A Guide to Invisalign: Procedure, Cost and After Care

• Oct 15,2019
• |
• by Admin

One of the biggest achievements in orthodontic treatment is Invisalign. But it has modulations that need to be comprehended. If you are considering Invisalign invisible braces  for yourself and child, out of your research, you will want to know more about it. Discussing this treatment option with an Invisalign dentist near me will also elicit questions.

The essence of this guide is to provide answers to some of the questions you might have, including if Invisalign is invisible and how you can obtain the best result from this treatment.

BUT FIRST, WHAT'S INVISALIGN?

Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic method of straightening crooked teeth using a series of clear transparent aligners that work subtly. Invisalign proves to be aesthetically and undeniably effective than the traditional metal braces.

DOES INVISALIGN WORK? HOW?

Yes, it does. First, 3D impressions of your teeth will be taken and sent to a laboratory for scanning and creation of a digital model which results in a 3D simulation known as ClinCheck.

ClinCheck provides information about your treatment plan, including the duration and what the result will look like. The ClinCheck is then sent back to your dentist, who will now ensure that everything in the treatment plan suits your need. He or she may modify the ClinCheck to do this.

In some cases, especially when a tooth needs to be rotated or pulled in a particular direction, Invisalign attachment may be required to create a strong bonding. However, these attachments may cause Invisalign to be noticeable and uncomfortable as they can rub on the cheeks and irritate the tongue. This shouldn't discourage you anyway. Besides, Invisalign attachment can improve a dental case and make the ClinCheck better.

SO, WHY GO FOR INVISALIGN?

Due to its innovative technology and efficacy in treating dental issues, Invisalign treatment comes with a plethora of benefits. You can even get cheap, Invisalign braces in London!

Let's look at the benefits:

• Improved Results - Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign can move teeth in an inconspicuous manner
   
• Lower Risks - Invisalign invisible braces in London is a treatment that is performed with the utmost care in a gradual process. This means there is less risk of having teeth roots shrinkage
   
• Aesthetics - Invisalign is nearly invisible, unlike conventional braces. Those that are self-conscious are more comfortable with Invisalign
   
• It's Faster - Most of the time, straightening crooked teeth with Invisalign can be a lot faster because they move many teeth at the same time
   
• Saves Time - With fewer dental checkups than traditional braces, Invisalign is time-saving!
   
• Permanent Aligners - During and after Invisalign treatment, you'll get to use Invisalign aligners that can serve as a mouth guard or whitening trays
   
• Relief from TMD - Myofascial and TMD symptoms could be relieved with Invisalign. When worn for 20 hours a day, they act like a splint which is a potential pain relief
   
• Cleaner Teeth and Fresher Breath - With Invisalign, you can remove your aligners to brush, floss, and clean your teeth and aligners compared to conventional braces. This helps to reduce the risk of hyperplasia (a gum disease) and gingivitis
   
• Ease and Comfort - Invisalign doesn't have wires and sharp brackets like traditional braces. This makes its use very comfortable and easy.

Aren't these benefits amazing? It's worth giving Invisalign a try! So, if you choose to have Invisalign invisible braces, kindly visit the Dental Clinic London. We can help you straighten your teeth.

Just like with everything, Invisalign has some drawbacks, but they are few compared with traditional metal braces. They include:

• Possible Weight Loss - This may not be a downside, depending on who the patient is. Many patients do lose weight during Invisalign treatment because they have to pause and think before eating or drinking anything
   
• Cost - The cost of Invisalign should be about the same as traditional braces. However, some dentists may charge higher because of its aesthetic appeal
   
• Speech Problems - You may not be able to speak normally during the first few days of treatment. But you have the option to take out your aligners if you need to and wear them for a longer period to cover up lost time
   
• Discomfort - You might feel slightly uncomfortable at first, but this discomfort is nothing compared with using conventional metal braces. With time, you'll get used to the aligners in your mouth
   
• Difficulty with removing Aligners - This happens especially when you have crowded teeth
   
• Allergic Reaction - This rarely occurs. Should this happen, Invisalign offers a full refund

Your dental case may not need Invisalign. There are cases where conventional metal braces may be suitable for you. Try discussing this with your dentist.

COST OF INVISALIGN TREATMENT

This price will be different depending on your location and provider, and if you have insurance cover. Generally, the severity of your case and treatment duration will affect the cost, which is between £2495 and £3500.

Bear in mind that the more the number of teeth to be straightened, the higher the cost!

Also, orthodontic coverage may not cover the full Invisalign treatment, but they can help with getting cheap Invisalign braces in London. Some of these plans have a full lifetime coverage worth £2000, which is around a third of the cost of Invisalign. This could qualify you for a monthly payment plan for your Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign Express, a cheaper product with only ten aligners is suitable for minor treatment but be very careful of this option since ten aligners are not enough for a full Invisalign treatment. Most treatment uses 18 to 50 aligners!

It is noteworthy of mentioning that this cheap alternative can be used by dentists to entice you into the treatment after which you will be faced with the complete, more expensive product.

CHOOSING AN INVISALIGN PROVIDER

General dentists and orthodontists alike can treat patients using Invisalign. But many general dentists seem to have more experience than orthodontists.

When choosing an Invisalign provider, take care to do a background check on the dentist or orthodontist. Experience is key here! Fortunately, Invisalign has created information about numerous categories of providers to patients who need Invisalign invisible braces.

The categories of providers include:

• The Preferred Provider - They treat at least 10 cases a year
   
• The Premier Provider - This provider has treated at least a total of 50 cases and at least 25 cases every six months
   
• The Premier Elite Provider - This one treats 50 cases every six months and has treated a total of at least 300 cases.

A lot of these providers can be found on the Invisalign website.

Remember, the more cases a provider has treated, the more experience they've got!

WHAT HAPPENS DURING APPOINTMENT?

A digital scan or impression of your teeth will be taken first. Since the scanners are quite costly, some dentists may recommend you to a laboratory instead of doing it in their office.

Getting conventional impressions with putty may not be comfortable; you might gag a little. A slow breath and distraction with a song or video on your phone can help you get through with it.

The scans are now sent to Invisalign. There, a 3D model of your existing teeth and the predetermined result will be made. If the model is good for you and your dentist, the aligners will be produced and sent to your dentist's office for the commencement of treatment.

During the appointment, endeavor to ask your dentist a few things like:

• Seeing the ClinCheck - An Invisalign ClinCheck is a 3D simulation video that shows how your teeth will be moved and the end result before treatment; something really inspiring! It is true some dentists may not want you to see this as they believe it would complicate the treatment plan. However, we recommend you ask to see it so that your preferences are met. Ask your dentist if your case can be treated only with the first set of aligners and the possibility of having a refinement (this involves taking another impression of your teeth and producing a new set of aligners). The cost of this should be included in your Invisalign treatment
   
• The Treatment Duration - This depends completely on the complexity of your case. On average, treatment takes about a year although, most cases are treated between 10 to 24 months with a regular two weeks change of aligners. The ClinCheck tells you how long the treatment will take which is why seeing it is important
   
• The Cost of Replacement - You never can tell if your aligner will get lost or broken. If it's broken, Invisalign warranty program can cover you. In the case of a loss, the replacement cost can be between £75 and £300 depending on your dentist. Asking this question is crucial because you can lose your aligners while taking them out for cleaning. However, if your aligners get lost close to the time you're to get a new set, you may not need replacement.
   
• What is Expected after Treatment - Having a realistic expectation of what Invisalign will be like after treatment is necessary. Although they are less noticeable than conventional braces, Invisalign is not completely invisible. Some persons may or may not know you are using Invisalign.

HOW LONG DO I KEEP MY ALIGNERS IN?

Invisalign aligners can be removed, however for optimum results; you should wear them for at least 20 hours a day. There are times when 18 hours a day can be enough, especially when the case does not involve rotations. Some patients have seen good results by wearing aligners at night only; this works when aligners are worn for 4 weeks instead of the usual 2 weeks.

Right now, you can even speed up your treatment by wearing aligners for just one week instead of 2 but for 22 hours at least instead of 20 a day.

Age also plays a role in determining how long you need to wear your aligners. The ability to remodel bone decreases with age. A teenager can get away with fewer hours of wear, but an older person has to adhere to the recommended hours for best results.

We usually advise patients to go for a checkup so that the progress of their treatment can be monitored. Please, wear your aligners for the recommended 20 hours a day. It will do you more good!

WHAT DOES USING INVISALIGN FEEL LIKE?

Invisalign is less painful compared with conventional braces. You might feel slight discomfort, but it's more of a soreness than the sharp cut and mouth injury associated with braces.

Traditional braces often cause teeth root resorption (a condition where all or part of the tooth structure is lost), but Invisalign might cause less inflammation of the gum.

The truth is, with time, you'll get accustomed to wearing your Invisalign and may start to enjoy it. At the Dental Clinic London, we give patients all these information so they are not alarmed if anything happens.

CARING FOR ALIGNERS

Just like you care for your teeth, you need to also care for your aligners for better performance. There are so many cleaning products on the market, but the simplest and best method of caring for your aligners is by soaking them in a mixture of soft water and baking soda. You should do this when you are not wearing the aligners. Please don't allow them to dry out; plaque can set in. Ensure they're always soaked in water!

An occasional scrubbing of your aligners is not bad but, avoid using your toothpaste as it will give them less shine and more visibility. Do the same to your retainer which you will get after treatment is done.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SWITCH ALIGNERS?

The recommended period is every 2 weeks. Be wary of products that claim to achieve this in 1 week. They only move your tooth ligaments, not the bone!

Bone movement is what the real treatment provides; it keeps the tooth in the new position, and 2 weeks is just enough time to accomplish this. The new position may become difficult to maintain as time goes by; thus, wearing your aligners for the correct period as you near the end of your treatment is important to avoid a relapse.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER INVISALIGN?

If necessary, your dentist may recommend you use refinement to make further adjustments to your teeth. To do this, another impression of your teeth will be taken to order a new set of aligners.

When your teeth are straightened as planned, you've got to wear a retainer to maintain the corrected position. They only need to be worn at night!

HOW LONG SHOULD I USE RETAINERS?

You will have to use it permanently; for life! It wouldn't make any sense to destroy what you've worked so hard for by not using your retainer. Note that even if you're able to maintain retention, your bite and teeth shifts with age. Protect your investment! Wear your retainer always and for the rest of your life!

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY RETAINER?

Invisalign retainers can last longer than the normal aligner. Most retainers are durable up to 5 to 10 years, especially if you know how to remove it properly. You can ask your Invisalign dentist near me for help to do this.

The retainer can cost between £75 and £300 to replace depending on the dentist. Luckily, there will be no need for taking impressions to get you a new retainer. Your previous digital scan will be used to create a retainer.

CAN INVISALIGN FIX YOUR BITE?

Yes. Invisalign can correct your bite by improving symptoms of TMD/TMJ; a side effect of an improper bite. Like we said before, the use of aligners can act as a TMJ splint which would relieve occlusion pains and interferences linked with these issues.

What about Diastema, Underbite, Midline, Openbite, Overbite, or Crossbite?

The answer is most likely, yes. Invisalign has the potential to fix many common orthodontic problems so far your dentist knows the issue and what your preferences are, which is why you need a good Invisalign dentist near me.

Conventional braces may only come in if you're having a skeletal issue since Invisalign may not treat it very well.

SO, WHAT IF YOU FORGOT TO CHANGE YOUR ALIGNERS?

There's no problem at all! Do change them when you remember. If you forgot them at home, change them when you get home. There isn't any negative consequence for this, although the case can be slowed down. Take care not to change your aligners before the recommended 2 weeks interval.

WHAT ABOUT KISSING AND EATING WITH INVISALIGN?

Since you are to wear your aligners for 20 hours a day, you have 4 hours of freedom! What you do with this time is your choice.

You can kiss with Invisalign if your partner doesn't mind. But of course, you can take them out and put them back in.

Take out your aligners before eating and clean your teeth well before wearing them again. This will not make any food to hang beneath your aligners.

You can even drink hot beverages with your aligners on. Even if there's a bit of stain on one of your aligners, that's not a problem at all. Remember you're changing them every 2 weeks.

WILL I CHANGE MY BRUSHING PATTERN?

Yes, but in only one aspect. You may have to brush and floss your teeth more often than before. Sometimes, cleaning your teeth becomes easier as your teeth get straightened.

IS AGE A BARRIER TO INVISALIGN?

No! Anybody can successfully use Invisalign, ranging from teenagers to older adults. The Teen Align Program can have teens using Invisalign at the age of 12 years.

PREGNANCY AND INVISALIGN

Pregnant mothers can use Invisalign. It might interest you to know that during pregnancy, women secrete hormones that help to loosen ligament surrounding the teeth. This makes Invisalign treatment faster.

ALLERGIC TO TRAYS?

This is a rare problem; very rare. Patients hardly have an allergy to the Invisalign tray. However, there is a 100% refund policy provided by Invisalign if you are allergic.

WILL INVISALIGN WORK IF I HAVE MISSING TEETH?

Despite having missing teeth or tooth extraction, Invisalign can still work for you. Having alignment done before using implants or crowns allow the restoration of the dentition to be placed in a better position.

Discuss the treatment plan with an Invisalign dentist near me for a better solution.

DOES INVISALIGN HAVE AN EFFECT ON MY PRONUNCIATION?

Lisping is a common occurrence for people using Invisalign for the first time. But after a few days, with the help of your brain, your tongue will be adjusted and speech normalised. It is recommended that patients wear their aligners on Friday so that before Monday, they are good to go. You can also take them out if you have an important occasion and wear them again.

CAN I TREAT ONLY ONE DENTITION?

The answer is no. It is not possible to treat one dentition and leave the opposing other. The two arches have to meet and be treated simultaneously.

DOES INVISALIGN CAUSE BAD BREATH?

Well, it can. But only a bit! This is due to the collection of saliva in the aligners and the drying effect the aligner has on the mouth. Brushing regularly after each meal and constant hydration of your mouth will prevent this problem.

You can also brush your aligners with your toothbrush but without toothpaste and soak them in a cleaning agent. Visit the Dental Clinic London for more enlightenment on Invisalign treatment.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GO FOR CHECKUP?

Follow-up care is given every 4 to 6 weeks once you have gotten your aligners. This is to check on your teeth progress and ask any other questions you might have. The next set of aligners will also be given to you during this appointment.