Invisalign – Worcester, MA

Crowded Teeth

Ideally, your teeth would sit in their perfectly aligned positions. But what if there simply isn’t enough room in your mouth? In that case, your teeth crowd together, creating unique crevices that are difficult to clean with your toothbrush and floss. That’s why so many patients with this orthodontic problem are prone to cavities, gum disease, and the like. The good news is that Invisalign aligners can fix crooked teeth, improving the look and health of your smile in the process.

Gaps Between Teeth

Gapped teeth occur when the opposite is true: there is too much space in your mouth. In this case, our goal is to move your teeth closer together before the health and function of your smile are negatively impacted. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will accomplish this with a custom-made series of aligners, which will gradually and gently bring your teeth into proper alignment over the course of your treatment plan. On average, this takes between 12 and 18 months, which is much quicker than traditional braces.

Overbite

Overbites are a common orthodontic problem that refers to when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower ones significantly. The reason it’s a concern is that it can take a toll on your self-esteem, lead to chronic jaw pain, and make it difficult to enunciate clearly. Fortunately, cases that aren’t too severe can often be addressed with Invisalign aligners. Sometimes, other orthodontic accessories are needed as well, like rubber bands, which is something we will determine at your consultation.

Underbite

An underbite is when your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth. Even mild cases of this orthodontic problem can lead to big problems, like low self-esteem, premature wear and tear on certain teeth, trouble enunciating clearly, difficulty chewing properly, and chronic jaw pain. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Worcester dentist to learn about your treatment options. You may be a candidate for Invisalign clear aligners!

Crossbite

Crossbites are problematic for a few reasons, including the fact that they place immense pressure on certain teeth. Our goal is to intervene with the necessary orthodontic care before that happens. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will move your teeth and bite into proper alignment without noticeable brackets and wires. Instead, we’ll use clear aligners, which are both comfortable and discreet.

Open Bite

Open bites are often the result of thumb-sucking or simply genetics. No matter the reason, it’s important to bring your bite into proper alignment sooner rather than later because – like the other bite problems on this list – it can negatively impact the look, health, and function of your smile. Scheduling a consultation with us is the first step, so get in touch with us today. Then, you’ll be a big step closer to having the healthy, happy smile you deserve!

Discreet Aligners

Let’s start with one of the biggest benefits of Invisalign: the aligners are crafted from a see-through plastic, not metal. As a result, they don’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile. In fact, it’s common for people to not notice them at all – even if they see you every day! Simply put, you’ll be able to smile confidently throughout the entire treatment process with Invisalign, not just at the end.

Routine Oral Care

Brushing and flossing around metal brackets and wires can be a bit difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners aren’t just metal-free – they are removable! As a result, you don’t have to make any changes to your oral hygiene regimen. This not only saves you time and prevents you from having to buy special products, but it also reduces your risk of tooth decay and dental discoloration.

Comfortable Aligners

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are made from ultra-thin, low-profile, and soft plastic. Plus, they are custom-made from impressions of your teeth to ensure they fit the contours of your mouth perfectly. As a result, the trays won’t irritate or damage the delicate tissues. Following the initial adjustment period, you’ll barely notice them!

Freedom to Eat What You Want

Traditional braces require patients to avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods (even healthy ones, like whole apples). Invisalign, on the other hand, doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions. Since the aligners are removable, your usual diet won’t increase the risk of an orthodontic emergency. All we ask is that you keep added sugar to a minimum to prevent decay and exercise caution with foods like popcorn.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

Did you know that the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months? Conversely, traditional braces can take upwards of three years. So, if you have the option, consider clear aligners! Your journey to a straight smile won’t just be discreet; it will be relatively quick!

Note: Staying on-track with your treatment plan necessitates wearing the aligners for 20-22 hours a day, so only take them off when you have to!

Quick Follow-Up Appointments

If you have a busy semester ahead, you’re a parent with a jam-packed schedule, or you work long hours, scheduling monthly adjustment appointments can be difficult. The good news is that Invisalign progress visits are typically every six or eight weeks instead of every four. Plus, if your teeth are moving as anticipated, you should be in and out of our office in less than 20 minutes!

Wearing Your Trays

When it comes to wearing your trays, there is basically one rule: you need to keep them on for 20+ hours a day. Not only will this reduce the risk of you accidentally misplacing them, but it will also lower the chances of you falling off-track with your treatment plan. So, only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary!

Tip: Use the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time, especially when you first get your aligners. That way, you know if you are meeting this goal and, if you aren’t, where you need to make some adjustments.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Keeping your aligners clean is important for a few reasons, including that you want to keep them stain and odor-free! The key is being consistent; consistently rinsing them with clean, cool water, consistently using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them, and consistently soaking them in a dentist-recommended clear aligner cleaner. Of course, it’s equally as important that you brush your teeth after each meal and floss each night before bed, so make your at-home oral hygiene regimen a priority too.

Eating & Drinking

Navigating mealtimes with Invisalign is pretty easy because there aren’t any dietary restrictions (which isn’t the case for traditional braces). All we ask is that you keep sugary and starchy foods to a minimum in an effort to prevent common oral health problems, like cavities. Instead, fill your plate with seasonal fruits, lean proteins, and fresh vegetables so your body has the nutrients it needs to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your time with clear aligners.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Whether there is a significant crack forming on one of your aligners or you can’t find yours anywhere, the next step is the same: contact our Worcester dental office. Once we know more about your situation and have the opportunity to see where you are in your treatment plan, we can determine what to do next. Sometimes, it’s wearing your previous pair of aligners while a replacement is made. Other times, it’s simply moving onto the next set in the series.

Attending Routine Check-Ins

In addition to visiting us every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning, you need to come in every 6-8 weeks for a progress visit. These are a crucial part of the teeth-straightening process because they allow us to monitor the movement of your teeth and make sure they are moving as anticipated. If anything unexpected happens, we can also make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan right away, helping prevent unwanted delays in the process.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

During your consultation, we will take X-rays, conduct a thorough oral exam, and scan your teeth. With all of this information, our Worcester dentist, Dr. Costa, will be able to determine:

• The severity of your misalignment
• If one or both arches of teeth need to be straightened
• How many aligners are needed
• If rubber bands (or any other orthodontic accessories) are necessary

There are also factors that come into play after you start your teeth-straightening journey, like how often you wear your aligners. If you consistently miss the 20-22 hour-a-day goal, then you will fall off-track with your treatment plan. At this point, a new one needs to be made, which may come with additional costs. Don’t worry – we will provide you with helpful tips and tricks to help prevent that from happening at your consultation as well as your routine check-in appointments.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Smile Direct Club™ and other mail-order clear aligner companies often focus their marketing on their lower upfront price. While it’s true that Invisalign often requires a higher upfront investment, it’s important to know there are several reasons why. To start, mail-order clear aligner companies rely on DIY impressions which are very easy to mess up. Conversely, Invisalign uses state-of-the-art dental technology to get precise impressions. Another example is the initial consultation. While mail-order clear aligner companies often skip this step entirely, Invisalign requires a thorough exam so important information is included, like the presence of dental crowns, veneers, and other restorations.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Since dental plans aren’t the same from patient to patient, there isn’t a universal answer. With that said, it is common for dental insurance providers to cover a portion of the cost in cases where Invisalign is considered “medically necessary.” So, don’t hesitate to double-check your benefits! If you need some assistance, you’re welcome to ask our Worcester dental team as well.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

In addition to welcoming dental insurance, we welcome HSA/FSA dollars through phased treatment planning. Additionally, we offer our patients periodic special offers to help lower their out-of-pocket expenses. These change throughout the year, so don’t hesitate to give us a call or ask about our latest ones at your consultation.