Have you been considering teeth straightening options and want to know more about Invisalign? Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth without the use of brackets and wires, the traditional braces we all know too well. Typically, when we have questions about our teeth, we ask our dentist what they recommend we should do. Sometimes we don’t get all of the answers we are looking for. Here are 5 things your dentist never told you about Invisalign.
1. Cost
Your dentist or orthodontist will give you an estimate that will be specific to your case. Every case is different; thus pricing is varied. Invisalign treatments at Miracle Smile in South Florida range from $1750.00 for a simple procedure or $1925.00 for a full case treatment. The notion that wire braces are significantly cheaper than Invisalign is not necessarily true. The two orthodontic treatments are very similar in price. There are also financing options for Invisalign through companies like Care Credit, and Lending Club, offering payment plans with no financing interest for 24 months. Miracle Smile provides in-house financing programs with payment plans starting from $99 to $150 per month and up. Just like regular braces, most dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatments.
2. No Food Restrictions
Certain foods can damage the rubber bands, wires, or even the brackets of traditional braces. When you have braces, orthodontists typically recommend avoiding foods sticky, hard, or chewy foods.
Some foods to avoid when wearing braces include:
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- Sticky and hard candy
- Gum
- Ice
- Corn chips
- Pretzels
- Hard cookies or crackers
- Sticky or hard chocolate
Also, when possible, cut up these hard foods into smaller pieces:
- Raw vegetables
- Croutons
- French/Italian bread
- Fruit
- Hard rolls
- Thin crust pizza
- Meat
- Burgers
- Sub sandwiches
- Corn on the cob
With Invisalign, you don’t need to worry about food restrictions. You remove your aligner and enjoy the foods you love to eat.
3. Better Oral Hygiene
Braces have the potential of causing cavities and discoloration around the places where the braces were bonded to the teeth. You must brush more – 3-4 times per day – with braces because food can easily be lodged in and behind the braces, creating pockets of potential decay. If you don’t already own one, it’s time to invest in a travel toothbrush being sure to brush after every meal and snack.
Flossing is critical to everyone’s oral hygiene, especially those with braces. Flossing is difficult without braces so you can imagine the challenges you might have flossing while wearing braces. It is highly recommended to use an orthodontic floss threader with wax floss – non-wax floss can get caught in your braces- or a Waterpik.
Invisalign requires no additional brushing, other than the normal twice a day recommendation, or flossing tools and methods. You remove your aligner to brush and floss regularly. Caring for the aligners is easy, using a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean them. Invisalign sells cleaning tablets, but dentists also recommend a mild denture cleaner, a diluted bleach rinse, or retainer-cleaning tablets.
4. Pain
No matter which tooth straightening option your choose, pain is going to occur because your teeth are shifting. However, in some cases, the brackets and wires of braces can rub against the cheek or tongue, causing soreness or blistering. The sores from braces look similar to canker sores, and it becomes painful to talk or to eat. Invisalign aligners may occasionally rub gum tissue, but the side effects are much milder than traditional braces.
5. Invisalign is multifunctional!
Invisalign is virtually invisible. No one will know when you are wearing your aligner and you can always remove it. After braces, you are given a retainer to wear for several years after, if not the rest of your life. There are different options for the kind of retainer you receive but generally speaking, the most common and affordable option is a metal wire retainer. Invisalign can also act as a retainer, and you can’t see it. Additionally, Invisalign can be used as a mouth guard if you grind your teeth during sleep or play intense contact sports.
If you’re thinking about making a significant change to your smile discretely and effectively, call our office today – with convenient locations in Coral Gables and Plantation, we’re ready to help you find out from the best orthodontists in South Florida how Invisalign will help you!