Invisalign Clear Braces – Marana, AZ

How Does Invisalign Work?

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign in Marana uses a series of clear aligners to shift teeth into more ideal positions. Each set of plastic trays are worn for about two weeks at a time, gradually shifting a small portion of your smile until it’s entirely in perfect alignment. Since the aligners are removable, they’re easy to clean and maintain. Although they must be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, you have to take them out before eating and brushing or flossing your teeth. Throughout your treatment, our dental team at Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry & Orthodontics will check your progress every few weeks to ensure everything is going smoothly.

Who Can Invisalign Help?

The good news is that Invisalign isn’t just discreet; it’s also quite versatile. That means that if you’re struggling with misaligned teeth or a misaligned bite, you might be a candidate for Invisalign, even if your case is more moderate! Until your appointment with us, you can keep reading to learn a bit more on the topic.

Crowded Teeth

Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, it’s important to come in for an appointment. After all, crowded teeth increase your risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, so it’s critical to get them fixed as soon as possible. If we determine that you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will use the plastic trays to apply gentle pressure to different parts of your smile, gradually moving teeth into a properly aligned position.

Gaps Between Teeth

It may surprise you to learn that gaps in your smile can negatively impact your self-esteem as well as increase your chances of developing cavities and gum infections. That’s because food particles can more easily get trapped in these spaces between your teeth, leading to decay and even bad breath. Luckily, Invisalign can help you avoid these issues by pushing your teeth back into alignment – all with comfortable, clear aligners!

Overbite

Do your upper teeth sit in front of your lower ones to the point where there is a considerable gap? If so, then you should come in for a consultation with us. From there, we can conduct a comprehensive exam, determine if you have an overbite, and see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. Sometimes, this involves the use of other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands and attachments. Don’t worry though – these aren’t anywhere near as noticeable as metal brackets and wires.

Underbite

Underbites often lead to low self-esteem. However, that’s not our only concern. Since this bite problem puts your jaw in an unnatural position, it can place unnecessary pressure on your temporomandibular joint, resulting in persistent jaw pain as well as teeth grinding and clenching. The good news is that Invisalign treatment can often address this bite problem, allowing you to improve the look, health, and function of your smile without the metal.

Crossbite

Do some – but not all – of your bottom teeth sit in front of your top teeth? If so, then you may have a crossbite. Like underbites, this bite problem can lead to chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction. It can also negatively impact your chewing patterns and result in premature wear and tear on certain teeth. For all of those reasons, we recommend coming in for a consultation with us to explore your treatment options sooner rather than later.

Open Bite

When you bite down, your teeth should come together evenly. If they don’t because there is an open space in the front or back of your mouth, then you might have an open bite. We recommend coming in for an appointment with us if that’s the case. That way, we can share your treatment options and determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

Benefits Of Invisalign

Did you know that more than 12 million people around the world have chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign? It’s true! If you’re contemplating if clear aligner treatment is right for you, it’s worth considering the numerous benefits you can reap with this teeth-straightening solution, including:

Reduced Risk of Irritation to Soft Oral Tissues

Although effective, metal brackets and wires aren’t the most comfortable. That’s because they can rub up against your tongue, lips, and the inside of your cheeks, resulting in mouth sores and soft tissue irritation. Fortunately, Invisalign takes a different approach. Instead of using metal, clear aligners are used to guide your teeth into proper alignment. In addition to being custom-made just for you, they are crafted from high-quality, low-profile, and smooth plastic for improved comfort.

Faster Treatment Completion Time

With traditional braces, it can take 24 months, 36 months, or even longer to achieve straight teeth. Conversely, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months. Plus, you’ll see a noticeable difference in how your smile looks and feels since the aligners are completely clear and removable. Simply put, if you’ve dreamed of having a gorgeous grin, it’s closer than you might think!

Subtle and Discreet Orthodontic Treatment

Of course, one of the biggest (and most known) benefits of Invisalign is the aligners themselves. Since they are see-through, they are virtually undetectable when worn. In fact, it’s common for even close colleagues, friends, and family members to have a hard time telling when you’re wearing them. Of course, this does require some work on your end. Don’t worry though – that’s easy too!

Easier To Clean And Lower Maintenance

Fortunately, preventing stubborn stains from surfacing on your aligners is pretty easy. First, make sure to take them out before eating or drinking anything other than water (including coffee). Second, rinse them thoroughly with clean, cool water before placing them in their designated storage case. Third, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove food particles and other debris from the surface each morning and evening.

No Dietary Restrictions

If you love apples, popcorn, tortilla chips, raw nuts, and other crunchy foods, you’ll be happy to hear that you don’t need to avoid them during your teeth-straightening journey with Invisalign. In fact, you can eat all of your favorites! The only thing we ask is that you exercise caution to help prevent a chipped tooth or loose attachment. It’s also smart to keep your intake of sugary foods and drinks to a minimum to help prevent oral health problems, like gum disease, from arising.

Living with Invisalign Aligners

Between the lack of dietary restrictions and the fact only the aligners are easy to clean, Invisalign is relatively hassle-free. That said, it is important that you know a few things about life during your teeth-straightening journey upfront, including why it’s so important that you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. So, read on!

Wearing Your Trays

Although there is some variation in treatment plans from patient to patient, including how many aligners are needed, there is one thing that’s universal: the 20–22-hour wear time goal. This is important because if you don’t wear your aligners, your teeth won’t move as anticipated, resulting in delays. The best way to make sure that you meet the mark every day is by tracking your wear time with the stopwatch on your phone until you have a solid routine in place.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Although keeping your aligners clean takes some effort, you really only need to dedicate a minute or two to this task every day. That starts with rinsing your aligners off with clean, cool water each time you take them out. Additionally, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them after every meal and snack. If needed, you can also use a mild, clear dishwashing liquid or toothpaste, but keep in mind that the latter can leave behind microscopic scratches.

Eating & Drinking

Navigating mealtimes with Invisalign is pretty easy thanks to one thing: the aligners are removable! As a result, you don’t need to completely eliminate any foods or drinks from your diet. What you do need to keep in mind, however, is that your aligners must always be taken out first (with the exception of water). It’s a good idea to keep added sugar to a minimum as well in an effort to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and the like during your orthodontic treatment.

Damaging a Tray

You might be surprised to hear that you can continue to wear your aligner if there is a crack, but only if it is extremely minor and hasn’t compromised the shape. It goes without saying that if there is significant damage, like a split down the middle, you should contact our Marana dental team ASAP.

Important note: Do NOT move onto the next set of aligners in the series without consulting us. If you move on too early, you can end up with unwanted delays.

Routine Check-Ins

Instead of coming in every four weeks (which is what patients with traditional braces have to do), you’ll come in every six or eight weeks for check-in visits with our team. This allows us to periodically track the movement of your teeth in comparison to your treatment plan. If everything looks good, then we will provide you with your next batch of aligners, schedule your next appointment, and send you on your way!

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Your exact cost estimate for Invisalign in Marana depends on several factors, including the number of aligners needed. At your consultation,  Dr. Fitzgerald  will examine your mouth to get a better understanding of how much you can expect to pay for your treatment. Although the process can be costly, our dental team will find ways to maximize your dental insurance benefits and apply flexible financing if necessary. Plus, a healthier and more beautiful smile is certainly well worth the investment! If you want to learn more about the factors that influence the cost, then simply keep reading.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

As previously mentioned, there are several factors that influence the cost of Invisalign. Here are a few:

• The severity of your misalignment
• If any preliminary treatments are needed, like gum disease therapy
• If you are straightening one arch of teeth or both
• If any accessories are needed, like rubber bands

One of the biggest factors to consider is compliance with your treatment guidelines. For example, neglecting to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day can quickly cause you to fall off track, potentially requiring re-treatment. For this reason, it’s crucial that you follow your dentist’s instructions to a tee!

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

With an upfront cost of around $2,000, Smile Direct Club™ and other mail-order clear aligner companies are typically cheaper. Of course, cheaper isn’t necessarily better, especially when it comes to something as important as your smile and oral health. In addition to skipping a thorough initial exam, mail-order braces can actually be more costly since they can make your misalignment worse. In fact, there are several lawsuits for this reason. Plus, professional organizations, like the American Dental Association, don’t support this teeth-straightening solution. In short, if you want the best treatment for your smile and your wallet, it’s best to go with Invisalign – their clear aligners have helped more than 12 million people get the gorgeous smiles they desire!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Your dental provider may cover a portion of the cost of your Invisalign treatment. So, don’t hesitate to review the fine print on your plan before your visit! Of course, if you need some help or are having trouble understanding your benefits, don’t hesitate to let us know. Our team has plenty of experience utilizing our patients’ coverage to the fullest, and we’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? That’s okay – there are other ways to make the cost more manageable:

• Our In-House Membership Plan – In addition to preventive care, our plan grants you access to discounted rates on our services. No waiting periods, annual deductibles, or other annoying red tape either!
• Flexible Financing – CareCredit is a third-party financier that allows you to space out your payments into budget-friendly chunks, sometimes with little-to-no interest as well!
• Special Offers – We’re proud to offer periodic specials, like Invisalign as low as $349 a month! To learn about our latest ones, get in touch with our team.

Invisalign FAQs

Do you have unanswered questions about Invisalign in Tucson that you’d like to address before scheduling a consultation with Dr. Fitzgerald? Below, our team has compiled some of the most common questions we receive about this treatment from our patients. If you still don’t see what you’re looking for, please feel free to call our office!

Do Invisalign aligners hurt to wear?

One great benefit about Invisalign aligners is that they cause very little discomfort. The only time patients typically feel some soreness is whenever they switch over to the next set of trays in their treatment. Fortunately, this only lasts for about a day and can be eased with ibuprofen. We also recommend switching your trays over at night so you can sleep through most of the adjustment period.

How long do I need to wear my aligners for every day?

In order to stay on track with your treatment timeline, you’ll need to wear your trays for between 20 and 22 hours every day. The only time you should be removing them is whenever you eat, drink anything besides room temperature or cool water, and brush and floss your teeth.

What foods can I eat during Invisalign treatment?

Invisalign trays are made from plastic that’s molded to place a specific amount of pressure onto your teeth to shift them into alignment. If you eat with them in, you could risk damaging them and needing to have them replaced. Fortunately, the solution is simple! Just remove your trays before you eat, and you’re able to continue snacking on all of your favorite foods that you normally do. Before putting them back in your mouth, remember to rinse them and brush your teeth.

Will wearing aligners change how I talk?

Just like with any orthodontic appliance, you’ll likely experience an adjustment period that can include a slight lisp. Fortunately, most patients are able to overcome this adjustment within the first few weeks of wearing their trays.

Can I undergo Invisalign treatment if I’ve had metal braces before?

Yes! It’s not uncommon for patients to come to us letting us know that they didn’t wear their retainer after having braces and their teeth are misaligned again. If you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, your cosmetic dentist in Tucson, Dr. Fitzgerald, can help you re-achieve an aligned smile again! Just remember to wear your retainer this time around!