Invisalign Clear Aligners Worcester

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign differs from metal braces because brackets and wires aren’t used to move your teeth. Instead, an impression of your mouth is taken to fabricate a series of aligners that apply consistent pressure to your teeth. You’ll wear the clear aligners for at least 22 hours per day to gradually reposition your teeth. After about one week, you’ll switch to the next aligner in the series. Although everyone’s treatment plan differs, it takes about 12 months to finish the series.

Who Is Right for Invisalign?

Invisalign can be used to resolve a variety of alignment and bite concerns, including:

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth are more difficult to clean, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Moving them into their correct positions will give you a healthier smile overall.

Spaces Between Teeth

Gaps between your teeth aren’t just unattractive. They also make it easy for food particles and plaque to get trapped between your teeth. Closing the spaces gives you a straight smile you’ll want to show off.

Bite Alignment

The positioning of your teeth also impacts the way your upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth. Invisalign can resolve a variety of bite issues to improve your oral functions.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign achieves the dramatic results you desire while requiring very few changes in your day-to-day lifestyle, diet, and activities. In other words, you’ll enjoy a variety of benefits if you choose this innovative orthodontic treatment, including:

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Discreet Look

Of course, one of the biggest draws of clear aligners is how discreet they are. That’s because they are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic, while traditional braces use noticeable brackets and wires. So, if you aren’t thrilled about the idea of wearing metal braces, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us so we can determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign! If the answer is “yes,” then no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile during your orthodontic treatment.

Improved Comfort

Another considerable perk: Invisalign doesn’t have any brackets or wires. Instead, your teeth are moved into their properly aligned positions with a series of aligners, which are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth perfectly. As a result, your journey to a straighter, healthier smile won’t come with mouth sores, soft tissue irritation, and the like.

Easy Dental Hygiene

Since traditional braces are bonded in place, patients often need to buy special oral hygiene products to clean around them, like interproximal toothbrushes. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are removable. So, you don’t have to worry about adopting a cumbersome dental care routine or buying expensive tools; simply continue brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash like usual.

No Dietary Restrictions

It’s true; there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign. So, you can continue to eat all of your favorite foods throughout your orthodontic treatment. All we ask is that you avoid foods that increase your risk of dental damage, like hard pretzels. It’s also important to cut back on sugary and starchy snacks that increase your risk of tooth decay and, in turn, your risk of treatment plan delays.

Less Time in the Treatment Chair

With traditional braces, patients need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. With Invisalign, the progress visits are less frequent (usually every 6-8 weeks). Plus, they are typically only 15-20 minutes. As a result, you’ll spend significantly less time in the treatment chair with clear aligners.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

While traditional braces often take 2-3 years, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is much shorter. In fact, many patients achieve the results they desire in just 12-18 months. There are even some cases where the treatment timeline is only 6 months! The best way to get an estimate of your orthodontic treatment is by scheduling a consultation with us so we can learn all about your dental history, how severe your case is, and your smile goals.

Living with Invisalign Aligners

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign doesn’t require patients to completely overhaul their day-to-day routine. That said, there are a few adjustments you need to make to stay on-track with your treatment plan. If you are interested in learning more on the topic of living with Invisalign, then keep reading!

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Wearing Your Trays

When it comes to wearing your trays, there’s basically one rule: you need to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours a day. At first, this might seem easy, but it requires intentional effort and good habits, like putting your aligners back on immediately after you’re done brushing your teeth.

Tip: If you’re not sure if you’re meeting the daily wear time, use the stopwatch on your phone as a guide or the Invisalign app!

Cleaning Your Aligners

Patients often assume that they need several expensive cleaning products to keep their aligners stain and odor-free. That’s not the case! On a daily basis, clean, cool water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and mild dishwashing liquid should do the trick. Then, when you want to give them an even deeper clean, you can soak them in a mixture of slightly warm water and the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit.

Eating & Drinking

One of the many reasons patients love Invisalign is that there aren’t any dietary restrictions. In fact, there’s really only one steadfast rule: you need to take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, just do your best to cut back on added sugar, crunchy snacks, and sticky sweets to keep your teeth and gums free of infection and decay.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Unfortunately, losing or damaging a tray can lead to significant treatment plan delays. That’s why it’s so important to do what you can to avoid both of these situations, like placing your aligners in their designated case anytime you aren’t wearing them. Of course, even if you are typically pretty good about following the treatment guidelines provided, accidents happen. The best thing to do is call our team at Worcester Dental Arts so we can determine the best way to proceed.

Scheduling Check-In Appointments

To ensure your teeth are tracking, you’ll meet with one of our dedicated dentists every 6-8 weeks. Usually, the process of taking and reviewing your latest scans is pretty quick, but your visit will be a little longer if you’ve fallen off-track with your treatment plan. After all, we need to pinpoint both why that is and the best way to get you back on-track.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

It’s often thought Invisalign costs more than traditional braces, but aligners are more affordable than you might have been led to believe. There isn’t a set price you can expect to pay because there are various factors influencing the cost, like the severity of your orthodontic concerns. Dr. Savas or Dr. Donohue will provide you with a custom estimate during your initial consultation and discuss your payment options, like using your dental insurance. We will help you find the solutions you need to get a straight smile without
breaking the bank.

Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign requires an investment of both your time and money, so it’s natural to want to have all the facts upfront. For this reason, our knowledgeable team would be happy to answer any questions you have during your initial consultation. Of course, if you prefer to do your research online, that’s okay too! That’s why we’ve responded to some of the most frequently asked questions about Invisalign in Worcester right here.