Invisalign - Tallahassee, FL
Straighten Your Smile with Clear Aligners
Are you dealing with misaligned teeth but reluctant to wear fixed metal braces? Invisalign in Tallahassee offers an alternative to visible braces. Its clear aligners place focused pressure on teeth to gradually bring them into the proper position. Keep reading to learn more about how Invisalign works, including its Invisalign and what you can expect to pay for this wonderful orthodontic treatment.
Platinum Invisalign Provider
Being recognized as a Platinum Provider for Invisalign signifies an exceptional level of expertise and experience in orthodontic treatment. As a Platinum Provider, our dentist demonstrates a deep understanding of Invisalign technology and a proven track record of successful outcomes for patients. This prestigious designation reflects our commitment to staying at the forefront of orthodontic advancements and providing our patients with the highest quality of care. With our Platinum Provider status, patients can trust that they are receiving treatment from a dentist who has achieved mastery in utilizing Invisalign aligners to achieve beautiful, healthy smiles.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a clear braces treatment that works using a series of aligners which are customized to fit your specific dentition. This orthodontic option is FDA-approved and has been used in more than 4 million cases worldwide. That makes it by far the most popular clear aligner system for straightening crowded, gapped, or otherwise misaligned teeth.
The Invisalign Process
To set you up with your Invisalign treatment, we will take digital impressions of your teeth to identify which ones need to be rearranged for optimal form and function. Based on these scans, your unique Invisalign aligners will be created. You can begin treatment as soon as you receive the aligners -- and we will instruct you on how long to wear each set before moving to the next in the system.
Instructions for proper Invisalign use include:
- Wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day
- Removing the aligners before you eat or drink anything besides water
- Brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly before reinserting the aligners
- Rinsing the aligners before and after taking them out
- Soaking the aligners in the special Invisalign solution occasionally
- Wearing the aligners to bed after you have brushed and flossed
Who Can Invisalign Help?
If you’re interested in finding out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign, you’ll be happy to hear that many patients with mild to moderate cases of malocclusion are! That said, the only way to know for certain if clear aligner treatment is right for you is to come in for a consultation with our Tallahassee dental team. Until then, you can read on to learn more about crowded teeth, gapped teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth are tilted out of alignment or overlap, then you should come in for an appointment with our Tallahassee dental team so we can determine if Invisalign is right for you. This is important because overcrowding can negatively impact multiple aspects of your smile, including how healthy it is. Simply put, Invisalign can do more than just improve your self-esteem!
Gaps Between Teeth
Many patients don’t think twice about the gaps between their teeth until they become a teenager or adult. If that’s the case for you, then you’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign may be an option! If we determine that it is, then we will use a series of clear aligners to gently guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, closing the spaces in the process. One of the best parts? The average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months!
Overbite
If your upper teeth sit farther in front of your lower teeth than they should, then you likely have an overbite. Trouble enunciating early, premature wear, and persistent jaw pain are just a few of the many problems that have been linked to this bite problem, which is why we recommend finding out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will create a custom treatment plan designed to bring your bite into proper alignment.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower row of teeth sits in front of the upper row. If you have this bite problem, then you know all too well that it can make chewing properly and enunciating clearly difficult. It can also lead to TMJ dysfunction, chronic jaw pain, and even premature wear and tear on certain teeth. For all of those reasons, we recommend coming to our office for an Invisalign consultation sooner rather than later.
Crossbite
When you bite down, do some of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth and vice versa? If so, then you likely have a crossbite. Although the aesthetic drawbacks alone often motivate patients to see if they are candidates for Invisalign, it’s important to know that this bite problem also has the potential to negatively impact the health and function of your smile. So, it’s worth setting aside some time to come to our Tallahassee dental office to see if Invisalign is right for you.
Open Bite
In short, an open bite is when your teeth don’t come together evenly when your mouth is closed. If you have an opening at the front of your mouth, then yours may be the result of a childhood habit, like thumb-sucking. If it’s toward the back of your mouth, then it may be premature wear and tear or simply genetics. Regardless, it’s important to explore your orthodontic treatment options, like Invisalign, so we can improve the look, health, and function of your smile.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign offers a number of benefits, especially compared to traditional metal braces. Some of the most considerable advantages of this treatment include the following:
- Removability enhances convenience -- take the trays out and continue to eat what you like without any hassle
- Slip the aligners out before special occasions to speak and smile with confidence
- The clear plastic material is very subtle when worn
- Invisalign aligners are less likely to rub sore spots in the soft oral tissues
- Fewer visits to the dentist are required throughout the treatment process
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Since Invisalign is more comfortable and discreet than traditional orthodontics, the transition to life with braces should be pretty smooth. That said, it’s still a good idea to do some research on the topic, just so you know ahead of time what to expect. Below, you’ll find helpful information, including how to meet your wear time daily and what to do if you accidentally misplace your trays.
Wearing Your Trays
To stay on-track with your treatment plan, you need to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day. If you are having a hard time doing that, then try dedicating 40 minutes to each meal, 15 minutes to snacks, and another 15 minutes to oral hygiene. Using the stopwatch on your phone will help immensely when it comes to creating and sticking to the schedule as well. Before long, meeting the recommended wear time will be second nature.
Tip: Drink coffee and other dark-colored beverages alongside your meals or snacks so you aren’t taking your aligners out as often!
Routine Check-Ins
Another important component of life with Invisalign is the check-in visits. At this time, we will take new scans of your teeth so we can monitor their movement and determine if you are on-track with your treatment plan. If you aren’t, don’t worry – we can adjust your treatment plan accordingly to help avoid unwanted delays. Oftentimes, these appointments are only 20 minutes or so too!
Tip: If you have a busy schedule, come in on your lunch break or on your way home from school/work!
Cleaning Your Aligners
Although cleaning your aligners is something you’ll need to add to your routine, it won’t require too much of your time. There are basically two habits you need to adopt: rinsing your aligners with clean, cool water each time you take them out and cleaning them with a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush before you put them back in.
Tip: To give your aligners a deeper clean, use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit!
Eating and Drinking
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, navigating meals and snacks is much simpler. After all, you don’t need to completely eliminate any foods from your diet! All we ask is that added sugar is kept to a minimum. If you have a lot of attachments, we may also recommend steering clear of crunchy and sticky foods, like gummy candies and hard pretzels.
Tip: Eat plenty of nutrient-dense foods to help keep your teeth and gums healthy!
Losing a Tray
To avoid losing one or both of your aligners, we recommend only taking them out when absolutely necessary and always putting them in their designated storage case when you aren’t wearing them. That said, accidents happen – don’t worry! If you can’t find your trays, then carefully retrace your steps. If you don’t have any luck finding them, give our Tallahassee dental team a call so we can determine the best way to proceed.
Tip: Pick a brightly colored case so your aligners are easier to find!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Not long into researching the cost of Invisalign, you’ll see that there isn’t a fixed price. That’s because no two smiles are the same and several factors need to be considered when making your treatment plan, including the severity of your misalignment. The best way to find out what you can expect to pay for your clear aligners is to schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist in Tallahassee at Boyd & Walther Dental Associates. You can also read on to learn some general information on the topic before your visit!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The total price of yours will depend on a few factors, including the complexity of your case, if you need to straighten one or both arches of your teeth, and how well you comply with the instructions. For example, if you don’t store your aligners properly, resulting in them being misplaced or damaged, then that can add to the total cost of the Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Mail-order aligner companies market themselves as a cheaper alternative to Invisalign. While the upfront cost is lower, they don’t provide the same treatment. For example, Invisalign starts with a thorough initial exam to ensure you’re a good candidate. Mail-order aligner companies do not. Invisalign also has more than 20 years of experience helping patients achieve their dream smiles and has support from professional organizations, like the ADA. Mail-order aligner companies do not. It’s also worth noting that these DIY alternatives have countless lawsuits from previous patients who experienced numerous problems – from worsened misalignment to loose teeth. So, even with a lower upfront cost, it isn’t worth the money.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
There are some cases where the answer is “yes.” Of course, that isn’t across the board, which is why we encourage our patients to get in touch with their provider or review the fine print on their dental plan. We’re also in-network with several dental insurance companies, including Ameritas and Sun Life, so we can help you better understand your benefits and maximize your coverage to the fullest.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you want to make your Invisalign treatment more affordable, but you don’t have dental insurance, then ask us about CareCredit! This third-party financier offers several payment plans, which ensures your care can fit into your monthly budget. Plus, there are low-to-no interest options as well, and signing up takes only a few minutes. If you have any questions about this financial solution, don’t hesitate to ask.
Invisalign FAQs
If you’re interested in finally fixing your crooked teeth with Invisalign in Tallahassee, then reading through the information earlier on this page is a great place to start. That said, our team at Boyd & Walther Dental Associates understands that you may have a few specific concerns that you need addressed before you begin treatment or even schedule a consultation. We’ve included the answers to a handful of frequently asked Invisalign questions below, but feel free to reach out to us if you have any additional questions!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Because your teeth are being forcibly shifted into new positions, you can expect to feel some discomfort with any type of orthodontic treatment. In fact, that’s how you can tell that it’s working! Luckily, Invisalign is generally much more comfortable than braces. The trays are made from smooth plastic that won’t irritate your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue as easily as metal wires and brackets do. If you do experience significant discomfort with Invisalign, try taking ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain medication as needed until it subsides.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
One spectacular benefit of Invisalign is that, unlike traditional braces, you aren’t required to adhere to any dietary restrictions. As long as you take your aligners out of your mouth beforehand, you’re free to enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks just like you did before you started treatment.
It’s worth mentioning that, in order to keep your trays free from stains and germs, you should clean them off after eating and before placing them back on your teeth. Otherwise, food debris could get trapped against your teeth, where it could attract harmful bacteria that causes cavities and discoloration of your aligners as well as your teeth.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Taking good care of your Invisalign aligners is essential if you want your trays to remain discreet and your treatment to be finished in a timely manner. With that in mind, remember to:
- Always remove your aligners before you eat or drink, with the exception of plain water.
- Whenever your aligners are not in your mouth, store them in their protective case so that they don’t become damaged or misplaced.
- At least once a day, gently scrub your aligners clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush and antibacterial hand soap or a specially made Invisalign cleaning solution. Regular toothpaste can be abrasive to the plastic, so avoid using it.
- Never clean your Invisalign trays with hot water. It can warp their shape and render them ineffective.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Just like with traditional braces, you’ll need to wear a retainer after Invisalign so that your teeth don’t “forget” their new positions. In most cases, an Invisalign retainer is a clear plastic appliance that actually resembles the trays quite closely. Your cosmetic dentist in Tallahassee will instruct you on how often you’ll need to wear your retainer. Generally, you’ll be asked to wear it for 20 to 22 hours a day at first before gradually transitioning to wearing it only at night.