Looking for an alternative to traditional metal braces? At The Ivory Dental Co., we’re here to help. Dr. Sweeney is an experienced Invisalign dentist in East Amherst, so contact us today to schedule an appointment and explore this braces alternative.
Invisalign is a method of orthodontic treatment that does not use wires or brackets to change the position of your teeth. Instead, it uses retainer-like clear plastic “aligners” or “trays.” Each aligner is worn for 1 week at a time to gradually shift the position of your teeth. Then, you’ll wear a new set of aligners, and this process will be repeated. By switching through different aligners over time, Invisalign can correct crooked teeth, bite problems, and more. Also, be sure to ask us how the OrthoPulse can speed up your Invisalign treatment, helping you achieve your straight smile in nearly half the normal treatment time!
This depends on how extensive your teeth alignment issues are. If you have minor-to-moderate orthodontic problems, Invisalign is typically a good choice. However, very severe issues with your teeth may require treatment with a specialist. The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate is to contact The Ivory Dental Co. for an appointment in East Amherst with Dr. Sweeney.
While braces are highly visible, Invisalign is not. The plastic is transparent, very thin, and designed to be completely unnoticeable. Using Invisalign, you can straighten your teeth without anybody knowing that you’re getting orthodontic care.
Invisalign has no metal wires, brackets, or other components that can poke, cut, or irritate your mouth, making it a lot more comfortable compared to braces.
You can remove Invisalign to eat, which means there are no dietary restrictions and you can keep eating your favorite foods. You also take out your Invisalign aligners to brush and floss, which makes it a lot easier to properly clean your teeth compared to braces.
Overall, Invisalign treatment usually takes about a year, but this can vary depending on the specifics of your situation. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect if you choose Invisalign at our office.
First, you’ll come in for an appointment with Dr. Sweeney in East Amherst, who will determine whether or not Invisalign is suitable for your orthodontic needs. She'll take a 3D digital scan of your teeth, which will show you a preview of your new smile. If she approves you for treatment, she will use the 3D scan and images of your teeth to work with Invisalign and build your first several sets of aligners.
You’ll come back in a few weeks to get your first twelve sets of aligners and instructions on how to wear them, then you’ll be sent home to begin your treatment.
Each set of aligners is worn for 22 hours per day for 1 week at a time. Then, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners. Every 3 months, you’ll come back to The Ivory Dental Co. in East Amherst. At this appointment, Dr. Sweeney will check on your progress and give you your next several sets of Invisalign aligners.
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us at (716)-221-0042 to speak with our team.
Invisalign is an excellent cosmetic orthodontic treatment for adults who are worried about drawing attention to their misaligned teeth with metal wires and brackets.
While it was previously thought that Invisalign could only treat very minor aesthetic issues with the teeth such as small gaps and slightly crooked teeth, Invisalign has come out with new advancements such as Invisalign attachments to correct more severe malocclusions.
Attachments are buttons made out of composite resin that come in various shapes and sizes and are bonded directly to your tooth enamel. Not every patient requires attachments for their treatment, but when tooth movements are more complex or harder to achieve with aligners alone, attachments are a great tool. They can even correct bite problems.
Here’s what Invisalign can correct:
What Invisalign can’t fix:
You need to wear your aligners for 22 hours per day without exception if you want the treatment to work properly and on schedule. Your aligners are removable for your ultimate convenience to eat a restriction-free diet and more easily clean all of the surfaces of your teeth.
However, this ease of removability also means you will need to hold yourself accountable for keeping them in as long as you can. Avoid removing them too often or for too long. Try to remove your aligners only when necessary, for example, to eat or clean your teeth.
If you don’t wear your aligners often enough, they won’t be able to shift your teeth. You may think you’ll be able to get away with wearing them for less than 22 hours per day but you will notice that as you keep doing this, your next set of aligners will be very tight or won’t fit at all. This will delay your treatment because you will need to backtrack to the last set of aligners and wear them for longer.
While insurance will not cover the full cost of your orthodontic treatment, they may cover a certain percentage or dollar amount of your treatment.
However, this depends on what insurance you have and whether or not they consider Invisalign to be a medically necessary orthodontic treatment or something purely cosmetic. Cosmetic treatments are considered elective and not medically necessary so dental insurance will not cover them.
To find out if your insurance will cover Invisalign, you should contact them directly and ask them about any lifetime caps that exist on orthodontic coverage. This is the maximum amount they will cover for orthodontic treatment.
At The Ivory Dental Company, we accept all insurance plans and are in-network with many popular insurance companies. However, if you don’t have insurance, we offer a variety of financing options to help you afford treatment. If you’re concerned about the cost of treatment, contact us today and Dr. Sweeney can discuss your options with you.
You should clean your aligners twice a day, in the morning and before bed, just as you would clean your teeth. Every time you remove your aligners, rinse them out. To clean them, you will need to use a soft bristle toothbrush and an aligner-safe cleaner.
This can be a denture cleaner, clear liquid soap, or Invisalign cleaning crystals. However, studies have shown that cleaning crystals are the most effective way to clean your aligners. Thoroughly brush the surfaces of your aligners and then rinse them off.
When you aren’t wearing them, place them in their storage case. After eating and drinking, brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in. Don’t consume food, flavored beverages, or hot liquids while wearing your aligners.
This can stain and damage them. Never run your aligners under hot water because this can morph the mold. We recommend soaking your aligners for up to 15 minutes once a day before brushing them for a deeper clean.
The service was amazing from the minute that I walked through the door. Dr. Sweeney was very knowledgeable and educated me each step of the way to ensure that my experience would be a great on.
Dr Sweeney and her staff provide outstanding service utilizing state of the art dental equipment and thoroughly explained each procedure. The cleanliness and professionalism is apparent the moment you walk in the door. I’m encouraging my friends to try superior dental services with Dr Sweeney and her helpful and friendly team. You will be pleasantly surprised!
Ivory Dental is on another level! State of the art technology and world class medical professionals. The way they operate is seamless and stress free. The experience is personalized and I will refer everyone I know here!