Invisalign – Wauwatosa, WI
A Clear and Quicker Alternative to Braces
If the idea of wearing metal brackets and wires sounds unappealing, you’re not alone. Most older teenagers and adults prefer a clear and subtle solution that will produce the same type of results but without the shining spotlight of regular braces. Fortunately, at Wauwatosa Dental Arts, we can provide Invisalign in Wauwatosa! These clear and plastic aligners are designed to shift your teeth in the right direction using gently applied pressure. Instead of relying on shiny metal to straighten your teeth or realign your bite, you can achieve quicker results and a healthy, beautiful smile without anyone ever noticing that you’re receiving treatment. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for Invisalign.
Why Choose Wauwatosa Dental Arts for Invisalign?
- Dental Experts with Advanced Training and Experience in Invisalign
- Late Evening Appointments for Your Convenience
- Dental Insurance Accepted & Financing Available
How Does Invisalign Work?
Using SmartTrack material by Align Technologies, Invisalign is a clear aligner system that uses plastic trays that are customized to your mouth to gently move your teeth into proper alignment. Impressions taken of your smile will result in a personalized set of aligners that you are required to wear throughout the duration of your treatment. When worn 20-22 hours each day for 1-2 weeks at a time, you will notice your pearly whites moving in the desired direction, creating a more pleasing aesthetic and properly functioning smile.
Indications for Invisalign
Invisalign aligners make it easy to undergo orthodontic treatment. Because of its versatility, it is capable of addressing all types of dental problems, including:
Crowded Teeth
Invisalign can easily move teeth that are sitting too close to each other (crowded teeth) to create appropriate space. This will ensure that you can easily brush and floss your teeth to remove bad bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Gaps Between Teeth
Clear aligners can also bring teeth closer together when too much space exists. Food and bacteria can easily become trapped in these gaps, increasing your risk for many of the most common oral health problems. However, with Invisalign, your dentist in Wauwatosa can map out a plan that will bridge these gaps and give you a healthier, more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Bite Alignment
When it comes to realigning your bite, it doesn’t matter if you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, Invisalign can move and shift your teeth in the right direction, making sure both the upper and lower arches work harmoniously together all while minimizing any potential chronic jaw pain.
The Benefits of Invisalign
When comparing Invisalign to other orthodontic solutions (i.e., traditional braces), it’s easy to see why so many people are turning to these clear aligner systems for help. Many of the benefits you will find by choosing Invisalign include:
- The ability to keep your treatment a secret. Because of the clear, translucent appearance, it will be difficult for anyone to tell you’re wearing them.
- An easy-to-maintain solution that only requires clear soap, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and lukewarm water to keep clean.
- Greater flexibility when eating, drinking, and cleaning your aligners, as you will need to remove them, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods and beverages as well as maintain better oral hygiene throughout treatment.
- Quicker results as opposed to traditional braces.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign in Wauwatosa is different for every patient. Many factors must be considered before a final estimate can be generated. When meeting with our dental team, you can expect us to examine your smile in its entirety before coming up with the exact treatment plan needed to produce the results you desire. We’ll consider everything including the number of aligners you need, the severity of your case, and even the type of retainer you’ll need to wear once you’re all done with your treatment. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today for more information or to schedule a consultation
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Every smile is different, meaning that the cost of Invisalign will vary depending on your smile’s individual circumstances. However, a few main factors that often influence the total cost include:
- Number of aligners needed – This is often related to the extent and type of your misalignment.
- Whether you are straightening one arch or both – It’s more expensive to straighten both the upper and lower teeth than straightening just one or the other.
- Your compliance with treatment – Lost or damaged aligners will inevitably need to be replaced, and these added costs can quickly add up. Additionally, not adhering to the 22-hour rule will lengthen your overall treatment process.
- Whether you will require extra accessories – If you need elastics (small rubber bands) or other accessories, these can also factor into the final cost
Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
These days, many DIY clear aligner treatments like Smile Direct Club™ have also become popular alongside Invisalign. These DIY alternatives usually cost around $2,000 whereas Invisalign may cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000.
As attractive as the DIY system might be, it’s important to note a few differences between this option and Invisalign:
- DIY aligners are often made out of cheap plastic, while Invisalign uses a patented material that is designed for comfort and efficiency.
- There have been accounts where DIY aligners have been ineffective, and in some cases, they’ve even been known to worsen alignment!
- With Invisalign, you’re guaranteed the personalized support of our amazing team!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance policies include a once-in-a-lifetime provision for orthodontic treatment and Invisalign is often included, though you will need to verify with your provider beforehand. We’re able to work with your insurance plan and fully maximize your benefits so that your Invisalign treatment isn’t a financial burden on you.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
We’re happy to work with you to find a way to make your Invisalign treatment more affordable! If you don’t have dental insurance or orthodontic coverage, we offer alternative payment options with low-interest financing including CareCredit that can break up the cost of your treatment into smaller, more manageable installments.
Invisalign FAQs
Do you still have questions about the process, benefits, and details of Invisalign in Wauwatosa? We can help! Our knowledgeable team would be more than happy to answer any specific questions you have during your personal consultation. Until then, you can read on to learn the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions about this discreet teeth-straightening solution.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Your exact treatment timeline will depend on several factors, including the severity of your misalignment, whether you’re straightening one arch of teeth or both, and how well you comply with the 22-hour-a-day wear time. With all that said, Invisalign has an impressive 12-to-18-month average treatment timeline. Since traditional braces can take 24+ months, this is quite an improvement!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
The good news is that Invisalign is not painful. While braces do come with some slight discomfort (your teeth are being moved into entirely new positions, after all!), the smooth plastic design helps prevent irritation to your lips, gums, and cheeks. Plus, if you do experience any soreness, you can easily alleviate it by placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, sipping on ice-cold water, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once you’ve worked through your entire series of trays, it will be time to wrap up your Invisalign treatment! While your days of switching from aligner to aligner and visiting our Wauwatosa dentist every six weeks are over, your days of wearing your retainer have just begun. After all, braces don’t permanently straighten your teeth; you need the help of an orthodontic appliance to prevent orthodontic relapse. The good news is that there are equally discreet retainer options. Plus, you’ll eventually get to a place where you only need to wear it at night. The best way to protect your investment and your beautiful new smile is to make this a lifetime best practice.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
While you can’t eat with your aligners in your mouth, you can eat whatever you’d like after they are removed. In fact, the “no dietary restrictions” perk is one of the many reasons patients love Invisalign! In the hours or days following your switch to a new set of trays, your teeth may be a bit sore, requiring you to stick to softer foods (i.e., scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt). It’s also a good idea to keep your intake of added sugar to a minimum to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease before, during, and after your treatment. Lastly, make sure you always store your trays in their protective case during mealtime to help prevent them from accidentally getting misplaced or thrown away.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is essential. Otherwise, they can turn yellow, giving your teeth a yellow hue as well. One of the best ways to keep them stain-free is by rinsing them with lukewarm water every time you take them out of your mouth and before you put them back in. Additionally, brush them with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal (not toothpaste – it’s too abrasive). If your trays are beginning to discolor or have a funky smell, then place them in a mixture of water and the cleaning crystals for a few minutes.