Do you want straighter teeth, but have been putting it off to avoid the hassle and metallic look associated with traditional braces? Well, the wait has ended! Our cosmetic dentists are happy to offer Invisalign in our Hamden, CT dental office, which allows you to leave overcrowding, open bites, and several other orthodontic problems in the past with clear, comfortable aligners. If you want to learn more about this discreet teeth-straightening service, read on or schedule an appointment with us!
Why Choose D'Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC for Invisalign?
- Family of Dentists Dedicated to Your Comfort
- Digital Impression System In-House
- Warm, Relaxing Dental Office Environment
How Invisalign Works
While traditional braces use brackets and wires to move teeth into their properly aligned positions, Invisalign achieves the same results with clear, comfortable aligners. Each one in the series is worn for 1-2 weeks, bringing your teeth a step closer to where they should be. Then, the next pair of aligners pick up where the previous ones left off, and the process begins all over again. Since the trays are see-through and removable, you’ll be able to see the improvements in your smile every step of the way too!
Who Invisalign Can Help
Invisalign is especially great for our adult patients who want a straighter smile but are concerned about the impact that traditional braces might have on their professional image. So, if you are interested, schedule a consultation with us so we can come up with the right smile solution to meet your unique needs. Until then, you can read on to learn more about the orthodontic problems clear aligners can correct.
Crowded Teeth
Oftentimes, patients are concerned with the aesthetic drawbacks of crowded teeth. However, that’s not the only downside of this common orthodontic problem; it can also negatively impact your oral health. So, don’t wait – schedule a consultation with us to see if you’d benefit from Invisalign clear aligners!
Gaps Between Teeth
If your teeth are spaced out, even if only slightly, it’s important to explore your orthodontic treatment options. After all, the gaps between your teeth can easily harbor plaque, food particles, and other debris, increasing your risk of cavities and other dental issues. The good news is that Invisalign is usually a solution for patients with mild to moderate cases of malocclusion!
Bite Alignment
In addition to being able to correct the previously mentioned orthodontic problems, Invisalign can correct several bite issues, including overbites and underbites. So, if you were told decades ago that traditional braces were the only option, there’s a good chance that’s no longer the case!
Benefits of Invisalign
If you’re looking for a modern, discreet way to straighten your teeth, Invisalign is the way to go! With custom-made, clear aligners, you can improve your smile without drawing attention to your treatment. At D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we love recommending Invisalign for many reasons, not the least of which is its proven results.
Whether you're tackling minor crowding or more complex alignment issues, Invisalign makes achieving a beautiful smile easier than ever. Ready to learn why it’s such a popular choice? Read more below!
Improved Comfort
Metal braces that use metal brackets and wires can be uncomfortable, especially for your lips and cheeks, as your mouth adjusts. Invisalign trays are smooth and gentle, preventing irritation to these soft tissues. Each set of aligners is designed just for you, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. At our Hamden dental practice, we customize every detail to make sure you barely notice you're wearing them.
Invisible Trays
One of Invisalign’s standout features is how discreet it is. Once snapped in place, the clear trays are nearly invisible, making it easy to straighten your teeth without worrying about “metal mouth” or other cosmetic blemishes. Whether you're in school, at work, or socializing, Invisalign lets you smile as you like while working toward your results.
Better Dental Hygiene
Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can keep your normal brushing and flossing habits without investing in any special tools. No tricky wires or brackets to work around! Better dental hygiene during treatment reduces your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. At D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we’ll show you how easy it is to keep your smile healthy every step of the way.
Quick Follow-Ups
Undergoing Invisalign treatment means fewer and faster dental visits when compared to traditional orthodontics. You’ll typically only need to check in with our team every 6 to 8 weeks. During these quick appointments, we'll monitor your progress and provide your next sets of aligners. No lengthy wire adjustments needed, just simple, straightforward care so you can get back to business as usual.
Boosted Self-Confidence
As your teeth gradually straighten, you’ll likely notice a big boost in your confidence. It may start subtly at first, but soon enough, you’ll find yourself smiling more often. Others will notice the positive change too! At our Hamden dental practice, we love hearing the success stories of our Invisalign patients as they begin to feel their confidence bloom. Many say their clear aligners have done more than change their smiles—they’ve changed their outlook on life!
Non-Invasive Treatment
Invisalign offers an effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional orthodontics. There’s no need to put your life on pause for scheduling multiple appointments for tightening wires or changing your routine. Instead, you get gentle and gradual treatment that fits naturally into your lifestyle. After a small adjustment period, Invisalign will become just another part of your daily routine.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Since no two smiles are exactly alike, there isn’t a set price for Invisalign in Hamden. Your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your orthodontic issues and whether you wear your aligners often enough. During your initial consultation with one of our dentists, they’ll be able to give you a better idea of how much your treatment will cost. We’ll also review all your payment options, such as which dental insurances we accept, to help make achieving your new smile as affordable as possible.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Hamden, many factors can affect the final price. Some of those include:
- Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
- The number of aligners you need. This often depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
- Your treatment compliance. You may have to pay more than expected if you lose an aligner or fail to stick to your treatment plan.
- Whether you need additional accessories. Depending on your case, you may need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. Mail-Order Aligners: Which Costs More?
Patients on a budget may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner treatments to cut back on expenses. After all, those typically cost around $2,000 while Invisalign can run anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
DIY clear aligners often come with little-to-no dental supervision. Because of that, plenty of things can go wrong, resulting in issues that will need to be addressed by a professional anyway. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the trusted oversight of our experienced team throughout your entire Invisalign journey. Plus, Invisalign clear aligners are made from a patented material designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements, which means you can enjoy a smoother, more successful treatment process!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. If your policy applies, it can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! 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. Our team is more than happy to help with this step if needed!
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
We understand that not everyone has dental insurance. That’s why we offer additional financing options to help make it easier for you to manage the total cost of your treatment. Some of those choices include:
- CareCredit Financing – With this option, you can split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments. Best of all, there’s often little-to-no interest attached!
- Bright Smile Club – With this reasonable alternative to dental insurance, you can save 15 percent on many treatments, plus an array of services are included at no extra charge!
- Special Offer – How about $500 off your Invisalign treatment?! Call us to learn more.
What’s holding you back from getting a straighter smile? Contact our team today and schedule your consultation to meet with our Invisalign dentist in Hamden!
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve been putting off straightening your teeth because you can’t afford to sacrifice your professional image, you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to! At D'Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC, we use clear smooth aligners that are customized to comfortably shift your teeth into their ideal positions. That way, you won’t have to deal with the hassle of brackets and wires. For your convenience, we’ve compiled some common questions we receive below.
For traditional braces, patients have to endure routine uncomfortable visits with their orthodontist to get their wires tightened. Invisalign treatment doesn’t require this at all. In fact, each visit will involve a simple progress check and collection of your new set of aligners. While the entire treatment is virtually pain-free, it is important to note that you may experience some soreness as you switch to your new set of trays. The best way to counteract this is to make the change at night, so you sleep through a majority of the adjustment period.
Keeping Invisalign aligners clean is relatively easy. It’s just important to stay on top of your routine so no bacteria, food particles, and plaque get wedged between your trays and teeth. With this in mind, be sure to:
- Take your aligners out before you eat or drink anything besides water.
- Rinse your aligners after each meal or snack.
- Clean your aligners using a denture or soft-bristled brush and clear antibacterial soap.
- Soak your aligners for 10 to 15 minutes in a 50/50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide or vinegar.
- Don’t use hot water while cleaning your aligners. It will cause them to warp.
Some orthodontic cases may require traditional metal braces to treat. However, there’s no way to know for sure until you visit your dentist for a consultation. Invisalign treatment can fix a majority of cases that involve misalignment, crowding, gaps, and minor bite problems. When you come in for your first appointment, we’ll let you know if they’re the best treatment choice for your unique situation.
Just like with traditional braces, most patients need to wear retainers after they complete their Invisalign treatment. When you get closer to using your last set of aligners, your dentist will speak with you about how long you’ll need to wear your retainers for and whether you’re a good candidate for a permanent retainer. Because your teeth have a sort of muscle memory, they’ll move back into their original places if they’re not held in position with a retainer. So, if you want to maintain your results after all of your hard work, be sure to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions.
Most dental insurance plans consider Invisalign treatment a cosmetic service, which is why many don’t cover the cost of it. However, it’s a good idea to contact your provider directly and ask. Our team at D'Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC can help you find out as well. If your insurance doesn’t, we also offer additional financing plans through CareCredit that have little to no interest attached.
One of the many reasons patients are drawn to Invisalign is because there aren’t any dietary restrictions. In other words, you don’t need to completely cut out any foods from your diet like you do with traditional braces. The only thing that we ask is that you exercise caution with sticky, crunchy, and hard foods that could cause an attachment to come loose. It’s also a good idea to limit your intake of soda, candy, and other sugary treats since they can result in dental damage, like tooth decay or gum disease.
You can’t drink coffee with your aligners in, but you can drink coffee with your aligners out! The reason you need to remove them first is because, if you don’t, your once-clear trays will start to yellow. If your coffee is hot, then there’s also the risk of them warping from the high temperature, which can negatively impact your teeth-straightening journey in other ways. Simply put, you’re more than welcome to enjoy this caffeinated beverage throughout your orthodontic treatment as long as you follow the guidelines provided.
Since the aligners are removable, many patients assume that they can take them off anytime they want. That’s not the case. Although you can (and should) take them out before brushing your teeth or eating a meal, you should keep them in the vast majority of the day (between 20 and 22 hours). This is crucial because your teeth won’t move if you aren’t wearing your aligners enough.
Tip: If you aren’t sure if you’re meeting the 20-22 hour-a-day wear-time, try using the stopwatch on your phone!
Every six weeks or so, you’ll come to our office for a check-in visit. In addition to asking you a few questions to see how your experience with braces is going so far, we’ll also take new scans of your teeth. This allows us to see how your teeth are moving and compare that to your treatment plan. If everything looks good, then we’ll give you your next batch of aligners and send you on your way. If something is wrong, like one of your teeth isn’t moving as anticipated, then we will need to figure out how to get you back on-track with your treatment plan.
Typically, clear aligners turn yellow because of bad habits, like keeping them on while drinking iced coffee or not cleaning them thoroughly after each meal. So, if yours are starting to discolor, this is a good place to start! In addition to taking them out before eating or drinking anything other than water, commit to a dental care regimen that includes cleaning your aligners each morning and evening.
