Invisalign – Lake Nona Region

Crowded Teeth

As you age, issues like crowding in your arches can worsen as your teeth shift. This can impact your overall and oral health by increasing your risk of issues such as:

• Cavities/decay
• Gum disease
• Jaw discomfort or aching
• Difficulty chewing or biting

This is because crowding can cause your teeth to overlap and create hard-to-reach spaces in the mouth that are a clever hiding spot for bacteria, food debris, plaque and tartar.

Invisalign aligners can move your teeth to a more desirable, flush position next to each other, allowing for easier and more effective brushing and flossing. Bonus perk? A straighter smile can boost your confidence, too!

Gaps Between Teeth

Having gaps between your teeth that are too large can often be the result of natural bone development and oral anatomy, having “too small” teeth, having a large jawbone, and a variety of other natural factors. They can also develop because of thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting in early childhood.

Addressing gaps is the best solution to protect your oral health, as closing them can reduce your risk of bacteria and plaque buildup, tooth decay, gum disease, and gum inflammation.

Following treatment, your dentist may also recommend dental bonding to help close any remaining spaces.

Overbite

An overbite (also known as an overjet) is a bite alignment problem that causes your top teeth to stick out too far from the lower teeth. Overbites can often lead to jaw pain, speech difficulties, uneven tooth wear, and difficulties opening and closing your mouth. They can also leave your top teeth more exposed, increasing your risk of damage due to lack of protection.

Underbite

An underbite is the term used for when your bottom teeth stick slightly farther past or match your top teeth when your mouth is closed. Underbites are typically the result of genetics, oral trauma such as a jaw injury or tumor, or of non-nutritive habits as a child, such as thumb and pacifier sucking.

Underbites can cause a variety of oral health problems if left untreated, including a higher risk of sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and even problems speaking and chewing. They are most easily treated in younger patients, however even if you are an adult, they are still important to correct.

Treating your underbite may require the use of rubber bands or other attachments, which can be used in conjunction with your Invisalign aligners. This will help you gradually adjust your bite while pulling your lower arch back into its proper position.

Crossbite

A crossbite is what happens when your bottom teeth are slightly in front of your upper arch. They are usually caused by genetics, poor oral habits, or premature loss of your baby teeth. Invisalign can often correct a crossbite, however if yours is due to a jaw development issue, you may require elastics or other accessories in addition to your aligners. These will help move your jaw into the proper position.

If left untreated, a crossbite can cause many long-term problems such as a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay, jaw pain, speech problems, headaches, teeth grinding (bruxism), and even facial asymmetry, which can be harmful to your self-esteem.

Open Bite

An open bite is the term used when your top and bottom front teeth cannot overlap or touch when your mouth is completely closed. It can be caused by poor bone development or due to non-nutritive habits during childhood such as prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking.

 If left untreated, an open bite can cause difficulty pronouncing certain words and sounds, as well as excessive enamel wear on the backs of your teeth, which can lead to an increased risk of damage.

Invisalign aligners can help bring the front top and bottom teeth together and correct your bite pattern, thereby reducing your risk of damage and wear.

Non-Invasive Treatment

Invisalign treatment is widely considered much less invasive than aligning your smile with traditional braces. That’s because with Invisalign, you needn’t make as many changes to your lifestyle and daily routine. You can still brush and floss your teeth as usual, there are no dietary restrictions, and because your aligners are transparent, you can participate in photo-ops and important events without feeling self-conscious. Furthermore, shorter visits with your dentist at Lake Nona Dental Group make them an ideal treatment for patients with busy schedules!

Improved Comfort

Made from smooth plastic, your Invisalign aligners are much more comfortable than the wires and brackets used in traditional braces. This lowers your risk of accidental scrapes and irritation to your lips and cheeks.

Due to the creation of new pressure points and the shifting of your teeth, you may still experience some discomfort when you advance to a new series of trays, however, this is typically well managed with the help of over-the-counter pain reliever, and usually only lasts a day or two.

Discreet Trays

One of the main benefits of Invisalign is that it’s extremely discreet. While they’re not completely invisible, your aligners are nearly undetectable when you open your mouth to smile or speak. As long as you take care of your trays properly (don’t smoke or eat while wearing them, and never soak them in colored fluid) they should remain colorless, so you can open your mouth without them becoming the focus of your smile!

Better Dental Hygiene

When you wear traditional braces, maintaining your oral hygiene can be a full-time job! Flossing between and around your wires and brackets can be complicated and time-consuming. With Invisalign, however, your aligners can be easily removed to make your oral hygiene routine much easier and more effective.

Though it is necessary to brush and floss more frequently with Invisalign, having the ability to do so with ease can make the entire process a lot less frustrating and a lot more effective than it would be with traditional braces, lowering your risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and many other oral health problems during treatment. Best of all, you won’t need to invest in any special cleaning equipment while wearing Invisalign!

Boosted Self-Confidence

Because Invisalign aligners are transparent, they’re much less noticeable than the metal wires and brackets used in traditional braces. This makes it easier to maintain a professional appearance at work, during job interviews, and in meetings with clients.

For teenagers, having a more streamlined smile can help boost their self-esteem and lower anxiety, allowing them the confidence to make new friends and socialize with current ones. It can also make them feel more confident in school photos, and when presenting in class or during extracurricular activities.

Faster Follow-Ups

While check-in appointments are still necessary with Invisalign, these occur much less frequently than they would with traditional braces. In fact, you’ll most likely only need to visit your dentist every six to eight weeks, and typically only for around 15 to 30 minutes each time.

Furthermore, because Invisalign is less invasive than braces, your appointments should be much more comfortable. Essentially, they are only to ensure that your treatment is still on track, and to provide you with your next series of aligners.

Wearing Your Trays

Your customized aligners are designed in advance to fit snuggly over your teeth to gently shift them to their new positions over a designated period. To be effective, you must wear the clear plastic trays for 20 to 22 hours daily. Then, every one to two weeks, your Lake Nona Dental Group provider will give you a new set to account for the ongoing movement.

Your teeth could revert to their previous placements if you don’t wear your trays for the allotted time each day. As a standard rule-of-thumb, you should only take them out of your mouth for meals and to wash them.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Many adults and teens choose Invisalign because the transparent plastic is more discreet than metallic brackets. However, your trays can become stained if not cared for correctly, defeating the purpose of “invisible” orthodontics. Furthermore, they can trap bacteria against your teeth and gums all day, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

You should remove your trays twice daily and gently brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish or hand soap that won’t be abrasive against the smooth material. You can also soak them in cleaning crystals for 15 to 30 minutes daily to eradicate up to 99% of unwanted germs.

Eating & Drinking

Another advantage of choosing this treatment over traditional braces is that there are no dietary restrictions to worry about. The clear plastic trays should be removed during meals so they don’t become stained or damaged, meaning you can enjoy all your favorite foods.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to misplace, throw away, or damage your Invisalign when you take them out for meals. It’s a good idea to keep the carrier case with you so you have somewhere safe to tuck them away until you’ve finished eating.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

If you’ve lost or broken a tray, you don’t need to panic, but you should call us to let us know. Each set of trays is designed in advance. If an aligner goes missing or can’t be worn, the delay can delay your treatment timeline by one or more weeks.

Contact us, and our team can tell you whether you should wear a previous set until your aligners can be replaced or if switching to the next pair of trays earlier than anticipated is the best course of action.  

Routine Check-Ins

You’ll need to visit our team regularly to stay on track with your treatment and ensure your teeth move as intended. Thankfully, these appointments can be as brief as 15 minutes because there’s no need to adjust wire tension like with braces. Instead, we’ll give you the next series of aligners and examine your mouth to verify that no areas of concern need to be addressed.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Many factors can affect the cost of Invisalign in the Lake Nona Region, including:

• The number of aligners you need to straighten your teeth. The extent and type of your dental misalignment will determine the number of aligners you need.
• Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. As you can imagine, straightening both the lower and upper teeth will cost more than straightening just one or another.
• Treatment compliance. If you lose an Invisalign aligner, you might have to pay for a replacement.
• Whether you need any additional accessories. You may need elastics or other accessories for successful treatment, which can hike up your total cost.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Do-it-yourself orthodontic treatments like SmileDirectClub™ have become increasingly popular in recent years, promising to be a convenient and affordable way to fix misaligned teeth. It usually costs around $2,000, while Invisalign can range between $3,000 and $8,000. Although it’s tempting to opt for the cheaper option (especially if you’re on a budget), you have to remember that you get what you pay for.

SmileDirectClub™ provides little to no supervision from a licensed dental professional. Because of that, many things can go wrong throughout the process, leading to issues that will need professional attention and cost you thousands of dollars. In fact, there are multiple cases where DIY clear aligners worsened dental misalignment.

On the other hand, you can enjoy personalized support and guidance from our team at Lake Nona Dental Group throughout your Invisalign journey. We’ll routinely monitor your progress to ensure your teeth are moving according to your treatment plan. Additionally, Invisalign clear aligners are made from patented materials designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements. Many patients find this option worth the cost as they’re guaranteed a smoother and more successful treatment overall.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

The good news is that some dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment. However, Invisalign is often left out of those policies. Of course, every plan is unique, which is why you should confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider before committing to anything. During your consultation, we’ll go over your benefits and explain how you can use them to your greatest advantage.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

We understand that not everyone has dental insurance. That’s why we offer additional financing options to make it easier for you to manage the total cost of Invisalign in the Lake Nona Region. Here’s what’s available at our practice:

• Third-Party Financing – CareCredit and LendingClub allow you to split the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments.
• In-House Membership Plan – This option allows you to receive the preventive care you need as well as discounts on several treatments, including Invisalign.

Do you want to learn more about Invisalign in the Lake Nona Region? Contact us and schedule a consultation today to find out how it can fit into your budget!

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Invisalign is not a painful treatment thanks to its smooth plastic design, making it one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment solutions. When first receiving Invisalign, you may notice a slight adjustment period where mild soreness is present, but this goes away quickly after you wear it over the next day or so. Since Invisalign literally shifts teeth into straighter positions using multiple aligners, you’ll need to move on to the next pair every two weeks or so. The slight pressure you are experiencing is a sign that the treatment is working exactly as intended. Over-the-counter medications can provide relief during your adjustment period as well as cold compresses or having a glass of iced water while wearing your aligner.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

One of the biggest advantages of using Invisalign is you don’t have to avoid certain foods just to realign your smile. When it’s time to eat, simply take your aligners out beforehand. If you don’t, you can easily chip, crack, and stain them. The only thing we recommend consuming while wearing your aligners is plain water. Keep in mind that traditional braces are fixed, which means you are far more limited on what you’re allowed to eat when choosing this option. Invisalign offers additional flexibility to eat tough, hard, bready, and crunchy foods (plus you can still chew gum).

How Do I Clean My Invisalign?

The makers of Invisalign do have their own cleaning system specifically designed to keep aligners clean, transparent, and smelling pleasant. These cleaning crystals are particularly effective at loosening food debris from your aligners. However, this isn’t the only option you have for cleaning them. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture cleanser, you can gently remove plaque and food debris from your appliance during your regular at-home oral care routine. Be sure to rinse it throughout the day as well to prevent food from sticking to the plastic material. When cleaning, avoid using hot water as this can cause the aligner to change shape and no longer fit properly.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After you’ve completed wearing the last pair of aligners in your series, we’ll go over your results and confirm your teeth are in their finalized positions. If they are, we can begin explaining the aftercare process to ensure your teeth stay that way going forward. As part of your post-treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer. This is also done following treatment with traditional braces. Not only are these more comfortable than retainers you may be aware of, but they can also be transparent if you’d prefer. It’s crucial for you to wear the retainer as much as possible so you can maintain your smile’s new appearance.