Invisalign – Beachwood, OH
Achieving Your Orthodontic Goals Has Never Been Easier
If you have crooked or crowded teeth, gaps between your teeth, or bite issues that are detracting from your quality of life, you might be thinking about undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, you might also be reluctant to commit to wearing braces. Fortunately, there’s a much more convenient and comfortable alternative to the traditional metal brackets and wires that you’re familiar with: Invisalign clear aligners! To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule a consultation with our office to see if it’s the right solution for you, contact us today.
Why Choose Orange Place Family Dentistry for Invisalign?
- Skilled Dental Team with Several Years of Experience
- Insurance Accepted and Financing Options Available
- In-House Membership Program for Patients without Insurance
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign accomplishes the exact same task as braces – the system uses precise pressure to gently move teeth into their correct, healthier positions. But rather than relying on metal brackets and wires, Invisalign consists of series of clear aligners that are worn over the teeth. These trays are custom-made for each patient, and they require a pretty serious commitment; patients must wear them for 22 hours each day in order for them to move their teeth as intended. Every two weeks or so, patients must also advance to a new set of trays to keep up with the movement of their teeth. Assuming things go as planned, the aligners will gradually shift their teeth over the course of several months.
Who Invisalign Can Help
You should know that severe orthodontic issues might require traditional treatment options like braces, but for most mild to moderate problems, Invisalign can help!
Crowded Teeth
One of the most common orthodontic issues that patients experience is crowding, meaning that the teeth simply do not have enough room to remain properly aligned. This is something Invisalign can easily address; the aligners will glide your teeth into the correct alignment.
Gaps Between Teeth
Having gaps between your teeth won’t just affect your self-esteem – it can increase the likelihood of suffering from cavities or gum disease, as there’s more space for food particles and bacteria to become trapped. Invisalign can help you close these gaps, protecting your future dental health.
Bite alignment
Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and even open bites are all common concerns that can cause harm to teeth if left unaddressed, as well as impact your oral functionality. Luckily, minor bite issues can easily be corrected with the help of Invisalign.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign has helped countless patients over the years achieve their orthodontic goals. It’s a highly sought-after solution due to the many benefits it offers, including:
- On average, Invisalign treatment timelines tend to be shorter than those of traditional braces, and require fewer check-ins.
- The aligners are virtually invisible while being worn due to their special clear plastic material.
- Since the aligners are fully removable, oral hygiene is hardly impacted, and there are also no dietary restrictions.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners can fit comfortably into any lifestyle while straightening your smile. These clear, removable trays are easy to manage and nearly undetectable, making them perfect for any occasion. At Orange Place Family Dentistry, we’ll guide you through every step of the process, so you know exactly what to expect. With just a little care and consistency, Invisalign can help you achieve a gorgeous grin without disrupting your daily routine.
Wearing Your Trays
For the best results, you should wear your Invisalign aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Only remove them to eat, drink (anything other than water), or brush your teeth. After your consultation, our team will give you detailed instructions and provide support to help you stay on track. Wearing your trays consistently ensures your teeth move as planned, helping you reach your smile goals right on schedule.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Keeping your aligners clean is one of the most important aspects of maintenance for the duration of your treatment. You’ll need to rinse them with warm (never hot) water every time you take them out and gently brush them at least once a day with a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap.
Avoid using toothpaste, as it can scratch the plastic! Our team also recommends soaking your trays at least once a week in Invisalign cleaning crystals for a deeper clean. Freshening your aligners helps keep your mouth feeling fresh and your trays crystal clear.
Eating & Drinking
One of the best perks of Invisalign is that there are no food restrictions! Just remove your trays before eating or drinking anything besides water. This prevents staining and damage to your aligners.
After meals, simply brush your teeth before putting your trays back in. This ensures no plaque or food particles get trapped under your trays, letting bacteria grow uninhibited.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you lose or damage an aligner, don’t panic, just contact our Beachwood office as soon as possible. Depending on your case, we may recommend returning to a previous set of aligners, moving on to the next, or ordering a replacement.
Never try to fix a damaged tray yourself, as it can potentially damage your teeth or gums or introduce toxic chemicals like super glue to your mouth. Just give us a call and we’ll help you stay on track with quick solutions and expert guidance.
Routine Check-Ins
Routine Invisalign check-ins are quick and easy. Every 6–8 weeks, you’ll visit us at Orange Place Family Dentistry so we can look at your progress and give you your next set of trays.
These short visits ensure everything is moving properly and allow us to make any needed adjustments to your treatment plan. We’ll be sure to keep your appointments efficient, so you can stay focused on your routine while working toward a healthier smile.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Every patient’s smile and orthodontic needs are different, meaning that there technically isn’t a “set price” when it comes to Invisalign treatment. It will depend on a few different factors, such as the total number of aligners that are needed, whether both arches are being straightened, and of course, overall patient compliance – if a patient doesn’t wear their aligners for the required 22 hours each day, they will suffer setbacks that could be costly. In some cases, Invisalign might also involve elastics or other accessories to help your teeth move more predictably. In any case, during your consultation, we’ll closely review your treatment plan with you and all associated cost estimates.
Invisalign FAQs
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Usually, patients achieve the results they desire in just 12-18 months. However, your teeth-straightening journey could be considerably shorter or a tad longer – it depends largely on the severity of your case! Of course, how well you follow the guidelines matters as well, so do your best to follow the instructions we give you, starting with wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Good news: Invisalign aligners are custom-made from smooth plastic and are completely free of metal. Plus, there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments, which can lead to quite a bit of soreness. Instead, your teeth are gently moved into their ideal positions as you transition to each new set of trays in the series. In short, you don’t have to worry – Invisalign is considerably more comfortable than traditional braces.
What Should I Do If I Lose One of My Aligners?
If you lose one of your aligners, do your best to remember the last place you know you had them. Then, retrace your steps from there. Remember, you may find them somewhere unexpected, like your refrigerator, the waste bin in your kitchen, or the center console of your car, so do your best to look in the not-so-obvious places as well.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Invisalign?
Although there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign, there are some foods we encourage patients to avoid to protect their smile from harm. A few examples include crunchy foods, sugary sweets, and sticky snacks. Instead, do your best to eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals to prevent tooth decay, broken attachments, and other trouble.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Have you heard of orthodontic relapse? It’s the phenomenon when teeth begin to move back into their previously misaligned positions following their orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, it happens to upwards of 50% of patients, which is why we want to do what we can to help preserve your hard-earned results.
At your “final” appointment, we will take the “after” photos as well as impressions of your teeth so a custom retainer can be made. We’ll ask you to wear yours every night while you sleep to keep your teeth and bite in perfect alignment. If something happens – like your retainer breaks or you accidentally misplace it – call us right away so we can have a new one made.
How Long Do I Need to Wear My Invisalign Aligners Each Day?
In order to stay on-track with your treatment plan, you need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day. We recommend using the stopwatch on your phone as a guide so you know how close or far you are from the mark. You can also use the timer in the Invisalign app!