Invisalign Massapequa Park · Long Island
The Clear Path Toward a Straight Smile
For decades, if you were unhappy with the alignment of your teeth because of crookedness or gaps, there was only one solution-- uncomfortable and noticeable metal braces. Thankfully, dentistry has evolved rapidly over the past few decades, allowing Dr. Mohr and Dr. Ariel to offer a treatment like Invisalign in Massapequa Park. With it, you can maintain your daily appearance and eat whatever you like while getting closer to the eye-catching smile you desire. Before you call to schedule a consultation, you can learn more about how it works below.
Why Choose Smile Creations for Invisalign?
- Esteemed Cosmetic Dentists Who Guarantee Beautiful Results
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology Used
- Works with “Dream Team” of Local Orthodontists
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign relies on the same principle as traditional braces to straighten teeth, in that it applies gentle but gradual pressure that shifts them into the ideal positions. Rather than using metal brackets and wires to do this, a patient just has to wear a progressive series of clear plastic aligner trays. Each tray is worn for about 20-22 hours a day for two weeks before they are switched out for the next set in the series.
A patient’s aligners will be custom-made based on impressions and scans of their mouth. This will help us design a fully tailored treatment plan. Every six to eight weeks, patients should come in for brief progress checks so our dentists can make sure everything is moving as expected.
How Invisalign Can Help
All of the most common orthodontic issues can now be resolved discreetly using Invisalign, such as:
Crowded Teeth
This is by far the most popular reason people want to have their teeth straightened. Crowded teeth present obvious aesthetic concerns, but they also make it more difficult to brush and floss properly, increasing someone’s risk of cavities and gum disease. Literally, tens of millions of patients have been able to resolve this problem thanks to Invisalign.
Gaps Between Teeth
While too little space between teeth is a problem, so is too much! Unwanted gaps stick out for all the wrong reasons, trapping food and bacteria that can lead to infection and decay. Whether you have a space between your two front teeth or anywhere else, Invisalign can make it disappear.
Bite Alignment
In addition to correcting individual teeth, Invisalign can also help with conditions like overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. This only improves someone’s profile and facial shape for the better, but it also allows them to chew more comfortably and avoid jaw pain down the line.
The Benefits of Invisalign
- Unnoticeable: Everyone can tell when a person has braces, but with Invisalign, the aligners practically disappear once they are in place. You’ll never have to worry about friends or coworkers noticing them.
- Comfortable: The aligners will be made just for you to ensure they fit the unique contours of your teeth and gums. The smooth plastic won’t irritate your cheeks or lips like regular braces. Many patients say they often forget they even have their aligners in!
- Freedom: You don’t have to change your diet or dental hygiene routine with Invisalign. Just take your aligners out before eating or brushing.
- Speed: Most Invisalign treatments take anywhere from 12-18 months to complete, while braces often require one to three years.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
To be as effective as possible, Dr. Mohr or Dr. Ariel will put together a unique treatment plan for you. The number of aligners you need will be the main cost-determining factor, and that will be based on the current position of your teeth, what problems need to be resolved, and how you want your final result to look. At your initial consultation, our team will talk about the price as well as how we could potentially use your insurance or financing to make the treatment as affordable as possible.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
- Number of Aligners: Minor, aesthetic-focused changes to the teeth may only require a few aligners (6-10), while bigger adjustments will require more (15+). In short, the more aligners you need, the more your treatment will cost.
- Starting Position of Your Teeth: This is strongly related to the point above. The number of aligners you require to achieve your desired result will largely depend on where your teeth and bite are at the beginning of treatment.
- Insurance Coverage: Some insurance plans offer broad orthodontic coverage that includes Invisalign for adult patients, while others will only help pay for metal braces for children. And if you have coverage, the actual amount can differ quite a bit from plan to plan.
Invisalign VS Do-It-Yourself-Aligners: Which Costs More?
There are many companies these days that claim if you want to straighten your teeth, all you need to do is download an app, and you’ll be able to have custom aligners sent to your house. While these businesses may be savvy when it comes to marketing, what they lack can leave you paying more to get the smile you want.
Adjustments often need to be made during a clear aligner treatment because the teeth don’t shift exactly as planned. While this is easy to do when partnering with a dentist or orthodontist, many of these do-it-yourself aligner brands never have you working directly with a dental professional. This means if something goes wrong, you’re on your own.
Without professional oversight, many patients end up with problems like pain, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. A quick internet search will point you toward multiple class-action lawsuits against DIY aligner providers because of these outcomes. In many cases, patients who opted for them ended up spending thousands to fix their smiles.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Many dental insurance plans do offer orthodontic benefits that can be applied to Invisalign, but as noted above, this isn’t consistent across all providers. Before you commit to treatment with us, we’ll verify your coverage and make sure you know exactly how much your insurance is willing to pay. We can also discuss low-to-no-interest financing, so you can start your Invisalign treatment right away and pay for it over time using monthly installments.
Invisalign FAQs
Does getting Invisalign hurt?
Your mouth will probably feel a bit sore after starting Invisalign or switching to a new set of trays. Don’t worry—this means that it’s working! It is applying new pressure to your teeth to move them. Fortunately, this discomfort tends to be minor and goes away after a day or so. You can take OTC medication to make the adjustment period more comfortable as well.
How long does Invisalign take?
The length of each Invisalign case will vary depending on the starting position of someone’s teeth and how well their mouth responds to treatment. On average, the process takes about 12-18 months, which is much faster compared to metal braces, which can require about two to three years. After your exam and consultation, we’ll be able to give you a much more definitive timeline estimate.
Will I need to wear a retainer after using Invisalign?
Yes! A retainer will make sure that your newly straightened teeth maintain their new positions. Without it, they would slowly drift back to where they started. Usually, a patient will be asked to wear their retainer full-time right after finishing Invisalign. After a few months, they can then switch to just wearing it to bed.
What happens if I lose an Invisalign tray?
There’s no need to worry—this happens all the time. Just give our team a call, and we’ll let you know what to do next. Depending on where you are in your treatment timeline, you may be asked to put on your previous set of trays or progress to the next one a bit early. If a replacement is necessary, we will try to get one to you as quickly as possible. This won’t cost extra since the price of replacement trays will already be included in what you’re paying.
