GET INVISALIGN® – WOODBURY, NY
Invisalign is a highly popular tooth straightening method to give you the beautiful smile you always wanted. It uses is a series of clear trays that carefully reposition your teeth, moving them toward the positions forecasted by your individual treatment plan. Using aligners to straighten your teeth is one of the more popular cosmetic dentistry treatments we offer.
Because it uses transparent, removable clear aligners to move teeth discreetly, it is viewed by many patients as an excellent, desirable alternative to traditional metal braces. It also enhances a patient’s ability to maintain good oral hygiene while undergoing treatment because the teeth and gums can be properly flossed and brushed when the trays are removed. In many cases, Invisalign costs about the same as braces but gets the job done much more comfortably for the patient.
ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN®
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Invisalign’s popularity is founded on its “invisibility”. Many people find metal braces too ostentatious, so they flock to more secretive methods of straightening teeth. Invisalign clear trays fit over your teeth and look so natural that most people don’t notice you’re wearing them. These aligners are also more comfortable than the brackets and wires of traditional braces. You can also remove them to eat whatever you want, which is something braces can never offer.
Invisalign patients also have fewer follow-up appointments at our office than those who pick braces. This is because many sets of trays can be delivered at one time for the patient to wear in succession, whereas traditional braces need monthly adjustments at minimum. Invisalign also allows you to see every stage of your treatment plan, including your final smile. Braces don’t have these benefits, which is why Invisalign shines.
CRAFTING THE DENTAL ALIGNERS
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The first step is to schedule a consultation where we will discuss your dental history with you to determine which method of treatment is the right choice for you. If Invisalign is right for you, then we will make a digital mold of your teeth that will be used in digital planning software to create a personalized treatment plan based on your treatment goals. Thanks to our state-of-the-art computer programming system, we can review a treatment proposal that will show you the position of your teeth at each step in the course of treatment and the final results before you sign on.
Once you approve the proposed final results of the Invisalign treatment, the digital scans are then used to craft a series of transparent trays. Because no two patients are alike, we custom-fit each set for each individual. The trays will gently and gradually move your teeth into the positions we want based on your treatment expectations. Every two weeks, you will receive a new set of aligners that will move your teeth to the next stage.
USING INVISALIGN®
For the treatment to work properly, you need to be committed to wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day. You can remove them to eat, brush and floss just as you normally would. But in general, you should expect to wear them most of the time. If you don’t wear them as often as directed, your teeth will shift back to their former positions, and you’ll need further orthodontic work, potentially costing you further time and money.
Patients who choose this treatment usually need 9 to 15 sets of aligners, and the process often lasts from 9 to 18 months. But this varies depending on the individual patient. After treatment, patients need to commit to wearing retainers to ensure their teeth do not move back into the unaesthetic pre-treatment positions.