Invisalign®
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is a series of clear orthodontic appliances, called aligners that allow you to straighten your teeth without having to wear traditional braces. Without brackets and wires, Invisalign® is very comfortable and is worn day and night except for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.
After your initial examination, I will decide if Invisalign® is right for you. A treatment plan will be created and an impression of your teeth will be taken. This impression, along with x-rays and photographs, will be submitted to Invisalign®. Using the latest advances in 3-D computer technology, Invisalign® carefully translates my treatment plan into a series of customized, plastic aligners. These aligners are worn for two-week intervals and move your teeth incrementally into the desired final position.
The Popularity of Invisalign!
Since its inception in 1999, Invisalign has been used by thousands of people throughout the world to straighten their teeth. Many of you know current or former Invisalign wearers. Many of you know someone who now has straighter teeth and a beautiful smile but you were unaware that they were wearing Invisalign right in front of you! Many celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Katherine Heigl, Elin Woods, and Tom Cruise have used Invisalign to achieve their perfect smile.
How much experience does your office have with Invisalign treatment?
Dr. Berardi has been a certified Invisalign provider since 2002. Over the last several years he has treated numerous patients in the Buffalo area. Dr. Berardi has received the designation of 'Advantage Provider' from Invisalign. This designation is given to dentists who have more experience with the Invisalign product.
Is all Invisalign treatment the same?
No, Invisalign has three main products. Invisalign Express is a product used mainly for minor, cosmetic tooth movements. It consists of up to ten aligners, which totals about twenty weeks of treatment. Invisalign Express is great for relieving minor crowding or clearing up an unwanted space between teeth. Invisalign Express is not used to treat orthodontic situations revealing moderate to severe crowding of front teeth, large spaces between several teeth, or overbites. In these cases, treatment with Invisalign Full is recommended. With this treatment, just about any orthodontic problem can be treated and corrected. Lastly, Invisalign Teen works the same way as Invisalign for adults but allows the teenager to track their wear using an indicator placed within the aligner. The indicator helps with compliance and assures parents that their teenager is correctly wearing the appliance.
How long is a course of Invisalign® treatment?
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of your particular case, which determines the number of aligners you will need. Aligners are worn for two-week intervals. There can be as many as 60 or as few as 6. Most Invisalign treatment is completed over twelve to eighteen months.
How much does Invisalign treatment cost?
The cost of Invisalign treatment can vary per case and product. A treatment estimate can be given at the time of your consultation. Some dental insurance plans will cover adult orthodontics. Please be sure to review your coverage in order to determine whether or not coverage is available to you. If you need help with accessing benefits, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
Free Whitening with Invisalign Treatment
We appreciate all of our patients who decide to use Invisalign to straighten their teeth. As a token of gratitude we perform Free Teeth Whitening on all of our Invisalign patients. This whitening treatment, worth almost $400, is included with ALL Invisalign cases.
How often must I be seen at your office?
We would like to see you every six weeks to monitor your progress. At this appointment, three more aligners will be dispensed until your case is completed.
Will wearing Invisalign® aligners affect my speech?
Aligners may initially affect your speech resulting in a slight lisp for one or two days. This will vanish once your tongue gets used to the aligners.
Are there any restrictions on what I can eat and drink?
Unlike traditional braces, you are able to eat and drink whatever you desire, because you can remove the aligners and properly clean your teeth.
How often must I wear my Aligners?
Invisalign® ONLY works while you are wearing the aligners. We recommend that you ALWAYS wear your aligners except to eat drink, brush, and floss your teeth.
How do I get started?
If you think Invisalign® can help you achieve a perfect smile then contact my office to schedule a FREE Invisalign® consultation. We look forward to introducing you to this exciting, revolutionary new orthodontic treatment.
