Hinsdale Ortho: The Invisalign Experts
For teens and adults who want the same results traditional braces provide, but with more freedom and flexibility, Invisalign could be the answer! Hinsdale Ortho is your trusted expert straightening smiles for patients of all ages in Hinsdale and the surrounding areas. Contact our Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontists today to see how Invisalign can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
What is involved in Hinsdale Invisalign treatment?
By using a series of clear, removable aligners, the Invisalign system aligns your teeth and improves your oral health. When used as directed, Invisalign has been proven to be just as effective as traditional braces at treating many of the most common orthodontic problems.
We will use x-rays and digital impressions to create a precise 3D image of the teeth at your initial consultation. We will use this to build an aligner designed just for your smile. The trays are constructed of a thermoplastic material that looks similar to teeth-whitening trays. This is a smooth, comfortable material that fits firmly over your teeth. These customized trays are switched out every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the teeth as they move into their desired new positions. Treatment varies with each patient, so work with your Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontist to develop the right treatment plan for your needs.
What are the benefits of choosing Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign offers many benefits. They include the following:
- They’re virtually invisible. Invisalign uses clear aligners rather than metal braces, so they’re pretty much naked to the human eye. Nobody will know you are wearing them unless you tell them. This makes Invisalign ideal for self-conscious teens.
- They’re removable. There’s no need to change your diet when you choose Invisalign. The trays are removable, so just take them out and eat your favorite foods like normal. Then, put your aligners back in after eating. It’s that simple!
- Teeth are easier to clean. With braces, getting teeth clean is difficult. It’s hard to remove stuck food. You have to maneuver around brackets and in between wires. With Invisalign, cleaning is easy because there’s nothing in your way. Good dental hygiene is much easier. Simply remove the aligners and brush and floss as normal. It’s also a good idea to rinse the aligners daily to keep them clean. Put the aligners back in when you’re done and you’re good to go!
- They’re more comfortable. Invisalign has no wires to poke your gums or cheeks. No adjustments are needed, so you don’t have to deal with any soreness.
How does the Hinsdale Invisalign system work?
The Invisalign system is pretty straightforward. You’ll wear each aligner for about two weeks, and should only be removed to eat, drink, brush, or floss. As the aligners are replaced with the next one in the series, your teeth will be moving gradually, until they reach their new and improved positions.
Our Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontists will check to make sure treatment is progressing as planned. You must change the aligners on time and wear them as you are instructed to do. This is the most important part of the success of your smile with Hinsdale Invisalign. Your trays will be custom designed to fit your unique dental needs. They will need to be changed often to keep up with the shifting of the teeth as they begin to straighten. Not changing aligners as scheduled or skipping your appointments can quickly undo any progress that has been made.
Keep in mind that every patient will respond to orthodontic treatment differently. Since Invisalign works in a slightly different and less invasive way than braces to straighten your teeth, it’s hard to say for sure how long each patient will have to wear their aligners before you see encouraging and significant results. The average is somewhere between 6 and 18 months, this can vary widely from case to case. Treatment time depends in large part on patient compliance.
We estimate average treatment based on patients following the recommended guidelines. This means wearing aligners for at least 20-22 hours every single day during the entire treatment. Straying from this schedule even a little bit can add extra time to your overall treatment. Invisalign can only work if patients stick to the program.
Sometimes aligners alone aren’t enough to guide the teeth to their ideal locations. Because of this, Invisalign offers buttons and attachments to help move things along. Attachments are tiny tooth-colored “bumps” bonded to the teeth using dental composites. They are placed at various locations to allow the aligners to grip the teeth. Buttons are small auxiliaries that attach to rubber bands.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Invisalign vs. braces: which option is better? This will depend on your situation as well as your personal preferences. A Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontist can answer your questions and help you make a final decision.
Braces consist of brackets, wires, and rubber bands to help straighten teeth. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses clear aligners to move teeth to the desired position. These aligners are tailored to each patient.
As mentioned above, Invisalign has many advantages over braces. It looks better because the aligners are clear and hardly noticeable. Teeth are easier to clean because the aligners are removable. You take them out to eat and clean. There are also fewer visits involved, so that means more convenience and less time off work or school.
Metal braces have been around for decades and they have stood the test of time because of their effectiveness. Metal braces can fix even the most complex orthodontic cases because they can move teeth more quickly than Invisalign. They are very powerful and anyone can use them, no matter how complex the case.
Because braces stay in the mouth 24/7, they cannot get lost, unlike Invisalign aligners, which can get misplaced by users who take them out of their mouth and throw them away or forget to put them back in. Many people do not like the aesthetics of braces, but there are options, such as ceramic braces and lingual braces, that are less noticeable.
Invisalign FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions by people considering Invisalign for their orthodontic treatment:
Q: What can Invisalign do?
A: Invisalign can treat common orthodontic issues such as crowded teeth, gap teeth, open bites, underbite, overbite, and crossbite. It can also provide general straightening. However, Invisalign is not recommended for severe cases.
Q: Are there age limitations for Invisalign?
A: Invisalign can be used by teens and adults who desire straighter teeth. While it can be used for younger children, these aligners require some degree of maintenance, which means you may want to wait until your child is more mature. However, whether or not it is the best option for you will depend on your situation.
Q: How much does Invisalign cost?
A: Invisalign can range from $1,800 to $9,500, depending on the complexity and treatment time. The average is roughly $3,000 for teens, while adults requiring full treatment pay an average of $5,700. Invisalign costs roughly the same as braces, although if treatment takes longer than expected, then the cost can increase. Also, the cost can vary depending on your location and doctor, so discuss this with your Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontist. If you have insurance, Invisalign may be covered.
Q: How long will I have to wear the aligners?
A: Each person is different, so don’t try to compare your treatment to your friend’s. Your treatment time will depend on the severity of your case. For the most minor cases, you may only need Invisalign for a few months. In more severe cases, you may be wearing the aligners for close to two years.
Q: How do I care for my aligners?
A: Clean your aligners daily by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water. You may also be given special crystals or cleaning tablets to use. After eating and drinking, be sure to brush your teeth before re-inserting your aligners to prevent stains. If you lose or break an aligner, let us know right away so we can help you stay on-track with your treatment plan.
Q: Can I switch from braces to Invisalign?
A: Maybe. This will depend on your course of treatment as well as the severity of your case. Our Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontist can assess your situation and see if switching to Invisalign is an option that makes sense.
Is Invisalign Right For You?
Discuss your situation with our Hinsdale Invisalign orthodontists. To learn more about Hinsdale Invisalign, or to find out if you are a good candidate for the Invisalign aligners, please contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.