For many adults, straightening their teeth would help them finally feel good about their smile, but there is one big problem: they don’t want to wear bulky metal braces for years at a time. Thankfully, at Gentle Dentistry Sparta, adult and teen patients now have a much more cosmetically-friendly option: Invisalign clear braces. With this treatment, Dr. Cannon can straighten crooked teeth, space out crowded teeth, and close large gaps all while allowing a patient to maintain their daily appearance. With Invisalign, the only thing your friends and coworkers will notice is the gorgeous result! To schedule a FREE smile evaluation and learn how you can instantly get $500 OFF of Invisalign clear braces in Sparta, NJ, contact us today.
Invisalign® Clear Braces – Sparta, NJ
Straighter Teeth, No Metal
Why Choose Gentle Dentistry Sparta for Invisalign® Clear Braces?
- Treatment Custom-Designed for Each Patient
- Virtually Invisible Orthodontic Solution
- Often Able to Work Faster than Metal Braces
How Do Invisalign® Clear Braces Work?
Invisalign actually works using the same basic principle as metal braces: a small amount of force is applied to the teeth in order to slowly move them into their ideal positions. Instead of using brackets and wires to do this, however, Invisalign instead relies on a series of clear plastic aligner trays. The trays are custom-made by a lab to fit each patient’s particular smile and follow Dr. Cannon’s treatment plan. A patient simply wears one set of trays for about two weeks before progressing onto the next, bringing them closer to their final result. Once the entire series has been worn, a perfectly straight set of teeth will be the result.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Metal Braces
It’s no mystery why so many adults and teens prefer Invisalign over metal braces:
- Subtle Appearance: Invisalign trays are extremely thin, light, and transparent. When worn, they practically disappear, allowing a patient to speak and smile with confidence throughout treatment.
- Custom Fit: The trays are made of smooth plastic that has been specially contoured for each patient’s smile, leading to a comfortable fit that is free of rough brackets and poky wires.
- Flexible & Convenient: With regular braces, patients have to alter their diet and brushing habits. With Invisalign, on the other hand, a patient can simply take their trays off whenever they need to, helping their treatment fit easily into their lifestyle.
- Speed: The average treatment time for traditional braces is two to three years, but with Invisalign, it’s just 12-18 months.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
From young patients to adults, Invisalign can help patients of all ages achieve a healthier and straighter smile. This modern orthodontic treatment effectively tackles various mild to moderate orthodontic issues, such as malocclusion (misalignment), crooked or crowded teeth, and more. Want to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for these clear aligners? Schedule a consultation with our team at Gentle Dentistry Sparta! In the meantime, click on the button below to learn which common problems Invisalign frequently addresses.
Crowded Teeth
Do you feel overcrowding in your mouth? That may indicate issues with your tooth alignment. Fortunately, Invisalign clear aligners are a gentle solution to guide your teeth into proper alignment. Addressing crowded teeth is crucial as it helps reduce the risk of oral health issues such as decay and gum disease.
Gaps Between Teeth
Aside from being aesthetically unappealing, having gaps in your smile increases the likelihood of gum problems, an improper bite, decay, and other issues. This is primarily due to the increased risk of food particles getting trapped between teeth, leading to decay and bad breath. Fortunately, Invisalign can gently shift the teeth into a healthier and more aligned position.
Overbite
An overbite, or overjet, is a type of malocclusion where the upper teeth extend too far beyond the lower arch when the mouth is closed. A severe overbite can result in speech difficulties, jaw discomfort, uneven wear on the teeth, and various issues. In some cases, Invisalign can address overbites by guiding teeth movement and encouraging the lower jaw to rest in the correct position.
Underbite
An underbite is characterized by the lower teeth overlapping the top teeth when the mouth is closed. This condition increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, chronic mouth breathing, and challenges in speaking and chewing. In many cases, Invisalign proves effective in fixing an underbite by using rubber bands to guide the lower jaw into the correct position.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when certain lower teeth extend in front of the upper teeth. If left untreated, this condition escalates the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, teeth breakage, and other significant problems. The good news is that Invisalign is effective in repositioning teeth and jaws to correct a crossbite, ultimately enhancing oral health.
Open Bite
If your back teeth are in contact but there's a gap between your upper and lower front teeth, you have an open bite. This condition may result in speech challenges and additional wear on the back teeth. Fortunately, Invisalign is often effective in addressing an open bite by aligning the top and bottom front teeth together.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Are you interested in learning what life with Invisalign is actually like? Then you’ll be happy to hear that this next section is for you! Below, you’ll find helpful information on everything from how often you need to wear your trays to what you need to know about eating and drinking with Invisalign. Of course, if you would like additional information on the topic of living with clear aligners, then you can also give us a call.
Wearing Your Trays
Having removable aligners comes with certain freedoms, like not having to cut any foods out of your diet. It also comes with certain responsibilities, like you must wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t, then your teeth won’t move as anticipated, which can result in considerable treatment plan delays. To prevent this from happening, track your wear time with the Invisalign app or the timer on your phone!
Cleaning Your Aligners
In your Invisalign welcome kit, you’ll get a few packets of cleaning crystals. These are great for when your trays start to yellow (which can happen if you need to wear them for longer than anticipated). On a daily basis, however, you really only need two things: clean, cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not use household cleaners, like bleach, since they contain toxins that are not safe to ingest. Patients are also encouraged not to use toothpaste since the abrasive ingredients can create microscopic scratches.
Eating & Drinking
There aren’t very many adjustments when it comes to your diet. After all, there aren’t any foods you need to completely eliminate to avoid an orthodontic emergency! Simply remove your aligners before your meal, rinse them off with clean, cool water, and put them back in after brushing and flossing your teeth.
Important note: The development of tooth decay or gum disease can bring your treatment plan to a temporary stop, so make sure to take good care of your smile throughout your entire time with Invisalign.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Patients often panic if they lose or damage a tray. Don’t worry – it’s okay for mistakes to happen. The best thing to do is call our Sparta dental office. From there, we can determine if a replacement tray needs to be made or if you’re safe to move onto the next set of aligners in the series.
Important note: Do NOT move onto the next set of aligners without consulting with your dental team since this can negatively impact your treatment plan.
Routine Check-Ins
Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, you’ll come into our office so we can take new scans of your teeth. This is crucial for several reasons, including that it allows us to monitor how your teeth are moving in comparison to your treatment plan. If everything looks good, we will give you your next set of aligners and send you on your way. If your teeth aren’t tracking properly, then we may have you wear your current tray for a bit longer and request that you use your chewies more often.
Invisalign Teen
If you have a teenager at home who’s frustrated by a crooked smile and is already feeling self-conscious about their appearance as a result, standard braces might only exacerbate their anxiety. The bulky metal brackets glint in the light in a way that often draws negative or unwanted attention. Invisalign Teen is a more discreet method to reposition their teeth. Continue reading to learn more about this clear alternative to traditional orthodontics, and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
How is Invisalign Teen Different?
Like most clear aligners, Invisalign Teen utilizes clear plastic trays that fit snuggly over your youth’s teeth to gently reposition them over a designated period. Before they can receive treatment, though, they must have a consultation appointment with one of our dentists to ensure there are no other issues, like cavities or gum disease, that could interfere. Then, 3D digital scans of their mouth will be taken to create a virtual model that a computer program uses to build out their customized aligners.
To prevent their teeth from reverting, they’ll need to wear the aligners for 22 hours daily. After two weeks, they’ll switch to a new set to account for the ongoing movement. Because young adults can be forgetful, Invisalign Teen includes small blue dots that fade away over the course of 14 days to remind your child when it’s time to insert their next aligners.
Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?
Because Invisalign Teen requires a certain amount of discipline to stick to the treatment timeline, it’s recommended for youths who tend to be more responsible. That said, the blue dots can help any young adult remember to switch their trays out when they need to.
If your child tends to be more sensitive to aches and pains, then this method may be best for them. The smooth plastic trays don’t poke or rub raw spots in the tender tissue inside their mouths like with metal braces. However, if they have a severe bite misalignment, our team might suggest traditional orthodontics because Invisalign Teen doesn’t have the same torque or range of motion to fix it.
The Benefits of Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen can benefit your child in the following ways:
- Removable. Unlike braces, Invisalign Teen is easily taken out for sports, band, and other activities that might require a mouthguard.
- Improved appearance. Your youth could start to see noticeable changes within a few weeks, and won’t feel as concerned over their appearance with this discreet solution.
- Enhanced dental hygiene. It’s easier for teens to brush and floss twice daily when they can remove their orthodontics for cleanings.
- Shorter follow-ups. Checkups don’t require wire adjustments like braces, so they tend to be faster, so your child won’t miss as much school.
Benefits of Invisalign
Have you ever wondered why Invisalign continues to be so popular decade after decade? If so, this next section is for you! Below, you’ll find a few of the many reasons why adults and teens prefer clear aligner treatment over traditional braces.
Custom Fit
While traditional braces apply gentle pressure to your teeth with brackets and wires, Invisalign accomplishes the same result with clear trays. In addition to being crafted from a smooth material, they are specially contoured for each patient’s smile, leading to a comfortable fit that is free of soft tissue irritation.
Note: If one of your aligners does feel a bit uncomfortable because there is a sharp edge, then let us know so we can carefully file it down.
Subtle Appearance
Invisalign trays aren’t just transparent; they are thin, light, and custom-made to fit perfectly to the contours of your teeth. As a result, they are virtually undetectable when worn. That means that you can speak and smile with confidence throughout your teeth-straightening journey, not just at the end.
Tip: Take good care of your trays to keep them clean and clear! If you don’t, then they will stain, making them more noticeable.
Removable Aligners
With traditional braces, patients have to alter their diet and brushing habits because of the brackets and wires. Patients with Invisalign don’t! That’s because the aligners can be removed at any time. Ready to eat your next meal or have a snack? Take your aligners off. Time to brush and floss your teeth? Take your aligners off! This is one of the many reasons you’ll love Invisalign: it fits easily into your lifestyle.
Fewer Follow-up Visits
Usually, patients with traditional braces come in for adjustment appointments every four weeks. Patients with Invisalign, on the other hand, have visits every six to eight weeks. That’s because multiple sets of aligners are given to you at a time, allowing you to progress through your treatment plan at home too. With all of that said, it’s still of the utmost importance that you prioritize these visits so that we can make sure your teeth are tracking as anticipated.
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
Simply put, the average treatment time for traditional braces is two to three years, but with Invisalign, it’s just 12-18 months. Of course, the exact length of yours will depend on how many aligners are needed, how complex your case is, and other important factors. Regardless, the best way to stay on-track with your plan is to follow the treatment guidelines we give you, like wearing your aligners for the vast majority of the day, every day.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
When you choose to straighten your teeth and bite with Invisalign, you’re making an investment in your smile. Here at Gentle Dentistry Sparta, we want you to feel confident knowing that you’ll love the results from the beginning and understanding the costs that go along with this treatment.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Treatment
Until we examine your unique mouth, we are unable to provide an estimate for treatment. The total cost of Invisalign treatment varies from patient to patient depending on several things, including the severity and type of the alignment issues and the length of time needed to correct them. Realigning a few teeth will likely cost less than addressing more advanced issues. How well you follow instructions also plays an important role in the overall cost, as setbacks can extend treatment and require additional aligners.
Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™
At first glance, Invisalign and Smile Direct Club™ or other similar brands seem exactly the same, except that Smile Direct Club™ is cheaper. However, while both involve clear plastic trays, they are very different in execution. With Smile Direct Club™ you must take the impressions yourself and mail them in; then during treatment, you manage the aligners completely on your own. If a problem comes up, you must deal with the frustrations of talking to customer service. Or, you run the risk of having imperfect results at the end of treatment, which you may need to pay more to finally get it right. In contrast, the entire Invisalign treatment process is monitored by our team, ensuring that your smile turns out as you want the first time around.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Sometimes. There are insurance plans that include Invisalign in their orthodontic coverage, but not all plans do. Before you begin treatment with us, you should make sure you understand your benefits so that you know what to expect. Our team can help you figure out what is and is not covered by your insurance, and we’ll find ways to minimize your out-of-pocket costs and get you the most value from your benefits.
Options for Making Invisalign More Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No worries! You can still save money on your Invisalign treatment through our VIP Membership Program. Unlike insurance, this program doesn’t involve claim forms, waiting periods, and yearly maximums. For a small monthly fee, you can not only receive necessary preventive care but also enjoy a 15 percent discount on Invisalign and other major treatments. That equates to hundreds of dollars in savings!
Invisalign FAQs
At Gentle Dentistry Sparta, we want you to be as prepared as possible before beginning any kind of treatment. We understand that even after reading all about Invisalign, you might still be curious about some of the finer details of the treatment. That’s why we have gathered some Invisalign FAQs in Sparta and answered them below for your convenience. If you have an Invisalign question that you don’t see answered here, give us a call and ask.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Invisalign works to straighten teeth in Sparta by applying a gentle force on one portion of your smile at a time. As a result, you might feel a little soreness, especially when switching to a new set of aligners. However, this sensation should dissipate after a few days as your mouth grows accustomed to wearing the aligners. For the early days of treatment, you can take OTC pain medication as needed to alleviate your discomfort.
Does Invisalign Come with Dietary Restrictions?
Not at all! One of the main benefits of Invisalign is that you can still eat whatever you want, unlike with traditional braces. Keep in mind, though, that after you eat you will need to brush your teeth before placing your aligners back in. If you eat something that gets easily stuck in your teeth, like corn on the cob, make sure you have enough time to brush and floss thoroughly before wearing your aligners again.
How Is Invisalign Different from Mail-Order Clear Aligners?
If you’ve been on social media lately, odds are you’ve seen posts and ads about clear aligners you can order off the Internet for cheap. However, they are quite different from Invisalign. The mail-order companies make impressions of your teeth, but they don’t take any additional assessments, like gum examinations or x-rays. Furthermore, the trays they make stay the same throughout treatment, unlike Invisalign, which utilizes a series of several different aligners to carefully shift your smile. While these knock-off products may look similar to Invisalign, they’re not nearly as safe or effective. You’re far better off undergoing Invisalign treatment.
How Can I Take Care of My Aligners?
Remove your aligners every morning and brush both your teeth and the trays, as bacteria may have accumulated overnight. Every time you eat, remember to clean your aligners and your teeth before putting the aligners back in your mouth. This will prevent bacterial buildup that can stain your aligners and cause bad breath. When you’re not wearing your aligners, such as when you’re eating, it’s a good idea to soak them in lukewarm water, but never use hot water. That could change the shape of the plastic and compromise your treatment.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
There’s no definitive cost of Invisalign because every case is different, and every patient has differing needs. The final cost of your treatment could be influenced by a number of factors, including your age, how misaligned your teeth are, your dedication to wearing your aligners, and your insurance plan. One thing to note is that no matter how much you end up paying for Invisalign, it will be worth it to have a beautifully straight smile.
What Does Invisalign Look Like?
Simply put, the trays are crafted from clear plastic that is virtually undetectable while being worn. With some patients, there are additional accessories (like attachments and elastics) added to a patient’s treatment plan that can alter the way they look. Rest assured, your teeth-straightening journey will still be discreet, especially when compared to traditional metal braces.
What Happens After Invisalign?
At your final appointment, we will ensure you’re happy with the results, remove any attachments you have (which is painless), and take impressions to make your custom retainers. Then, we will give you specific instructions on how to wear and care for them. Since modern retainers are both discreet and comfortable, wearing yours shouldn’t be much of a chore. Even if you do find it to be a slight annoyance, remember that upwards of 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse. To prevent that from happening, you need to consistently wear your retainer.
What if My Invisalign Broke?
Although the materials used to make clear aligners are durable, they aren’t completely indestructible. If you accidentally drop them, there’s a good chance that they will break or crack. If this happens to you, don’t use super glue or another household adhesive to try and repair them. Instead, contact our Sparta dental office ASAP. Then, we can learn more about your situation and determine what to do next.
Tip: to prevent your aligners from breaking in the future, try placing them in their designated storage case any time you aren’t wearing them. This will protect them from damage in the event that you do drop it.
Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?
Invisalign wouldn’t be as popular as it is if it resulted in permanent changes to your speech. In other words, the answer is “no.” Despite the prevalent misconception that clear aligners will give you a lisp, the large majority of patients don’t report any difficulty speaking as they usually do. The small percentage that do can have peace of mind knowing that it’s temporary – your tongue just needs some time to adjust!
Who is Not Eligible for Invisalign?
With millions and millions of patients all over the world, it’s safe to say that Invisalign is suitable for a lot of patients. Of course, as with any dental treatment, there are some exceptions. Let’s start with the obvious ones, like infants, toddlers, and young children cannot get Invisalign. There are a few other reasons that a prospective patient may not be a good fit, including if their case is especially complex or they are unwilling to stop smoking. If you’re concerned, don’t worry – we will review all of this information with you and more at your initial consultation.