Curious about Invisalign and what it can do for your smile? Here are the most important questions to ask your orthodontist during your initial consultation.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Unlike fixed appliances like retainers or traditional metal braces, Invisalign adjusts your smile and bite with the use of highly customized clear aligners that can be removed. These aligners are to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day, and can only be removed for eating and drinking.
In order to achieve this perfectly customized fit, your orthodontist will take molds of your teeth and x-rays of your teeth, neck, and jaw after you’ve had your consultation and decided Invisalign is right for you. These detailed visual aids will document the orthodontic issues you’re facing very clearly for the manufacturer. Your orthodontist will use all of this information to create a unique treatment plan that’s specific to you and fitted to your unique needs, and go over the treatment plan with you to make sure you approve. Once all this groundwork has been laid, your orthodontist will send all of the x-rays and impressions off to the manufacturer, who will create your clear aligners and ship them over to you.
Your Invisalign will put slight, gradual pressure on your teeth over a period of time. Each set of aligners you receive will be slightly straighter than the last, which will gently help guide your smile into your desired final result. You’ll wear each set of clear aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next. Your orthodontist will monitor your progress, evaluate how your smile is coming along, and make adjustments if they’re necessary. While check-ups will still be required throughout treatment to ensure everything is going according to plan, you’ll have fewer visits than you would with braces.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of orthodontic treatment varies from patient to patient, and there are different types of payment options to accommodate everyone’s budget constraints. Some insurance companies will cover orthodontic treatment, so it’s important to exhaust all of your options before paying out of pocket. In many cases, we’re also able to communicate with your insurance company to see what type of coverage is available to you, and how much.
We also offer payment plans to help offset the cost and pay in small, manageable increments. The average cost of Invisalign treatment in Canada ranges from $3,000 – $7,000 – again, this varies depending on the severity of your case and the length of your treatment. Your orthodontist will be able to provide a more accurate estimate for you during your consultation.
What’s The Difference Between Invisalign and Braces?
- Invisalign can be removed for eating and drinking, whereas braces cannot
- Invisalign requires less appointments as no tightening is needed, and there are no elastics to change
- No diet changes are required during Invisalign treatment
- You don’t have to give up playing sports with Invisalign
How Long Will I Have To Wear Invisalign For?
The length of your treatment will depend on a couple of different factors; the severity of your malocclusions, and how cooperative you are with treatment. If you just need a few teeth straightened, you may only need to wear clear aligners for a few months to achieve your desired results. However, more severe issues such as a deep bite, crossbite, or underbite often take more time to properly treat, typically in the range of 1 – 2 years.
If you consistently wear your aligners for the recommended amount of time, you’ll progress on schedule, and make it more likely that you’ll achieve your results faster.
Can You Show Me Examples Of Similar Cases?
Sometimes it’s nice to feel like you aren’t the only one going through something. Your orthodontist will have records of several previous cases that are likely very similar or almost identical to yours. Nearly all orthodontists maintain these before, during, and after shots as visual aids for their patients in order to ease their minds, and show them the benefits of Invisalign treatment over time.
Keep in mind that even though previous patients may have had similar cases, no two treatment plans are identical. Your orthodontic needs are unique and your treatment will progress at the pace and with the methods that are best for you.