straighten one arch or the other.
- Your compliance with treatment. If you fail to wear your aligners as directed or make other missteps, you could face a higher overall treatment cost.
Invisalign vs. Mail-Order Clear Aligners: Which Costs More?
There are a number of popular mail-order clear aligner systems. They often cost around $2,000 for start-to-finish treatment. Invisalign, on the other hand, usually costs a minimum of $3,000.
Granted, mail-order options can seem appealing, especially if you are on a tight budget. However, it is important that you consider, not just the price of treatment, but also what you are getting for your money.
With mail-order systems, you do not get the personalized support of a local dental team. Also, your aligners may be made out of basic plastic rather than Invisalign’s patented material. Additionally, some patients have been highly dissatisfied with the results from mail-order aligners. They have ended up spending thousands of additional dollars to correct problems that arose because of their initial treatment.
For the vast majority of patients, Invisalign is a superior value when compared to mail-order options
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
You will need to check the details of your policy to see how it may apply to Invisalign. Some insurers cover orthodontia for minors but not for adults, while a handful of premium plans cover adult treatment but exclude Invisalign. Our team can help you navigate your benefits and file your claims. If your insurance covers Invisalign, you might save $1,000 or more out-of pocket.
If your insurance will not help you pay for your treatment, you might try to use your flexible spending account or healthcare savings account instead.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Here are a few provisions that may make it easier for you to afford Invisalign:
- Promotional offers. Our practice periodically offers promotional pricing on Invisalign. For example, you could enjoy a FREE consultation and then get started with treatment for just $999.
- Most patients qualify for low-interest financing through CareCredit. The application process is fast, and our team can walk you through it.
Would you like to straighten your teeth with Invisalign? Our team is ready to guide you through every aspect of your care, including its financial side. We look forward to working with you!
Invisalign® FAQs
The team at our practice is ready to help you take advantage of Invisalign® in Newington. Before you contact us to schedule your consultation, however, you may want to learn more about the journey ahead of you. To help you out, we have compiled a list of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this treatment. If you do not see the information you were hoping to find, give us a call — we look forward to speaking with you and sharing our knowledge.
What Does Invisalign® Look Like?
Invisalign® aligners are constructed out of a patented form of plastic that is designed to be as discreet as possible. Onlookers are likely to notice your smile well before they notice your orthodontic treatment. However, Invisalign® is not totally invisible. It may make your teeth look slightly larger or subtly different than usual. Also, keep in mind that some patients require attachments and accessories to enjoy a successful treatment. Such additions are often more visible than the clear aligners that they accompany.
How Long Does Invisalign® Take?
The average treatment time with Invisalign® is 12 months, which is several months shorter than the average treatment time with traditional braces. However, your case may require more or less time — it depends on the degree of your dental misalignment, how well you comply with treatment instructions, and other factors. Your cosmetic dentist in Newington will be able to give you an estimated timeline when you come in for your consultation. Most patients begin to see a noticeable difference in their smile within a few months of starting Invisalign®.
Does Invisalign® Hurt?
Invisalign® aligners are constructed out of a smooth plastic that is designed to be as comfortable as possible. There are no metal brackets and wires to irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. However, it is important to bear in mind that orthodontic treatments work by applying pressure to the teeth. You can expect this to cause a degree of discomfort, particularly when you first switch to a new aligner. You can keep your pain to a minimum by switching to a new aligner at night so you can sleep through the first part of the adjustment period, sipping on cool water, and taking medication if necessary. If you ever experience any severe pain with Invisalign®, call our practice right away. You may be experiencing a problem that requires professional assistance.
What Happens After Invisalign®?
After you have worked your way through all of your aligners, your dentist will verify that your results are what was originally expected. Then, we will provide you with a retainer. If you have a removable retainer, you should wear it as much as you wore your Invisalign® aligners — that is, for 20 – 22 hours each day. After some time, you may be able to graduate to wearing your retainer only at night. Complying with retainer wear is critical. If you do not use it as much as recommended, your teeth could begin to drift out of place, effectively undoing your Invisalign® treatment.