Achieving a straight smile is so beneficial to your oral health and to your smile aesthetics. If you’ve been thinking about getting orthodontic treatment for a while, Invisalign has likely crossed your path. Before you book a consultation with our Rockland County Invisalign dentist, it might be helpful to get answers to some of your top Invisalign questions first.
Take a look at our Invisalign FAQs answered and then contact our dental office to book your appointment.Â
How Does Invisalign Work?
One of our most asked questions is how Invisalign works. Invisalign actually uses the same technique as traditional braces. The clear plastic aligners apply light pressure to your teeth to encourage them to move through your jaw. Patients must wear each set of clear aligners for approximately two weeks (or as instructed by their dentist) to slowly move their teeth. Then, when they switch to the next set, their teeth will move a small amount again. This process repeats for the next six months to two years or until you achieve your desired results.
The main difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is that Invisalign uses clear removable plastic aligners and traditional braces are fixed to your teeth.
Can Anyone Get Invisalign?
Most patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems are good candidates for Invisalign clear braces. All patients must be free of gum disease and have overall good oral health. Dr. Dunayer will evaluate you during a consultation to determine if Invisalign is the best treatment for you. If Invisalign isn’t the right option, we can refer you to an orthodontist who can help.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Invisalign treatment’s cost varies per patient. Patients who only need six months to perfect their smile will have a less costly treatment than patients who need two years worth of treatment. Visit our dental office for a consultation to find out how much your treatment will cost.
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Another factor that can impact the cost of your treatment is insurance. Some insurance providers will cover part of Invisalign treatment which can cut the cost. Contact your insurance provider to learn more.
How Long Do I Wear My Aligners?
We recommend that patients wear their aligners for no less than 22 hours per day. Your teeth need 22 hours of stimulation time to move your teeth at the right speed. You should only remove your aligners for dental appointments, eating, brushing and flossing, and drinking anything outside of water.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Your treatment time depends on your individual problems. Patients need to visit Dr. Dunayer for an Invisalign consultation to learn how long their treatment will take to achieve their desired results.
Are The Aligners Noticeable?
No! One of the top reasons teens and adults love Invisalign is because of how discreet it is. Unless someone is a few inches from your face, your aligners will go completely undetected. You won’t have to feel embarrassed by your smile throughout your entire treatment.
Are There Any Dietary Restrictions?
No! Another reason why patients love Invisalign so much is that they can eat whatever they want. Simply remove your aligners and enjoy your favorite food.
How Do I Care For My Aligners?
There are a few ways you can care for your aligners. First, you can rinse the aligners and gently brush them with a toothbrush and mild (non-whitening) toothpaste. Another option is soaking them with the Invisalign cleaning crystals and brushing them with a toothbrush. As long as you brush them twice a day (morning and night) your aligners should stay relatively clean. Brushing your teeth between meals can also help keep your aligners clean.
What’s The Difference Between Invisalign and Mail-Order Braces?
If you’ve gotten ads for online clear braces like Smile Direct Club—steer clear. When you work with mail-order braces, your treatment won’t have a dentist supervising your treatment. This means your teeth can move incorrectly and lead to permanent damage that has caused people to require extractions to fix. When you get Invisalign from Dr. Dunayer, he’s not just straightening your teeth, he’s ensuring your entire mouth functions correctly and that your treatment goes according to plan. The few hundred saved dollars is not worth mail-order braces.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Your mouth might feel sore for a day or two after changing to the next set of aligners, but for the most part, Invisalign is a painless process.
Will I Have to Wear a Retainer?
Yes! If you want to maintain your straight teeth for the rest of your life, you will need to wear a retainer. Directly after completing your Invisalign treatment, you will need to wear your retainer every night. After a few years, you can scale back to only wearing it a few nights per week. However, if you ever go an extended period of time without wearing your retainer, your teeth can start moving back.
Get Invisalign in Rockland County
If you’re ready to achieve a beautiful straight smile from our Rockland County Invisalign dentist, please contact B & D Dental Excellence for a consultation by calling (845) 627-7645. Feel free to come to your appointment with more questions if you have any. We’re happy to answer them for you.
