Having crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth impacts the way you look, and it can also harm your oral health by increasing your risk of several issues, such as tooth decay, cavities, periodontal disease, irregular wear, and temporomandibular joint disorder. At Murray Dental Group, we're proud to provide orthodontic treatment to our patients with Invisalign.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment commonly used as an alternative to traditional metal braces. Instead of using a system of metal wires, brackets, and rubber bands, Invisalign uses clear aligner trays. Invisalign clear aligners are designed to put gentle pressure on the teeth in specific directions and angles to slowly shift the teeth into the proper orientations, locations, and alignment.
Invisalign can address mild to moderate cases of:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Irregularly gapped teeth
- Malocclusion (irregular bite)
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Overbite
- Underbite
Why Choose Treatment With Invisalign? Invisalign Benefits and Advantages
Invisalign offers several benefits and advantages over alternative treatments, including:
- Discreet - Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible when they are worn, allowing you to undergo orthodontic treatment without the whole world noticing.
- Comfortable - Made of smooth plastic, Invisalign aligners are gentle on soft tissues and won't cause any sores or discomfort like traditional braces can.
- No Dietary Restrictions - Invisalign is designed to be removed at mealtimes, so you can continue enjoying all of your favorite foods and drinks — no matter how hard, sticky, or chewy they might be.
- Minimal Lifestyle Disruptions - It's completely safe to continue participating in all of your favorite sports and physical activities while wearing Invisalign because they don't put your soft tissues at an increased risk of injury.
- Fewer Checkups - Metal braces require periodic, manual adjustment from your dentist or orthodontist, and this requires patients to visit the office every couple of weeks. With Invisalign, patients still come in for progress monitoring, but not nearly as frequently.
Does Invisalign Have Any Drawbacks?
The primary drawback of treatment with Invisalign is that patient compliance with treatment instructions is of paramount importance. Since aligner trays can be removed at any time, it's up to the patient to wear their aligners responsibly to ensure their treatment results are achieved.
Typically, Invisalign is recommended for mild to moderate orthodontic issues. More complex or severe concerns might require treatment with different types of orthodontic appliances before Invisalign can be successfully used.
The Invisalign Treatment Process
Invisalign treatments are a little different for every patient because every patient has a unique set of needs and requirements for achieving their oral health goals. Depending on your needs, your treatment system will include a different number of aligner trays, and treatment with Invisalign could last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.
Consultation and Treatment Plan
The treatment process begins with a consultation, examination, diagnostic images, and digital dental impressions. We will then use all of this information to design you a customized treatment plan through the Invisalign system. We will ask you about your concerns, talk with you about your treatment expectations, and answer any questions you might have to ensure you have a clear understanding of what your treatment plan will entail and the kinds of results you can expect.
We then submit your personalized treatment plan and specifications to Invisalign. They will then manufacture your personalized treatment system.
Using Your Custom-Designed Invisalign Treatment System
When we receive your treatment system from Invisalign, we will have you return to our office. At this time, we will explain how to use your Invisalign treatment system and send you home with everything you need for success.
Typically, patients wear each set of clear aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next set in their treatment system. Aligners should be worn for at least 21 to 22 hours per day for optimal results.
We will also provide you with instructions for taking care of your aligner trays, teeth, and oral hygiene throughout the treatment process.
Follow-Ups and Final Adjustments
Treatment with Invisalign doesn't require as many follow-up appointments as traditional braces, but we do like our patients to come in from time to time to monitor their treatment progress and ensure everything is moving along as expected and planned.
When a patient has completed their Invisalign treatment system (finished wearing each set of aligner trays), we will have you return to our office for a final examination and evaluation. In some cases, patients will still require a few minor adjustments. In these instances, we will order another set of aligner trays for the patient to ensure optimal results are achieved.
Maintaining Your Invisalign Treatment Results
Invisalign treatment is designed to deliver results that last a lifetime. However, orthodontically treated teeth naturally want to shift toward their original orientations and locations in the mouth. As a result, treatment results must be maintained throughout the patient's life by wearing a retainer (usually just at night). A retainer is an orthodontic appliance that is worn to prevent teeth from shifting and moving towards their original, natural locations inside the mouth.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of treatment with Invisalign varies between patients, depending on the patient's treatment needs and the complexity and severity of the case. On average, Invisalign treatment ranges from about $3,500 to $8,000. Treatment with Invisalign is comparable to similar treatments with traditional braces.
Most dental insurance plans include some coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. Additionally, we provide payment and financing options to ensure our patients can access the dental care they need.
Enjoy a Healthier, More Beautiful Smile With Invisalign in Glenwood Springs, CO
If your confidence, comfort, and health could benefit from a straighter smile, we encourage you to consider treatment with Invisalign. Our dentists at Murray Dental Group are highly experienced in providing this type of orthodontic care, and we will be happy to help you see what's possible for the future of your smile. To learn more or request a consultation, we welcome you to contact us today.
