Invisalign – Carmel, IN
A Metal-Free Smile-Straightening Solution
Do you get frustrated when you see your smile in the mirror? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans are unhappy with their teeth, and in many cases, it’s because they’re crowded or misaligned. Fortunately, you no longer have to deal with metal wires and brackets to get the straight grin you’ve always wanted from your orthodontist. With Invisalign in Carmel, you can discreetly and comfortably move your teeth into proper alignment. If you’d like to find out whether a metal-free smile-straightening solution is right for you, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Why Choose Springhetti Dentistry For Invisalign?
- Preview Results with Virtual Smile Design
- Insurance Welcome & Financing Available
- Board-Certified Orthodontist on Staff
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired positions. Each set of trays is worn for a predetermined amount of time, usually about two weeks. One significant advantage of Invisalign is that you don’t need to visit Dr. Oberley as often as you would with traditional braces. You just need to see her every six weeks or so to pick up your new aligners and ensure everything is going according to plan.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Think that traditional braces are your only path to a straight smile? Think again! Invisalign clear aligners can correct multiple orthodontic issues, including:
Crowded Teeth
Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, it’s crucial that you schedule a consultation at our Carmel dental office. After all, even relatively mild cases of overcrowding can make it difficult to brush and floss well, resulting in an increased risk of developing oral health problems. At your appointment, we will learn all about your dental history, needs, and goals to determine if Invisalign clear aligners are ideal for you.
Gaps Between Teeth
Having gaps between your teeth doesn’t just affect your appearance – it negatively impacts your oral health as well. After all, the spaces allow for food and bacteria to become trapped between the teeth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, we have a solution: Invisalign. With a custom series of clear aligners, we can gently bring your teeth closer together, improving the look and health of your smile in the process.
Overbite
If your upper teeth protrude significantly beyond your lower ones, you might be wondering if Invisalign can fix overbites. Good news: the answer is “yes!” The best thing to do is schedule a consultation at our office so we can complete a comprehensive oral exam and determine if clear aligners are right for you. If they are, then we can move your teeth and bite into proper alignment without metal brackets and wires.
Underbite
In addition to being discreet and comfortable, clear aligners can resolve a variety of bite problems, including underbites. So, if you are struggling with this orthodontic issue, don’t assume the only solution is metal brackets and wires. Instead, come to our office so we can explore all of your treatment options. You might be surprised to find out Invisalign is one of them!
Crossbite
A misaligned bite can cause speech issues or tooth damage due to uneven pressure, but it is also common for your temporomandibular joints to feel strained. This can be painful to the point that it significantly impacts your quality of life. So, if some of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones, don’t wait – schedule a consultation with us so we can determine if Invisalign is the answer!
Open Bite
Open bites can develop for several reasons, including thumb-sucking. Fortunately for patients struggling with mild to moderate cases of this orthodontic problem, Invisalign is usually an option. If that’s the case for you, then you won’t need to deal with dietary restrictions, lengthy timelines, and adjustment appointments. Instead, you’ll enjoy a hassle-free and stress-free path to a straight smile!
The Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners have gained popularity over the years because they redefined what it meant to undergo orthodontic treatment. Instead of cumbersome and uncomfortable metal brackets and wires, patients can now straighten their teeth with less-invasive, more comfortable plastic trays. With various unique benefits to offer, it’s no surprise that over 18 million people have chosen Invisalign as their treatment of choice.
Comfortable, Smooth Trays
Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic. This means that you won’t have to worry about the inside of your cheeks or lips becoming irritated or carry around orthodontic wax with you just to help manage your discomfort. The trays are designed to fit perfectly over the arch of your teeth, placing a gradual amount of pressure to straighten them. Although you may experience some slight discomfort at the beginning of each series of aligners, this treatment is virtually pain-less.
Discreet Appearance
In addition to being smooth, Invisalign trays are also see-through. This makes them virtually unnoticeable to onlookers, allowing you to smile up-close and in photos without having to worry about drawing attention to the fact that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Improved Dental Hygiene
One of the most notoriously difficult aspects of having braces is being able to effectively brush between your brackets and wires. Without the proper instruments, like a water flosser and interdental toothbrush, this can feel like an impossible feat, ultimately leading to an increased risk of cavities. Fortunately, because Invisalign trays are removable, all you’ll need to do to keep up with your oral health is brush and floss like you normally would!
Quick Check-In Appointments
Instead of having to go into your orthodontist’s office to have braces tightened, causing your mouth to feel sore and uncomfortable for the rest of the day, Invisalign check-ins are quick and pain-free. Your dentist in Carmel will examine your smile, make sure you’re on the right track, and provide you with the next series of trays in your treatment. Overall, these visits typically only take about 15 minutes!
Boosted Confidence
Metal brackets and wires can completely alter your smile’s appearance, making it obvious to onlookers that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. With this lack of discretion often comes a decrease in confidence. Patients who opt for clear aligners are able to maintain their natural appearance and smile with greater pride throughout their journeys.
Minimal Impact on Daily Life
With braces, patients need to alter their daily diet and even plan some of their hobbies and routine around their orthodontic treatment. Because your Invisalign aligners will be removable, they’re easy to fit into your day-to-day planning with minimal impact on your life.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Life with Invisalign is easy, especially compared to traditional braces. That said, there are a few things we recommend looking into before signing on the dotted line, including how often you need to wear your aligners and how to clean them so stubborn, yellow stains don’t develop on the surface. Fortunately, we’re covering all of that and more in this next section!
Wearing Your Trays
When it comes to wearing your Invisalign aligners, there’s one main rule: you need to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours each day. In other words, you should only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary, like before eating or drinking something other than water. When it’s time to put them back on, make sure they are seated in place properly (using chewies will help!).
Cleaning Your Aligners
Good news: you don’t need any special or expensive oral hygiene tools to take care of your teeth or your trays! Simply rinse your aligners with clean, cool water every time you take them off. Then, before you put them back on, use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to gently remove food particles, saliva, and other debris from the surface.
Eating & Drinking
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t need to completely change your diet to stay on track with your treatment plan. That said, there are a few habits we recommend incorporating into your daily routine, like sipping on water throughout the day to prevent dry mouth and soft tissue irritation. It’s also a good idea to cut back on treats with added sugar since they can quickly lead to cavities.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Since losing and damaging a tray can cause you to fall off track with your treatment plan, we strongly recommend doing what you can to prevent either from happening, including putting them in their designated case anytime you aren’t wearing them. That said, accidents sometimes happen. If you find yourself in either situation, call our Carmel dental team right away.
Scheduling Progress Visits
Just like your biannual checkups and cleanings play a crucial role in keeping your smile healthy, your progress visits play a crucial role in keeping you on track with your treatment plan. The good news is that they are usually only every 6-8 weeks. Plus, if your teeth are moving as anticipated, your appointments will probably be less than 30 minutes!
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Since every patient’s case is unique, it’s nearly impossible to give an accurate cost estimate of Invisalign in Carmel without seeing the teeth in question first. Many factors affect the overall price, so we won’t be able to provide you with an estimate until you come in for an exam. During your consultation, Dr. Oberley will assess the extent of your dental misalignment to determine how much you would be expected to pay.
Invisalign FAQs
Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?
If you want to try Invisalign, you should assess your candidacy first. You might opt for a poor option otherwise. That said, consider the following treatment factors:
- Patient Age – Since the jaw and teeth change from adolescence onward, teens have an easier time with Invisalign. Of course, adults can be good treatment candidates as well.
- Problem Severity – Invisalign can correct crooked, gapped, and misaligned teeth in both arches. However, a patient’s bite problems may be too severe for the trays to treat.
- Commitment to Treatment – To achieve desired results, patients must wear the aligners for at least 20 hours daily. Those who’re young or less responsible may prefer fixed options like braces.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Generally, an average Invisalign treatment takes 12-18 months. The timeline for your own, however, will depend on your unique situation.
In particular, your misalignment problem can impact the timing. If it’s mild, you might finish the Invisalign journey in six months. A more severe issue, meanwhile, may require a full 18 months to fix. Even in that case, though, you’d still be saving time. An 18-month treatment is four months shorter than the average time with metal braces.
Of course, commitment also plays a role in the timeline. Regular dental visits and meeting the daily wear time are crucial to a shorter Invisalign journey.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Invisalign typically isn’t painful. Far from it, in fact – the aligners’ smooth plastic design makes them a comfortable orthodontic option. Really, you should only expect a slight pressure as you switch to each new aligner in the series. That effect is how you know the Invisalign process is working.
Granted, Invisalign trays do have an adjustment period. You may experience some slight soreness during that time. Even so, this ache will quickly fade as you get used to the treatment. Plus, the discomfort is easily managed with over-the-counter medications, ice packs, and similar methods.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Two major things will happen when you finish with your last aligners: a follow-up dental visit and the receiving of your retainer. Each is crucial to the post-treatment process.
Once you complete the aligner series, you’ll visit your dental provider to verify the results. Doing so ensures that your teeth are correctly straightened. Assuming so, your dentist will then brief you on how to maintain and care for your newly-aligned smile.
You’ll also wear a retainer during the post-treatment stage. This appliance will preserve Invisalign’s effects, making the time and money spent on treatment worthwhile. The dentist will even instruct you on how often to wear it based on your needs. The wear time is usually a full day at first but gradually decreases to only wearing it at night.