Invisalign – Newark, DE

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners. These invisible aligners in Newark are arranged in a sequential order. As patients advance from one pair of aligners to the next, their teeth gradually move into the proper positions. Each pair is designed to build on the progress of the previous so that at the conclusion of treatment, you have a beautifully straight smile.

Who Can Invisalign Help?

Over the last 20+ years, millions and millions of patients have chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign. If you are considering doing the same, then you’ll be happy to hear that clear aligners can correct several orthodontic issues, including overcrowded teeth and overbites. You can learn more about who Invisalign can help below, or you can schedule a consultation with us – we’d be happy to help you determine if you’re a good candidate!

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth certainly come with some aesthetic drawbacks. Our main concern, however, is your oral health. Since teeth that overlap or are tilted out of alignment are more difficult to clean, patients with this orthodontic problem are prone to cavities and at a higher risk of gum disease. Fortunately, Invisalign can address mild to moderate cases, creating healthier, happier, and more beautiful smiles.

Gaps Between Teeth

Maybe instead of sitting in their perfectly aligned positions, your teeth are spaced out. If that’s the case for you, there’s good news: Invisalign may be an option. In that case, we will guide your teeth into proper alignment with a series of custom-made trays. Since they are see-through and removable, you’ll be able to watch the entire process from start to finish too!

Overbite

If your teeth don’t line up properly because your upper ones jut out far beyond your lower ones, then you likely have an overbite. Although this orthodontic issue is quite common, it shouldn’t be dismissed; it can negatively impact your chewing and speaking patterns as well as your self-esteem. So, don’t wait – schedule a consultation with us today to find out if Invisalign is a solution!

Underbite

Some patients have the opposite problem: their bottom teeth jut out beyond their upper ones. In addition to the aesthetic drawbacks, this bite problem keeps the jaw in an unnatural position, leading to chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction. Invisalign has helped patients with underbites in the past, which often involves rubber bands, buttons, and similar orthodontic accessories.

Crossbite

If you seem to have a mix of a regular bite and an underbite, then you likely have a crossbite. In this case, one of our main concerns is premature wear and tear on your teeth. However, patients with this orthodontic problem often experience issues like jaw pain as well. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation sooner rather than later; we want to intervene as early as we can.

Open Bite

When you bite down, your upper and lower teeth should come together evenly. If there is an open space in the front or back of your mouth that prevents that from happening, then you might have an open bite. Since this bite problem can take a toll on multiple aspects of your smile – from how it looks to how it functions – we encourage patients to explore their treatment options, like Invisalign, early on!

What are the Benefits of Invisalign?

The primary benefit of Invisalign clear aligners is that hardly anyone will see that you’re wearing braces. Up close and personal they may be noticeable, however, during normal social or professional interactions most patients report feeling completely confident to speak, smile and laugh as usual.

In addition to being completely clear, Invisalign aligners are removable, which gives them two distinct advantages over traditional braces that are bonded to your teeth. First, when it’s time for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, you simply remove your aligners and eat whatever you like. Patients wearing metal braces often must be careful about what they eat. Foods such as popcorn, caramels, hard nuts, raw carrots, and chewing gum are usually off-limits because they can dislodge or break a bracket. With Invisalign, these and other foods you might enjoy are permissible.

Similarly, you’ll be able to remove your Invisalign clear aligners when you need to brush and floss your teeth. This way, you can maintain your normal oral hygiene routine and better avoid tooth decay and gum disease.

How do I get Invisalign clear aligners in Newark?

At White Clay Dental Associates, our dentists work closely with the Invisalign lab to give you aligners that will correct your specific concerns. Invisalign can correct overbites, underbites, crossbites, crooked teeth and teeth that have wide gaps between them.

Using X-rays, photographs, and molded impressions of your teeth, we can develop a treatment plan that guides the manufacture of your aligners. All you have to do is wear each set of aligners for about two weeks and then move on to the next pair. Treatment times vary, but most patients are will achieve a new, straight smile in less than two years.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Patients commonly assume that the cost of Invisalign is the same for everyone. That’s not the case because each treatment plan is custom-made. For that reason, we can’t provide you with a specific number until your consultation. We can, however, provide you with information on the factors that impact the cost. So, keep reading!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

At your initial consultation, we will complete a thorough oral exam to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. We will also assess the severity of your misalignment to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will need to see if single-arch treatment is possible, how many aligners need to be made, and if any orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, need to be added to your treatment plan. Only then can we provide you with a price estimate.

Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Over the years, you may have seen commercials on TV or ads on social media for mail-order clear aligners. Smile Direct Club™ was one of them, but they recently went out of business, leaving their existing patients confused and wondering where to turn. This is just one of the many reasons you shouldn’t trust your smile with an alternative. Although Invisalign almost always requires a higher upfront investment, it also is supervised by a licensed dental professional, is backed by professional dental organizations, and has been helping patients for more than 20 years now.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

You might be surprised to hear that dental insurance providers sometimes cover the cost of Invisalign. So, if you are currently insured, don’t hesitate to talk to our Financial Coordinator, Debbie! She would be more than happy to help you understand the ins and outs of your coverage, provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, and answer any questions you have. In short, she’s here to make utilizing your available benefits easy, not stressful.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

What if you don’t have dental insurance? In that case, you can take advantage of the two other financial solutions we offer here at White Clay Dental Associates: our dental savings membership plan and CareCredit. With our dental savings membership plan, two standard cleanings and routine exams are covered each year. Plus, you get access to additional perks, like a 10% discount on Invisalign! With CareCredit, you can space out your payments over the course of several months instead of paying for it all at once.

Invisalign FAQs

Have you been feeling self-conscious about your gapped, crowded, or crooked teeth lately? Invisalign in Newark presents a wonderful alternative to the litany of restrictions that comes with traditional metal braces. However, before you undergo the treatment, chances are you have a few questions. That’s why we’ve taken the time to answer some of our most frequently asked questions about Invisalign.

Will Invisalign Affect How I Talk?

In the beginning, it might. Many sounds are created by pressing the tip of your tongue to the place where the back of your front teeth meets the roof of your mouth. Since your top aligner now occupies that space, your tongue may get confused. As a result, it might sound like you have a bit of a lisp when you first begin treatment. Rest assured this should pass within a few days as your mouth adjusts to the new appliance inside it. You can speed this adjustment process along by practicing counting from sixty to seventy over and over again.

Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?

Although Invisalign is typically not as uncomfortable as traditional braces, your teeth may temporarily be a bit sore or sensitive when you first switch to a new set of aligners. This is actually a sign that your treatment is working! Invisalign works by applying small amounts of pressure to a portion of your smile at a time to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position.

To minimize this discomfort, it may help to transition to the next set of aligners right before you go to bed. That way you can sleep through the first several hours of the adjustment process. If your teeth are still sore in the morning, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen as instructed on the bottle.

Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After I’m Done with Invisalign?

Most likely, yes. After you’ve finished with Invisalign, your teeth will start to slowly shift back into their natural crooked state unless you wear a retainer to keep them in place. For a few weeks or months after you’ve completed Invisalign treatment, we may have you wear a retainer as often as you wore your aligners. After a certain period of time, we might suggest you only wear it to bed.

How Do I Take Care of My Aligners?

Right after you wake up, remove your aligners and rinse them out with lukewarm or cool water (don’t use hot water, as that could change the shape of the plastic). Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear hand soap to scrub your aligners clean. You could also soak them in a special Invisalign cleaning solution while you eat.

In order to keep your aligners clear and virtually unnoticeable, you’ll need to brush your teeth after eating and before placing your aligners back in. This prevents food particles from getting trapped against your teeth and staining your aligners, or worse, contributing to infections.

Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation

Are you ready to transform your smile with Invisalign? Contact our dental office in Newark to reserve a consultation.