What are Clear Aligners?
Clear Aligners are the nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth without metal braces. The Clear Aligners system involves a series of clear, removable aligners that progressively straighten your teeth. Because you can take them out for short periods of time, you don’t have to give up things you love to straighten your teeth. You can say yes to popcorn and crunchy food as long as you remember to remove your aligner and clean your teeth afterward!
How do I care for my Clear Aligners?
It’s easy to care for your invisible aligner. You’ll remove your aligner when you eat and brush your teeth. You can leave it out 2-4 hours a day without compromising your progress. You’ll clean the aligner using a toothbrush and toothpaste with warm water at least once a day. And always, always brush your teeth before putting them back in if at all possible. Some foods and liquids will stain it if you don’t clean it and your teeth regularly.
What is the treatment process?
First, you’ll meet with your orthodontist, Dr. Mike. He’ll talk with you about goals, benefits, timeframes, and the importance of sticking with the program. You’ll get digital impressions made of your mouth using advanced iTero scanner technology that is 100% radiation-free!
Once Dr. Mike has a 3D model, he can design your first set of custom-fit aligners.
Every two to four weeks, you’ll transition to a new set of aligners, and so on. Each set gets you a little closer to straightened teeth. As long as you follow our instructions, you can stay on track for a confident smile.
How much do Clear Aligners cost?
Clear Aligners cost between $3000 and $7000. You may have some insurance coverage that will pay some of that. The team here can also work out a payment plan for you, so you can pay predictable payments over time.
How will Invisalign affect my lifestyle?
You’ll probably forget you’re wearing them a lot of the time. Unlike metal braces, you don’t have to make lifestyle adjustments. You can still play your favorite instruments and even play sports if you want to. You’ll just need to get into the habit of remembering to put your aligners back in after you eat and brushing your teeth. You’ll need to be very careful not to accidentally forget to put them back in before bed. If you’re the forgetful type it’s helpful to set a phone reminder!
How long do I have to wear my aligners for each day?
You need to wear them 20-22 hours a day. That means they should only come out briefly, for eating and brushing your teeth.
Are there any food restrictions with Clear Aligners?
No. Unlike metal braces, you can take your aligner off to eat otherwise forbidden foods. Just don’t forget to brush!
How do I know Clear Aligners are right for me?
Clear Aligners can be a great option for both teens and adults who can follow the plan and wear their aligners. For parents worried that their teen might not stick with the program, there’s a little blue dot on the aligner in a discreet place. It can tell you or your teen if they’re not wearing the aligner enough. Paying attention to this, especially early on, can help you or your teen develop good aligner-wearing habits.
If you despise the idea of wearing metal braces to school, work, or on a date, then Clear Aligners may be a good alternative for you. If you play contact sports for which metal braces are not advisable, Clear Aligners offers an alternative there as well.
Clear Aligners are FDA-approved for straightening teeth. But it won’t work for every mouth. So we take special care to review your unique smile situation to make sure you’re a good candidate for the treatment. If you’re not, Dr. Mike will sit down with you and the two of you can explore other possibilities to reach your smile goals.
Do I still need to see my dentist while wearing Clear Aligners?
Yes, keeping your regular dental appointments is important. Dental checkups and cleanings are not included in your Clear Aligners visits with Dr. Mike.
How do I know Clear Aligners will work for me?
Dr. Mike will talk to you about your smile goals, and he’ll take a look at where your teeth are currently. With years of experience with Clear Aligners plus his orthodontics training, he can tell whether you’re a good candidate for Clear Aligners. And if you’re not, we’ll find some other options you can consider to reach your goals.
