Technology has given us a lot of advancements in orthodontic treatment that are friendly to both your budget and lifestyle. Not only have traditional metal braces become much easier to wear, but there have been many high-quality advancements in achieving your perfect smile. These advancements make it easier than ever to reach your smile goals.
Yet metal brackets and wires may not be a good fit, or the first choice, for some dental patients. Thankfully, the Invisalign clear aligner system is one of the cutting-edge advancements that may be just right for you. Invisalign offers an innovative approach to orthodontics using a series of custom-made, invisible aligners. Using 3D computer imaging, each aligner is made specific to your teeth and gradually (and gently) adjusts your teeth into proper alignment.
Here at Serrano Orthodontics, Dr. Paul Serrano and Dr. Andrew Serrano have a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign and are excited to offer this technology to brace patients in the Phoenix and Chandler offices. If this sounds like a solution for you, keep reading to find some clarity on the facts and fiction around Invisalign, and reach out to get started on your journey to a delightful smile!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth and consists of clear acrylic aligners that fit over your teeth, which are custom-made for you and only you. These aligners are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic, using photos and x-rays of your mouth to create a 3D image that promotes a perfect fit without the need for goopy impressions.
Most patients will wear Invisalign for approximately nine to fifteen months and will typically use 18-30 sets during treatment.
The Facts
Aligners like Invisalign have been around since 1990, and the earlier versions, called trays, date back decades to when patients used them for post braces retainers. Invisalign can move crooked and misaligned teeth in stages using a series of customized aligners. Each retainer is worn for about one to two weeks, and then you swap to the next aligner in your series, allowing for precise adjustments based on your customized treatment plan.
Patients initially used Invisalign to correct simple spacing concerns and crowding, but it’s proven to be capable of much more, from overbites to crossbites and then some. The key is determining the severity of the issues you need to adjust and working with your orthodontist to determine if this is the right treatment plan for you. Invisalign is an excellent choice for any age. If you want to avoid having braces in your yearbook photo, or feel you’re too old to sport metal brackets and wire, ask our expert team at Serrano Orthodontics if this treatment is a good fit for you!
One of the most noted facts about Invisalign is seeing the changes in your smile quickly and clearly since there are no brackets and wires to hide it all while it happens. Due to cutting-edge technology, and the weekly to biweekly series of aligners that make constant minor adjustments, you will notice significant changes in your smile within about three months. And while we are talking about the timeline and facts of Invisalign, another benefit of the removable aligner system is that you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, or even for a photo. To be most effective, they need to be worn for approximately 22 hours a day, but you won’t get that flexibility with traditional braces.
Our entire team here at Serrano Orthodontics believes your family deserves honest, compassionate care delivered with state-of-the-art technology, so now that we’ve gotten some facts ironed out, let’s take a look at some of the fiction floating around about Invisalign.
Not So Factual
Commonly, anything described as “innovative” or “cutting-edge” can also mean expensive. Let’s go ahead and call fiction on that now. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out that, in most cases, Invisalign can cost the same or close to the amount you would pay for conventional metal braces. Often, insurance will even cover much of the cost as it would for those traditional metal braces. Our team is committed to making the insurance process as easy as possible, so we will take care of your insurance coverage research and help you complete the required forms and documents once treatment begins.
Somewhere along the line, the myth that you are limited to what you can eat while using the Invisalign system started circulating. That can’t be further from factual. It’s common knowledge that you should avoid chewy, sticky, and crunchy foods with traditional braces, or you risk breaking something or food getting stuck in complicated places. However, with Invisalign clear aligners, you just take them out before you eat or drink anything more than water, but nothing is off the table. Just remember to clean your teeth before putting them back in to avoid staining the retainer or having food trapped between the retainer and your teeth.
The last common myth about using Invisalign clear aligners for orthodontic treatment is remembering to wear the trays regularly. While this may seem like it would be a lot to remember, it’s not much different than wearing contact lenses. Between the Invisalign technology itself and our custom treatment plan, you’ll quickly get into the habit of wearing your retainers to have the healthiest and straightest smile.
For Facts you can rely on, trust Serrano Orthodontics!
When you lay it all out, there’s a lot that factors into whether or not Invisalign is right for you. Still, our talented and experienced team at Serrano Orthodontics hopes to shed some light on what to expect from this popular option. This treatment continues to change the lives and smiles of many of our Arizona patients.
Serrano Orthodontics has been the gold standard in Arizona smile for more than three decades. Join the 14,000 patients they have made smile. Our board-certified orthodontists, Drs. Paul and Andrew Serrano use advanced treatment options to create new amazing smiles, faster, more comfortable, and more inconspicuous than you ever thought possible.
If you wonder if Invisalign might be the best path to your brightest smile, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation. This father and son team takes pride in making you feel comfortable, so expect digital scanners, aesthetic treatment options, warm cookies, and big smiles!