Hi, I'm Dr. Ramya Narayanan from Strong Roots Dental. I have my colleague Dr. Saloni Trivedi here with me today. We're going to be talking about Invisalign and answering some of the most commonly asked questions about it.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign simplistically means invisible braces.
Is it completely invisible?
I don't think so. If someone is up close, they can definitely see it, but it's better than metal braces. It is transparent; it is invisible for the most part.
How does Invisalign compare to traditional braces?
As I said, one has metal, one doesn't, for starters. I think that's one of the main things. The biggest difference for me is also that traditional braces are fixed, while Invisalign is not. One of the benefits of that is it's easy to keep the teeth and gums clean, which is hugely important when moving teeth. One thing I may add is that sometimes traditional braces can handle a few more complicated cases, and Invisalign can't. But when it's appropriate, we may tell you to go, you know, refer you to the appropriate person to do that.
Is Invisalign really faster than braces?
I think that depends on the complexity of the case and the teeth movements required.
Why is Invisalign often considered more comfortable than braces?
For one, as I said, it's not fixed, so it's easy to keep the gums clean. Also, traditional braces, as we spoke about earlier, can be used for more complex tooth movements. So when the complexity increases, obviously the comfort factor does go down a little bit, if I may say so. I think that's one of the main reasons.
How long does Invisalign take to straighten the teeth?
It depends; it can take anywhere between six months to a couple of years. It completely depends on the complexity of the case, and that's something we'll tell you when we see you and when you come in for your consult.
What is the process involved in Invisalign treatment?
The first step would be to come in for a consult. We would take a panoramic X-ray to decide whether the gum and bone around the teeth are normal. Is there any infected tooth? Because all of that has to be taken care of before we decide to move any teeth. Then we would take a scan or an Invisalign scan to see where the teeth are and what needs to be achieved. Once the patient and the doctor decide to go ahead with the route of Invisalign, it takes about a couple of weeks for us to get the trays from Invisalign. That's when we will need the patient's time for about an hour to get the attachments or tooth-colored buttons placed, which act as anchors for the teeth to move. Then we give them the Invisalign trays, which the patient has to wear for about 22 hours a day. In other words, the only time they don't wear them is when they eat. They come in to see the doctor about once a month to ensure the teeth are moving the way we want them to. Closer to the finish, we will rescan to make sure the teeth have moved the way we wanted. If any tweaks can be done to improve the outcome, we will. At the end, you are given retainers. You get four sets of retainers; it's just in case you lose one or your dog eats one, you have another one. The doctor will tell you how to use those retainers, starting with 22 hours a day, and how to wean yourself to wearing them only at night. It's very important to wear them at night so all the work, money, and effort put in doesn’t go to waste.
Do I sleep with Invisalign?
Yes, you do.
Is there anything that could disqualify me from using Invisalign?
Compliance is key for Invisalign. If you think you're not going to be able to wear it regularly, please don't waste your time nor your doctor's time. Other than that, I don't think there is any absolute disqualification. It's very important to take care of your hygiene. If the doctor feels that your gums are getting inflamed and you're running into periodontal diseases, they will ask you to stop. Also, we make sure before we start Invisalign, that you're free of cavity problems. The patient has to be completely healthy in terms of no decay, no infection, and no gum disease before starting any kind of tooth movement.
Can Invisalign fix crossbite?
It can, but it depends on the severity of the crossbite.
Isn't Invisalign painful?
Is it blatant pain? I wouldn't say so. Is there going to be a little bit of pressure because the teeth are moving? Absolutely, yes. I have seen some patients who don't feel anything, and there are some patients who feel a little bit of discomfort. It does depend on the case.
Does most dental insurance cover the cost of Invisalign?
Some of them do. I think the best person to ask that question would be your insurance coordinator.
How much does it cost without dental insurance?
In the state of New Jersey, the average cost for dental Invisalign would be anywhere between $5,000 to $7,000, depending on the severity of the case.
How can we schedule an appointment to talk to a dentist about Invisalign?
That's easy. Just give us a call at Strong Roots Dental. We hope we've answered most of your dental questions.
Align Your Crooked Smile With Invisalign in Jersey City and Hoboken
We all want to have the most beautiful smile possible, and that means showing off rows of perfectly straight teeth to everyone we meet. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that perfectly straight smile. However, that’s where Invisalign comes in. The smile pros at Strong Roots Dental offer this innovative treatment that gives you all these benefits:
- Orthodontic treatment that uses smooth plastic teeth aligners to gently move your teeth into place
- No metal involved, so you don’t have to worry about irritating sensitive tissues inside your mouth
- Quick treatment that can often be completed in as few as 12 months
- Discreet aligners that other people will barely notice, if at all
- Flexibility to remove your aligners for eating, brushing, or special occasions
- A confident, beautiful smile at the end of your treatment that you’ll love seeing in the mirror
Our team of experts can help you realize the smile of your dreams. Call our Jersey City office at (551) 553-4277 or our Hoboken office at (551) 288-0255 to schedule your evaluation. Or schedule online.
Revive Your Smile With Invisalign Treatment
When the Invisalign system was introduced to the public about 25 years ago, patients raved about the ability to straighten their teeth without using bulky braces. Since that time, over 14 million happy patients have achieved straight, beautiful rows of teeth and confident smiles – all without the use of any metal brackets or wires.
You can get the same fantastic results as all of these other patients. Your Invisalign journey will start with an exam and scans, then we’ll show you a preview of your new smile before you begin treatment. Then, once you begin your treatment, the process is simple:
- You’ll wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day, taking them out for eating, brushing, and special occasions.
- You’ll progress through a series of aligners, changing to a new set about every two weeks.
- You’ll come into our office about every six weeks for a progress check and to receive new sets of aligners.
- When you reach the end of your aligners, you’ll have your beautiful new smile.
You can expect unique benefits with Invisalign treatment such as:
- Removable Aligners – If you need to brush your teeth, floss, or eat a meal, you can easily remove your aligners. No need to avoid certain foods or use special floss to get underneath metal wires.
- Practically Invisible – When you wear Invisalign clear aligners, no one will even notice them. It’s perfect for professional adults who don’t want their orthodontic treatment to distract others.
- Faster Results – Most patients complete their treatment in about 12 to 18 months. This is far quicker than traditional braces which can take years.
When your treatment is completed, you can expect to:
- Increase your confidence when socializing
- Make better first impressions in your professional life
- Feel better about your overall appearance
- Draw others to you with a warm, genuine smile
Explore Your Other Cosmetic Options
Once you’ve straightened your teeth, you may want to look into some of the other cosmetic dentistry options we offer. You may consider:
- Teeth Whitening – We can whiten your teeth up to eight shades whiter in just 45 minutes of Zoom treatment.
- Tooth Bonding – Using composite resin, your dentist can repair minor flaws like cracks, chips, pits, and stains.
- Gum Reshaping – We’ll remove a small amount of gum tissue to balance out your teeth-to-gum ratio.
If you are interested in Invisalign, call our Jersey City office at (551) 553-4277 or our Hoboken office at (551) 288-0255 for an appointment. We’d love to start you on the path to a more attractive, healthier smile. You can also schedule online.