Invisalign – Kittanning, PA
Discreetly Straighten Your Teeth
Have you heard that metal brackets and wires are no longer the only orthodontic treatment? It’s true! At Voller Dentistry, PC, we offer Invisalign, which uses a series of clear, custom-made, and comfortable aligners to guide your teeth from where they are now into their properly aligned positions. If you’d like to take the first step toward your dream smile, schedule an appointment with us. If you want to continue your research, simply read on.
Why Choose Voller Dentistry, PC for Invisalign?
- Dentist with 40+ Years of Experience
- Multiple Financial Solutions Available
- Convenient Appointment Times
How Invisalign Works
When you meet with Dr. Ray Voller at your initial consultation, he will determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then he will take scans of your teeth and use those to create a series of custom-made aligners. Each one is designed to move your teeth closer and closer to their ideal positions, addressing overcrowding, overbites, and other orthodontic problems in the process. The key to staying on-track with your treatment plan is wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day and switching to each new pair in the series on the correct days.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Contrary to what you may have heard, Invisalign isn’t just for patients with minor spacing issues. Quite the opposite: the clear aligners can help patients with everything from overcrowding to open bites! Here’s how:
Crowded Teeth
If there isn’t enough room in your mouth, your teeth may begin to overlap. Unfortunately, this can take a toll on the look, health, and function of your smile. However, there is some good news: if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, a series of clear aligners can be made to gently guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions. Not only that, but the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months!
Gaps Between Teeth
If you have the opposite problem (there is too much space in your mouth), don’t assume that traditional braces are your only option. If we determine that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign during your consultation, then we can use a custom series of aligners to gradually guide your teeth back together. Since they are clear, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the entire process, too!
Overbite
Unfortunately, even relatively mild overbites can result in unpleasant consequences, like trouble enunciating clearly. There is good news, though: Invisalign can fix mild to moderate overbites. So, if your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower ones significantly, take the next step: schedule an appointment with our team at Voller Dentistry to discuss clear aligners!
Underbite
An underbite (when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper ones) can also result in unpleasant consequences, like jaw pain, premature wear and tear, and TMJ dysfunction. That’s why it’s so important for patients who are struggling with this orthodontic problem to visit us sooner rather than later! That way, we can create a healthier, happier smile.
Crossbite
When you bite down, do only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones? In that case, you may have a crossbite. The best way to find out is by scheduling a consultation at our Kittanning dental office. If we determine that’s the case, then we can discuss your treatment options, like Invisalign, and get to work solidifying the details of your treatment plan.
Open Bite
As you may have guessed from the name, an open bite is when there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth that prevents them from meeting evenly. Like the other orthodontic problems listed here, several issues can arise if left untreated, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an Invisalign consultation with us. We’re here to give you the straight smile and healthy bite that you deserve!
Benefits of Invisalign
Discussions surrounding Invisalign often center on the discreet appearance of the aligners. While having braces that don’t draw unwanted attention to your smile is certainly a noteworthy benefit, it isn’t the only one that comes with this popular orthodontic treatment! Patients also love that:
There Aren’t Any Dietary Restrictions
If you’ve had traditional braces in the past, then you likely remember having to adjust your diet. Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions. In fact, there’s only one rule you need to keep in mind: you must remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything (other than water, of course). As long as you make that a habit, you’re free to enjoy all of your favorite foods throughout your teeth-straightening journey!
You Don’t Need Special Oral Hygiene Products
Another benefit of Invisalign: it’s easy to maintain a healthy smile. All you need to do is remove your aligners, rinse them with clean, cool water, and place them in their designated case. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual. Before you put your trays back on, use a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to gently scrub the surface as well (this will ensure that saliva, plaque, and other debris are removed from the surface).
There Are Fewer Check-In Visits
To ensure continuous pressure is placed on the teeth, patients with traditional braces need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. That’s not necessary with Invisalign! Instead, you’ll be able to progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Then, every six weeks or so, you’ll return to our Kittanning dental office so our team can monitor your progress. If your teeth are moving as anticipated, you should be in and out of the treatment chair in less than 30 minutes.
The Average Treatment Timeline Is 12-18 Months
Do you have an important event coming up, like your wedding? Maybe you’ve wanted a straight smile for years and simply don’t want to wait longer than necessary to achieve the results you desire. Whatever the case may be, we have good news: the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is considerably shorter than traditional braces. Not only that, but many patients see improvements in their smile by the sixth or seventh tray!
The Aligners Are Metal-Free
Naturally, there are aesthetic benefits that come with metal-free braces. However, there’s another reason clear aligners are loved: they are considerably more comfortable. That’s because they are crafted from smooth plastic and are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth perfectly. As a result, they shouldn’t dig into your gums or irritate the insides of your cheeks.
Tip: If there is a rough edge on one of your aligners, you can bring it to our office to have it filed down. You can also place a small piece of dental wax over it to protect the soft tissue in your mouth in the meantime.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with an exact number here. That’s because we need to know more about your unique case in order to give you an accurate price. If you are looking for a specific number, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with us. If you’re not quite ready yet, that’s okay – keep reading to learn more about the cost of Invisalign!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
We mentioned above that we need to consider factors unique to your case in order to provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost. Here are a few examples:
- How complex your case is
- How many aligners are needed
- If single-arch treatment is possible
- If any orthodontic accessories are needed, like rubber bands
- The type of retainer required
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Usually, mail-in aligners cost less. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they are worth your valuable dollars. After all, the DIY impressions and lack of supervision from a licensed dental professional have resulted in patients experiencing worsened misalignment and even dental emergencies, like extremely loose teeth.
It’s also worth noting that these orthodontic alternatives don’t have support from professional dental organizations. Invisalign, on the other hand, is a tried-and-true teeth-straightening treatment that’s helped more than 12 million people around the world achieve healthier, happier smiles.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
If you have dental insurance, you’ll be happy to know that you may have a once-in-a-lifetime orthodontic benefit included in your plan! If you’re not sure where to check, you can always call the helpline provided on your paperwork. Or, you can reach out to our Kittanning dental team! We’re happy to help our patients understand and maximize their available benefits so their out-of-pocket expenses are kept to a minimum.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
For those without dental insurance, here are the other financial solutions we offer:
- Our Voller Value Plan – When you join, you’ll get your routine checkups and cleanings covered as well as a significant discount on several restorative and cosmetic services completed at our office. All without the red tape that typically accompanies dental insurance (i.e., waiting periods, annual maximums, yearly deductibles).
- CareCredit Flexible Financing – If paying for the entire cost of Invisalign at once simply isn’t possible, then ask us about CareCredit! They offer several payment plans so you can break down the cost into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Ready to schedule a consultation? Then reach out to our friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable dental team – we’re here to help!
Invisalign FAQs
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Although your Invisalign aligners will be completely clear when you first get them, they will quickly discolor if you adopt bad habits. That’s why we encourage our patients to commit to good ones instead, like rinsing your trays with clean, cool water each time you take them off. Additionally, you should use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them after each meal and use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit on an as-needed basis.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Usually, Invisalign treatment plans are between 12 and 18 months. At your consultation, we will learn all about your dental history and assess the complexity of your case so we can provide you with an estimate. Then, we will share everything we know about how to stay on track with your treatment plan to avoid unwanted delays, including wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
This is one of the most asked questions about Invisalign. If you’ve been wondering this yourself, then you’ll be happy to hear that the answer is “no.” In fact, clear aligners are quite comfortable, especially when compared to metal brackets and wires.
With all of that said, it IS normal to experience some soreness throughout your orthodontic treatment. The good news is that this sensation is temporary, and you can take OTC pain medication, sip on cool water, and stick to soft foods to help alleviate it even sooner.
What Happens After Invisalign?
After you’ve worked through your entire series of clear aligners, our focus will transition to keeping your teeth in their perfectly aligned positions. To do that, we will take impressions of your teeth and have a custom retainer made. You may be asked to wear it around the clock for the first few months, but many patients are simply instructed to wear it at night.
Important note: Make sure to wear your retainer as instructed! If you don’t, then orthodontic relapse can occur, which is when your teeth begin to drift back into their previously misaligned positions.
What if My Invisalign Broke?
If one or both of your aligners broke, call our Kittanning dental office right away. That way, we can determine if it’s safe to continue wearing them, if you need to wear your previous trays until a replacement set arrives, or if you should move on to the next set in the series.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
One of the many reasons that patients choose Invisalign is because the aligners are removable. As a result, there aren’t any dietary restrictions! We simply ask that you do your best to be mindful of how what you eat impacts your oral health. In other words, eat a well-balanced diet that’s low in added sugar and extremely crunchy foods as much as possible.
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