Are you wondering how to get straight teeth without the hassle of traditional braces? Invisalign offers a sleek, nearly invisible, effective, and comfortable solution.
Living up to its name, this virtually invisible treatment is just as efficacious as traditional metal braces. However, Invisalign can have many additional benefits, from eliminating the risk of self-consciousness to potentially taking less time to achieve that beautiful, straightened smile.
Your Invisalign Cupertino specialist can help you explore all your options for creating a perfect smile and answer all your questions about Invisalign versus braces.
In the meantime, here’s a closer look at Invisalign and answers to common questions about Invisalign treatment. This information will help you feel confident and informed before your Cupertino orthodontist consultation.
How Does Invisalign Work? – A Quick Overview
Invisalign aligners work by being worn most of the day and night and gently moving your teeth into a desired, straightened position over time.
Invisalign aligners are custom created for your unique teeth alignment and desired smile. They fit comfortably in your mouth, giving you the ability to smile confidently. Additionally, Invisalign works for about 20-22 hours per day and is removed for meals and snacks. As you wear the aligners, they naturally and gradually move your teeth toward your ideal smile.
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth?
The average treatment time for Invisalign is 6-18 months, and this timeframe is broken down into the following stages:
- The initial appointment and fitting, where your orthodontist will create a detailed blueprint of your teeth, determine the desired result, and produce a custom-fit set of Invisalign aligners.
- Routine aligner changes, where new aligners will be created as the teeth straightening process progresses.
- Regular progress checks ensure the desired result is well on the way.
There may be some points during the Invisalign treatment process where you’ll notice significant results. On the other hand, there may be some time periods when progress appears to be stalled. However, do not worry if you don’t see a difference immediately. Invisalign treatment follows a gradual process to ensure comfort at every stage. The aligners make gentle changes, avoiding any sudden adjustments to your teeth.
What Factors Can Affect Invisalign Treatment Time?
The timeframe of an Invisalign treatment can vary based on several factors, including the following.
- The severity of misalignment – For obvious reasons, a patient with a more severe alignment issue will likely have a longer treatment time, regardless of whether they opt for Invisalign or braces.
- The compliance and commitment to wearing Invisalign throughout the day and night. Invisalign is best recommended for adults and patients who can stick to wearing it regularly.
- The individual response – The pace at which your teeth move is individualized, and teeth inherently reposition at different speeds or lengths of time.
- The orthodontist’s skills – The skill and expertise of your orthodontist, in the Cupertino area and beyond, play a huge factor in the effectiveness and comfort of an Invisalign treatment. Therefore, make sure you work with the best dental care provider possible.
Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite and Other Complex Issues?
Invisalign can most certainly correct mild to moderate overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. However, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the severity of your oral health issues. Treatment time may be lengthier for larger corrections, but perfect results are possible even for more severe situations with continued use and the assistance of an experienced Invisalign specialist.
When Will You Start Seeing Results from Invisalign?
Again, the timeframe for progress is completely individualized, but on average, patients can expect to see signs of results at every step of the treatment.
- Early changes – Early signs of progress may start to appear after just 6-10 weeks, including minor tooth movement and the closing of gaps, depending on the issues that Invisalign is aiming to correct.
- Significant changes – Major changes may start to be noticeable after 3-6 months, and these changes include a noticeably straighter smile.
- Complete treatment – Once complete, you’ll have a perfectly aligned smile that will last a lifetime with a little post-treatment care.
What Happens After an Invisalign Treatment Ends?
After your Invisalign treatment, there are still a few more noninvasive steps to take to ensure that your beautiful new smile stays intact.
Namely, your orthodontist will custom-create a retainer, either a removable retainer or a fixed retainer bonded to the back of the teeth.
Your retainer will likely need to be worn for a few months immediately after the treatment, followed by a period of night-time wear to maintain your Invisalign results.
You’ll also have a couple of follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure that your teeth remain in their desired new position.
Cost Consideration – How Much is Invisalign?
The cost of Invisalign is in line with other teeth straightening treatments. However, depending on several factors, the cost can typically range from $3,000 to $9,000.
The severity of misalignment and the treatment duration are the primary driving forces behind the cost of your treatment. So, if you have an alignment issue, it’s better to schedule a consultation with an Invisalign Cupertino specialist sooner rather than later before the problem worsens.
Dental insurance may also cover a substantial portion of the cost. Furthermore, the best Invisalign Cupertino specialists work with you to ensure that an Invisalign treatment stays within your budget.
Find the Best Orthodontist in Cupertino for Your Invisalign Treatment by Contacting Pannu Dental Group
When it comes to Invisalign treatments in the Cupertino region and miles beyond, there is no team that is more trusted, experienced, or advanced than the one at Pannu Dental Group.
We are renowned for our decades of experience, our use of the most modern technology, and, most of all, our focus on our patients’ comfort and care.
Our expert dentist ensures that every treatment is completely individualized and puts our patients’ care first. For this reason, countless patients have trusted us with their dental care and oral health for a lifetime.
Connect with us today to start the conversation.
Together, we’ll work to achieve that beautiful, glowing smile that you deserve.
Schedule your consultation today!
Dr. Dalvir S. Pannu has been a practicing dentist since 1995. In 1996 he opened his first dental practice in India, where he gained invaluable experience and acumen. In October of 1997 he was invited by the American Dental Association (ADA) to present the table clinic on Endodontics, at their annual session held in Washington, D.C. At this time he fell in love with the United States and became passionate about practicing dentistry in California. He became particularly enamored of the San Francisco Bay area, and soon took up residence and work here.