Invisalign® – West Seneca, NY
See-Through Orthodontic Solutions
In the past, many patients we talked to about orthodontic treatment thought that smile alignment meant adolescents with a mouth full of metal. While we do traditionally recommend orthodontic treatment begin at earlier ages when teeth are easier to adjust, the Applegate Dental team offer Invisalign® in West Seneca, NY for teens and adults. Contact us to schedule an orthodontic consultation to find out more.
Why Choose Applegate Dental for Invisalign®?
- Available for Adults and Teenagers
- Metal-Free Alternative to Braces
- Up-to-Date Patient Safety Procedures
Invisalign®
Invisalign® is possibly the most popular cosmetic orthodontic solution. The Invisalign® system utilizes a series of clear plastic alignment trays to gradually shift teeth into their ideal position. Each set of aligners represents one step closer to the desired result. Over the course of a few weeks of wear, the aligners gently put pressure on teeth causing them to glide into this new position. After the end of the predetermined wear time, patients simply exchange their current set of aligners for the next set in the series. About every six weeks, patients visit our dental office where the dentist will review their progress to ensure treatment is proceeding as planned. If not, we can easily adjust the treatment plan to get patients back on track. These comfortable, removable aligners allow patients to maintain their regular diet and oral hygiene routine throughout treatment.
Invisalign® Teen
In most cases, teens opt for the more traditional bracket and wire braces, but there are a number of situations where we may recommend Invisalign® Teen including:
- Teens who have less severe bite alignment concerns may be able to achieve their results more quickly and comfortably with fewer visits
- Teens who are active in many extracurricular activities or who travel frequently may not be able to devote the time consistently to visiting an orthodontist for bracket and wire adjustments
- Teens who are sensitive to metal will want to consider alternative materials for their traditional wires or the more cosmetic Invisalign® Teen
- Teens who have sensitive teeth may be unable to comfortably correct their smiles with traditional braces
- Teens who are more susceptible to tooth decay may not be good candidates for bracket and wire orthodontic systems that make cleaning teeth more difficult at times
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Although all Invisalign treatment involves clear aligners, it doesn’t mean that this treatment is cookie-cutter. In fact, each case is unique because every smile is unique. As a result, the cost varies from patient to patient, depending on their needs and goals, making a general estimate nearly impossible. When you meet with us in a consultation, we’ll be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of treatment.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Before we give you a quote for Invisalign treatment, we need to take several factors into account. First, we need to know your misalignment issues and their severity. Certain problems require more time and aligners (and therefore more money) to fix than others. The cost of your treatment may also vary from based on how well you follow instructions. Those who don’t wear and care for the aligners as directed will likely need longer treatment, costing more in the long run.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
You may have seen commercials for “cheaper” alternatives to Invisalign. As appealing as they may seem, these options come with significant risks that they don’t talk about in their ads. For instance, you are responsible for taking your own impressions. If you make a false move or don’t follow the instructions exactly, your aligners may not fit properly. In addition, no certified professional checks in on your progress, meaning that if something goes wrong or an adjustment needs to be made to your treatment plan, you are on your own. Many times, it is better simply to work with a qualified dentist who can supervise your treatment and make sure you get the results you want the first time.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Invisalign has been around for a long time, but some dental insurance companies still do not apply to this treatment. However, many do pay a portion of the cost, reducing your out-of-pocket cost. We can take a closer look at your specific policy and let you know what is and isn’t covered so you know exactly how much you’re responsible for.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
At Applegate Dental, we’re happy to offer interested patients a free Invisalign consultation. This means that we can examine the current state of your smile, create a treatment plan, and give you a price estimate all in one valuable appointment. If you would like to move forward with treatment, we can also help you apply for low-interest financing with CareCredit, which breaks down the total into smaller chunks you pay every month. As a result, you’ll likely find that Invisalign can fit into your budget!
Invisalign FAQs
Prior to signing up for any smile-altering treatment, you may have questions, especially if you are unfamiliar with the treatment. Our team of experts would be glad to address whatever concerns you have during an Invisalign consultation in West Seneca. To help you prepare and use this appointment as efficiently as possible, we’ve taken the time to answer some common questions below—please take a look at our responses so that we can focus on your specific case when you visit with us!
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
Although each smile has unique needs, Invisalign treatment usually requires about an average of 18 months or less to achieve the final results. Your timeline will depend on the type(s) of issues you have, how severe your misalignment is, and how well you can follow our instructions. Once we have the chance to look at the current state of your teeth, we can give you a more precise estimated timeline for correcting your smile.
Is Invisalign Treatment Painful?
Straightening teeth involves shifting them within the jawbone. Regardless of the treatment you choose, you are likely to experience at least a little discomfort; however, compared to traditional metal braces, which can scrape your lips and cheeks, the smooth plastic of Invisalign aligners make the alignment process as comfortable as possible. Not only can your soft tissues endure less pain, but your mouth may also be less sore with the aligners, helping you have a more enjoyable experience from beginning to end.
Can the Aligners Become Discolored?
Yes. The plastic used for Invisalign is designed to be perfectly clear, but it can discolor and become noticeable in the short time you wear the aligners. To keep your aligners perfectly see-through, you need to make sure you’re following our directions in terms of wear and care. You should never wear your aligners when you eat or drink anything other than water. Doing so can lead to scratches on the plastic as well as discoloration. When you’re finished, brush and floss your teeth before putting them back in. In addition, you need to clean your aligners every day by gently brushing them at night or using the cleaning crystals, which you can purchase directly from Invisalign.
What Should I Do If I Lose an Aligner?
Unfortunately, if you or your teen chooses to realign teeth with Invisalign, you run the very real risk of losing or misplacing an aligner during treatment. They are clear after all! We strongly recommend putting them in your case when they are not in your mouth to prevent this from happening, but if it does, there are a few things you can do. First, you should contact our office quickly so we can order a replacement for you. We also encourage you to hold onto your last set of aligners, just in case you need to wear them for a day or two as you wait for your replacement. If you are close to transitioning to the next set, we may instruct you to go ahead and move on and put them in.
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