When you first hear about it, orthodontic treatment with clear aligners sounds too good to be true. You mean you can straighten your teeth without getting noticeable metal braces? Yes! With Invisalign or 3M Clarity Clear Aligners, you can discreetly enhance your smile while the world around you doesn’t notice. These treatments are always custom-made, so they’re guaranteed to be comfortable as well as deliver stunning results. They are the clear choice for adults and teens alike, and you can get started with Invisalign clear aligners in Enfield, CT by scheduling a consultation today with Dr. Cordes.
With Invisalign, instead of brackets and wires, patients wear a progressive series of lightweight plastic aligners that fit over their teeth. Each one places the right amount of pressure to shift the teeth into their ideal positions, and once a patient has gone through their entire series, they should see a perfectly straight smile in the mirror. Thanks to the clear plastic, patients don’t ever have to worry about friends or coworkers noticing their treatment. Plus, they can easily take the aligners off whenever they want for eating or brushing their teeth.
Invisalign has been one of the most sought-after orthodontic treatments for two decades now, and it’s not hard to see why! After all, there are countless benefits that come with clear aligners, including that you can take them off when needed. If you’re interested in getting a bit more insight into why more than 12 million patients around the world have chosen this teeth-straightening solution, keep reading.
The reliability of traditional braces can’t be denied, which is why they continue to be a popular orthodontic treatment decade after decade. Unfortunately, they aren’t the most comfortable because the metal brackets and wires can easily irritate the soft tissue in your mouth. The good news is that Invisalign takes a different approach to straightening teeth; it uses smooth plastic aligners that are custom-made for each patient. In short, the trays are considerably more comfortable.
Patients with traditional braces often adopt the habit of keeping their lips closed when they smile to hide the brackets and wires. You won’t have to worry about that with Invisalign because the aligners are completely clear. As a result, no one will be able to tell you’re wearing them – even your closest friends and family members! That means that you can smile with confidence throughout your teeth-straightening journey, not just at the end.
If you already feel like your oral hygiene regimen is long, the last thing you want is to spend an additional 5+ minutes cleaning around each bracket and wire. That’s another reason patients love Invisalign: it doesn’t require any changes to your existing dental care regimen (assuming it’s solid, of course). Plus, cleaning your aligners takes less than a minute every day!
Today, our patients are busier than ever. If you have a jam-packed schedule, then it can be a bit of a nuisance to come in for adjustment appointments every four weeks. The good news is that you won’t have to attend as many progress appointments compared to metal braces (they are usually every six to eight weeks instead). Even better, in most cases, Invisalign patients are able to complete treatment in just 12-18 months as opposed to 1-3 years with braces!
If you love apples, tortilla chips, raw nuts, and other crunchy foods, you’ll be happy to hear that you don’t have to alter your diet with Invisalign. All you need to do is take off your aligners first!
Important note: It’s a good idea to enjoy sugary and starchy foods in moderation to lower your risk of needing to temporarily pause your treatment plan to address tooth decay.
You may already know the basic facts about Invisalign. However, there’s a good chance you don’t grasp what everyday life with clear aligners is like. You should get that knowledge before you start treatment; it’ll ensure an easy and smooth aligner journey. Luckily, we at Cordes Orthodontics will gladly share some tips on living with Invisalign trays. Just keep reading to learn some great ones, or call our office for further details.
Remember, you should wear each aligner set for 20-22 hours daily during treatment. Anything less could cause major delays in your Invisalign results.
Another way to put it is to remove your trays only briefly. In essence, they should only be outside your mouth when you’re eating, drinking something besides water, or cleaning your smile. The only exceptions to this rule are for aligner soaks and dental visits.
Though they start out nice and clear, your aligners need regular cleaning. They pick up plaque and other debris as they sit over your crooked teeth. Still, you’ll want to clean them the right way.
There are a few ways you could clean your Invisalign trays. One is to rinse them with room temperature water every day, as hot water would warp their material. Other methods include 15–30-minute soaks in Invisalign cleaning crystals once daily or using a toothbrush and clear hand soap.
While Invisalign lets patients eat and drink as they please, that only applies when the aligners aren’t in your mouth. Chewing would damage the trays, while colored beverages would cause stains.
Given these facts, store your aligners in a protective case before eating or drinking. That’ll protect them and stop food from getting lodged between the trays and your teeth. Plus, you’ll reduce your risk of health issues like cavities.
You could easily lose or damage your aligners at some point. That said, you’ll want to address the situation before it sets back your treatment timeline.
If a tray is damaged or lost, you should quickly talk to your Orthodontist about it. They can order a new one or advance you to the next aligner in your treatment. Their solution will largely depend on how close you (already) are to switching trays and their discretion.
Lastly, don’t forget that the Invisalign process involves regular check-ins. These visits occur every 4-8 weeks, depending on your treatment plan.
The check-in visits are pretty simple and only last 15 minutes or so. For each one, the Orthodontist will provide the next aligner set for your treatment and ensure you’re on track to reach your ideal results. You’ll then be ready to continue your Invisalign journey.
Are you thinking about getting Invisalign in Enfield? Before committing to the process, you likely want to know how much it’ll cost. Well, it’s impossible to provide an accurate cost estimate until you come in for a consultation. The price varies from patient to patient because every case is unique. During your initial appointment, our team at Cordes Orthodontics will explain your estimated cost and flexible payment options. If you’d like to learn more about what to expect, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Many factors influence the overall cost of Invisalign in Enfield, including:
If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner therapy like SmileDirectClub™. It usually costs around $2,000 while Invisalign can run anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Let’s take a look at a few key differences between the two options:
Most dental insurance policies offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. If your plan applies, it can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! Of course, every policy is unique, which is why you should confirm the details with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with that step if needed!
At Cordes Orthodontics, we understand that not everyone has dental insurance. That’s why we offer additional financing options to help you afford your treatment! You can opt for third-party financing through CareCredit to make your dental bills much easier to manage. It allows you to split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments.
Are you ready to improve your smile? Contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Cordes today! He’ll help you achieve your dream look while keeping your total expenses as low as possible.
Do you have a teen who would literally die if you made them get braces, even though they really need them? With Invisalign Teen, everyone can be happy! It uses the same clear aligner system as regular Invisalign, but each tray has a small blue dot towards the back that fades as it is worn. This way, both teens and parents can make sure they’re keeping up with their treatment. Talk to Dr. Cordes and see if your teen is a good candidate for clear aligners.
Click on the button below using your mobile phone or tablet. Follow the prompts to take a photo of your smile and see the transformative results Invisalign can have once treatment is completed!
Are you interested in finding out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign? If so, the next step is simple: schedule a consultation with our Enfield orthodontist, Dr. Cordes. You can also read on since we’ve covered some helpful information on who clear aligner treatment can help below.
If there isn’t enough space in your mouth for your teeth to sit in their perfectly aligned positions, then they will instead crowd together. While the aesthetic drawbacks are enough for some patients to explore their treatment options, it’s important to know that this orthodontic problem can also negatively impact your oral health. For that reason, we strongly recommend coming in for a consultation so we can determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.
If you have the opposite problem (your teeth are spaced out instead of crowded together), you should still schedule a consultation. After all, gapped teeth also have the potential to negatively impact the look, health, and function of your smile. When you come in, we’ll learn all about your dental history and assess the complexity of your case. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will create your custom treatment plan, bringing you another step closer to the amazing smile you deserve.
Although it’s completely normal for your upper teeth to sit in front of your lower ones, it isn’t normal for them to jut out far beyond them. If they do, then you may have an overbite. This bite problem can make it difficult to enunciate clearly and also can lead to chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction. So, as you may have guessed, it’s a good idea to come in for a consultation to explore your orthodontic treatment options. Then, we can determine the best way to bring your teeth and bite into perfect alignment.
If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth – whether slightly or considerably – you may have an underbite. In addition to taking a toll on your self-esteem, this bite problem can make it difficult to chew properly, make it hard to communicate clearly, and make severe jaw pain an everyday occurrence. The good news is that Invisalign has helped patients with this orthodontic problem in the past with the help of attachments, rubber bands, and buttons. So, it’s worth scheduling a consultation to see if you’re a candidate!
As you may have guessed from the name, a crossbite is when some of your lower teeth sit in front of your top teeth and some of your top teeth sit in front of your lower teeth. In addition to the other problems mentioned on this list (i.e., chronic jaw pain, difficulty enunciating clearly, trouble chewing properly), a crossbite can also lead to premature wear and tear on certain teeth, negatively impacting the health and function of your smile even further.
An open bite is exactly what it sounds like: when there is an open space in the front or back of your mouth when you bite down. Whether yours is the result of a childhood habit, like thumb-sucking, or simply genetics, it’s important to schedule a consultation with us before it takes a toll on your self-esteem or oral health.
Do you still have some questions about Invisalign in Enfield? Our team at Cordes Orthodontics is here to give you the answers you need! That’s why we’ve included the answers to several frequently asked Invisalign questions below. If you still have questions or concerns after reading the following information, don’t be afraid to reach out to us directly!
The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on multiple factors, including how misaligned your teeth currently are and whether you wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day. On average, Invisalign treatment is completed after 12 to 18 months, but you should see a noticeable difference in your smile after just a few months. We understand that 18 months might seem like a long time, but this is still much shorter than the average treatment time with traditional braces (two to three years). During your Invisalign consultation, your orthodontist in Enfield can lay out an estimated timeline for your treatment.
One of the main advantages that Invisalign has over braces is that you won’t face any dietary restrictions. The aligners are removable, so you can simply take them out before any meals or snacks. However, you should never forget to do this. Eating while wearing your aligners can subject them to pressure that causes chips or cracks, and it can even stain the trays. Always remember to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides plain water. Just be sure to store them safely while you eat!
The smooth plastic of the Invisalign trays makes this treatment much more comfortable than metal braces. You won’t have to deal with any sharp wires poking into your gums or the insides of your cheeks. However, you can expect some mild discomfort with Invisalign; your teeth are being shifted into new positions, after all. Your teeth may feel slightly sore after you first start wearing the aligners or when you begin wearing a new set in the series. This discomfort should gradually subside, but in the meantime, you can use a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.
After you’ve finished wearing the last set of aligners in your treatment plan, you’ll visit Dr. Cordes to verify that your teeth are in the correct positions. If they are, he’ll provide you with a retainer and instruct you on how often you’ll need to wear it. This appliance should actually look and feel similar to your aligners, but instead of shifting your teeth, it’s designed to prevent your teeth from reverting back to the way they were before Invisalign and undoing all of the time and money spent on your treatment. In many cases, you’ll need to wear your retainer for 22 hours a day for a while before gradually decreasing the wear time until you only need to wear it at night.