Understand What Invisalign Attachments Are

With the advent of the Invisalign technology, straightening teeth has become quite convenient and more comfortable. This orthodontic treatment corrects bad bites and crooked teeth using a series of removable, “invisible” aligners, which are replaced about every two weeks.

Each of these Invisalign aligners is purposely designed to be ill-fitting. It may feel too tight or snug, and may even be difficult to put in and remove at times. That is because aligners are not created to fit your teeth. Rather, it is shaped to fit the expected alignment of your teeth after each phase.

As compared to traditional wires and brackets, Invisalign has many advantages. For one, the fact that these aligners can be removed any time as desired poses an obvious leverage. Because it can be taken out, brushing, flossing and keeping your mouth healthy becomes an easier task.

Aside from being removable, Invisalign does not give a significant level of discomfort when worn. This is because the increment movement that the aligners make is too minimal to cause any serious pain or discomfort.

However, despite the procedure being new and entirely different, Invisalign makes use of the same orthodontic techniques that traditional braces do. Take Insivsalign attachments for instance. They do not necessarily come with every Invisalign treatment, but some patients will be required to use them. Invisalign attachments are tooth-colored dots that are bonded at precise locations on specific teeth.

Why are Invisalign attachments needed?

Some tooth changes are hard to accomplish with removable aligners as their movements would not occur with the clear aligner pushing the teeth on its own. It may be because of the angulation or the shape of the teeth that makes it difficult for the appliance to put pressure on them. To resolve such issues, the dentist places Invisalign attachments on the teeth to provide anchor points that help direct pressure from the aligner to the teeth.

An Invisalign attachment is bonded on the tooth with the use of a composite resin, and is easily removed by a polishing tool. This will neither do any damage to your teeth nor cause any pain. Depending on their specific location, and the shade of the composite bonding material used, these Invisalign attachments may be more or less obvious.
Invisalign treatments do not always require Invisalign attachments. With the help of an Invisalign treatment simulation, your dentist will be able to tell if any phase of your treatment will need Invisalign attachment placements.

Are they really necessary?

Invisalign attachments that are strategically placed on the teeth is necessary in order for you to attain the results you desire. Attachments should not be a big deal. They are actually much less invasive than having brackets bonded on each of your tooth.

If you want to know more about Invisalign, its attachments, and where they are expected to be placed, make sure to talk to your dentist during your initial consultation. An experienced Invisalign provider should be able to tell which of your teeth would likely require attachments.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Perhaps the most popular alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign can be an effective solution to straightening the teeth, as well as preventing oral health issues. But is it a wiser and less expensive choice than getting conventional braces? Exactly how much is Invisalign?

It is essential to keep in mind that Invisalign cost will vary from case to case, depending on the complexity of the dental problem, the number of the aligner trays that will be used throughout the treatment, your orthodontist, and your dental insurance coverage.

A typical Invisalign treatment may only shed you a few thousand dollars for simpler cases, while complex dental issues can cost as much as $8,000. But in average, Invisalign cost is comparable to that of conventional braces with a price averaging at about $5,000. Since the cost will depend on your specific needs and specialized treatment plan, only your orthodontist can determine the actual Invisalign cost.

Although Invisalign and other orthodontic treatments fall under cosmetic dentistry, many dental insurance providers offer to cover for their cost. If you have a dental insurance plan, your insurance provider may help you decide what orthodontic benefits you may qualify for. Otherwise, your orthodontist can offer financing options. A lot of orthodontists provide affordable monthly payments with no interest and no down payment.

Evaluating Other Things that Factor to the Cost of Invisalign

As earlier mentioned, both braces and Invisalign may cost about the same. However, there may be more to Invisalign that makes it a more practical choice of treatment than braces.
Comfort: There is no doubt that when it comes to comfort, a smooth clear plastic resin is way better than metal wires and brackets. Traditional braces may cut your gums and cause inflammations, whereas Invisalign causes no such complications.

Time: Invisalign treatments require fewer visits to and scheduled appointments with the dentist. Typically, you only need to see your orthodontist every four to six weeks throughout the duration of the treatment.

Convenience: Invisalign is way easier to clean and maintain. Because a clear orthodontic aligner can be easily removed when eating, drinking, and brushing and flossing, you will not need to stress about food getting stuck between your teeth or in the wires and brackets of traditional braces.

How Can I Get Invisalign?

Getting Invisalign is a vital decision that should be carefully weighed against other treatment options that may be ideal for your condition. Remember that Invisalign is not for everyone. If your issues go beyond mild dental problems, a different treatment option might be more ideal for your case.

That being said, scheduling a consultation with your orthodontist would be a wise and logical step to take. With the assistance of your orthodontist, you may go over the treatment recommendations and your personal goals to assess which dental procedure would work best for you.

Different dentists may have varied pricing, recommendations and patient interaction. So it is paramount to seek for one that you feel most comfortable with. If you are ready to straighten your teeth, contact Dental Studio 101 today for a consultation!

Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Invisalign Dentist

As Invisalign continues to gain immense popularity, more and more dentists are becoming Invisalign providers, and that includes general dental practitioners. While this may work out to some people, others patients have run into problems.

Choosing the right Invisalign dentist is a very essential decision to make. You want to pick an Invisalign dentist who not only understands and offers the outcome you are looking for, but who you are in accord with.

In addition, you want to consider their specialization. Keep in mind that not all Invisalign dentists are orthodontists, some are general dentists. Since Invisalign is an orthodontic procedure for straightening teeth, it may be a more prudent choice to have an orthodontist handle your case. Orthodontics is a specialization that requires added years of training and additional certification.
When working with each patient, a good and experienced orthodontist has a wealth of expertise and knowledge to draw from; whereas an Invisalign dentist who is a general practitioner does not have the same set of skills and specialized training an orthodontist have.

The Invisalign system is indeed a notably easy way to straighten teeth. However, it may not be ideal for everyone. Although orthodontists and general dentists alike undergo a one-day certification course to be accredited Invisalign providers, some dental professionals just do not have the necessary expertise, or knowledge base when the treatment plan is not going as anticipated. Qualified orthodontists, on the contrary, do.

So if, for instance, the plan did not progress as expected, these dentists will then refer their patients to an orthodontist for corrections. That is why it is wiser to start off the treatment with an Invisalign dentist who is also an orthodontist. Additionally, this way you are not just saving time and money, you are also saving yourself a load of stress in the process.
Getting Invisalign is a major decision to consider, so aside from specialization and good rapport, you should also look into the Invisalign dentist’s experience with the system. Align Technology has three levels of Invisalign provider status, namely:

Preferred: Invisalign dentists that fall under this roof are typically the rookies. They treat about 10 or more patients each year.

Premier: A Premier Invisalign dentist has treated more than 50 patients in total, and treats about 25 patients bi-annually.

Elite: Elite providers are the ones who have been working with Invisalign for a long time. In total, they have treated at least 300, while they continue to treat about 50 more patients every six months.

As a final point, always remember to investigate further. While experience and quantity are vital factors, treatment outcomes are equally as important. Do your homework and do not make assumptions. Meet with several Invisalign dentists and check for reviews about them online.

Are you contemplating on getting Invisalign or seeking to know more about it? Schedule an initial appointment at Dental Studio 101’s office to have one of our dental providers to help you with your concerns regarding Invisalign or other teeth straightening options.