Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are some of the most popular alternatives to traditional metal braces. Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics is a Top 1% Invisalign provider in Topeka, KS, so we know all about Invisalign and how it can improve your smile.
We’ve heard all kinds of questions about orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, and we’re happy to answer every one! Do you want to know how Invisalign works, how to clean it, or how long it takes to work? We’ve got you covered!
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an alternative to metal braces and clear braces that uses clear acrylic trays to move your teeth. The Invisalign clear aligners apply gentle pressure to move your teeth to their proper positions. Because they are made of clear material, they are nearly invisible on the teeth. People often prefer Invisalign because of the look and lack of food restrictions.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Patients are given sets of trays — one upper and one lower per set — and wear each set for 1-2 weeks. After that, they change that set for the next set in the sequence. Each set of clear aligners moves the teeth in certain ways and distances. Patients continue to change out trays until their teeth are in place.
Invisalign must be worn 22 hours a day for effective tooth movement. You should only remove your aligners to eat or drink something other than water, brush, or floss. If you can’t wear your aligners properly, Invisalign may not be your best treatment option. Most Invisalign patients won’t have trouble wearing their orthodontic appliances for the proper amount of time to straighten their teeth.
Invisalign vs. Invisalign Teen
What’s the difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen? Both are essentially the same, but Invisalign Teen has special graphics on the back of the trays that change color. These graphics fade from blue to white as the trays are worn. When they turn white, it’s time to change out the trays.
The graphics make it easier for the teenager to keep up with changing out their trays. Invisalign Teen also comes with more replacement trays in case their trays are lost or damaged.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Patients will have some discomfort for the first couple of days after getting Invisalign. This is normal as your teeth begin to move. Usually, it can be handled by eating soft foods and using over-the-counter painkillers. You can also rinse your mouth a couple of times a day with warm salt water.
There might be a bit of discomfort for a day or two after changing to the next set of aligners. Most of the time, you will not feel any pain while wearing Invisalign.
How Often Do You See an Orthodontist With Invisalign?
We provide several sets of trays, so we probably won’t need to see you as often during your treatment. Most patients visit the orthodontist every 6-8 weeks. That may be shortened if trays get lost or damaged and must be replaced.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign tends to work quickly, taking 9-15 months to correct your bite and smile on average. Patients with minor issues could be finished in as little as six months! Your specific treatment time will depend on how many dental issues we are correcting and how severe those problems are. During your first consultation, we give you a timeline as part of your treatment plan.
How to Clean Invisalign
You should rinse your Invisalign trays each time you remove them and put them back into your mouth. You should also soak your Invisalign daily to clean them and brush and floss your teeth.
There are tablets available specifically for cleaning clear aligners. You can use denture cleanser if it doesn’t have “scrubbing” particles. That’s because the abrasive particles can damage your clear aligners and make them look cloudy.
Do not clean your clear aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s also abrasive and can damage your clear aligners.
What Can You Eat With Invisalign?
You can eat and drink anything with Invisalign! That’s because, unlike braces, you remove your clear aligners before you eat or drink liquids other than water. You have no food restrictions because you don’t have brackets or wires that can get damaged.
You must rinse your clear aligners and brush your teeth after eating before putting your clear aligners back into your mouth. Otherwise, you could be putting germs and bacteria into your mouth.
Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?
Getting used to having Invisalign in your mouth may take a few days. You may have a slight lisp during that time as your tongue gets used to touching clear aligners instead of teeth. It should go away after a few days.
On rare occasions, people continue to have trouble speaking with their Invisalign. In those cases, a visit with a speech therapist should help.
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Not all insurance covers Invisalign. You will need to determine whether your insurance policy covers clear aligners. Many just cover braces treatment only. We can work with you to determine exactly what your policy will cover.
The cost of your Invisalign will depend on your treatment. Every patient is different. Complicated cases will cost more to treat than simple ones. We will present your cost upfront during your first visit so you know exactly what you will pay for treatment with Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics.
If your insurance doesn’t cover the cost, we offer several financing options to help you pay. We offer zero-interest, in-house financing for our patients. We also offer family discounts and paid-in-full discounts. We even offer extended monthly payments so you can fit your payments into your budget better.
Treatment With Invisalign in Topeka, KS
Invisalign treatment has helped millions get the amazing smiles they’ve always wanted. Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign, but we can help you find out if you are. If you’re looking for Invisalign treatment in Topeka, KS, schedule an appointment with Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics.
