Have you dreamed of the day when you could straighten your teeth without enduring months or years of “metal mouth?” If so, it’s here! Thanks to Invisalign, you’re no longer limited to traditional braces. Instead, we can address overcrowding, noticeable gaps, and more with clear, custom-made aligners. If you are ready to start your teeth-straightening journey, then get in touch with our Fort Myers dental team. If you want to learn a bit more about this innovative orthodontic treatment first, then read on!
In short, Invisalign relies on a series of custom clear aligners, which are designed to apply gentle, consistent pressure. Each set in the series will move your teeth incrementally closer to their ideal positions over the course of 1-2 weeks. Then, you’ll transition to the next set, and the process will begin again. Usually, the entire treatment process takes between 12 and 18 months, but there are some cases where patients achieve the results they desire even sooner!
Over the last two decades, more than 17 million patients have achieved the smile they’ve always wanted. So, there’s a good chance that you’ll be a candidate too! Even if Invisalign isn’t a good fit for you, we can explore your other options in short-term orthodontics to achieve the results you want. Ultimately, the best way to find out if you’re a candidate is by scheduling a consultation with us, but you’re welcome to read on to learn more in the meantime.
Do your teeth overlap? Maybe they are slightly rotated out of position. In both cases, Invisalign may be an option for you. If it is, then we will create a custom series of aligners made to guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions.
Noticeable gaps are another orthodontic problem that can take a toll on your self-esteem and your oral health. That’s why we recommend exploring your treatment options, like Invisalign. If you’re a candidate, then we can straighten your teeth without any metal.
If you have a mild bite problem, like an overbite, Invisalign might be the solution you’ve been looking for. To plan out your entire treatment with precision, Dr. George Hoop will use state-of-the-art 3D imaging so you know what to expect from start to finish.
Oftentimes, patients assume that the only benefit of choosing Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. That’s not the case! In fact, you can enjoy several noteworthy benefits with this popular orthodontic treatment, including:
Although they are effective and great for patients with more severe cases of malocclusion, there’s something about traditional braces that many cannot overlook: metal brackets and wires are quite noticeable. Invisalign, on the other hand, is virtually undetectable since they are crafted from clear, smooth plastic and custom-made to ensure they don’t look or feel bulky! In short, you don’t have to worry – no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile.
Traditional braces work, but the brackets and wires inside your mouth can take some getting used to. In fact, many patients keep dental wax with them so they can prevent soft tissue irritation from the sharp edges. While this is only temporary, you might get painful scrapes and sores inside your lips and cheeks, making the teeth-straightening process considerably less convenient. None of this is an issue for Invisalign patients!
Since traditional braces cannot be removed (unless by a skilled dental professional, of course) patients need to get used to cleaning around the brackets and wires. Usually, this requires special dental care products, like interproximal toothbrushes. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are removable. So, you don’t need to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen. As a result, preventing common oral health problems, like tooth decay, is easier than ever.
If you had traditional braces in the past, you may remember that there were a few dietary restrictions. While essential, they can be a bit of a nuisance. The good news is that – since Invisalign aligners are removable – they don’t come with the same rules. In fact, you can eat all of your favorite foods as long as you don’t overindulge on cavity-causing ones, like ice cream and potato chips.
One benefit that often gets overlooked is that the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is considerably shorter. While traditional braces usually take 2-3 years, clear aligners often deliver the same results in just 12-18 months. There are even some cases where the teeth-straightening process is only 4-8 months too! So, if you are interested in getting the results you desire sooner rather than later, don’t hesitate to schedule an Invisalign consultation with Dr. Hoop.
There was once a time when correcting more moderate overcrowding and common bite problems required traditional orthodontics. That’s no longer the case! Now, patients with all kinds of orthodontic problems can pursue a healthier, more functional smile with clear, comfortable aligners. So, if you were once told that metal braces were the only option, schedule a consultation with us – that may have changed.
It won’t be long into researching the cost of Invisalign that you realize there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Initially, that might be disappointing to hear. However, it’s actually good news – it means that your treatment will be 100% tailored to your unique dental needs and smile goals! If you’d like a better idea of the price of your clear aligner treatment, then we highly recommend scheduling a consultation with our Fort Myers dental team. You can also learn a bit more on the topic right here.
Before creating your treatment plan (and determining the cost), we need to conduct an oral exam and take X-rays. This will give us insight into:
Important note: these are factors that will impact the price of your treatment upfront. Once you begin Invisalign, there’s potential for additional costs if your teeth don’t track properly. Most often, this is a result of bad habits, like not wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. So, make sure to follow all of your treatment guidelines as best as you can.
If you’ve seen commercials and ads for mail-order clear aligners, then you know that their messaging focuses almost exclusively on the low price. What they don’t spotlight, however, is the steps of the treatment process they cut out to achieve that number. For example, they skip the initial exam, which can seriously damage your oral health as well as the look of your smile. Furthermore, they rely on DIY impressions (which are often inaccurate), and there are countless lawsuits from patients who have experienced worsened misalignment from their clear aligners. Simply put, even with a lower upfront cost, Invisalign alternatives like these are not worth your money.
If you’re insured and you’re interested in getting Invisalign, then we encourage you to review the fine print on your plan or reach out to your provider directly. Since orthodontic benefits work differently than your regular preventive and restorative ones, it can be a bit tricky to understand your coverage and your out-of-pocket expenses. With that said, you’re more than welcome to ask our team any questions you have. We will do everything we can to make the most of your benefits as well!
If you’re uninsured, you’ll be happy to know that dental insurance isn’t the only financial solution we welcome. In fact, we have several that our patients can use to make the cost of Invisalign more affordable. In addition to our Direct Dental Savings Plan, we offer periodic special offers and happily accept flexible financing with CareCredit. If you are interested in any of these options, then we encourage you to give our team a call so we can share all of the details and answer any questions you have!
Invisalign is an excellent way to straighten misaligned teeth, but you may still have some unanswered questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about Invisalign in Fort Myers. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about the treatment and get you started with an initial consultation. Just give us a call!
Invisalign is not a painful treatment. Its smooth plastic design makes it one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment options out there. When you first get Invisalign, there is an adjustment period, so you may experience slight soreness, but this will go away as you get used to your aligners. Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth into proper alignment, so you may feel some pressure, but this just shows that it’s working! Discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, and a cold compress.
One of the greatest advantages of Invisalign is that your aligners are completely removable, so you can take them out when mealtime comes around. Eating with your aligners in your mouth will not only damage them, but it also puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth. The only thing that you should be consuming while wearing your Invisalign is water. Otherwise, you should take them out and store them in a safe place.
This is entirely possible. It just depends on your specific needs. Braces are better able to correct more severe overbites, underbites, and crossbites, so if you have severe alignment issues, clear aligners may not be the best option for you. However, if your teeth have grown crooked or misaligned years after you’ve completed treatment with braces, Invisalign will likely be able to help! By scheduling a consultation, you can learn if Invisalign is the right option to help you meet your smile goals.
There is an initial adjustment period when it comes to your speech. Lisps are caused by improper tongue placement in the mouth when speaking. In some cases, patients with Invisalign develop a lisp, but it is usually very minor and will go away on its own once the tongue adjusts to the aligners. The easiest way to reduce the chances of/prevent a lisp is to practice. The more you talk, the quicker you will be able to adjust!