Invisalign – Spring House, PA

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth don’t just impact the look of your smile; they impact the health of your smile. That’s because your toothbrush and floss can’t remove food particles, plaque, and other debris from the unique crevices, which increases your risk of oral health problems like tooth decay. The good news is that Invisalign can fix mild to moderate cases with clear, custom-made, and comfortable aligners.

Gaps Between Teeth

Like crowded teeth, spaced out teeth also have the potential to negatively impact your oral health. After all, it’s very easy for debris to get lodged in the gaps. Fortunately, many patients with this orthodontic problem are candidates for Invisalign. If that’s the case for you, then we will create a custom series of aligners to bring your teeth into proper alignment. Oftentimes, this only takes 12-18 months too!

Overbite

Ideally, your top teeth would sit in front of your bottom teeth, but not jut out far beyond them. If yours do, then you likely have an overbite. Unfortunately, this bite problem can result in everything from trouble enunciating clearly to premature wear and tear on certain teeth. So, we recommend coming to our office to explore your treatment options, like Invisalign, sooner rather than later.

Underbite

Unfortunately, the opposite problem (your bottom teeth sitting in front of your top ones) leads to issues as well, like chronic jaw pain. Like the other orthodontic problems on this list, Invisalign can correct mild to moderate cases. Usually, this requires other orthodontic accessories to be added to your treatment plan, like buttons, but don’t worry – they are just as discreet as the aligners.

Crossbite

If you seem to have a mix of a normal bite and an underbite, then you likely have a crossbite. This bite problem can lead to premature wear on your teeth, which increases the risk of chips, cracks, and fractures. In that way, Invisalign will benefit the look, health, and function of your smile – all with clear, virtually invisible aligners that are custom-made to fit you perfectly.

Open Bite

Bite down. Do your upper and lower teeth come together evenly? If they don’t because there is space in the front or back of your mouth, then you might have an open bite. In addition to wear and tear on your teeth being a primary concern, we want to bring your teeth into proper alignment before chronic jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction becomes an issue. So, don’t wait – schedule a consultation with us to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign!

Better Oral Health

Caring for your teeth and keeping your braces clean is time consuming, and it can be very difficult, too. With Invisalign, oral hygiene is a breeze. That’s because your aligners easily remove for meals, beverages, and oral health care like brushing, flossing, and even your semi-annual dental checkups. Even cleaning your aligners is easier. Just gently brush them with non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush, and soak as needed, and they’ll remain clean, clear, and nearly undetectable for the duration of your treatment.

Unsurpassed Comfort

Between the brackets and the poking wires, traditional braces have a reputation for being painful. In contrast, Invisalign is quite comfortable. Because there are no wires or brackets, there is nothing to irritate your cheeks, gums, or tongue, and most patients report any discomfort from switching to new aligners is quite tolerable and very short-lasting.

No Dietary Restrictions

With Invisalign, you can eat what you want, when you want. No giving up sticky or crunchy foods. That’s because your aligners are easily removable for meals, drinks, and oral health care. Just be sure to brush and floss your teeth well before putting your aligners back in, and your teeth will remain clean and strong throughout your treatment.

Discreet Equipment

It’s pretty hard to hide when you have braces. This can be awkward and embarrassing, especially for an adult. With Invisalign, your aligners are clear, so although they’re not completely invisible, they are much more discreet than braces and can be nearly undetectable. Best of all, with Invisalign you’re allowed to remove your aligners for 2 hours each day. That means that you can take them out for important dinners, coffee dates, or lunch meetings without worrying about getting food caught in wires or brackets.

Fewer Follow-Up Appointments

You lead a busy life, and it’s not always convenient to have your progress checked. With Invisalign, your appointments are shorter and less frequent than with traditional braces. Because your trays arrive in advance, you can easily swap them out without needing to see your dentist, and when you do come in, your appointment will typically be short as we make sure you’re on track, so you can get back to your day sooner, too!

Greater Self-Confidence

One of the best things about orthodontic treatment is the boost in self-confidence you’ll get once your treatment is complete. But what about during treatment? With Invisalign, your aligners are discreet, so you’re less likely to feel insecure about wearing them in social situations. This can be a big boost to your confidence, making it easier for you to stick to your treatment plan.

Non-Invasive Care

Because there are no wires or brackets, your Invisalign treatment is less invasive than traditional braces. No need to worry about mouth irritation or complicated cleaning procedures. Even your dental exams will be easier because you can remove your aligners to check your progress.

Wearing Your Trays

There are a few things you need to do to stay on-track with your treatment plan, starting with wearing your aligners for 20+ hours a day. This may seem like a breeze, but aligner-free time quickly dwindles down between three meals, snacks, and the time needed to complete your oral hygiene regimen after each. The best thing to do is track your wear time (whether it’s with the timer on the Invisalign app or the stopwatch on your phone) until you find a schedule that works for you.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Removable aligners make brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash easy. Fortunately, keeping your trays in pristine condition doesn’t require a cumbersome routine or special oral hygiene products either! All you need to do is clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, cool water, and a clear, mild dishwashing liquid each morning and evening. If you can, soak them in a dentist-recommended clear aligner cleaner while you eat breakfast or dinner as well.

Eating & Drinking

While traditional braces require you to alter your diet, Invisalign doesn’t! Since the aligners are removable, you can continue to eat whole apples, air-popped popcorn, tortilla chips, and all of your other favorite foods. Of course, if you have a lot of attachments, it’s important to exercise caution with crunchy, hard, and sticky foods. It’s also a good idea to keep starchy and sugary foods to a minimum in an effort to prevent tooth decay.

Damaging a Tray

How you should handle this orthodontic emergency depends largely on one thing: how severe the damage is. If there is a small, hairline crack on one of your aligners, then you might be safe to continue wearing it (with the utmost caution and care, of course). If, on the other hand, your aligners have completely split down the middle or broken into several pieces, then you need to contact us ASAP so we can determine if you need to wear your previous set or move onto the next pair in the series a bit early.

Routine Check-Ins

Your routine check-in visits are crucial because they allow us to monitor how your teeth are responding to the aligners! If they are moving as anticipated, then we can show you the progress, answer any questions you have, and provide you with your next batch of aligners. If they aren’t moving as anticipated, then we will need to figure out why that is and make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign?

A large portion of your consultation is dedicated to learning all about your dental needs, from how complex your case is to whether you need to straighten one or both arches of teeth. This is important because this will determine how many aligners are needed and how long your treatment timeline will be, which will impact the cost. Please keep in mind that these are just factors that play a role in the price upfront. If you lose your aligners or fall off-track with your original treatment plan because you didn’t wear your trays often enough, then you may need to make an additional investment.

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

When comparing the cost of Invisalign to mail-order aligner companies that you see on commercials and social media ads, you’ll quickly realize that Invisalign costs more. However, there are several good reasons for that! While mail-order aligner companies bypass the initial exam, Invisalign requires a thorough exam, X-rays, and vetting process. While mail-order aligner companies rely on DIY impressions, Invisalign uses the latest dental technology for complete accuracy, like iTero digital impressions. While mail-order aligner companies have lawsuits from patients who have experienced worsened misalignment from their products, Invisalign has more than 12 million happy patients around the world.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

If you are insured, then it’s worth reading through the fine print on your plan or giving your provider a call. That way, you can learn about your orthodontic benefits specifically. Some patients have available coverage for Invisalign, especially if it’s “medically necessary.” However, that isn’t the case across the board. If you’re having any trouble understanding your dental insurance and how it impacts the cost of the treatment you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

At NeoSmile Dental Care, patients in Spring House can take advantage of several financial solutions. The first is our periodic special offers, which include specials like a free Invisalign consultation! Plus, our in-office savings plan allows you to save significantly on preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Lastly, we welcome flexible financing with trusted third-party financiers like CareCredit. So, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of your treatment upfront if that’s not a good choice for your wallet.

What if My Invisalign Broke?

If your Invisalign aligners broke, the worse thing you can do is attempt to repair them on your own. There are a few reasons for this. First, wearing a broken tray can negatively impact your treatment plan. Second, household adhesives, like superglue, are not safe to ingest. Ultimately, the best way to handle this orthodontic emergency is by calling our team right away. Over the phone, we can look at your treatment plan and determine what the next best step is, from having a replacement aligner made to moving onto your next trays a bit early.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

It’s very common for patients interested in Invisalign to be concerned about the pain. While some soreness is to be expected, it usually subsides within hours of changing to your new trays. Plus, there are several ways you can alleviate any discomfort you’re experiencing, including sipping on cool water and taking OTC pain medication. If the irritation is stemming from a sharp edge of your tray, then you can cover it with a piece of dental wax as well.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

One of the reasons Invisalign is considered a hassle-free orthodontic treatment is because there aren’t any dietary restrictions. With that being said, it’s beneficial to take a few proactive measures, including not consuming added sugar in excess. This can result in a cavity developing, which will temporarily put your treatment on hold. Furthermore, extremely hard and crunchy foods can cause your attachments to pop off, which is another orthodontic problem that needs to be addressed right away. Simply put, for the sake of your oral health and your Invisalign treatment, stick to smile-friendly foods as often as you can.

What Happens After Invisalign?

Many patients assume that their orthodontic treatment is over once they’ve finished their series of clear aligners. In reality, it’s the end of your time with Invisalign and the start of your time with a retainer! Although we may ask you to wear it around the clock for the first six months or so, you’ll eventually be given the green light to wear them only at night. This is a crucial habit to develop because upwards of 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse (the phenomenon where your teeth begin to move back to their previous positions).

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend largely on two factors: the severity of your misalignment and how well you follow the guidelines. With that being said, the average timeline is between 12 and 18 months. We will provide you with an estimate during your initial consultation, and the best way to stay on track with your treatment plan is to follow all of the instructions we give you, from how often you should wear the trays to when you should move onto the next set.