Invisalign® – Sterling Heights, MI

Wearing Your Trays

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign trays are removable. That means you’ll be responsible for ensuring that you wear them for 20 to 22 hours daily. Typically, that means they’ll always be in your mouth except during meals and cleanings. This prevents your teeth from reverting to their original placements, which can extend your treatment timeline. Then, after a week or two, you’ll be given a new set of aligners to account for the ongoing movement of your teeth.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Germs and bits of food can become trapped in the spaces between your teeth and trays. Because they’re pressed closely together all day, you are at an increased risk of developing cavities or gum disease.

To prevent oral issues, it’s imperative that you remove your aligners both morning and night to brush and floss your teeth and wash your trays. You can gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap that won’t damage the plastic material. You can also safely soak them in special Invisalign cleaning crystals for about 15 to 30 minutes at least once daily to eradicate up to 99% of bacteria.

Eating & Drinking

Unlike with traditional braces, you should remove your clear aligners to eat or drink anything other than water. This ensures that you don’t damage them by biting into something too hard or stain them by drinking darkly pigmented beverages like coffee or tea. Fortunately, that means that you can continue to eat and drink a wholesome diet of all your favorite foods because there are no dietary restrictions to worry about.

Be sure to stow your aligners safely in their carrier case during meals so you don’t accidentally toss them out with your garbage when finished.

Losing or Damaging a Tray 

It’s natural to feel anxious when you lose or damage your clear aligners, but rest assured, you’re not the first patient to have done so, and you won’t be the last! The transparent plastic is smooth and can easily get lost, but then is difficult to find.

Although it’s not the end of the world, it can potentially add additional weeks to your treatment timeline, so you should inform us right away. We’ll let you know whether you should switch to the next trays early or revert to the previous ones while we reorder a replacement

Routine Check-Ins

While you do have to keep up with regular Invisalign follow-up appointments, they can also be very brief. Once every four to eight weeks, we’ll take 15 to 30 minutes to examine your mouth to ensure that your teeth are shifting as intended. We’ll also provide the next trays that you’ll need to switch to at the designated times. This appointment is also the perfect time to discuss any questions or concerns that might arise during your treatment.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth can certainly impact the look of your smile. However, our main concern is how it impacts its health and function. After all, this orthodontic problem has been linked to an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. So, if your teeth overlap or are tilted out of alignment, don’t wait – schedule an appointment with our Sterling Heights dental team!

Gaps Between Teeth

Spaced out teeth also have the potential to negatively affect multiple aspects of your smile. So, if you have a significant gap between your two front teeth or there are several spaces throughout your smile, it’s time to take the next step and schedule a consultation with us! From there, we can assess the complexity of your case and determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.

Overbite

If your teeth don’t come together evenly, it can negatively impact your chewing and speaking patterns. Plus, it can increase your risk of TMJ dysfunction and chronic jaw pain. That’s why we recommend coming to our office to learn about your treatment options if you have an overbite. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will bring your bite into proper alignment with virtually undetectable aligners!

Underbite

When your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, your jaw is placed in an unnatural position for extended periods of time. That’s why patients with overbites often experience chronic jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and similar problems. The good news is that Invisalign is capable of fixing mild to moderate cases with the help of orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands.

Crossbite

What if some, but not all, of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth? This is referred to as a crossbite, and it can lead to premature wear and tear as well as dental damage, like chips, cracks, and fractures. For that reason, we recommend getting the orthodontic treatment you need sooner rather than later. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then that will involve a series of clear, custom-made trays.

Open Bite

Due to genetics or childhood habits, like thumb-sucking, some patients have an open space in the front or back of their mouth when they bite down. This is referred to as an open bite, and, like the other bite problems on this list, it can lead to numerous problems. That’s why we encourage patients to explore the treatments available to them now; Invisalign may be an option!

How is Invisalign Teen Different?

There are two distinct differences between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen:

• A blue indicator dot – Between school and extracurricular activities, like football practice, it’s difficult to make sure that your teen wears their aligners for 20+ hours a day. Or, it would be if there wasn’t a small, blue indicator dot on their trays!
• A few replacement aligners – Are you worried about “oops” moments, like your teen accidentally throwing away their aligners at school? That’s exactly why Invisalign Teen comes with up to six replacements!

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

Since Invisalign Teen is able to address mild and moderate cases of malocclusion, there’s a good chance that your child is a candidate. That said, there are some things we need to consider, including the complexity of their case, to know for certain. Some parents choose traditional braces instead because they can only be removed by a dental professional and, therefore, cannot be lost. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not Invisalign Teen is right for your child will depend on several important factors, which is why the initial consultation is so important.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Of course, having virtually invisible braces is an obvious benefit of Invisalign, but it’s just one of many! Here are a few other perks that patients love:

• The aligners are metal-free, which makes them considerably more comfortable.
• There aren’t any dietary restrictions.
• Brushing and flossing are easy since the aligners are removable.
• There are fewer check-in visits.
• The average treatment timeline is shorter.

Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign Teen? If so, then give our Sterling Heights dental team a call to schedule a consultation! At this appointment, we will conduct a comprehensive oral exam, assess the complexity of your child’s case, learn a bit about their lifestyle, and determine if clear aligner treatment is right for them.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

No two smiles are the same, which means the overall cost of Invisalign could vary significantly from person to person. Here are some factors that can influence the total price:

• Number of Aligners: Most people will need to straighten both the upper and lower arches. However, if you only need to address one arch, you can expect the cost to be a bit lower.
• Complexity of Case: Some orthodontic cases are more complex than others, which can drive up the total cost. If you have severe alignment issues, your treatment will likely be a bit more expensive.
• Length of Treatment: A longer treatment timeline means more aligners and a higher cost.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

If you’re looking for a “quick fix” for your smile, you are probably considering Smile Direct Club™ or another low-budget option. While these solutions may seem tempting, you should keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Do-it-yourself orthodontic treatments come with little-to-no oversight from a dental professional, which means there is more room for errors to be made. You might even end up with serious issues that need to be addressed by a professional in the long run!

By choosing Invisalign, you can enjoy the trusted oversight of our team every step of the way. You can look forward to professionally made and highly accurate impressions for a smoother overall successful treatment process. Many patients find the difference in cost to be worth the peace of mind of a quality cosmetic service.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Most dental insurance plans offer a once-in-a-lifetime provision for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. Before moving forward with the process, you should check with your provider to see what your benefits entail. Our team will gladly help you navigate your benefits and answer any questions you may have about your coverage!

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

At Forever Young Dentistry of Sterling Heights, we are in-network with many popular insurance plans like Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and more. If you don’t have dental insurance, that’s okay! We offer additional financing options to make your care affordable:

• Third-Party Financing: With CareCredit and Process, you can sign up for low-to-no-interest plans to ensure the cost of your treatment stays within your budget.
• In-House Membership Plan: Our in-house membership plan will allow you to enjoy the same coverage as traditional insurance, except without the red tape. This way, you can still have access to great service at an affordable cost!

Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?

Candidacy is determined on a case-by-case basis since several important factors need to be considered upfront. A few noteworthy ones are your age and the severity of your orthodontic issues. While there isn’t technically an upper age limit, most patients aren’t candidates for clear aligner treatment until around 13 years old. The severity of your orthodontic issues is also important because severe cases of malocclusion can only be addressed with traditional braces. Fortunately, we will review these two factors and more during your initial consultation. That way, we can learn about your unique smile goals and determine the best way to make them a reality.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The average treatment timeline with Invisalign is between 12 and 18 months. However, there are multiple factors that will impact how long it takes you to work through your series of aligners. Upfront, the number of trays you need will play a role. Once you begin treatment, how well you follow the treatment guidelines will influence the answer. Across the board, the best way to stay on track with your plan is by meeting the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time, switching to your new trays on the correct days, prioritizing your check-in visits, and maintaining a solid oral hygiene regimen.

What if My Invisalign Broke?

If your Invisalign aligners broke, do NOT use super glue or any other household adhesives. Although you may feel embarrassed about the situation, the best thing to do is call our office ASAP. Remember, we aren’t here to judge; we’re here to help you get the gorgeous, healthy smile you desire! How we proceed will depend largely on where you are in your treatment timeline. For example, if you were only a day away from switching to your next set of trays, we may recommend starting them a little early.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

Your aligners aren’t designed to withstand the pressure of chewing, which is why it’s crucial that you always remove them before eating. Once you have, however, you’re welcome to eat whatever you’d like! Of course, it’s a good idea to stick to tooth-friendly options, like fresh fruits and vegetables, over cavity-causing ones, like candy and soda. Remember, a cavity may require your treatment timeline to be temporarily paused, which is why it’s so important that you maintain a solid oral hygiene regimen to stay on track.

Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?

Possibly! For patients who are struggling with severe misalignment, it may be necessary to start with traditional braces and then transition to Invisalign after a few months. Of course, this decision will ultimately be up to you and your dentist.