Invisalign® Clear Aligners Woodbury

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign aligners are nearly totally invisible; few onlookers can spot them. They include no glaring metal and are custom fit to the teeth of each patient. They work by using a series of trays that slowly and progressively shift your teeth into better alignment.

How does the cost of Invisalign compare to traditional braces?

In most cases, traditional metal bracket braces run between $2,000–$6,000. Again, the cost of straightening your teeth will depend on your individual case. Very crooked teeth, a mouth with a severe overbite, and jaw structure will influence what it takes to fix crooked teeth, regardless of your choice between Invisalign and traditional braces.

Do Invisalign aligners take longer or a shorter time compared to traditional braces?

Patients may experience results faster with traditional braces because the wires and brackets use force on all teeth simultaneously. This often shifts even straight teeth a little.

With Invisalign, each individual tooth’s movement is planned both before and during treatment. Small tweaks may be made during the treatment process, and sometimes larger ones if the need indicates it. Your existing straight teeth do not need to be moved. The benefit is that since Invisalign clear trays work on individual teeth, you have a custom plan.

What happens if I miss a day of wearing Invisalign?

Each individual Invisalign tray is intended to be worn for at least 14 days. Should one day happen to be missed, simply add a day to your schedule. Remember that consistency will give you better results and help you gain the smile that you want faster.

Can Invisalign affect the shape of my face?

In addition to straightening your teeth, Invisalign may be helpful for remodeling some face shapes, appearance, and side profiles. Severely crooked teeth are known to influence the shape of a person’s face; one example is an overbite that forces a person’s upper lip to protrude forward.

How long until I can enjoy results from Invisalign?

Some dental patients obtain noticeable improvements in their smile as early as six weeks into their treatment.

Does Invisalign hurt?

Anytime you are moving teeth, you should expect some discomfort. In general, Invisalign involves less pain than traditional metal braces. Similar to all types of orthodontic treatment, this pain fades quickly after you adjust to wearing the aligners. Research studies with a broad dental patient base indicate that Invisalign is significantly less painful than metal braces.

Is anyone ineligible for Invisalign treatment?

Some patients who feel like they cannot make the commitment to wearing their aligners for at least 22 hours every day will find it hard. Invisalign is a partnership between the process and your daily diligence at home. Should life be too busy just now, we recommend waiting till you can make the time schedule work to keep track of the aligners, clean them, and wear them.

Are Invisalign aligners more comfortable to wear than other options?

Yes. We believe so. The treatment offers the latest materials for comfort and results; it uses SmartTrack® material. No other straightening product is made from SmartTrack material. This means that you can go through the treatment feeling more comfortable and finding them easier to put on, take off, and/or replace.

Can a dentist use Invisalign to close a gap between my teeth?

Yes, closing spaces between a person’s teeth is typically a stress-free and easy process with Invisalign. Small gaps in front teeth, say 2mm in size, may be treated by using tooth-colored fillings; your dentist will offer you the best options. Should a gap in front teeth be the result of an accident or a missing tooth, a bridge or an implant might be the preferred way to close this gap.

How can I make my Invisalign attachments less noticeable?

Limit strong beverages that stain teeth – Many teas, coffee, and red wines are known to stain Invisalign attachments. While your treatment is underway, try limiting the amount of stain-inducing foods and drinks you consume daily. (Strong colorants used in some lipsticks may also become an issue. Try natural shades while in treatment for daily use.)

Brush your teeth often – Basic oral hygiene is foundational to a great smile; for the time being, teeth whitening is not an option until your successful Invisalign treatment completion. During this time, regularly brushing well helps to avoid unwanted stains. By limiting stain-causing drinks, you’ll find it easier to maintain sparkling teeth and make your attachments less noticeable.

Remember flossing – As with any device in our mouth, food tends to get caught more easily between attachments. When it does, it makes your aligners more noticeable. Dental floss is compact and easy to carry with you for a quick clean-up after eating.

What key things do I need to remember for Invisalign to work?

Wear your trays for the recommended time frame. You should wear your trays for a minimum of 22 hours each day to see the best results in the shortest length of time.

Be sure to change trays on a timely basis. Updating trays is like tightening braces: keeping the discipline of your recommended routine will ensure your Invisalign continues working to move your teeth in the right direction and at the right pace.

Be patient. Giving up halfway through never produces the best results. To see what the final result should look like, ask to see the time-lapse of your Invisalign 3D images.