English
Invisalign® is a system in which you wear a series of clear aligners that gradually straighten your teeth over six to 18 months. The aligners are replaced every few weeks until treatment is complete.
Here’s why our patients love the Invisalign® system from their Santa Maria orthodontist.
You’ll need to wear your Invisalign® aligners for a minimum of 22 hours daily. Wearing them for less time can potentially extend your overall treatment time. Remember that your aligners only do their job when you wear them, so avoid unnecessarily removing them during the day.
Invisalign® patients will get replacement aligners every one to two weeks – but they don’t need to visit their Santa Maria orthodontist that often.
During treatment, patients visit their orthodontist approximately every four to six weeks. The purpose of these visits is to evaluate patient progress and ensure that the aligners are doing their job. Your orthodontist will evaluate the aligners to ensure they’re functioning correctly, which will only take a few minutes.
Your orthodontist will recommend you continue regular visits to your general dentist during treatment. A check-up and cleaning every six months will help ensure the health of your teeth and gums, something that’s vital for orthodontic progress, long-term health, and a beautiful smile.
The Invisalign® system can range between $3400 to $7100. The cost depends on how long you’ll need orthodontic treatment and how many clear aligners you’ll need.
Typically, the cost of an Invisalign® retainer after treatment is completed is included. If your retainer is lost or damaged, there will be an added cost for replacement.
More insurance companies are now paying a percentage of the cost of Invisalign® clear aligners. Typically, they cover the same amount as they would for traditional braces. Unfortunately, most insurance companies only pay a portion of the cost for patients 18 years of age and younger. Adult patients are generally responsible for 100% of the cost of orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign® is exclusively used for teens and adults. This system gently shifts the teeth but doesn’t change the jawbone or its positioning. Patients with more complex alignment issues are often not good candidates for Invisalign® because simply shifting the teeth will not achieve full and proper alignment.
Invisalign® in Santa Maria is best for patients who have mild to moderate bite issues, including adults who had braces in the past but didn’t wear their retainer. Mild crossbite, overbite, and underbite issues can be corrected with Invisalign®.
First, try to rinse your aligners each time you take them out. Doing so will keep bacteria and plaque build-up to a minimum, which makes cleaning them much easier.
You should soak your aligners once a day using a special Invisalign® solution. You can let your aligners soak while you’re eating breakfast or dinner. Then, rinse them and brush them with water and hydrogen peroxide or a gentle antibacterial soap. Brush your aligners twice a day.
One of the great things about the Invisalign® system is that you can brush and floss like normal. You don’t have to take the time to thread your floss as you do with traditional metal or porcelain braces.
Most people don’t experience discomfort with Invisalign®. However, some experience minor tooth and gum soreness when they first start wearing the aligners and again when they start wearing a new set of aligners.
Rinse with warm salt water, use an over-the-counter pain reliever, and stick with soft foods, and any soreness should dissipate within a couple of days.
If you’ve been putting off orthodontic treatment because you don’t want to wear metal braces, consider Invisalign® in Santa Maria. This virtually invisible treatment option is just as effective as traditional braces – and sometimes takes less time. Contact your Santa Maria orthodontist to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign® clear aligners.
Get a straighter smile with Invisalign® from Santa Barbara Family Dentistry.
