4 Things to Consider When Researching Invisalign

Are you looking for a way to straighten your teeth without having to wear traditional braces? If you’ve been researching options for improving your smile, there’s a good chance you’ve considered Invisalign. While braces are usually associated with pre-teens and teenagers, you’ve got teeth straightening options when it comes to adult orthodontics as well. One of the perks of Invisalign is that the aligners are not easily detectable. This allows you to feel confident in professional and social settings without feeling like you have braces that make you look too young. Searching for the right Invisalign orthodontist can be a challenge, but when you know which factors to keep in mind, you can select the dental professional who will provide the best service throughout your teeth straightening process.

How Long Will the Process Take?

Depending on your dental issues, you could be wearing Invisalign for a year or two. However, if you’re only wearing the aligners to straighten one or two teeth, you’ll have to wear Invisalign for 4-6 months. In some cases, you’ll have to wear additional attachments or ridges to make sure your aligners stay in place. You’ll need to check in with your orthodontist every few months to make sure your aligners are working correctly. The orthodontist will also make sure that your teeth and gums are in good condition and provide any necessary treatments. This ensures that you maintain your oral health while you’re using your Invisalign braces.

As far as how long you’ll need to wear your aligners during the day, you should only have the aligners out of your mouth for two hours each day. You’ll need to take your Invisalign braces out when you eat – be sure to floss and rinse after eating to prevent food debris from getting stuck in between your teeth and the aligners. You should also wear the aligners while you sleep at night.

Caring For Your Teeth

Keep in mind that even when you wear the aligners, your teeth can become stained. The aligners are clear so you can’t see them at a glance. However, the attachments and ridges that hold the aligners in place can stain, especially when you drink beverages like wine or coffee. Make sure you brush your teeth after consuming these beverages to keep your aligners and your smile as clean as possible. You may find that you have to brush your teeth more often than you would without the aligners to prevent stubborn stains and plaque buildup.

After Your Treatment

Once you’ve completed your treatment and your Invisalign orthodontist has evaluated your teeth and overall health, you may need additional treatments. Depending on the severity of your treatment, you may be fitted for refinement aligners to further correct stubborn teeth. Your dentist may recommend that you wear retainers after you’re no longer using the aligners to keep your teeth in place. You can get a retainer that you only use at night, or a permanent retainer that is installed on the back of your teeth so it’s invisible.

If you want to whiten your teeth to make your smile even more appealing, it’s best to do this after you’ve finished your aligner treatment. Invisalign can leave stains on the teeth, especially if you drink beverages with the aligners in your mouth. Waiting until your treatment is complete to whiten your teeth ensures that your smile is whitened evenly. You can also your dentist for a whitening kit you can use at home every few weeks or come to your orthodontist office twice a year or so to have your teeth professionally whitened.

Paying For Invisalign

Of course, one of the most important factors you’ll have to consider when you want Invisalign is how to pay for this treatment. You may have to make adjustments to your budget to afford this teeth-straightening treatment, but the results can be well worth it.  It’s important to note that Invisalign is often more expensive than traditional braces and you may have to wear them for a longer period of time. However, Invisalign is more discreet and can keep you from being self-conscious while you’re in the process of straightening your teeth. Check your dental insurance policy to see if orthodontic coverage is available. If you have coverage for orthodontics, your insurance company will pay for part of your Invisalign treatment. However, there is a cap on how much orthodontic service you can receive while you’re a policy holder.

You may also want to open a health savings account to cover the cost of your Invisalign. Your employer may also offer a special savings account that you can deposit part of your paycheck into to cover the cost of your dental services. Check with your employer to see how much money you’re permitted to reserve in the savings account. Sometimes, these accounts will reimburse you after you’ve paid for Invisalign. There are also healthcare lines of credit you can apply for; the money you’re awarded will cover your Invisalign treatment upon approval. You’ll have to pay monthly on your credit account, just like a regular credit card. In other instances, the savings account will pay for all or most of your orthodontic treatment. If there is a remaining payment, you can work with your orthodontist to come up with a monthly payment plan until your balance is satisfied.

If you’re looking for the best orthodontist Philadelphia has to offer, you can count on Orthodontics Limited to take care of all your Invisalign needs. Our team is qualified to offer orthodontic services to adults, and we provide Invisalign Teen as well. We have orthodontists that are Diamond Plus certified, which is the highest level of Invisalign certification you can receive. You can rest assured that you’re getting the best care for your teeth and gums and receiving quality Invisalign services that will improve your teeth and make you more confident in your smile. To find the ideal Invisalign orthodontist for you, check out www.orthodonticslimited.com.