What is Invisalign?

Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and us, you know you'll end up with a smile that truly fits.

If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other works as effortlessly as the Invisalign system.

Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.

 

Will it work for me?

Not only is Invisalign versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works. And there are over half a million smiles to back that up. But a confident smile isn't the only benefit of correcting your dental issues with custom-made Invisalign aligners—your health can be positively impacted as well. Learn more about several common issues below that we can work with you to correct.

Overly crowded teeth: This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can cause dental decay, an increase in chances of gum disease, and can prevent the normal function of teeth.

Widely spaced teeth: This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, this issue can also be caused by the other teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues in teeth can cause some periodontal diseases.

Crossbite: This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease, and bone loss.

Overbite: What people commonly refer to as an "overbite" is known to dental professionals as "overjet." It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It's typically caused by either genetics, bad oral habits, or over development of the bone that supports the teeth. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Underbite: This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It's usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

At Hare Orthodontics we will work with you to create a custom-designed program that will treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners, made for you, and only you. Iit's important that we work with you to see how well Invisalign fits your specific needs.

 

What about veneers?

While veneers aren't a direct comparison to the Invisalign system, they can still address some of the same cosmetic problems. But getting veneers is considered more of a quick fix than Invisalign, and they have some distinct drawbacks. When you decide on veneers, the entire front surface of the tooth enamel is permanently removed. Then the veneer, a thin piece of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic, is glued over the front of your teeth. This is an irreversible procedure, since the tooth enamel is removed to accommodate the veneer.

Another problem with veneers is that they are not a permanent solution. They can chip or break, requiring you to replace them on an individual basis, which can get pricey. Even if they don't chip or break, over time they will come off. Veneers tend to last about 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the veneers purchased. Since your tooth enamel has been removed, most patients have no choice but to replace their veneers, incurring the same high costs every time they have to get a new set.

Last, but perhaps most important, because veneers are a purely cosmetic treatment, they don't correct health problems of your teeth. Instead of straightening teeth as Invisalign does, a veneer simply covers up imperfections. Invisalign offers you beautiful, healthy teeth—it's a solution worth smiling about!

How does it work?

What happens when you decide Invisalign is for you? Simply visit us for a consultation to discuss the goals you have to "put your best smile forward".Once we determine that Invisalign is right for you, we provide a detailed treatment plan, and a set of virtually invisible aligners will then be sent to us. Your Invisalign system may look like a simple piece of plastic, but it's much more. With advanced technology, your Invisalign aligners are custom-made for you, and only you. Over time, your teeth should move to reveal the smile you've been looking for. So take a look at the steps we will take to get you to a brand-new smile.

First is your initial consultation. During this visit, you'll discuss the issues you have with your teeth and what kind of results you would like to see. Once we decide your situation is suitable for Invisalign treatment, a treatment plan will be mapped out with your goals in mind. Then, impressions and pictures of your teeth will be taken for digitization purposes.

The impressions of your teeth will be digitized in order for us to work with a computerized 3-D image of your teeth. Then, we will plan your tooth movements throughout your entire treatment timeline. You'll be able to see a virtual representation of your teeth before, during, and after completion of the Invisalign process so you can see what your smile should look like when you're done with treatment.

From our precise treatment plan, customized aligners are created with advanced technology for you to wear at each stage of your treatment. While the number of aligners varies for each individual situation, a full set of treatment typically includes 20-30 aligners per arch.

You should wear your aligners at all times, with the exception of eating and drinking, in order to complete your treatment in the timeline we determine. You'll come back for occasional checkups, to monitor your progress and to receive your next set of aligners. During the entire treatment process, you'll be able to watch your teeth gradually moving into place. Your smile will, little by little, move into something you'd like to show off. The people around you will be sure to notice your new-found confidence.

Choosing the Invisalign system provides you with customized treatment to give you a smile that suits you. And even with all that superior technology, we make it easy for you to get Invisalign.

How much does Invisalign cost?

We know price is an important consideration for you. There’s no definitive answer to that question until you visit us for your initial consultation and then plan your treatment program.

There are many factors that determine the cost of your Invisalign treatment: how extensive the issues you want corrected, how long your treatment plan will last, where you live, and the specific treatment details prescribed by your dentist or orthodontist. That said, the Invisalign system is often similar in price to traditional braces.

What about insurance?

Many dental-insurance providers cover orthodontic treatment to some extent. If your dental plan is one of them, Invisalign may qualify as orthodontic treatment. Talk to your insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage for your treatment.

What are my other payment options?

We provide flexible payment plans to patients, including payment plans we offer. In addition, many companies offer employees Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). An FSA allows you to set aside a portion of your paychecks in order to pay for qualified medical expenses.

The money you elect to contribute is deducted from your pay and transferred directly into your FSA, and therefore, is not subject to payroll taxes. After incurring eligible medical costs, you can then submit your receipt for reimbursement from your FSA.

Since Invisalign can fall under orthodontic treatment, these costs can qualify for FSA reimbursement. If your company offers FSA and you know you’d like to treat yourself to Invisalign, plan ahead and consult your benefits department. When it comes time to enroll in your program, you can submit the appropriate amount for your Invisalign treatment and save money while doing it, since it’s a pre-tax contribution. It’s an easy and convenient way to get the smile you want.

Smile healthy

It’s easy to see that a straight, well-aligned smile looks great. But that kind of smile often means it’s also a healthy smile. So put yourself in a healthy state of mind, and take a look at the many benefits of a properly aligned smile.

Healthier gums

Signs of periodontal disease, such as swollen gums and redness, can surface due to teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Clinical studies have shown that when teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit tighter around the teeth, which can lead to better periodontal health. Since the Invisalign system’s greatest advantage is its ability to align teeth, your gum health may improve after Invisalign treatment. And since you can brush and floss normally with Invisalign, unlike with traditional braces, you can more easily prevent tooth decay and related periodontal disease.

 

Easier cleanings

One of the Invisalign system’s best qualities is that it uses no metal bands, brackets, or wires that may trap food and plaque like traditional braces do. And since the removable nature of Invisalign allows you to maintain good oral hygiene habits, you may also reduce chances of plaque buildup, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.

Improved chewing and speech

When you leave incorrectly positioned teeth and jaws untreated, it can lead to speech difficulties and uncomfortable chewing issues. Invisalign treatment can improve both of these problems by giving you better-aligned teeth and jaws.

Maintain comfort and tooth structure

Misaligned teeth and jaws can result in abnormal stress.  This can cause painful trauma to supporting bone and jaw joints. These issues can also cause abnormal wear on your teeth, which can trigger continued problems in the future.