Invisalign® – Sunnyside, NY

The Aligners Are Basically Invisible

Let’s start with one of the most common reasons patients choose Invisalign: there aren’t any metal components. Instead, the aligners are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic that blends into your teeth. As a result, people who don’t already know about your orthodontic treatment probably won’t notice at all!

Taking Care of Your Smile Is Easy

Another noteworthy benefit of Invisalign: there won’t be any metal appliances to get in your way while completing your oral hygiene regimen. Instead, you can remove your aligners and place them in their designated case before brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash like usual.

Important note: You will need to take good care of your aligners as well. Don’t worry – you don’t need any expensive cleaning products. Just use clean, cool water to rinse them each time you take them off. Then, use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to remove plaque, saliva, and other debris from the surface before putting them back on.

There Aren’t Strict Dietary Restrictions

Although durable, it’s possible for metal brackets and wires to come loose or snap. That’s why patients with traditional braces are given a list of foods to avoid, like popcorn, whole apples, and raw carrots. The good news is that Invisalign doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions because the aligners are removable. So, all you need to do is take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water!

The Aligners Are Comfortable

In short, your gums will tolerate a plastic aligner much more easily than metal braces. Even the slight discomfort that arises from the movement of your teeth is temporary and easy to manage. As a result, Invisalign has developed a reputation for being quite comfortable, too!

Tip: If one of your aligners has a sharp edge that’s irritating your gums, your lips, or the insides of your cheeks, let us know! We can carefully file it down so it fits comfortably.

The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter

If you want a straight smile for an important event, like your wedding, then you may not have 2+ years to dedicate to orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months. Plus, patients with mild misalignment often achieve the results they desire even sooner! So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with one of our talented cosmetic dentists if you want to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

In order to create your custom treatment plan, we need to determine:

• If gum disease therapy or any other preliminary care is needed
• If single-arch treatment is possible
• How many aligners need to be made
• If rubber bands, attachments, or buttons are needed
• The type of retainer needed to preserve your results

Once we have all of this information, we can provide you with an estimate of the cost and review what to do to avoid additional expenses down the line.

Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Almost always, mail-in aligners cost less. Before you let that sway your decision, it’s important to know why. In order to offer a lower upfront price, these alternatives usually skip the initial consultation, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t have a licensed dental professional overseeing the treatment process. That’s why so many patients experience worsened misalignment and dental damage! Ultimately, this is a classic case of “cheaper isn’t always better.”

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Good news: many dental insurance providers do cover a portion of the cost of orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. So, if you are insured, take a look at the fine print on your plan! If you need any help understanding or utilizing your benefits, we encourage you to provide us with your membership information. Since we work with several of the nation’s leading providers, including Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and Humana, we can make the process seamless and stress-free.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you are uninsured, we have good news: that’s not the only financial solution available! We also welcome flexible financing with CareCredit. If you haven’t heard of CareCredit before, it’s a trusted third-party financier that offers convenient payment plans. That way, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of your orthodontic treatment in one lump sum. Instead, you can break up the total price into smaller, more manageable chunks that work with your budget.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Invisalign is not a painful treatment. Its smooth plastic design actually makes it one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatments out there. When you first get Invisalign, there is an adjustment period where you are likely to experience some soreness, but this will subside as you get used to the treatment. Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth into proper alignment by using a series of aligners. Each time you switch to the next aligner in the series, you may experience a small amount of pressure, but this just means that the treatment is working! Any mild discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

One of the main advantages of Invisalign is that they are completely removable, allowing you to take your aligners out when it comes time to eat. Eating with your Invisalign will not only damage your aligners, but also put unnecessary pressure on your teeth. The only item that you should be consuming while wearing your aligners is water. If you want to have anything else, take your aligners out first and store them in their case.

Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?

This all depends on your specific needs. Braces are able to correct severe overbites, underbites, and crossbites that Invisalign cannot. In some cases, the patient’s teeth may have grown crooked or misaligned years after they’ve completed treatment with braces. Invisalign can usually help with this problem and correct current alignment issues. To find out if you make a good candidate for Invisalign, schedule a consultation with us.

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

With any addition to your mouth, there will be an initial adjustment period when it comes to your speech. Lisps are caused by improper tongue placement, which affects airflow and makes some words sound different when spoken out loud. In some cases, patients can develop a lisp, but this is usually pretty minor and will go away shortly. The easiest way to prevent a lisp is by practicing speaking. The more you talk, the faster your tongue will be able to adjust to your aligners.