Invisalign Braces For Adults & Why It’s Never Too Late To Straighten Your Smile

There are many reasons why an adult may want to straighten their smile. Being able to show off straight teeth can improve first impressions and boost confidence. Whether you had braces when you were younger and want to restore fading results or have never had braces before, Invisalign dental braces can help you achieve the smile you have been dreaming of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign Dental Braces

Continue reading to learn more about Invisalign, such as how it works, what dental issues it can correct, cost information, and more.

What Is Invisalign & How Does It Work?

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces. It involves using removable aligners made of thick, flexible, clear plastic to straighten teeth and correct mild bite issues, crowding, and gaps. The aligners are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth and gradually move your teeth into the desired positions. It’s important to note that you cannot brush or floss your teeth, clean the aligners, or eat anything with the aligners in your mouth. You will need to remove them before performing any of these activities and promptly put them back in when you are done. Invisalign aligners must typically be worn at least 20 to 22 hours each day to be effective.

What’s The Timeline?

Here is a breakdown of the treatment timeline you can expect, as well as how Invisalign dental braces work.

• At your first appointment, your orthodontist or a trained technician will perform a 3D digital scan or take a traditional putty impression of your teeth. This helps them assess the alignment of your teeth and the state of your oral health to determine if Invisalign will work for your situation. If you are a good candidate for Invisalign, they will create a custom treatment plan for you.
• Your first set of aligners will be 3D printed in a lab and mailed to your dentist’s office in a few weeks.
• During your first follow-up appointment, your orthodontist will show you an animated overview of how the tooth movement will progress throughout treatment and what the final result is expected to look like. You will also receive your first set of aligners and be shown how to properly insert, remove, and clean them.
• You’ll have another follow-up appointment each month or so to get the next set of aligners and go over your treatment progress with your provider. Each set of aligners will be different, based on the movement of your teeth. Each set of trays will move your teeth about 0.25 millimeters.
• Each set of aligners should be worn for one to two weeks before you move on to the next phase of treatment.
• To make room for your teeth to become straighter, your dentist may need to remove a small amount of enamel from some of your teeth to slim them down.
• They may also need to put attachments on some of your teeth to help the aligners work better, which will decrease the overall duration of treatment.
• If some teeth have not moved as expected by the end of treatment, your dentist might recommend a short series of refinement trays at no extra cost.

What Dental Issues Can Invisalign Be Used For?

Research from 2018 shows that Invisalign can effectively treat the following issues:

• Correct crowded teeth due to malocclusion
• Correct some crossbites, open bites, and underbites
• Straighten crooked teeth

Invisalign may not be the best treatment option for overbites and complex issues.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take & When Will I Start To See Changes?

Invisalign treatment can take 6 to 18 months based on how much your teeth’s alignment needs to be corrected.

Some people start to notice differences in just two weeks, while others may not begin to see results until six months into their treatment plan.

Your dentist may be able to speed up treatment time by using devices like AcceleDent or Propel, which stimulate the bones and roots to reduce discomfort and give you 50-70 percent faster results. However, these treatment options are costly and are not covered by insurance.

How Long Do Invisalign Results Last?

The results from Invisalign treatment can be permanent, as long as you wear a retainer. It is recommended to wear your retainer all the time for the first three months after finishing Invisalign treatment, then every night after the first three months.

What Should I Avoid While Wearing Invisalign Aligners?

You should not drink beverages such as soda, milk, juice, or alcohol while wearing your aligners because the acids and sugars in these beverages can harm your teeth and the aligners.

Additionally, consuming hot beverages like coffee and tea while wearing your aligners can stain or warp them.

You will need to remove the aligners before you chew gum or eat food. You will need to brush and floss your teeth or at least rinse your mouth before you put the aligners back in, because if food gets trapped between your teeth and the aligners, it can cause tooth decay. Also, your teeth can become dull or yellow if you do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in after eating or drinking.

You can drink water or seltzer water while your aligners are in.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

The cost of Invisalign treatment can range between $3,000 to $6,700. The average cost is $4,855. However, the actual cost depends on the severity and complexity of the issues being treated, your provider’s credentials, location, and whether or not your dental insurance plan will help you pay for your clear dental braces.

In addition to dental insurance coverage, other options that may be available to help you pay for Invisalign include enrolling in a payment plan through your provider’s office or using a CareCredit credit card or a tax-free flexible spending account (FSA).

Invisalign Dental Braces At Eriks Dental Group in Fort Lauderdale

Eriks Dental Group South is a trusted family dentist in Fort Lauderdale. We’re proud to offer a wide range of dental services and treatment options, including:

• Cosmetic dentistry
• Dental crowns
• Dental fillings
• Dental implants
• Invisalign dental braces
• Root canals
• Teeth cleaning
• Teeth whitening

And crunched for time? You can conveniently request an appointment online and download new patient forms before your first appointment!. If you’ve been thinking about Invisalign dental braces to straighten your teeth, we can help! Call us today at (954) 463-5051.