June 26, 2023
There are very few people who have perfectly straight teeth. Nearly everyone has some type of malocclusion. The most common type of malocclusion is overbite. The good news is that orthodontic treatment can resolve these issues, providing you with a perfectly straight, flawless smile.
There are several types of malocclusions that can range in severity from very mild to very serious, including:
For many years, the primary treatment was traditional braces. However, these are often unsightly and uncomfortable, which means many patients would rather deal with the consequences of crooked teeth. However, in the late 1990s, Invisalign clear aligners were introduced to the market as an alternative.
During your initial visit, the dentist will use imaging and specialized software to create a 3D rendering of your mouth. This will be sent to the dental lab for the fabrication of your aligners.
The aligners fit snugly against the teeth, putting even pressure across the entire arch to shift the teeth into alignment.
The process usually takes a minimum of about 6 months and may take up to 18 or more, depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion.
Invisalign clear aligners offer many benefits over traditional braces.
First of all, the aligners are transparent, making them virtually invisible. This means that most people will not notice them- even when they are having a face-to-face conversation with you.
Aligners are designed to be removed while eating, which means that you don’t have to give up your favorite foods. However, you will need to brush and floss after you eat because if you don’t, you could stain or damage the aligners with any food debris that is left behind. Plus, since the aligners are removable, you don’t have to worry about cleaning around your brackets and wires. You can brush and floss teeth as you normally would without orthodontic treatment.
Aligners are more convenient than traditional braces because you are not required to visit the dentist every few weeks for adjustments as the teeth move. You are responsible for swapping to a new set of aligners as directed by your treatment plan. However, you will need to visit several times throughout treatment so that we can monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your plan.
Aligners cost about the same as traditional braces. When first introduced to the market, Invisalign clear aligners were a premier treatment. The cost was much higher, and most insurance providers did not cover it. However, research now shows all of the benefits associated with aligners over traditional braces, so many providers are covering it and the cost has come way down.
Aligners are proven effective for a variety of mild to moderate malocclusions. If you have a serious malocclusion or if you have a skeletal malocclusion which involves a skeletal deformation, this may not be the most ideal treatment for you.
The aligners are made with smooth plastic to fit snugly against your teeth.
Since there are no brackets or wires involved, you do not have to be concerned with scraping the inside of your mouth.
Some patients do report some minor discomfort- which can be expected because the teeth are being forced into a new position within the jaw. However, this is typically short-term and can be resolved with an OTC pain reliever or anti-inflammatory. If you are experiencing severe pain, schedule an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. You may have tooth decay or infection that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
The cost of Invisalign treatment depends on several factors. The most important one is the type and severity of your malocclusion because these factors determine how many aligners you will need, which determines how long your treatment will take. The more aligners you need, the longer your treatment timeline will be, and the more expensive your treatment will be.
Treatment starts at around $1,500 for Invisalign Lite, which involves up to 5 aligners. This will usually only take six months or less because it is for very mild to mild cases of malocclusion.
On the other end of the spectrum is Invisalign Comprehensive. This allows unlimited aligners and can last 18 months or more. Many times, Invisalign attachments are used in this treatment line. These are composite resin buttons, similar to the brackets used in traditional braces, that are placed on teeth for the aligners to grip onto. This will hold them in place, which can improve their effectiveness.
If you have a mild to moderate dental malocclusion, schedule your consultation with the team at Innovative Dental and Orthodontics today. We are located at 1884 County Road 419 #1010 in Oviedo, FL. Our dentists have the experience and expertise to find the best solution to your dental issues.
We work with a variety of dental insurance providers. Our friendly office staff will be happy to review your dental insurance information and contact your provider to determine your coverage. If your insurance does not cover certain procedures or if you do not have dental insurance, we do work with certain third-party financing companies.
In addition to orthodontic treatments, we offer a variety of general and cosmetic dental services for patients of all ages from pediatrics to seniors. We look forward to working with you and your whole family.
