When it comes to straightening teeth, metal braces aren’t the only game in town anymore. Many people today are opting for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. But you need to know things about Invisalign treatment before you get clear aligners.
Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics is a Top 1% Invisalign Provider! We know our patients love Invisalign, and we love seeing the amazing results Invisalign clear aligners produce. But can anyone get Invisalign? How well does Invisalign work? Here are some things you need to know about Invisalign and your treatment options.
Will Invisalign Work?
You may look at clear aligners and think, “How does Invisalign work? How will this piece of acrylic give me a beautiful new smile?”
Invisalign clear aligners are custom-molded to your teeth. Sets are created in sequence to apply gentle pressure and move your teeth. Each set of clear aligners — one upper, one lower — moves your teeth incrementally according to the treatment process.
You will get up to several sets at a time, so you have fewer office visits than with traditional metal braces. You will wear each set of aligners for 1-2 weeks, then replace them with the next set in the sequence until your teeth are in their desired positions. Our patients usually notice a change to their crooked teeth just a few sets into treatment!
What you won’t notice is a bunch of wires and brackets. Clear aligners are nearly invisible on your teeth, which is why so many people prefer them over braces.
Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces?
Your treatment time depends on the number and severity of the dental problems we need to fix. In general, Invisalign does work slightly faster than braces. However, braces tackle the severe cases Invisalign cannot, which may skew the numbers.
On average, Invisalign treatment lasts an average of 9-15 months, as opposed to 12-24 months for teeth straightening with braces. Simple fixes can be treated with Invisalign in as little as six months.
Can Anyone Get Invisalign?
So which is better for you? That’s the biggest question in the braces vs. Invisalign debate. Invisalign has made significant advances over the years so that it fixes more dental issues than ever. Invisalign can repair:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Deep bites
- Gap teeth
- Crowded teeth
It seems Invisalign can fix anything braces can, which is true for the most part. However, some cases do better with braces. For instance, teeth that are embedded or have come in above or below the gum line may not work well with Invisalign. In those cases, braces would be a better option.
When you visit Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics in Topeka, KS, we will thoroughly examine and take digital images and x-rays of your teeth and jaws. From there, we will be able to create a detailed, customized plan for your treatment. We can also tell you if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign or if our advanced metal braces or clear braces would be better options for you.
One thing to note with Invisalign is that it works just as great for adults as it does for teenagers! Yes, you can get adult braces or Invisalign as an adult. Many of our patients are adults and often choose Invisalign because of its discreet look.
Caring for Invisalign
One thing to remember about the Invisalign treatment is that it takes a lot of commitment on your part. Clear aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day to be fully effective and meet the treatment time window. You must clean your Invisalign regularly, remove them for eating, and put them back immediately after eating and brushing your teeth. Braces might be better if you can’t commit to maintaining your clear aligners.
Come see us for Topeka, KS, area orthodontics. We’re happy to let you know whether Invisalign is right for you!
Can Invisalign Fix Jaw Alignment?
Remember those advancements in Invisalign we mentioned previously? One of those was adding “buttons” to Invisalign trays that allow patients to use rubber bands, just like they do with braces. These rubber bands can help repair jaw alignment issues.
This means Invisalign is being used more nowadays on patients with misaligned jaws. However, braces might be the better option if the misalignment is severe.
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Dental insurance can cover part of your orthodontic treatment but rarely covers all of it. Most dental insurance policies do include partial payments for Invisalign treatment. You can also pay through your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through insurance.
Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics offers financing options to cover the rest of your treatment. We offer in-house, 0% interest financing on monthly payments that can extend beyond your treatment time to lower your payments.
We also offer paid-in-full discounts for those who pay for their complete treatment upfront. Do you have more than one family member who needs Invisalign or braces? Good news! We offer family discounts!
Treatment With Invisalign in Topeka, KS
Invisalign is an excellent option for those looking to get orthodontic treatment. Schedule an appointment if you are ready for Invisalign in Topeka, KS. We are ready to help you create that new, beautiful smile!
