ABOUT INVISALIGN

Among our patients, Invisalign turns out to be a better fit than braces for about 80 to 90% of them. The reasons for this vary, but some of the biggest benefits of Invisalign over braces are:

• Aesthetics: Clear aligners are virtually invisible, offering a discreet alternative to braces.
• Comfort: Smooth plastic aligners reduce discomfort compared with metal brackets and wires.
• Convenience: Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing for easier eating, brushing, and flossing.
• Efficiency: A 2019 meta-analysis found that Invisalign patients had statistically significantly shorter treatment times than those with traditional braces.

Your specific malocclusion needs and other clinical factors will be important in determining the most suitable treatment option for you. At Square Smiles, Dr. Joffre is eager to guide you through all your available options, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your needs, health, and overall well-being. Our primary aim is for you to feel confident and satisfied with your choice!

Typically, insurance covers Invisalign the same way it covers braces. For children and adolescents, this can mean full coverage depending on the policy. For adults’ insurance policies, it’s usually a portion up to 20%. By working with a variety of insurance plans, we work to maximize coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs.

Delta is one of the most popular dental insurance plans, so of course many patients ask us if Delta Dental Insurance covers Invisalign. This can vary from policy to policy. We recommend reading your policy’s fine print. If the plan you have covers orthodontics, then your insurance will cover Invisalign.

Of course Dr. Joffre and the team at Square Smiles will detail everything you need to know before starting your treatment. However, we recognize that you might already have some burning questions. We want to arm you with as much information as possible. So, we’ve put together some essential, easy-to-understand information and little-known facts that aren’t always included as part of readily available information about Invisalign.

Treatment times vary based on the complexity of the case and your (or your child’s) compliance with wearing the aligners. On average, Invisalign treatment takes 12 to 24 months.

It is recommended that you wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

Naturally, Dr. Joffre will be able to advise you individually about which treatment is best for your unique case. But overbite is absolutely among the types of malocclusions that Invisalign can treat, along with crowded or misaligned teeth, gaps, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and Phase 1 (childhood) malocclusions.

Some discomfort is expected when starting each new set of aligners, but the overall treatment process is typically less painful than traditional braces.

This is a question folks are sometimes hesitant to ask us: What is Smile Direct, and how does it compare to Invisalign? Smile Direct, or properly SmileDirectClub™, is a type of at-home aligner system with a more DIY approach than Invisalign. A whole class of at-home aligner systems exists, with Smile Direct being the most well known.

As orthodontic professionals, we urge patients to work directly with an orthodontist, even if it isn’t us. The journey toward achieving a healthy bite and smile requires careful planning and monitoring by an orthodontist. At Square Smiles, your health and safety and that of your teeth remain top priorities throughout the treatment process, from your initial evaluation to your final results. 

As an experienced doctor, Dr. Joffre can identify needs or problems that arise during treatment and address them proactively, minimizing risks and ensuring optimal results. And, as a professional who is genuinely focused on his patients’ best outcomes, Dr. Joffre is confident that he is offering the best treatment option in Invisalign.

Tooth-colored attachments bonded to your teeth, also known as buttons, help enhance directed forces during treatment, supporting better alignment. Nearly all patients will need some attachments, and we’ll remove them when you’re finished with your treatment.

Elastics, or rubber bands, are crucial components for some Invisalign patients, working to improve bite or teeth alignment. Not everyone will require rubber bands as part of their treatment, but they do move things along tremendously when indicated.

Refinements may also be classified as a well-kept secret of Invisalign. No one is trying to keep them secret, but it’s a topic that just isn’t part of the mainstream, “Is Invisalign worth it?” conversation. But, refinements are a very common part of Invisalign treatment.

In order to understand Invisalign refinements, let’s zoom out for a second and talk about treatment planning. When we begin your Invisalign treatment, it’s all mapped out. We know exactly what positions we want for each tooth, what your dental arches are going to look like, and more or less how we’re going to get there. 

But! Teeth don’t always move exactly as expected. You can increase the chances that they will by wearing your aligners 20-22 hours per day and otherwise complying with the doctor’s orders. Still, sometimes despite patients’ best efforts, teeth will resist movement or move in unexpected ways. When this happens, we will take a scan and order a few refinement trays to get you back on track. Another reason why Dr. Joffre’s individual and expert monitoring is so important!

You will need to wear a retainer to maintain the results of your Invisalign treatment. The good news is that Invisalign retainers are clear aligners very similar to what you wore during treatment, and you only need to wear them at night! As for replacing retainers, you will need to do so: 

• If you lose them, of course
• Every three to ten years
• More frequently if you grind or clench
• After any restorative dental work that changes the shape of your teeth (e.g., filling, bridge, crown) 

Proper care of your Invisalign aligners contributes to a successful treatment process. Adopting good cleaning habits and following guidelines will ensure a more efficient treatment:

• Always rinse your aligners when taking them off and before putting them back in your mouth.
• Clean your aligners at least once daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion.
• Avoid hot water or abrasive cleaning agents, as they can warp or discolor the aligners.
• Try browsing Invisalign’s own line of cleaning products, as you may find options that suit your lifestyle (such as the UV Sanitizing Case or Invisalign Cleaning Crystals for busy folks or frequent travelers).

Other cleaning products are available from Invisalign and other companies, which may suit different lifestyles better (for example, if you travel frequently). Dr. Joffre and our team will provide detailed instructions on cleaning your aligners, answer any questions, and help you understand why these maintenance practices are important to your treatment.

We are so sorry to report that gum and mints are incompatible with Invisalign. But, if you’re a habitual gum-chewer or mint-eater who will really miss the habit, you may try out one of the following:

• Chewies: These rubber-like pieces available in various shapes and flavors are made to help patients seat their new aligners and speed up orthodontic movement, but they may also scratch the gum-chewing itch.
• Movemints: Also designed to help seat new aligners and quicken teeth movement, this product is an edible breath mint that you place between your top and bottom teeth and gently chew.

So, farewell to gum and mints for now. But we hope these suggestions help!