Invisalign – Sterling Heights, MI

Crowded Teeth

Overcrowded or overlapped teeth can be both aesthetically unappealing and detrimental to your dental well-being. This is because it can be harder to brush and floss all surfaces, increasing your vulnerability to cavities, gum disease, and injuries. If you’re wondering if Invisalign can fix crowded teeth, then we have good news for you: the answer is often “yes” for patients with mild to moderate cases. So, don’t just assume that metal braces are your only option!

Gaps Between Teeth

Spaces between teeth tend to trap leftover food or other debris, which can attract harmful germs that contribute to tooth decay or periodontal problems. That’s why we recommend exploring your treatment options, like Invisalign! If we determine that this is the ideal teeth-straightening solution for you, then we will use a series of transparent trays to help bring your teeth closer together.

Overbite

Malocclusions, like overbites, can also be treated with Invisalign. So, if your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower ones significantly, and you’re interested in clear aligners, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us. From there, we can determine if you’re a good candidate and, if you are, if additional accessories are needed, such as buttons, attachments, or rubber bands.

Underbite

When you bite down, do your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? If so, you likely have an underbite, which is an orthodontic problem that can make it difficult to smile confidently, chew properly, and communicate clearly. For that reason, we recommend exploring your treatment options, like Invisalign, instead of taking the “wait and see” approach.

Crossbite

If only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones, then you may have a crossbite. Like the other orthodontic problems listed here, even relatively mild cases can lead to several issues, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth. If we decide together that Invisalign is the ideal solution, then we can straighten your teeth and align your bite with clear, barely noticeable aligners.

Open Bite

As you may have guessed from the name, an open bite is when there is an open space between the upper and lower teeth when a patient bites down. If you suspect that you have one, then don’t wait – schedule an appointment with our team at Dynamic Dental. That way, we can determine if that’s the case and, if it is, if Invisalign is the best option.

Improved Comfort

Invisalign trays are crafted from smooth plastic that ensures they have no sharp or pointy edges that can poke, abrase, or otherwise irritate your mouth. This means you won’t have to worry about orthodontic wax, and the only discomfort most patients report is a slight sense of tightness when they switch to a new set of aligners. Many find they can sleep through the worst of this by switching before bed and taking over-the-counter pain medication.

Discreet Trays

Many people are interested in Invisalign because they are hesitant to commit to the conspicuous and irremovable metal parts that come with traditional braces. Since Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible when worn, you won’t have to worry about others noticing your orthodontic appliances when you smile. This makes Invisalign especially excellent for those who wish to maintain a professional or stylish appearance or who are anticipating a special event such as a graduation or a wedding.

Better Dental Hygiene

Traditional braces require patients to invest in a variety of specialized hygiene appliances so they can clean around their metal brackets and wires. Invisalign patients, on the other hand, can simply remove their aligners, store them safely, and brush and floss their teeth normally before putting their appliances back in. This makes it easier to prevent painful and destructive oral infections as well as unsightly stains.

Quick Follow-Ups

Invisalign checkups mostly serve to allow Dr. Tamara to monitor the progress of your treatment and provide new sets of aligners when necessary, and they typically last fewer than thirty minutes. This makes the treatment particularly great for patients with busy schedules at school or work.

Boosted Confidence

Since Invisalign trays are transparent and virtually invisible when worn, they can make it much easier to smile proudly and confidently at professional and social events. This can help a patient stand out from the competition when being considered for a new position at work.

Non-Invasive Treatment

Invisalign is less intensive than traditional braces because the appliances are removable, the treatment requires fewer alterations to the patient’s daily habits, and the checkups are typically brief and relatively infrequent if the patient complies with their dentist’s instructions. Invisalign will allow you to continue eating your favorite foods while smiling without worrying about others noticing your orthodontic appliances, and you won’t have to worry about your aligners showing up in photographs.

Wearing Your Trays

Naturally, the biggest change to your routine will be wearing your aligners. In order to stay on track with your treatment plan, you need to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours a day. The easiest way to make this goal a reality day after day is by only taking them off when it’s absolutely necessary. You might also find it helpful to use the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time, especially toward the beginning of your orthodontic treatment.

Cleaning Your Aligners

One of the many benefits that come with Invisalign in Sterling Heights is the fact that the aligners are easy to care for. In addition to taking them off before eating or drinking anything other than water, you should use a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to remove saliva, food particles, and other debris from the surface. Then, before you put them back on, rinse them with clean, room-temperature water.

Tip: If your aligners need a bit of a deeper clean, soak them in a dentist-approved cleaning solution for 15 minutes each day.

Eating & Drinking

As we mentioned above, you need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything (other than water, of course). Outside of that, all we ask is that you eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals. That way, you’re less likely to snack (which can cut into your daily wear time).

Important reminder: You should not place your aligners on your plate or wrap them in a napkin while you eat. Instead, rinse them with clean, room-temperature water and place them in their designated case.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Accidents sometimes happen. If you look down and realize that your aligners aren’t where you thought they were, or that there is a small crack running down the center, then you should call our team at Dynamic Dental right away. The sooner you do, the sooner we can determine how to proceed. Oftentimes, the answer is moving on to the next set in the series, but there are some cases where a replacement needs to be made instead.

Attending Progress Visits

Last, but certainly not least, you need to make room in your schedule for the progress visits. Usually, these take place every 6-8 weeks. During each appointment, we will take impressions of your teeth so we can monitor their movement. If they are progressing as anticipated, then we will give you the next several sets of aligners in the series and see you at your next visit!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

During your initial consultation with Dr. Tamara, she will determine:

• If any preliminary treatments are needed
• How severe your case of misalignment is
• If single-arch treatment is possible
• How many aligners need to be made
• The type of retainer that’s needed

Once she has all of this information, she can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with a price estimate. It’s important to keep in mind that this is just the upfront cost. If you fall off-track with your treatment plan because you consistently lose or misplace your aligners, then there may be additional fees down the line.

Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Almost always, mail-order aligners are cheaper. That’s because they usually bypass the initial exam, have patients take their own impressions, and don’t have licensed dental professionals overseeing the teeth-straightening process. While this does cut costs, it also increases the risk of dental damage. That’s why it’s best to choose a trusted and tested orthodontic treatment, even if the upfront cost is higher.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

While some dental plans include an orthodontic benefit, others do not. So, it’s best to read through the fine print on yours if you are considering Invisalign. You can also provide us with your membership information when you call to schedule your appointment! We’re happy to work with several dental insurance providers, including Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. Plus, we will help maximize any benefits you have to lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? That’s okay! Invisalign financing in Sterling Heights is also available, thanks to CareCredit! With this trusted third-party financier, you can divide the total cost of your clear aligner treatment into smaller, more manageable installments. If you are interested in learning more about this financial solution, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friendly member of our team. That way, we can provide further details, answer any questions you have, and show you where to sign up.