Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Invisalign cost?
For most dental and orthodontic professionals who administer Invisalign, the price will be similar to braces, but sometimes may cost more. The total cost of any patient's Invisalign treatment depends on their unique dental needs. The range of cost can be anywhere from $3000 to $7500 depending on the complexity of your treatment.
Will my dental insurance cover the cost of Invisalign?
Insurance companies will usually pay a portion of the cost of treatment -- it ultimately depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. If your insurance includes orthodontic benefits, you may have a larger portion of your treatment covered by insurance. To learn whether or not your dental insurance will cover the cost of Invisalign, make an appointment with Dr. Hank and the Sarasota Dentistry team today.
What is the Invisalign process?
The first appointment is a free orthodontic consultation to determine if the patient qualifies for the Invisalign therapy. If the patient qualifies and wishes to begin treatment, he/she is scheduled for a records appointment. At this dental appointment, photographs and dental impressions of the teeth will be taken.
These records will be sent to the Invisalign laboratory. At the lab, the impressions are digitally scanned and a computerized model of your teeth is generated. The digital model is then studied to determine the plan for tooth movement.
Then, Dr. Michael generates a plan for the movement of the teeth using Invisalign proprietary software called ClinCheck. Then Clincheck is reviewed with the patient so that he/she can see the process unfold before their eyes digitally. Once approved, the computer generated plan is sent to a machine which makes the clear retainer trays that the patient will wear.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
The average patient needs 24 sets of Invisalign trays (1-24). Each set has an upper tray and a lower tray. The patient is instructed to wear the trays at least 22 hours a day. The only time the trays are removed are for eating, drinking, and/or brushing their teeth. It is very important that the patient follows these instructions carefully, because not wearing the trays properly could cause damage to the teeth.
The first set of trays (marked #1 of 24) is worn for 2-3 weeks and then the patient changes to the next set of trays(#2 of 24) and wears them for 2-3 weeks.
This continues for the duration of treatment with a few dental office visits scheduled throughout treatment. After the final set of Invisalign trays (#24 of 24) have been worn, the doctor will do an occlusal adjustment, remove any clear brackets, and take an impression for the final clear retainer.
Does Invisalign treatment require maintenance?
Teeth will always want to go back to where they were because your gums, bones and teeth have a "memory" of where they started. This is why Dr. Hank ensures you have a final retainer to help keep your teeth in their new, aligned position. The final retainers are to be worn at night indefinitely in order to guarantee maintaining a straight smile.
Unless you wear the final retainers each night, your teeth could start to shift back to their original position. After a few years of nightly wear, you may find yourself able to reduce wearing your final retainers to one or two nights per week and maintain your corrections indefinitely.
There are fixed, or permanent retainer options available for patient's to maintain their straight teeth after Invisalign treatment is completed. Dr. Hank will inform patients of the array of retainer options available, and determine which option is best for each individual case.
How do I clean Invisalign?
Cleaning your Invisalign daily can help prevent bacteria from building up in the aligners. Rinse your aligners with water every night before bedtime, then brush them using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle, clear-colored liquid soap. Rinse the aligners thoroughly after brushing, then store them in their protective case when not in use.
