Many people dream of achieving a straighter, more self-confident smile that’s free of noticeable gaps and misalignments, but they’re not quite willing enough to commit to years of wearing metal braces. At Glenpool Braces, Dr. Georgy understands that aesthetics need to come first for most older patients, which is why she’s happy to offer image-friendly alternatives to the traditional braces model we’re all so familiar with. Invisalign® Clear Aligners go above and beyond in this regard, gradually improving tooth alignment in a pleasingly subtle way. To learn if you’re the right candidate for this treatment, contact our Glenpool, OK orthodontic office today and schedule a complimentary consultation.
Instead of traditional metal braces, patients undergoing Invisalign treatment will wear a series of clear, custom-crafted aligners that are crafted from high-quality plastics. Each aligner is painstakingly designed to represent a different stage of the teeth as they’re gradually repositioned towards their newer, more ideal positions.
Patients can expect to wear the individual aligners for a few weeks at a time before being directed to switch to the next one in their provided set. When undergoing Invisalign treatment, it’s important that you also plan to wear the aligner for at least 22 hours a day, only removing it to eat, brush, and floss. Last but not least, Dr. Georgy will want to see you for brief progress appointments every six weeks on average to ensure that the patient’s treatment plan is hiccup-free and progressing smoothly.
Invisalign is able to correct numerous different misalignment issues that can occur, so you don’t need to opt for metal brackets and wires to get the results that you desire. Here are some of the different problems that Invisalign can fix.
Teeth that overlap can negatively affect the appearance and health of your smile. Overcrowded teeth can increase your risk of developing cavities or grinding your teeth, therefore resulting in premature wear and tear. The good news is that Invisalign can gently guide your teeth into their proper positions, effectively correcting crowdedness.
Teeth that are spaced too far apart can also have a negative impact on your oral health, making it more difficult to floss and brush effectively. It can also affect your bite and speaking patterns. Fortunately, Invisalign can correct gapped teeth in approximately 12-18 months.
An overbite happens when the top teeth come out too far from the lower arch of the teeth. Overbites can cause you to experience jaw pain, speech problems, uneven dental wear, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. This problem can also result in the top teeth being more exposed, increasing their risk of becoming injured.
An underbite describes when the bottom teeth go slightly passed or match with the top row of teeth when you close your mouth. This can be caused by several different factors, including genetics, jaw injury, and nonnutritive habits (like thumb sucking and pacifier use too late into childhood). Oftentimes, patients who have underbites require the use of rubber bandings and other attachments in addition to their clear aligners. This helps to address the bite and shift the lower arch into its proper position.
When the bottom teeth are slightly in front of the upper arch, this is called a “crossbite.” This is usually caused by genetics, poor oral hygiene, or premature loss of the baby teeth. When left without treatment, crossbites can result in other problems, like an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, speech difficulties, headaches, teeth grinding, and facial asymmetry. Invisalign can correct this issue in most cases.
When the top and bottom teeth don’t overlap or touch when you close your mouth, this is called an open bite. Most of the time, this is due to poor bone development or nonnutritive habits, like prolonged thumb-sucking and pacifier use. An open bite can lead to difficulty pronouncing certain words and sounds, as well as excessive enamel wear of the back teeth. Invisalign is able to bring the top and bottom teeth together, correcting the bite patterns and reducing additional damage.
Teenagers have a lot on their plates in everyday life – exams, college applications, social lives, extracurricular clubs, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice if your self-conscious son or daughter could improve their one-of-a-kind smile without struggling with a “metal mouth” in the process? Here in Glenpool, Dr. Georgy is happy to offer Invisalign® Teen Clear Aligners in addition to the traditional Invisalign treatment plan for younger smiles. This specific service has some small tweaks that better suit the busy lifestyles of teenagers and will help them succeed when it comes to beautiful, lasting orthodontic improvement.
Learn More About Invisalign® Teen Clear Aligners
The cost of Invisalign in Glenpool is different for each patient. Only until you schedule a consultation with a member of our team can we determine how much you can expect to spend on your upcoming treatment. The good news is that most dental insurance companies will agree to pay a portion of the cost, and if you need assistance with any out-of-pocket expenses, our team is here to help.
When determining how much you can expect to spend on Invisalign treatment, there are several factors your Invisalign dentist in Glenpool must consider, such as the number of clear aligners you will need, how long you can expect to be wearing your aligners, and the severity of your dental problems (i.e., overcrowding, gaps, misalignment).
You may be tempted to try one of the many do-it-yourself (DIY) clear aligner systems on the market. A popular one, Smile Direct Club, entices patients by offering low prices and easy-to-use solutions; however, there are some caveats that are often “forgotten.” Below are just a few of the many reasons you should consider entrusting your smile to a skilled orthodontist:
By opting for Invisalign through a skilled orthodontist in your area, you can feel more at ease knowing that your results will be predictable and beautiful.
Most dental insurance companies provide partial coverage for clear aligner treatment; however, every plan is different, so you’ll need to review your policy before agreeing to move forward. A member of our team will be happy to assist if necessary, and we’ll even file the paperwork and claims on your behalf. If insurance does agree to cover part of your Invisalign care, it will likely be up to 50%.
To costs reasonable and affordable, the team at Glenpool Braces is also pleased to provide the following payment options:
Invisalign treatment in Glenpool has countless benefits to offer patients, which is why we typically suggest this pain-free and simple orthodontic treatment for our patients who are good candidates. For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive below. That way, you can feel confident in your decision to straighten your smile with clear aligners.
A great benefit about choosing Invisalign treatment is that you won’t have to deal with metal brackets and wires poking the inside of your cheeks and lips, leaving irritation and scratches in their wake. Clear aligners are custom-fitted to your mouth and made from smooth plastic that won’t irritate your sensitive gums or oral tissue, completely eliminating the need for protective orthodontic wax.
Our patients do experience some tenderness and discomfort when they switch to their new sets of aligners. In these cases, you can take ibuprofen to ease your pain and change over to your new aligners at night so you sleep through a majority of your adjustment period. Within a day or two, you should feel back to normal.
The length of your Invisalign treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your orthodontic issues and how many sets of aligners you need to achieve the ideal results. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss each of these with you so you know exactly what to expect. We’ll also build a timeline for you so we can track and measure your progress.
Cleaning your aligners every day is an important step in preventing the development of oral health problems throughout your treatment. You can regularly clear them of any lingering food debris, plaque, and bacteria by following these tips:
If you have any maintenance questions throughout your treatment, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of dental professionals at Glenpool Braces!
If you damage or accidentally lose your aligner, contact our office as soon as possible so we can get you a replacement. It may be tempting to solve the problem yourself and switch to the next set of trays in your series, but this can sometimes set back your treatment even further by moving your teeth too quickly and resulting in oral health problems. This problem is a fairly common occurrence, so rest assured that’s it’s nothing we haven’t solved before!