woman holding invisalign retainer

If you’re thinking about Invisalign, you’ll have lots of questions. The Gellerman Orthodontics team has the answers you need here.

Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

There’s a good chance that your dental insurance will cover Invisalign, at least in part. The majority of dental insurance plans cover orthodontics, and Invisalign is considered an orthodontic device in much the same way that metal braces are. Check with your dental insurance provider for specifics relating to Invisalign.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?

When you remove your aligners, rinse them off right away to avoid bacterial accumulation. You can brush the aligners with a soft bristle toothbrush to get rid of debris and buildup. For extra-clean aligners, you can use the Invisalign cleaning system, including Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, which removes any lingering plaque in a short 15-minute soak. Whenever you rinse or soak your aligners, use only cool water. Hot water can warp your aligners, making them ineffective for teeth straightening.

What Is The Invisalign Process?

You’ll start with a consultation with your Gellerman Orthodontics orthodontist, Dr. Inna Gellerman. Dr. Gellerman evaluates your bite and uses a state-of-the-art 3D digital imaging system to design an optimized Invisalign treatment plan for you. You’ll get to see a step-by-step projection of your smile progression before you get started!

Next, your custom fitted Invisalign aligners are made in the Invisalign laboratory. When your aligners are ready, you’ll come into Gellerman Orthodontics so Dr. Gellerman can double check the fit and ensure that you’re comfortable. If you need Invisalign attachments, Dr. Gellerman will apply them at the appropriate time.

During the course of your Invisalign treatment, you’ll wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Depending on your Invisalign plan, you’ll change to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks. Every new set of aligners shifts your teeth a bit more, bringing you continually closer to your ideal smile.

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Invisalign attachments, also known as Invisalign SmartForce attachments, are tiny pieces of dental bonding material that Dr. Gellerman attaches to the front of your teeth. The attachments are nearly invisible since they’re the same shade as your natural teeth. The attachments act like small handles, giving your Invisalign aligners the traction they need to shift your teeth in an ideal way. Although not everyone needs attachments, they’re very beneficial for patients who need moderate to major teeth shifting. With Invisalign attachments, you can straighten your teeth invisibly, even if you have complex orthodontic needs.

What Happens When I’m Done With My Invisalign Treatment?

After your Invisalign treatment, you may need to wear refinement aligners. These extra aligners focus on shifting any teeth that didn’t move quite enough during your initial treatment phase. Once you’re done with aligners, Dr. Gellerman can remove attachments from your teeth if you have them, and you can get your new retainer. Your Invisalign Vivera retainer is clear, just like the aligners are. As with the aligners, you’ll wear the retainer nearly full time at first. Then, over time, you’ll and gradually taper your retainer wear time under Dr. Gellerman’s direction. Eventually, you’ll just wear the retainer while you sleep.

How Long Will My Invisalign Treatment Last?

It can vary from one patient to another, based on the complexity of the case and your specific bite problems. The average wear time is around 12-18 months, but you might need Invisalign for more or less time than that. While it takes some time for the final results, you might see some changes quite quickly. Some Invisalign patients notice an improvement in their bite in just weeks.

Can I Eat With My Invisalign Aligners?

You should always remove your Invisalign aligners when you eat and drink. Food and liquid can stain or warp your aligners, and you could damage your aligners if you wear them while chewing. Being able to remove your aligners for eating is actually one of the big advantages of Invisalign. Metal braces wearers have to avoid foods like popcorn, corn on the cob, and sticky sweets, but with Invisalign you can keep eating all the things you love without worry!

Reach out by phone or online to book your Invisalign consultation at Gellerman Orthodontics now!