Your Okotoks Invisalign® Provider
If you’re considering straightening your smile with Invisalign clear aligners, you may be wondering if you’ll get the value you deserve and if the cost is worth it. Today, our Okotoks dentists explain what you may want to take into account when thinking about choosing aligners.
What are clear aligners?
Treatment with Invisalign clear aligners consists of a series of clear, custom-made aligners that you wear on your teeth and change about every 2 weeks. Each set of removable, custom-made clear aligners gradually adjusts your teeth in tiny increments.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
One advantage of Invisalign clear aligners is that you can remove them to brush your teeth, eat and drink.
Clear aligners can resolve a number of problems such as bite issues, crowding, and misalignment of teeth. This treatment option is popular with both adults and teenagers due to its discreet appearance. Plus, for busy teens and adults, the fact that there are no dietary restrictions is a bonus.
Some patients also appreciate that typically you require fewer trips to the dentist with clear aligners than with traditional metal braces.
How much do clear aligners cost?
A few factors will determine the cost of your clear aligners:
- Your location and average prices for clear aligners
- Your oral health requirements and how much work you will need
- Any coverage you can get through an insurance plan
Depending on your circumstances, the cost of clear aligners is typically similar to the cost of braces.
How long will my treatment last?
Investing in improving your smile with Invisalign clear aligners means you have to commit to following your treatment process so you can enjoy a straighter smile in the future. Only your dentist can determine your specific needs and therefore the duration of your treatment. Factors that could impact your treatment time include:
- The number of aligners in your series
- The severity of your misalignment
- Your compliance with your custom treatment plan
Provided you follow the treatment plan exactly as prescribed, clear aligners can help improve your smile and straighten your teeth. If you know how many aligners are in your series, you can find out how long your treatment will take by doing some simple math.
On average, treatment with Invisalign takes 12 - 18 months to complete, but most patients begin to see results around the 4- to 6-week mark.
You may want to take a photo of your smile each week so that you can get a good idea of how much your teeth are moving, and thus the value your clear aligners are bringing to your smile - and your oral health.