Invisalign® Clear Braces – Naples, FL
Say Goodbye to
Metal Wires & Brackets
Have you been considering a straighter smile but haven’t wanted to deal with the appearance and hassle of traditional braces? Thankfully, we offer Invisalign clear braces in Naples, FL as a perfect solution. At Island Coast Dentistry, Dr. Jeffrey Skupny is experienced in providing Invisalign clear braces, enabling patients to get the straighter teeth they’ve always wanted without noticeable brackets and wires. Read on to learn more about this discreet and comfortable orthodontic treatment.
Why Choose Island Coast Dentistry for Invisalign Clear Braces?
- Skip the Metal Mouth
- Straighten Teeth in Less Time Overall
- Keep Your Current Diet and Oral Care Routine
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign consists of a series of practically invisible plastic aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Every aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. After we take special images of your smile, we will develop your custom-made trays, which you’ll wear 20 to 22 hours a day. Treatment time will typically last between 12 and 18 months, and after you’ve completed your series of trays, we’ll give you a retainer to ensure that your results are permanent.
Indications for Invisalign
The best way to know if you’re a candidate for Invisalign is to visit our dental office for a consultation. Typically, we use Invisalign to treat these common orthodontic issues:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth or teeth that appear too close together will not only affect your appearance, but they can make it harder to brush and floss your smile. This leaves you at a higher risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign can shift your teeth to give them the breathing room that they need, giving you a beautiful and healthy smile.
Spaces Between Teeth
Gaps in between your teeth can unfortunately cause some of the same problems as crowded teeth. Bacteria and plaque can collect in these spaces unless they are closed. We can use Invisalign to give you a straight and gap-free smile.
Bite Alignment
While severe bite problems still must be treated with traditional orthodontics, we can use Invisalign to treat mild to moderate cases of this issue. Certain cases of overbite, underbite, and crossbite can be treated with Invisalign clear braces.
Benefits of Invisalign
Patients are choosing Invisalign over traditional orthodontics for these unique advantages:
- Clear: Only you will know you’re wearing the trays.
- Removable: You don’t have to change your eating habits! Plus, you can take them out for special occasions such as weddings and family pictures.
- Quicker: The absence of fixed metal brackets or wires to adjust will save you valuable time driving to and from dental visits. You will receive a new set of aligners twice monthly during your Invisalign treatment.
- Comfortable: Made of smooth plastic, Invisalign won’t catch and cut the inside of your mouth like traditional braces can.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Unfortunately, it’s hard to estimate the cost of your Invisalign treatment without examining your mouth first. For that reason, we can’t give you an accurate estimate of the price without a consultation. The good news is that we can provide you with a specific number at your appointment as well as review all of the financial solutions available to make your teeth-straightening journey as affordable as possible! In the meantime, you can read on for some important information on the topic, including if dental insurance covers clear aligner treatment.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
A simple consultation with Dr. Skupny will allow him to examine your mouth, the severity of your misalignment, and your bite. After, he can determine how many aligners are needed, develop your personalized treatment plan, and determine the upfront cost. However, it’s important to know that your cost can vary based on your commitment to your treatment and how well you take care of your aligners. For example, if you consistently don’t wear your trays and fall off-track with your treatment plan, there will be an additional price to have a new one made.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
We can say confidently that Smile Direct Club™ and other mail-order aligner companies almost always cost less. They also rely on DIY impressions, skip the initial exam, have been sued by countless patients who have experienced worsened misalignment, and don’t have support from professional organizations, like the American Dental Association. In other words, even if it’s cheaper, it certainly isn’t better. When it comes to something as important as the look, health, and function of your smile, it’s best to use reliable, trustworthy clear aligner companies, like Invisalign.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance providers do cover the cost of Invisalign, particularly if it’s considered “medically necessary.” Orthodontic benefits are usually a bit different than preventive, restorative, and emergency coverage, which is why it’s even more important to carefully review the fine print on your dental plan ahead of time. If you’re having trouble understanding the unfamiliar jargon on your paperwork, you can always ask our Naples dental team for help! We can review your available benefits, answer any questions you have, and file the claim on your behalf so you’re reimbursed by your provider directly.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry – there’s another way to make the price of Invisalign more affordable: CareCredit. With their payment plans, you can space out the cost over the course of several months, sometimes with little-to-no interest attached too! That way, you don’t have to stress about trying to pay for Invisalign in one lump sum, putting a strain on your wallet in the process. If you’d like additional information on flexible financing, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
By this time, you know that Invisalign is an effective, discreet way to guide your teeth into a more aesthetically-pleasing position. That being said, it’s natural to have a few questions before committing to treatment. To make the research process easier, we have listed a few frequently asked questions (and their answers!) below. However, if you can’t find what you are looking for or have a specific question on your mind, then don’t hesitate to contact our dental office directly.
Do Invisalign Trays Make It Hard to Speak Clearly?
While some patients can enunciate properly from the start, others have a bit of a learning curve. After all, it takes time for your tongue (which is largely responsible for your ability to speak clearly) to get used to your aligners. That being said, you’ll be able to “train” yourself to speak without a lisp within a matter of days, especially if you practice by reading aloud.
How Should I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?
Caring for your Invisalign aligners is crucial. By following a few best practices, you can prevent them from staining, warping, or breaking altogether:
- Choose the right products to clean your trays (not toothpaste or denture cleaner)
- Only use cool or lukewarm water when rinsing your trays
- Brush your trays after every meal and snack
- Drink only plain water when your trays are in
- Store your aligners in a protective case when you eat or complete your oral hygiene routine
What Happens If I Lose My Invisalign Trays?
If you lose your Invisalign trays, do your best not to panic, especially since a frazzled mind won’t help you find them any faster. Instead, calmly retrace your steps, paying special attention to the small crevices they could’ve fallen into. Once you’ve confirmed they are missing, call our dental office right away. Depending on where you are at in your treatment, you may be able to wear your previous trays or move to the next set. Otherwise, we will order a set of replacement aligners. Under no circumstance should you attempt to keep it a secret since this can significantly delay your timeline, requiring more money and time spent on treatment.
How Can I Be Sure That Invisalign Will Work?
When you invest time and money into treatment, you want it to work! Fortunately, you can have full confidence in Invisalign. Over the past two decades, their clear aligners have helped millions of patients with gapped, crooked, or crowded teeth achieve their smile goals. Plus, they have an impressive 96% satisfaction rate, and 9 out of 10 people would recommend it to their family and friends! So, you can take the next step toward perfectly straight teeth with complete confidence.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
In most cases, the Invisalign process takes between twelve to eighteen months. That said, a variety of factors can impact the final timeline. These include the severity of misalignment, patient compliance with treatment, and more.
If your orthodontic problem is mild, you could finish Invisalign in just six months. That estimate becomes even more likely if you maintain good oral hygiene and the daily aligner wear time.
Should your treatment take eighteen months, though, don’t get too upset. This timing is still four months shorter than the average journey with traditional braces. As such, you’ll save yourself months’ worth of effort!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Generally speaking, Invisalign isn’t painful. Its smooth plastic design ensures it’s a highly comfortable form of orthodontics.
Of course, treatment does involve an initial adjustment period. You may experience slight soreness or discomfort at that time. However, this symptom disappears quickly as you get used to the aligners. You can also manage the ache with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, and similar methods.
Following the adjustment period, Invisalign shouldn’t be uncomfortable. At most, you might feel a slight pressure as you switch to the next aligner in the series. However, that’s simply a sign that your treatment is working.
Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?
When assessing your candidacy for Invisalign, there are several factors you should consider. Some of them are:
- Age – As people grow up, their jaws and teeth can become hard to move. Consequently, teens (starting at 13) tend to have an easier time with Invisalign than adults. Still, patients of any age can qualify if they adhere to treatment guidelines.
- Treatment Compliance – Ideal candidates are committed to wearing aligners 20-22 hours daily. Younger and less responsible patients, then, may want to consider braces that are fixed to the smile.
- Issue Severity – Invisalign can correct crooked, gapped, crowded, and misaligned teeth. However, more severe bite problems may be too hard for it to treat.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Your dentist will verify the results when you’ve finished wearing the last aligners in the series. Doing so ensures your teeth are in the desired, straight position. The assessment will be followed by a briefing on how best to maintain your newly-aligned smile.
As part of post-treatment, you’ll also start wearing a retainer. This appliance is more comfortable than similar ones made in the past, and you’ll get to choose the type you want. One option is the wire retainer, while another is a clear plastic kind that resembles aligner trays.