Invisalign® – Denver, CO
Straighten Your Teeth Without All the Metal
At Pearl Dentistry, our team understands how difficult the journey towards achieving a straight smile can be. After all, while a mouthful of metal braces may be fine for middle school students, it can be an embarrassing burden on adults in the professional world. Thankfully, Invisalign is available as an alternative here at our Denver Lower Highlands neighborhood dental office. This revolutionary orthodontic solution can help patients achieve the same beautiful results they’ve been dreaming of in a much more seamless fashion.
Why Choose Pearl Dentistry for
Invisalign®?
- Fully Customized Orthodontic Treatment
- Digital Impression System Guarantees Gorgeous Results
- Affordable Payment Options for Every Budget
How Does Invisalign Work?
After taking impressions of your smile and sending them to the Invisalign lab, our team will receive a set of personalized aligners made from clear, comfortable plastic. Each one is designed to represent the arrangement of your teeth as they slowly move towards their ideal alignment. Patients just need to wear each aligner for at least 20-22 hours a day and then remember to switch to the next one after a couple of weeks of use. Additionally, brief checkups with Dr. Amanda Pooler or Dr. Stefanie Walker every four to six weeks will allow us to monitor your progress and confirm that the treatment is going along smoothly.
Who is a Good Candidate for Clear Braces?
Whether you’re an adult or a teenager, Invisalign® treatment can help straighten your teeth without the cumbersome look and feel of brackets and wires. Depending on what issues you’d like to fix and how severe they are, these custom-crafted aligners may be able to help. Some issues that Invisalign can treat include:
- Gaps between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
The best way to learn whether this modern orthodontic appliance is the right choice for you is to schedule a consultation with us today! Dr. Walker or Dr. Pooler will be happy to walk you through the process and help answer any of your questions!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Straightening your smile with Invisalign can boost your confidence and improve your dental health, but it’s essential to be well-informed about what’s required to complete your treatment successfully. Understanding what’s required to remain on track with your anticipated timeline can help you adjust your daily routine to accommodate.
Continue reading to learn more about what to expect when living with Invisalign, and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Wearing Your Trays
This alternative orthodontic method relies on plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth to gently reposition them over a designated period. Unlike standard braces, these aligners are removable, so you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions. However, you must wear them for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their previous positions.
Then, after a week or two, one of our Pearl Dentistry providers will have you switch to the next set in your series to account for the ongoing movement of your grin.
Cleaning Your Aligners
One of the reasons so many people opt for Invisalign over traditional braces is that the transparent material is much more discreet. With that said, you must wash the trays regularly to prevent plaque buildup and stains, which would defeat the purpose of “invisible” orthodontics.
Remove them twice daily (morning and night) to gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear dish or hand soap that won’t abrade the material. Then, rinse them off in lukewarm water because hot temperatures can warp the plastic so it doesn’t fit correctly. Be sure also to brush and floss your teeth so you don’t reinsert your aligners into a mouth full of debris.
Eating & Drinking
Another advantage of choosing Invisalign is that there are no braces and wires bonded to your teeth to prevent you from eating certain foods. Because the clear trays are removable, there are no dietary restrictions to worry about.
If you’re eating or drinking anything other than water, it’s best to take them out and store them in their carrier case for protection. This can prevent damage, like cracks, chips, and warping, as well as potential discoloration from darkly pigmented ingredients.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
It’s not necessarily an emergency if you lose or damage your Invisalign, but you should contact our office to let us know right away so we can provide instructions on how to proceed. You’ll need to wear your previous set of trays or switch to the next pair earlier than anticipated, based on how long you wore the ones that went missing. Then, we can replace them if needed to get you back on track with your treatment timeline.
Routine Check-Ins
You’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments every four to eight weeks so our team in Denver can check your progress and provide the next aligners you’ll be asked to wear. These appointments aren’t typically long and can sometimes be completed in as few as 15 minutes!
What are the Benefits of Invisalign®?
Invisalign comes highly recommended by dentists and patients alike because the treatment has countless benefits to offer. When you get traditional metal braces, you’ll have to alter your daily life and sacrifice your image. Your trays are made from a smooth, FDA-approved plastic that is practically invisible, meaning that nobody will notice unless they get an up-close look. You also won’t have to worry about uncomfortable wires and brackets irritating your oral tissue.
Some additional benefits that Invisalign treatment offers include:
- Improved oral health during treatment because you can remove your aligners before you brush and floss.
- Because the trays are removable, you can continue eating all of your favorite snacks.
- Invisalign treatment is typically shorter than traditional braces. In fact, the average treatment timeline is between 8 and 14 months, whereas traditional braces may need to remain in your mouth for up to two years.
At Pearl Dentistry, we want our patients to enjoy convenient and comfortable care that offers them proven results. That’s why we have a variety of modern services such as Invisalign. Let us help you achieve a grin that you’ll be proud to show off by contacting us today!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Like many other patients, you may want to learn all about the cost of Invisalign before signing on the dotted line. The good news is that we can provide you with an estimate at your consultation as well as provide further details on the financial solutions we offer! In the meantime, you can read on to learn more, including a few important factors that play a role in the final price.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign is determined by several factors, including:
- If any preliminary treatments, like gum disease therapy, are necessary
- How many aligners need to be made
- If rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories are essential
- The type of retainer needed
It’s also important that we mention here that additional costs may arise. For example, if you consistently lose your aligners, then you may need to pay for the replacements. Rest assured, we will provide you with helpful tips and recommendations throughout your teeth-straightening journey to help prevent situations like this from arising.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Mail-in aligners almost always cost less. Why? Because they cut corners. For example, they skip the initial exam, they rely on DIY impressions, and they usually don’t have a licensed dental professional overseeing the teeth-straightening process. So, even though they are cheaper, they certainly aren’t better.
If you are interested in straightening your teeth and aligning your bite without the metal, but you’re concerned that the cost will be too expensive, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’d be happy to provide you with an estimate of the cost as well as review the financial solutions available, like flexible financing.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Sometimes, yes! The best thing to do is review the fine print on your plan (or call your provider so someone can help you better understand your coverage). Of course, our Denver dental team is also here to help! Although we aren’t in-network with any providers, we can submit claims on your behalf to make the entire experience more convenient and stress-free.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Ask us about Cherry! With this third-party financier, you can break up the cost of your care into smaller installments that work with your monthly budget. If you’d like further details, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have and show you where to sign up.
Invisalign FAQs
When choosing Invisalign to straighten your smile or realign your bite, you will most likely have many questions about the treatment process, comfortability of the aligners, and what you can expect after achieving your desired results. To provide transparency and a clear understanding of how Invisalign works, the team at Pearl Dentistry has compiled some of the most frequently asked questions for you to review before your consultation. If you still have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Is Invisalign painful?
When compared to traditional braces, Invisalign provides patients a much more comfortable experience. There are no metal brackets or wires to tighten or adjust, only clear, plastic aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. Since you are required to swap out your trays every 1-2 weeks for a new set, you can expect minimal discomfort as your teeth will begin to shift to conform to the new mold. This will put you one step closer to your desired results.
How should I take care of my aligners?
Any time you have your aligners out of your mouth, you should make sure that you place them in a protective case. This will prevent harmful germs from reaching them, and you will be less likely to lose them while out to eat with friends and family.
While at home, you can opt for the Invisalign Cleaning System, or you can choose to use your toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water to clean your trays. Make sure you do not use hot water, as this can warp the plastic and ruin your trays.
What should I do if I damage or lose an aligner?
Should you lose or damage one of your Invisalign aligners, be sure to contact our office as soon as possible. Depending on your timeline and how long you’ve been wearing your current trays, it may be necessary for you to wear your previous aligners while new ones are being created.
Our team will evaluate your smile and determine the best course of action so you don’t experience a serious delay in treatment.