Invisalign® – Brampton, ON
Improving Oral Health and Beautifying Grins Without the Hassle of Metal
Do you feel like people that you’re engaging in conversations with are focusing on your crooked teeth rather than what you have to say? Not only can this cause your self-esteem and confidence to take a massive hit, but it can also dissuade you from putting yourself out there and meeting new people. Up until a couple of decades ago, the only orthodontic treatment that people could get was traditional metal braces. While it’s a perfectly fine solution for some, the thought of having a mouthful of metal wires and brackets as an adult doesn’t sit well with you. How are you supposed to maintain your professional image? Will people stop to comment on your orthodontic appliance? One thing is for sure, it’s that you’d rather not deal with having metal in your mouth. When you visit Salvaggio Dentistry, you won’t have to because we offer Invisalign clear braces!
Why Choose Salvaggio Dental For Invisalign?
- Custom-Tailored Orthodontic Treatments
- Experienced Team of Dentists
- Convenient and Flexible Office Hours
The Invisalign Process
The first step to take to start your Invisalign journey is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Salvaggio . We will start by examining your teeth and gums and taking digital impressions and images of your mouth and facial structure. This will allow us to form a customized treatment timeline to straighten your teeth and fix any other orthodontic issues, like bite problems. We’ll then collect all of our information and send it off to our Invisalign laboratory so they can custom-craft your aligners.
When your first set of aligners arrives at our office, we’ll schedule an appointment to show you how to take care of them. You’ll wear each pair for about two weeks at a time for at least 22 hours every day. The only moments that you’ll have them out of your mouth are when you’re eating, drinking anything besides water, or brushing and flossing your teeth. During your adjustment period, you may forget to put them back in your mouth, which is why it’s always a good idea to set a reminder on your phone to build good habits. Every six to eight weeks, we’ll call you in for checkups, or progress reports. These are short 15 to 30-minute visits where we’ll make sure you’re on the right track and give you your new set of aligners.
Invisalign Teen
Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a clear alternative to traditional braces among adults and teens alike. These clear aligners are considered much more comfortable and discreet than standard orthodontics, regardless of when you undergo treatment.
However, some youths struggle to stick to the recommended wear time required for this service to be effective. Thankfully, Invisalign Teen is designed specifically to help them stick to their treatment plan. Continue reading to learn more about this option, and please don’t hesitate to contact us for additional information.
How is Invisalign Teen Different?
The clear plastic trays of Invisalign Teen are designed to fit snugly over your child’s arches to apply enough force to gently shift their teeth over a designated period. Because they are removable, it’s essential that your teen wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent their teeth from reverting to their previous positions. Then, after a week or two, they’ll need to switch to the next pair of aligners in their series to account for the ongoing movement.
Invisalign Teen is created with little blue dots on the trays that fade over time, letting your child know when it’s time to change them out. This can help them remain on track to complete their treatment within the anticipated timeframe.
Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?
Invisalign Teen can potentially help any youth straighten their smile to improve their confidence and dental health. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right solution to meet everyone’s unique needs. If you’re wondering whether it’s the best option for your child, the only way to know for sure is to schedule a consultation appointment at our office in Brampton. Dr. Salvaggio will examine your teen’s mouth to verify if it’s a feasible solution to meet their needs. For instance, if your child has a more severe bite misalignment, Invisalign Teen might not be the most effective method to correct it.
Our team will also ensure that no pre-existing issues, like cavities or gum disease, interfere with the results. If we find any areas of concern, we will treat those before proceeding.
The Benefits of Invisalign Teen
There are many unique advantages for patients using Invisalign Teen, including:
- Preserves oral health. It’s easier to maintain a twice-daily dental hygiene routine with removable trays than traditional braces, which prevents tooth decay and periodontal problems.
- Improved appearance. The transparent aligners allow your teen’s teeth to shine through, so they don’t feel as self-conscious about their looks as with standard orthodontics. They’ll be smiling confidently for every yearbook photo!
- Adherence to guidelines. The little blue dots fade when it’s time for your teen to switch to their new trays, helping them stay on track with their treatment timeline.
- Faster follow-ups. They’ll need to visit Dr. Salvaggio periodically to ensure their teeth are shifting as anticipated. These visits can be as brief as 15-30 minutes and don’t I involve making painful adjustments to wires bonded to their teeth. That means they’ll miss less school, which can improve their grades.
Benefits of Choosing Invisalign
Patients typically choose Invisalign treatment instead of metal braces because aligners offer unique benefits, such as:
- Discreet: The primary reason why adults and teens choose Invisalign is because they’re made from a practically unnoticeable clear plastic, allowing you to be more confident while undergoing treatment.
- Keep Eating Your Favorite Foods: With metal brackets and wires, you have to stop eating certain foods because it could break your appliance. With Invisalign, all you have to do is to your aligners out before you enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks.
- Easy to Clean: Instead of maneuvering around brackets and wires, to brush and floss your teeth with Invisalign, you just have to take them out beforehand! To sanitize your trays, simply brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap daily.
- Shorter Average Treatment Times: If you were to get metal braces, you may have to wear them for over two years. With Invisalign, the average treatment time is shorter, allowing you to enjoy your improved smile sooner.
- More Comfortable: Invisalign aligners are crafted from a smooth, FDA-approved plastic that doesn’t rub against your oral tissues and cause irritation.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
If you’re curious what day-to-day life with Invisalign is like, we have some good news: it will look a lot like your existing routine! That’s because the aligners are clear, custom-made, and removable, which makes the teeth-straightening process pretty hassle-free. That said, a slight adjustment period is normal, so we’re sharing some information here to help.
Wearing Your Trays
In order to stay on-track with your treatment plan, you need to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day. The easiest way to accomplish this goal day after day is by finding a routine that works for you and sticking to it. For example, you can dedicate 30 minutes to breakfast, 30 minutes to lunch, 60 minutes to dinner, and another 10 minutes to oral hygiene throughout the day. Using the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time will help immensely!
Cleaning Your Aligners
Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is crucial. If you don’t, then stains will quickly surface and your chances of developing common oral health problems, like tooth decay, will increase. So, make sure that you clean them each morning and evening with a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean, cool water, and mild, clear dishwashing liquid. Soaking them daily in a dentist-recommended clear aligner solution will also help prevent stains and odor from developing.
Eating & Drinking
Eating and drinking with Invisalign is really easy because the aligners are removable. So, there’s basically only one rule: you need to take your aligners off beforehand (with the exception of water). When you take them off, rinse them with clean, cool water to remove saliva and other debris from the surface. Then, gently place them in their designated storage case to reduce the chances of them accidentally getting misplaced or damaged.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
In both situations, it’s important to contact our Brampton dental team right away. That way, we can quickly determine what the next best steps are, reducing the chances of unwanted treatment plan delays in the process.
Tip: If you lose your aligners, make sure to look in “random” places when re-tracing your steps. There’s a good chance they fell into the waste bin, are in the center console of your car, or somewhere else unexpected.
Routine Check-Ins
Your routine check-in visits are crucial because they allow us to continuously monitor how your teeth are responding to the aligners. If everything is progressing as anticipated, then we will answer any questions you have before giving you your next batch of trays and scheduling your next appointment. If something is wrong, like one of your teeth isn’t moving, then we can adjust your treatment plan slightly to get you back on track.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Invisalign is a versatile orthodontic treatment specifically designed to address a wide range of dental alignment issues. At Salvaggio Dentistry, our team customizes each orthodontic treatment to meet the needs of every patient. Whether you have mild or moderate issues with your bite or tooth alignment, Invisalign can help straighten them discreetly. If you’re interested in how this excellent orthodontic system can help you, continue reading below. Once you’re ready for your smile transformation, reach out to us to schedule your consultation!
Crowded Teeth
Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space in your mouth for all of your pearly whites to fit properly. This can lead to overlapping, twisted, and misaligned teeth, making it harder to perform oral hygiene and increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign aligners gently shift crowded teeth into evenly spaced positions, creating a healthier, more aligned smile without the discomfort of metal braces.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between teeth, also known as diastemas, can affect the appearance of your smile and allow food to easily become trapped in the spaces, leading to greater risk of oral health issues. Invisalign works to close these gaps by gradually moving your teeth closer together. With consistent wear, Invisalign can help you achieve a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing smile, reducing the risk of dental issues and boosting your confidence!
Overbite
An overbite is what happens when your upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth more than they should. This misalignment can lead to excessive wear on your enamel, jaw pain, and even speech issues. Invisalign aligners can correct an overbite with the help of SmartForce attachments and elastics by moving your upper teeth back into a more balanced position, improving both function and appearance.
Underbite
If your lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth, it’s called an underbite. This issue is often genetic and can interfere with chewing, speaking, and even increase your risk of sleep apnea. It may also cause the teeth to wear down unevenly over time. Luckily, Invisalign is an effective solution for many underbite cases. It uses custom aligners to shift the lower teeth back or the upper teeth forward to prevent long-term damage.
Crossbite
A crossbite often occurs as a result of losing baby teeth prematurely. This causes some of your upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than on the outside. This misalignment can cause tooth wear, gum recession, and even bone loss over time. Invisalign aligners help realign the teeth by gradually shifting them outward and in line with the bottom teeth, reducing the risk of long-term complications.
Open Bite
An open bite is a condition where your upper and lower teeth don’t meet when your mouth is closed, creating a gap. This can make biting and chewing difficult, affect speech patterns, and cause back teeth to crack or chip more frequently. Invisalign can correct an open bite by guiding your teeth and jaw into proper alignment, allowing for better function and a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign isn’t the same across the board because there are so many factors that need to be considered, including how many aligners need to be made. That said, you don’t have to worry – we will provide you with an estimate of the price upfront and review the financial solutions available to help make it more affordable at your consultation. You can also read on to learn more!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
At your consultation, our Brampton dental team will complete a comprehensive oral exam to determine:
- If any preliminary treatments are needed
- How severe or complex your case of misalignment is
- If single-arch treatment is possible
- How many aligners need to be made
- If rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories are needed
Once they have all of this information, they can begin working on your custom treatment plan and provide you with a price estimate.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
If you’ve seen the advertisements for mail-order aligners on social media, then you know that most of their messaging focuses on the lower upfront cost. While Invisalign typically does require a higher investment, there’s a good reason for that. In fact, there are several! While mail-order alternatives usually skip the initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t have a licensed dental professional overseeing the treatment process, we always begin with a consultation, take highly detailed impressions, and handle everything from the first appointment to the creation of your retainer.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
If you have dental insurance, you’ll be happy to hear that we accept and file claims for most providers! At your consultation, we can even answer any questions you have so there aren’t any unwanted surprises along the way. If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry – there are other ways to make the cost of Invisalign more affordable.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Then ask us about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is a federal government program that offers coverage to Canadians who have an adjusted household net income below $90,000 a year and are unable to obtain dental benefits. You can also apply for low-interest financing through DentalCard to avoid a significant strain on your finances.
If you have any questions for us about the cost of Invisalign or you’d like to get an estimate of your orthodontic treatment, it’s time to take the next step: schedule a consultation at our office!
Invisalign FAQs
From orthodontic problems that Invisalign can fix to an overview of the treatment process, we’ve covered a lot of information about Invisalign in Brampton right here. If you’d like to learn more about this treatment – from what to do if one of your aligners breaks to what happens after you’ve worked through your series of aligners – then read on!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Let’s start with one of the most common questions: does Invisalign hurt? If this has been a concern of yours, then you’ll be happy to know that the clear aligners are crafted from smooth plastic, which makes them quite comfortable. Plus, any discomfort you feel from the pressure of your teeth being guided into their properly aligned positions can be combated by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, avoiding crunchy foods, and sipping on cold water.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Many patients are so focused on their clear aligner treatment that they completely forget about what the next step is: retainers. Fortunately, these orthodontic appliances are more discreet and comfortable than ever before, which makes wearing them significantly easier. By committing to wearing them nightly, you can help reduce your chances of experiencing orthodontic relapse (the phenomenon where your teeth begin to drift back into their previous positions). Since roughly 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse to some degree within 10 years of completing their treatment, it’s important to make wearing your retainer a lifelong best practice!
What if My Invisalign Broke?
If you’ve broken an aligner, the next step is simple: call our team. Once we take a look at your treatment plan, we can determine if you should go back to your previous tray, move onto your next one, or come in so we can get a replacement made.
Note: do NOT use superglue or other household items to “repair” your aligners. These products contain toxins that are not safe to ingest, and damaged aligners cannot properly guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions.
Is Invisalign Cheaper than Braces?
In short, there’s no flat fee for traditional braces or Invisalign; each treatment plan is 100% customized to the patient’s dental needs. If you’re interested in learning more about the cost of each of these orthodontic treatments, then we encourage you to schedule a consultation. That way, we can provide you with an accurate estimate, taking into account important factors like the severity of your misalignment.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Fortunately, you can clean your Invisalign aligners in a few easy steps. After rinsing your trays with room-temperature water, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean each surface. Then, rinse it again and you’ll be all set!
If your aligners are turning yellow or you simply want to give them a deeper clean, you can use the cleaning crystals that came with your welcome kit. To do so, simply place a packet of them in some warm water and carefully place your aligners in the mixture. Gently shake the cup or glass to dissolve the crystals and allow them to soak for 15 minutes. After that, you can rinse your aligners, and they’ll be clean!