Invisalign Wethersfield
Straightening Teeth with Beauty & Speed
We’re all familiar with the traditional braces system that features metal wires, dark brackets, and brightly colored rubber bands. While this treatment may be the right choice for children in middle school, older patients are likely to shy away from it because of the aesthetic sacrifices involved. After all, the last thing you need when you’re trying to maintain a polished, professional appearance is a mouthful of metal! Thankfully, Dr. Brendan Dolan and Dr. Riley Gionfriddo offer a much more attractive alternative that can help you achieve the mild to moderate orthodontic improvements you’ve always wanted: Invisalign. If you’d like to schedule an Invisalign consultation here in Wethersfield, please give Dolan Dental Group a call today.
Why Choose Dolan Dental Group for Invisalign?
- Fully Personalized Aligners
- Highly Accurate Digital Impressions
- Two Highly Trained Dentists
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign treatment eliminates the conventional braces model entirely, replacing it with clear, custom-made aligners. These aligners are made of smooth, clear plastic, and they are created from special images and impressions that we take of your smile. Using a series of these trays, we can gradually shift your teeth into place for the smile that you have always dreamed of. The best part is that these aligners are discreet and completely removable.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Patients will receive their aligners, with each one representing a different stage of their smile’s ongoing improvement. The patient’s job is to wear their aligners at all times (except when eating, brushing, or flossing). This will typically mean that you’re wearing your aligners for about 22 hours a day. You will also switch your trays out for the next in the series as directed by your dentist in Wethersfield (typically every couple of weeks). This process will last until the treatment is finished. You will also need to attend regular checkups with our team so that we can gauge your progress—no uncomfortable tightening needed! Treatment will typically take 8 to 18 months, depending on the severity of your misalignment, and we’ll provide you with a retainer to wear after to ensure lasting results.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Because Invisalign aligners are clear, they blend in well with your natural smile when worn. In fact, it’s likely that most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them, allowing your true appearance and confidence to shine through.
The aligners are also removable, which means that patients can continue to enjoy all of their favorite meals without restraint! They can brush and floss like normal as well for added convenience.
There are no irritating wires to worry about with Invisalign. The high-quality plastic material of the aligners is smooth and custom-made to suit your unique mouth.
Most patients complete Invisalign treatment in just 8-18 months, which is a big improvement over the multiple years that traditional braces can often require.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
The only way to know with certainty whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign is to visit our office for a consultation. After examining your mouth, we will be able to develop a personalized treatment plan for your smile. Certain problems like severe issues with your bite can only be corrected by traditional braces, but patients with mild to moderate misalignment in their later teen or adult years are typically good candidates. Invisalign usually works better for more mature patients because they have the responsibility and organization to follow the treatment plan properly. We routinely use Invisalign clear braces to correct problems like:
Crowded Teeth
Believe it or not, crowded teeth are more than just an aesthetic concern. In addition to negatively impacting your bite, they can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. That’s because – no matter how well you brush and floss – your teeth can be very difficult to keep clean if they overlap. The good news is that Invisalign aligners can apply continual, gentle pressure to your teeth, gradually moving them into position without brackets and wires. By the end of your treatment, you’ll have a smile that looks and feels great!
Gaps Between Teeth
Invisalign can be used to treat a variety of alignment issues, including spaces between your teeth, but we’ll still need to perform an initial consultation. If the gaps are minor, we might be able to correct them without braces, such as using veneers or dental bonding. If the spaces are larger, you might be a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will have a custom series of clear aligners made in order to incrementally guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions – all without the metal!
Overbite
Traditionally, brackets and wires are used to correct overbites. Although it’s an effective treatment, it has several disadvantages, like being very noticeable. Fortunately, Invisalign resolves the common complaints of traditional braces. If your case isn’t too severe, then we can guide your teeth and your bite into proper alignment with a series of clear aligners. Each one will move your teeth a step closer to where they should be and – after a week or two of wearing it – you will transition to the next one so the process can begin again.
Underbite
Invisalign can correct mild to moderate underbites, but the treatment process looks slightly different. While metal braces pull your teeth together using brackets and wires, Invisalign uses digital impressions of your mouth, and we map the movement of your teeth using state-of-the-art technology. The information is fabricated into a series of clear plastic aligners worn over your teeth for at least 22 hours per day. One of the best parts is that the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months!
Crossbite
Alignment issues can also impact your bite, which can cause uneven wear on your enamel. Over time, this can weaken your teeth, making them more prone to decay or fractures. The uneven pressure can also cause stress on your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull on either side of your face. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including difficulty opening or closing your mouth and jaw pain. Simply put, if your upper and lower teeth aren’t aligned properly, schedule a consultation with us so we can start the process of improving the look, health, and function of your smile.
Open Bite
When you bite down, do your upper and lower teeth come together evenly? If they don’t because there is space at the front or back of your mouth, you likely have an open bite. Like the others mentioned on this list, this orthodontic problem can take a toll on your self-esteem, your oral health, your chewing patterns, and your overall quality of life. So, if you have an open bite and you want to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign in Wethersfield, contact our office today to set up a consultation. We can’t wait to help you smile with beauty and confidence!
How Invisalign Can Fix Crowded Teeth
Your smile can influence your self-esteem. Unfortunately, if your teeth are crowded, you might not like how you look. You don’t need to feel insecure about your alignment issues. You can invest in your confidence with Invisalign in Wethersfield. We’ll help you achieve a picture-perfect smile while also investing in your oral health.
Problems Associated with Crowded Teeth
Believe it or not, crowded teeth are more than just an aesthetic concern. They can also negatively impact your dental health. No matter how well you brush and floss, your teeth can be very difficult to keep clean, especially if they overlap. This allows food particles and plaque to become trapped, which can lead to bad breath. It also increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You’ll even have a heightened risk of dental emergencies.
Alignment issues can also impact your bite, which can cause uneven wear on your enamel. Over time, this can weaken your teeth, making them more prone to decay or fractures. The uneven pressure can also cause stress on your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull on either side of your face. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including difficulty opening or closing your mouth as well as jaw pain.
You can invest in your self-esteem and your dental health by correcting your bite and alignment problems.
How Invisalign Corrects Crowded Teeth
Traditionally, brackets and wires are used to correct overcrowding. Although it’s an effective treatment, it has several disadvantages, like being very noticeable. Invisalign resolves the common complaints of traditional braces.
We will take an impression of your mouth to create a series of clear plastic aligners to be worn over your teeth for at least 22 hours per day. You’ll switch to a new aligner in the series every 1-2 weeks. They will provide continual pressure on your teeth to gradually move them into position without brackets and wires. Although everyone’s treatment plan differs, most people are finished with their series of aligners in about 12 months.
While undergoing your treatment, you’ll enjoy several advantages that aren’t possible with metal braces, like a restriction-free diet. Since the aligners are removable, you can still eat and drink anything you want; however, it’s best to remove them when having anything except water.
Your oral hygiene routine will also be easy because there aren’t any brackets or wires to clean around. You’ll brush and floss your teeth as you normally do, but you’ll need to plan a few extra minutes to clean your aligners daily.
You won’t need appointments for adjustments because Invisalign doesn’t use wires, so you’ll spend less time in the dental chair. You’ll still need to come into the office every few weeks to monitor the movement of your teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
If you’re looking to get on a path towards a straighter smile, Invisalign may seem like the perfect solution. It has so many benefits you can’t find anywhere else! However, it’s essential that you understand the cost of the treatment. No one wants unnecessary surprises on their bill. To learn more about how much Invisalign will cost for you, schedule an initial consultation with us where we will go over the specifics.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign will vary from person to person. After all, every case is different. Here are some of the factors that are taken into consideration when determining the cost:
- Number of Arches: Most people who undergo Invisalign treatment will straighten both their upper and lower teeth simultaneously. However, in some cases, only one arch needs to be corrected. If you only need one of your arches addressed, the cost will be lower.
- Complexity: There are all sorts of misalignment issues out there, and some are more complex than others. If you have more severe bite problems, your treatment will likely cost more.
- Treatment Length: A longer treatment time means more aligners and a higher overall cost.
Invisalign VS DIY Aligners: Which Costs More?
When a patient is looking for a quick fix for their misalignment issues, lower budget options such as DIY aligners gotten through an app can be tempting. However, a lower cost does not mean that it is a better choice. Even though the cost of treatments like these are typically lower than Invisalign, that’s because they have very little oversight from a professional. This means more room for errors to be made. You could even end up with serious issues that would need to be treated by a professional anyway, meaning that you would be paying more in the long run.
With Invisalign, you will have the trusted oversight of our dentists every step of the way. Invisalign is professionally made, uses highly accurate impressions, and results in a more successful treatment process overall. The cost difference is worth it for a smooth-sailing, worry-free orthodontic experience.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance plans will include coverage for orthodontic treatment, so it’s a good idea to check with your provider so you know exactly what’s included. Our team is happy to file claims on your behalf to help you maximize the benefits available to you. If you have any questions about your plan, we’d be happy to help!
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Just because you don’t have dental insurance doesn’t mean that you are left completely on your own. We have financial solutions that can help. We offer complimentary financial consultations, split-payment options, and third-party financing with our east-coast partners. If you are interested in a monthly payment plan, we can help by researching multiple companies to find you the best rate. Getting a straighter smile shouldn’t mean stressing over costs.
Invisalign FAQ's
I used to wear braces. Do I qualify for Invisalign treatment?
It’s not uncommon for patients who have worn braces in the past to have some regression. Thankfully, with Invisalign, you have a solution. We’ll start by examining your teeth and then formulating a custom plan to meet your current smile needs.
I have veneers or crowns. Will Invisalign clear aligners work with them?
Many of our patients who have had previous restorative treatment are great candidates for Invisalign.
How do I clean my aligners?
The maintenance of your Invisalign aligners is an important aspect of the process to take into consideration for two reasons: it helps the trays remain in proper condition, and it prevents the growth of bacteria. Therefore, when you remove them, be sure to always rinse, gently brush, and soak them before storing them in a case that is kept in a moderate-temperature environment to avoid any warping.
What happens after your last aligner is worn?
After you wear your last aligner, we’ll evaluate your teeth to make sure your smile is up to par with the pre-designed treatment plan. Then, we’ll capture bite impressions and design a custom retainer to be worn while new bone mass forms around your tooth roots.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Because every aspect of the Invisalign process is customized to meet your specific smile needs, the only way to generate an accurate estimate for care is for you to visit our office for a consultation. After your dentist in Wethersfield examines the current condition of your teeth and develops a smile plan, we’ll inform you of what the cost for treatment will be so you can plan accordingly.