Invisalign®
You’ve likely seen commercials or heard from friends about Invisalign® orthodontics. This innovative orthodontic system offers patients an esthetic alternative to the traditional method of aligning teeth with brackets and wires. Invisalign® offers the same high quality of care with beautiful results as traditional braces by moving the teeth into their ideal position using a series of clear, removable aligners. For those patients who have allergies or sensitivities to metal, or who want to maintain a professional image during orthodontic treatment, Invisalign® is an ideal smile alignment option. Like any other orthodontic treatment, there is no one size fits all solution for every patient, but with continued improvements in materials and methods, Invisalign® is a popular treatment option for more patients every year. Call Dr. Marissa Mikolich and her team to learn more about Invisalign treatment or to schedule your complimentary Invisalign® consultation today. We’ll examine your smile, answer questions, and help you find the best orthodontic treatment option. Mikolich Orthodontics welcomes patients from Canfield and surrounding communities including Columbiana and Austintown.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Invisalign treats many mild to moderate orthodontic concerns, and the treatment process is personalized to meet the needs of individual patients. Almost anyone can be a good candidate for orthodontic alignment using the Invisalign system. Some of the many issues that can be addressed using Invisalign aligners include:
Crowded Teeth
If there isn’t enough space in your mouth, your teeth will overlap. Unfortunately, even mild overcrowding can form unique crevices that harbor food particles and plaque and are difficult to clean with your toothbrush and floss. That’s why we recommend scheduling an appointment to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign! If you are, then we can move your teeth into their properly aligned positions with a series of clear and comfortable aligners.
Gaps Between Teeth
Some patients are struggling with the opposite problem: there is too much space in their mouth. This can result in a noticeable gap between your two front teeth or noticeable gaps throughout your smile. The good news is that Invisalign has helped patients with both of these orthodontic issues! With a series of custom-made aligners, we can slowly bring your teeth closer and closer together until they are perfectly aligned.
Overbite
Although you want your top teeth to sit in front of your bottom teeth, a significant overbite can result in numerous problems – from chronic jaw pain to difficulty enunciating clearly. Fortunately, we can add orthodontic accessories to your treatment plan to improve the position of your bite as well, including rubber bands and buttons. That way, the final result is straight teeth, an aligned bite, and a beautiful smile!
Underbite
An underbite is when your bottom teeth protrude beyond your upper teeth. Not only does this bite problem come with aesthetic drawbacks, but it also puts the jaw in an unnatural position, resulting in chronic pain. Sometimes, the only way to improve the alignment of your bite is with traditional braces. Other times, we can use a combination of clear aligners, buttons, rubber bands, and other orthodontic accessories.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when some of your bottom teeth stick out beyond your top teeth, and some of your top teeth jut out beyond your bottom teeth. One of the biggest concerns is premature wear and tear, which has the potential to negatively affect the look, health, and function of your smile over time. That’s why we need to move your teeth and your bite into their properly aligned positions sooner rather than later.
Open Bite
When you bite down, do your teeth come together evenly? If they don’t, then you may have an open bite. To find out for certain, schedule a consultation with us so we can conduct a thorough exam. If your bite isn’t aligned properly, then we can determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign or if you’re better suited for a different orthodontic treatment, like traditional braces.
Benefits of Invisalign
If you are currently in the process of deciding which orthodontic treatment is best for you, you might find it helpful to learn all about the benefits of Invisalign. Below, you will find a few of the many reasons clear aligner treatment is so popular, starting with the fact that it won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.
Discreet Trays
Since Invisalign aligners are clear, they have little to no impact on your appearance. In fact, unless they know what to look for, there’s a good chance even those closest to you won’t notice your trays! As a result, you can share your smile with confidence throughout treatment, and you’ll be able to see the improvements in the alignment of your teeth every step of the way.
Important reminder: Stubborn stains will surface on your trays if you don’t take care of them! So, make sure to rinse them with clean water when you take them out and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove saliva, food particles, and other debris before putting them back on.
No Dietary Restrictions
With traditional braces, patients are asked to alter their diet. Although there is a good reason for this (to prevent orthodontic emergencies, like broken brackets), it can still be inconvenient. Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t come with the same dietary restrictions! Just remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water so they don’t break, warp, or stain.
Better Dental Hygiene
Another perk of removable aligners: you don’t need to alter your dental hygiene regimen. Simply remove your aligners, rinse them with clean, cool water, and place them in their designated case. Then, brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual. When you’re done, put them back on ASAP (this will make it significantly easier to meet the 20+ hour-a-day wear time).
Less Time in the Treatment Chair
Are you a parent? Maybe you have a big project coming up at work or a busy semester ahead. Whatever the case may be, you don’t have to worry about attending monthly adjustment appointments with Invisalign. Instead, the progress visits are every 6-8 weeks. Plus, the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months, so there’s a good chance you’ll spend less time at our office overall.
Improved Comfort
Since Invisalign aligners are crafted from smooth plastic, there aren’t metal components, and there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments, the teeth-straightening process is considerably more comfortable. Even the slight discomfort that arises from the movement of your teeth can easily be alleviated by using a cold compress, avoiding crunchy foods, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.
Am I a Good Invisalign Candidate?
Invisalign® treats many mild to moderate orthodontic concerns, and the treatment process is personalized to meet the needs of individual patients. Almost anyone can be a good candidate for orthodontic alignment using the Invisalign® system. Some of the many issues that can be addressed using Invisalign® aligners include:
- Mild spacing (gaps) between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Increased overlap of the upper and lower front teeth also referred to as a deep bite
- Mild crossbite of the front and back teeth
- Correction of mild malalignment of teeth in patients who had previous orthodontic treatment
If we determine Invisalign® will address your orthodontic concerns, treatment with aligners can be completed quickly and comfortably by Dr. Mikolich and her friendly, caring orthodontic team.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Before committing to Invisalign in Canfield, you likely want to know how much it’ll cost. Since it’s a modern orthodontic treatment, you probably think it’ll cost you an arm and a leg. Well, that’s far from true! At Mikolich Orthodontics, we offer multiple financing options to help make your treatment as affordable as possible. If you want to know how much your Invisalign in Canfield will cost, schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable and friendly team. Until then, we’re sharing some important price-related information right here!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Since each smile is unique, each treatment plan is unique. That’s why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all price! Instead, the cost of Invisalign in Canfield is determined based on several important factors, including:
- The severity of your misalignment (i.e., mild, moderate, severe)
- How many trays are needed to achieve your smile goals
- If you need to straighten one or both arches of teeth
- If additional accessories, like rubber bands, are needed
When your first aligners arrive, another cost-related factor comes into play: compliance. To stay on track with your original treatment, you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. If you neglect to do so, there is a good chance you’ll wind up investing more time and money in your treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
When comparing the upfront cost, Smile Direct Club™ is cheaper. When you compare the overall cost, however, Invisalign is the best option for your wallet. After all, many patients who opt for DIY orthodontics end up with worsened misalignment, damaged teeth, and the like. As you can imagine, this is costly to correct. When it comes to something as important as your smile, it’s best to go with the reliable, effective, and safe option: Invisalign in Canfield.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
In some cases, yes! If you are currently insured, then don’t hesitate to read through the fine print on your dental plan to see if your provider covers Invisalign. If you’re having a hard time understanding your benefits, don’t worry – our team can help. Plus, if your provider doesn’t cover Invisalign, then we can review other ways to make this discreet teeth-straightening treatment more affordable.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Uninsured? Aren’t happy with your coverage? Want to space out your payments into manageable chunks? Then CareCredit may be the solution you’ve been looking for! With this trusted third-party financier, you can choose a payment plan that fits your budget best. Even better, there is little-to-zero interest attached for qualified patients. If you want to learn more about this financial solution, then get in touch with our team!
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign in Canfield is widely known as a popular orthodontic treatment, but is it right for you? After learning more about the benefits and process of wearing Invisalign aligners, you likely have additional questions as to whether you should agree to this type of treatment or an alternative such as traditional braces or clear/ceramic braces. If you find that you are leaning more toward Invisalign, here are a few additional questions and answers you may want to review. Our team at Mikolich Orthodontics wants you to feel confident and comfortable in your decision to receive a new smile with the help of clear aligners.
What is the difference between Invisalign and DIY aligners?
You’ve likely seen commercials for many do-it-yourself aligner systems. While these convenient, at-home solutions promise a straighter, more perfectly aligned smile, you may not realize just how damaging they can be without proper guidance from a professional. What makes Invisalign different (and the better choice) is:
- You will never be without an orthodontist in Canfield who can help. No matter the problem, you can trust that a licensed professional is available to administer and monitor the care you need to achieve successful results.
- Your aligners are custom-made to your smile. While DIY aligners give you a mold that you can use and send back as your impressions, there is no guarantee that the shape and details of your smile will keep its shape during transport. By having a professional create your impressions using advanced technology, you can trust that your aligners will be created for a comfortable fit.
- You will experience a much safer and more effective treatment. Some DIY aligner-wearers admit that their smiles were more damaged after treatment than when they started. With Invisalign, you’ll never have to worry about that being the case because of the professional care you’ll receive.
What is the best way to clean my aligners?
There are two effective ways to clean your Invisalign aligners:
- Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, which is a product sold by Invisalign and will safely and effectively remove harmful particles and bacteria from your trays
- At-home instruments including a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water.
Both will get the job done but ultimately, it is up to you as to how you want to keep your aligners clean. No matter which one you choose, make sure to never rinse your trays using hot water, as this can easily warp the plastic. Also, avoid toothpaste, as most are abrasive and will scratch/dull your aligners, making them more noticeable to others.
Why is it important to wear the trays for 22 hours a day?
The reason is simple: your teeth need continuous pressure in order to move. Invisalign trays are designed to be worn 20-22 hours each day. You are only to remove them when eating, drinking, or cleaning them. If you have a special event and would prefer not to wear your aligners, this is fine, but it should only be for a short duration.
Your teeth need to be able to move in the right direction and to ensure that they do, they require the gentle pressure of your aligners. If you opt to leave them out for too long, you will experience a delay in treatment.
Will I need a retainer once I’m finished with Invisalign?
Although not all Invisalign patients require one, it is highly likely that you will need to wear a retainer after you’ve completed your treatment. The reason is that your teeth can move back into their original position without having something there to hold them in place. A retainer does just that and will be an easy oral device to wear.
In the beginning, your orthodontist will recommend wearing it all the time; however, after several months, you may be able to wear it only at night while you sleep.