Invisalign® Clear Aligners – Westport, CT

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth are too close together, you may notice that you have trouble brushing and flossing effectively. This is a problem, as harmful bacteria and food particles can become trapped and if left untreated, can result in tooth decay or gum disease. By using Invisalign, the aligners will shift your teeth to create necessary space as well as move them into proper alignment.

Gaps Between Teeth

Maybe crowded teeth aren’t the problem but instead, it is too much space between your teeth. If this is the case, you, too, could experience the same problems of tooth decay and gum disease. With Invisalign, you will notice the gaps in your smile begin to close, bringing your teeth closer together and allowing you to officially say goodbye to all that extra space.

Overbite

An overbite happens when the upper teeth extend too far over the lower teeth, leading to jaw discomfort, speech challenges, and uneven wear on the teeth. Additionally, the protruding top teeth may be more vulnerable to injury due to insufficient protection. Correcting an overbite is important for maintaining oral comfort, proper function, and long-term dental health.

Underbite

An underbite is when the lower teeth extend beyond or align with the upper teeth. It’s often caused by genetics, injuries, or early habits. If untreated, it can lead to issues like sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and speech difficulties. Invisalign can gradually correct underbites, improving oral health and function for all ages.

Crossbite

A crossbite is when lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. It typically happens due to genetics or early tooth loss. While Invisalign can correct it, jaw development issues may require extra treatment. If left untreated, crossbite can cause gum disease, tooth decay, jaw pain, and facial asymmetry, impacting both health and confidence.

Open Bite

An open bite occurs when the front teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed, often due to bone development issues or habits like thumb-sucking. This can cause pronunciation problems and wear on the back teeth. Invisalign can close the gap, correcting the bite and preventing dental damage.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

When meeting with us to discuss your Invisalign treatment, we will provide you with an in-depth look at what factors are considered when determining how much you can expect to pay for your clear aligners. Some of these factors include:

• How many aligners you will need in order to achieve desired results
• Whether you will need a top or bottom aligner only or both
• If you require any pre-orthodontic dental work (i.e. tooth extraction)
• The severity of your orthodontic problem (i.e. overcrowding, spaces between teeth, bite alignment)
• The retainer you’ll need to wear once you are finished with treatment

Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Although mail-in clear aligners typically cost around $2,000 compared to Invisalign's $3,000 to $8,000 range, cheaper materials can affect durability and effectiveness. In some cases, this can significantly worsen dental alignment. Invisalign is made with patented materials, ensuring comfort and reliable results. At our practice, you'll receive expert, personalized support, making Invisalign a worthwhile investment for long-term dental health.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Not all dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment, and Invisalign is often excluded. However, coverage varies by plan! Before starting Invisalign, check with your insurance provider to confirm what's included. You can also use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help with costs. Our experienced team is here to assist you in understanding your insurance and exploring payment options.

Wearing Your Trays

The only way to progress through your treatment plan is by wearing your Invisalign aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day. While two hours might seem like “free time”, it adds up, especially considering meals and cleaning. We recommend using the Invisalign app with a built-in timer to track your time.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Invisalign aligners are incredibly discreet, which is why many patients opt for this orthodontic treatment. However, keeping them clean is essential. Rinse your trays with water after removing them and before putting them back on. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub them after each meal. You can keep them clean and bacteria-free by placing the trays in a glass of water with cleaning crystals.

Eating & Drinking

During Invisalign treatment, you can indulge in your favorite foods and beverages. However, it's important to remove aligners before eating or drinking anything that’s not water to prevent damage and maintain your oral health. Storing them in a protective case will keep them safe against potential harm. Avoid highly pigmented beverages to help preserve the discreet appearance of the trays, ensuring your journey to a straighter smile remains both effective and unnoticeable.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Losing an Invisalign tray is not the end of the world, but it's still critical to address the situation promptly to avoid significant delays in your treatment timeline. Misplacement often happens during mealtime, particularly when trays aren't stored in a protective case. In case of damage or loss, we may order a replacement or instruct you to advance to the next tray based on your treatment progress and our professional judgment. A quick resolution will ensure a smooth continuation of your Invisalign journey.

Routine Check-Ins

With Invisalign, you’ll check-in with our team every four to eight weeks depending on your unique treatment plan. These brief (about 15 minutes) visits ensure you stay on track toward your final results. We’ll provide your next set of aligners, monitor your progress, and make any necessary adjustments. Regular check-ins are a key part of the Invisalign experience, keeping you confident in your treatment's success!

Can I get Invisalign if I’ve had metal braces before?

Yes, there is a good chance you can expect to receive the green light for Invisalign even if you’ve previously worn metal braces. If your teeth have moved since your teenage years or early adulthood, our dental team will evaluate your smile to determine if the severity of the change can be addressed with clear aligners.

Can I get Invisalign if I have dental implants?

This is dependent on your individual case. Dental implants are put into place to help a patient enjoy life with a complete, fully functional smile. If only one tooth is missing, it may be possible to straighten your regular teeth with Invisalign. This is especially true if it is serving as the “anchor” and the rest of your teeth are planning to move into alignment with your implant.

However, there is a good chance you’ll need to discuss different orthodontic options if you possess more dental implants than natural, healthy teeth.

It’s important that you understand some difficulties can come with this process because dental implants are fused with the bone, so they’re not designed to move.

Can I get Invisalign if I have crowns, veneers, or bridges?

Similar to dental implants, this is dependent on your case. Your cosmetic dentist in Westport may believe there is a way to straighten these teeth but ultimately, it is their decision. If you have a bridge, you more than likely will need to opt for an alternative treatment option because of its placement. Invisalign moves individual teeth not the row as a whole, so this can make the process more difficult, if not impossible, for certain individuals with restorations.

How should I take care of my aligners?

When caring for your aligners, all you really need is a toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water. Using hot water can warp the plastic, so be sure it isn’t too hot when you go to clean them. By keeping your aligners clean, you will remove dried saliva and harmful bacteria that can easily be transferred onto your natural teeth if you reinsert your trays prior to cleaning. If you prefer, you can purchase the Invisalign Cleaning System, but it is up to you.

Also, when you are not wearing your aligners, make sure to keep them in a protective case to prevent accidental breakage or losing your trays.

How will having straighter teeth improve my life?

Teeth that are crooked, misaligned, gapped, or overcrowded can pose serious problems for your oral and overall health. If teeth are left untreated, you can become more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease as a result. Should infection and inflammation enter your bloodstream, it can travel to areas of your body and potentially cause a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, neurological conditions, and even respiratory disease.

By pursuing orthodontic treatment and using Invisalign, your cosmetic dentist can reduce your risk for these specific problems and, in turn, help to create a healthy, beautiful smile.

What are Invisalign attachments?

Initially, Invisalign was only for individuals with minor overcrowding, gaps, and bite misalignments. However, researchers have developed additional components known as buttons and attachments to make more severe cases a reality with Invisalign.

If you require an attachment, it will be bonded to your tooth using composite resin, and it will help the clear aligner to move your tooth into proper alignment. Buttons, on the other hand, are used when rubber bands are necessary to fix bite problems. No matter if you need one or both solutions, you can expect a flexible form of treatment that doesn’t harm or damage your natural tooth enamel in any way.

Will I experience any surprises during treatment?

Even if you do enjoy surprises, you will be glad to know that wearing Invisalign should have you experiencing no surprises throughout your treatment. As long as you wear your trays 20-22 hours each day and are diligent about keeping them safe and clean when not wearing them, you should expect no delays in your treatment timeline. The team at Dental Center of Westport knows exactly what to expect when you are finished with treatment, so if at any point, a problem does arise, we will be able to take care of it immediately.

Will I be required to wear a retainer once I’m done with treatment?

Yes, you will need to wear a retainer once you have finished with Invisalign. The reason for this is that your teeth can easily shift back into their original spot without one. We will make sure you receive a retainer that is customized to fit your smile and offers comfortability. In the beginning, you may need to wear it all the time; however, after several months, it may be possible to wear your retainer only at night while you are asleep.