Braces are for kids – right? Well, a lot of adults are choosing to have Invisalign for themselves and their children. As a form of braces, Invisalign clear aligners are made of a special blend of plastic that can give you that picture perfect smile!
Invisalign trays are a solid plastic and help align the teeth by putting pressure on certain parts of your mouth. Overtime, the pressure will force your teeth into the proper position. We'll first consult with you to:
We'll then create custom fit Invisalign aligners that will help correct your teeth alignment. We even create a custom dental plan using our large array of in house services so that we can monitor the Invisalign results that you achieve to get the results you want. Every one to two weeks, your Invisalign aligner trays are replaced.
The replacement aligners continue to put pressure on the teeth while they shift. It's essential that you have these aligners changed because they will ensure that you continue to see results with your Invisalign treatment.
You'll need to wear your Invisalign trays for 20 to 22 hours every day. But you’ll be able to take out your aligners for:
Brushing your teeth
Flossing
Eating
Special occasions
Invisalign will move your teeth actively so that they match the shape of your jaw and mouth.
What Dental Issues Can Clear Aligners Correct?
Invisalign has been shown to correct dental issues that are similar to what traditional braces correct. We often recommend Invisalign dentistry because our patients in Langley don’t like the aesthetic look of braces
When you use Invisalign, the aligners are clear – almost invisible – and can also be removed. If you need to take out the Invisalign aligners, you can. A lot of brides and grooms will takeout their aligners for their wedding pictures or special occasions. You can’t remove metal braces at will, which makes them less desirable than Invisalign.
If you’re considering Invisalign, we at Blue Water Dental would be happy to discuss your options with you. However, there are a lot of common bite issues that we see in our office that are easy to correct with Invisalign, including:
Crossbites, where the upper teeth bite into the lower teeth. With a crossbite, one or more teeth may be involved.
Gaps between teeth due to missing teeth or jaw abnormalities.
Overbites, or when the upper teeth come out further than the lower teeth or even completely cover the lower teeth.
Overcrowding issues where the teeth can’t align properly because there’s too little space in the mouth.
Underbites where the lower teeth protrude out further than the upper teeth. In extreme cases, the lower teeth will cover the upper teeth completely.
We're here to help you understand the benefits of Invisalign and if it’s a good option for your dental structure. We may find that Invisalign is a great option and work on creating your aligner trays and a treatment plan specifically for you. If, however, we determine that Invisalign isn’t a good option for you, the dentist will discuss Invisalign alternatives with you.
Alternatives to Invisalign That We Might Recommend for Teeth Treatment
Invisalign may be a popular choice because it’s nearly invisible, but they’re certainly not the only dentistry option available to you. We may recommend a variety of alternatives to Invisalign if we think that the alternatives will provide superior results for our Langley patients.
The most common options are:
Lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth and can’t be seen when you smile. Ceramic, metal or clear brackets can be used with lingual braces.
SureSmile is Canada’s main competitor to Invisalign and offers the similar benefit of being difficult to see. These aligner products can cost $3,000 to $7,000. Insurance will often not cover your treatment, but there are some insurers that will cover up to $5,000 for SureSmile.
Smile Direct Club is the final option that offers at-home impression kits. You'll avoid going to the dentist's office and have to take the mold of your own teeth at home. The mold is then sent to the company, and you will receive your aligners in the mail. There are monthly payment options, but the upfront cost if not choosing monthly payments is $2,000.
A lot of people will consider Smile Direct Club because they’re the cheapest option, but they’re missing the professional recommendation of a dental expert. The results with Smile Direct Club seem to vary greatly because your molds are examined by a dental consultant, which may mean that someone other than a dentist is looking at your molds.
We recommend, no matter what option you choose, visiting our Langley office and making sure that the alternative that you choose is a good option for you. Our dentists want the best smile and results for you, and oftentimes, we can help you achieve a great smile without needing to go with the highest cost option.
What to Consider Before Getting Aligners or Braces
If you’re considering any of these treatment options for your teeth, there are a few questions that you’ll want to ask:
Which option is the best for your case? Is Invisalign the best option, or is one of the alternatives a better option?
Will my insurance cover Langley Invisalign care or one of the other non-local alternatives?
If you don’t see results, will the insurer cover additional treatment options?
Are retainers paid for after treatment?
You also need to consider the costs of treatment after you have Invisalign. The Invisalign product will help move your teeth into proper alignment, but the results will only last if you follow the appropriate aftercare.
Retainers may be needed, which costs up to $350-550 each and are either cemented in place or completely removable. You'll need to wear your retainer daily for a while, but after 6 months you only need to wear it at night.
Adults benefit from their dental structure not growing and changing any longer. You shouldn’t need to get braces or Invisalign again if you follow instructions on wearing your retainer. Teenagers still have changes occurring in their growth, so they’ll continue to experience dental changes until growth stops. If you want to maximize your results when getting aligners, you must maintain a healthy dental routine, come into our Langley office forcheckups and wear your retainer as instructed to avoid any dental emergencies. It takes time for your teeth to move into position, and proper care will make sure that your results last as long as possible.
Comparing Braces Treatment and Aligners In Langley
If you’re trying to determine whether braces or if Invisalign orthodontic care is the right choice for your teeth, the following information can help:
Invisalign
Invisalign has costs of $3,000 to $7,000, with treatment time of 20 to 22 hours per day. Total treatment time will be determined by the dentist. Maintenance requires you to wear a new set of aligners every few weeks as well as cleaning the aligners. You'll be required to come into our office for the initial consult, check-ups and a final consultation.
Aftercare will require wearing a retainer. Invisalign is the right choice for professionals who want to keep their treatment as discreet as possible.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces also cost $3,000 to $7,000 and are cemented to the teeth. Total treatment time varies, and maintenance includes brushing, flossing and cleaning in-between the braces with a special brush. An initial consultation is required along with dental visits that include tightening the braces and finally removing them.
A retainer is required for aftercare. Braces are in place permanently, so you don’t have to worry about losing them or not wearing them for the required amount of time.
SureSmile
SureSmile is an alternative to Invisalign and costs $3,000 to $7,000. Wear is a minimum of 22 hours per day, with varying treatment time based on your needs. New aligners are given every few weeks to continue seeing results, and you’ll need to keep the aligners clean.
An initial consultation and follow-up visits may be required to ensure that the aligners are properly fixing your smile. Maintaining results does require wearing a retainer.
When you want to straighten your teeth and fix your smile, SureSmile is one of the most discreet options you have available.
Smile Direct Club
Smile Direct Club can cost as little as $3,000 and requires a six-month treatment option on average. You'll receive new retainers in the mail that must be worn and kept clean in a similar way to Invisalign and SureSmile.
You don’t need to visit a dentist, and you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain the results that you achieve. If you have minor dental or alignment issues, Smile Direct Club may be a good option for you but as mentioned prior there are no guarantees with this option with results varying widely.
Pros and Cons of Invisalign
Invisalign may be the most popular option for teeth alignment, but Invisalign also has its own pros and cons.
Invisalign Pros
Near invisible, making it perfect for Langley professionals
Invisalign trays are removable when eating or cleaning your teeth
May be faster than braces or have a similar treatment time
Fewer visits to the dentist when compared to traditional braces
No sedation required for any part of the treatment
Gradually moves teeth in place, leading to less discomfort and no chance of root canal treatment
Invisalign Cons
Can be lost or broken
Some patients experience aches or discomfort
Flossing with Clear Aligners or Traditional Braces
Flossing in between your teeth is one of the most important dental habits that we ask our Langley patients to maintain, but flossing is a little different with Invisalign or traditional braces.
Since Invisalign is removable, you’ll just need to remove them when brushing and flossing your teeth. If we determine that you may be a good candidate for traditional braces, flossing will be different. You'll need to clean between each tooth carefully and try to reach the small areas that are missed when brushing.
Clean around the brackets and wires in your mouth with a small brush to keep your teeth clean. When you have braces, the time it takes to brush and floss will increase. It's important to not skip brushing or flossing because these two measures will keep your teeth clean, prevent gum disease and stop tooth decay from occurring.
Flossing requires you to use waxed floss up to 18-24” in length and to clean between each tooth. Use approximately 1 to 2 inches of floss when cleaning between your teeth. Keep the floss tight and taut with your fingers while placing between teeth. Slide up and down the teeth gently and on both sides of the tooth.
When reaching near the gums, make a C shape with the floss and be sure to clean between the gum and tooth very gently. Repeat this very process with each tooth.
How to Floss Properly with Braces
If you have braces, you will still need 18” to 24” floss to get started. Follow these recommendations:
Floss between your teeth and the main brace wire
Slide the floss up gently and follow the same procedure outlined in the last section
Gently unthread the floss behind the brace wire
Due to the difficulty of cleaning craces, we might recommend a Waterpik.
Waterpik for Flossing Teeth
Braces are delicate, and a Waterpik may allow for an easier time flossing and cleaning around the brackets. These tools use water to clean between the teeth and take five minutes or less to floss your teeth. Special tips are available for braces that will properly clean around brackets.
You can clean with a Waterpik by:
Filling the unit with water.
Adding mouthwash if you want.
Putting the tapered tip on the device.
Adjusting the pressure as needed.
Spraying water in between your teeth over a sink.
Spraying along the gums and between teeth.
Repeat this process for every tooth. If you have food stuck between your brackets, gently brush the debris loose before using the Waterpik for even better results.
