It’s never too late to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Adults with crooked or awkwardly spaced front teeth now have a fast, comfortable, and convenient orthodontic solution: Invisalign® clear aligners. With this innovative orthodontic treatment, we can discreetly realign teeth to create beautiful, healthy smiles, all without interfering with your day-to-day life. To get started, contact us today.
Why Choose S. John Salivonchik, D.M.D., P.C. for Invisalign®?
Always custom-designed to ensure a comfortable fit
Discreet appearance no one will notice
Often able to straighten teeth faster than metal braces
How Invisalign® Works
As an Invisalign-certified dentist, Dr. Salivonchik will examine your teeth and assess your orthodontic needs at your consultation. If he determines that you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, then he will create your custom treatment plan and take impressions of your teeth for the lab. After you receive your custom series of aligners, you’ll wear each pair for about two weeks until you achieve your treatment goals.
Who Can Invisalign® Help?
At your initial consultation, our Lehigh Valley cosmetic dentist will learn about your dental history, your oral health, and your smile goals in order to determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign®. That said, many patients with mild to moderate cases of common orthodontic problems, like overcrowding, are a good fit for clear aligner treatment. If you’d like to learn more on the topic before your next appointment, keep reading!
Crowded Teeth
Overcrowding is quite common, and, unfortunately, it can take a toll on the look, health, and function of your smile. That’s why we recommend coming in for an appointment! Our goal is to move your teeth into proper alignment so that your risk of oral health problems is significantly lower and your confidence is significantly higher – hopefully without the metal!
Gaps Between Teeth
Is there a significant gap between your two front teeth? If so, you might be wondering if Invisalign® can fix teeth gaps? Oftentimes, the answer is “yes,” so don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our office. If we determine that you’re a good candidate, then we can use a series of clear aligners to gently guide your teeth back together, leaving you with your dream smile.
Overbite
In addition to being able to straighten teeth, Invisalign® can correct common bite problems, like overbites. So, if your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower teeth more than they should, negatively impacting your chewing patterns, oral health, and self-esteem in the process, get in touch with us! We may be able to improve multiple aspects of your smile – from how it looks to how it functions – with clear aligners.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper ones. Not only is this orthodontic problem more noticeable, but it can make enunciating clearly and chewing properly difficult. That’s why we recommend exploring your treatment options, like Invisalign®. If you’re a good candidate, then the road to a straight, seamless smile won’t require any brackets or wires!
Crossbite
Do some of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones when you bite down? If so, you may have a crossbite, which is an orthodontic problem that can lead to everything from premature wear to low self-esteem. In fact, like many other patients, you may have developed a habit of covering your mouth when you laugh or keeping your lips closed when you smile. The good news is that Invisalign® may be the solution!
Open Bite
As you may have guessed from the name, an open bite is when there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth. Although this may not seem like an issue, even relatively minor cases can lead to premature wear and tear as well as trouble enunciating clearly. Fortunately, Invisalign® is often an option for patients with mild to moderate cases. If we determine that you’re a good candidate, then your orthodontic treatment won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.
Benefits of Invisalign®
Over two decades since its debut, patients continue to choose Invisalign®. This is largely due to the numerous benefits that the clear aligners offer, including:
It’s Easy to Maintain a Healthy Smile
With traditional braces, patients need to maneuver around the brackets and wires. Some even buy special oral hygiene products to help, like interproximal toothbrushes. Fortunately, that’s not necessary with Invisalign® because the aligners are removable. As a result, maintaining a healthy smile is significantly easier.
There Aren’t Any Dietary Restrictions
Another benefit of Invisalign®: you don’t have to abide by any strict dietary restrictions. In fact, as long as you take your aligners off before eating or drinking anything other than water, you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite foods throughout your orthodontic treatment!
The Aligners Are Metal-Free
It’s no secret that traditional braces aren’t the most comfortable. Fortunately, Invisalign® clear aligners have smooth edges and are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth perfectly. As a result, you won’t have to deal with consistent soft tissue irritation. Plus, any discomfort that does arise from the movement of your teeth can be alleviated with cold compresses, soft foods, and OTC pain medication.
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
Although there are multiple factors that need to be considered, it typically takes patients 2-3 years to achieve the results they desire with traditional braces. With Invisalign®, the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months. So, if you begin the process now, there’s a good chance that you’ll have a considerably straighter smile by this time next year!
The Aligners Are Versatile
One common misconception that patients have about Invisalign® is that the clear aligners can only correct mild spacing and crowding issues. In reality, they can address mild to moderate cases of many common orthodontic problems, including overbites and underbites. So, don’t assume that traditional braces are the only path to your dream smile!
There Are Fewer Follow-Up Visits
Whether you’re a busy parent, you’re about to start a new semester at school, or you have a demanding work schedule, you likely don’t have the time or energy to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. Fortunately, Invisalign® allows you to progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. As a result, most patients only need to visit us every 6-8 weeks.
The Aligners Are Basically Invisible
Of course, one of the most noteworthy benefits of this innovative orthodontic treatment is the fact that the aligners are basically invisible. This is a huge advantage over traditional braces, which are a bit of an eyesore. With Invisalign®, you can address overcrowding, overbites, and other common orthodontic problems without drawing unwanted attention to your smile.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign®
No two smiles are exactly the same. For that reason, we can’t provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost until we have an in-depth understanding of your dental history, needs, and goals. We can, however, share some helpful information regarding the price of Invisalign®, including if dental insurance usually covers a portion of it. So, don’t hesitate to read on if you want to learn more!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign®
During your consultation, we will determine:
The severity of your case
Whether single-arch treatment is possible
How many aligners need to be made
If rubber bands, buttons, or attachments are needed
The type of retainer that must be made
Once we know details like these, we can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of the cost of Invisalign®.
Invisalign® vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Almost always, mail-in aligners are cheaper. There are a few reasons for this, including that these companies usually bypass the initial exam and rely on DIY impressions. They often don’t hire a licensed dental professional either, resulting in patients experiencing worsened misalignment and even serious dental damage. For all of those reasons, it’s best to choose Invisalign®, even if the upfront investment is higher.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign®?
Some dental plans do include an orthodontic benefit. So, if you have dental insurance, you should definitely take the time to read through the fine print on your plan. If you need any help understanding your coverage, let us know! Our friendly and experienced team is happy to help with and file claims for any dental insurance plan that allows you to choose your care provider.
Options for Making Invisalign® Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? If that’s the case, you should consider Invisalign® financing in Lehigh Valley! We’re happy to work with CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier that offers several convenient payment plans. All you need to do is select the one that suits your budget best. Then, you can break up the total cost of your clear aligner treatment into smaller, more manageable chunks over the course of several months.
If you have any lingering questions about the cost of Invisalign®, including how to sign up for flexible financing, take the next step: schedule a consultation with Dr. Salivonchik. That way, he can determine if you’re a good candidate and, if you are, discuss the financial side of your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Need to Wear the Aligners Every Day?
If you want to stay on track with your treatment, you’ll need to wear your aligners for the prescribed
amount of time each day. You should keep your aligners in for 22 hours every day, only removing them for eating,
drinking beverages other than water, and routine oral care. Never eat with your aligners in because bits of food
or liquids can get stuck between the plastic and your teeth, allowing bacteria to cause decay. Before you place
the aligners in your mouth following a meal, always brush and floss your teeth to keep them strong and healthy
throughout treatment.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Compared to metal brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners are much gentler on your lips and cheeks. However,
it’s important to remember that, in order to shift your teeth around, there may be a little bit of
discomfort involved in the process. The good news is that it should only last a day or two every time you switch
to a new set of aligners. To help ease any mild pain you may experience, you can eat soft foods or use
over-the-counter pain medication.
How Do I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?
Even though you’ll only be wearing each pair for two weeks, you must take good care of your aligners.
Without the proper maintenance, they can collect bacteria and plaque, increasing your chances of getting
cavities and gum disease. Every morning when you wake up, be sure to rinse your aligners with warm water. After
you eat, be sure you brush and floss your teeth, so food debris isn’t left behind, before you put the
aligners back in. Before you go to bed, gently brush your aligners without toothpaste because toothpaste can be
too abrasive.
How Much Does Invisalign Treatment Cost?
No two sets of teeth are exactly the same, which means that the time it takes to realign them can vastly differ
from each other. As a result, before we provide a quote for treatment, we need to examine the current alignment
of your teeth and bite. Once we know how much work you’ll require, we can then estimate the cost of your
treatment.
Come Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted
Call our Lehigh Valley dental office today to schedule your appointment or
consultation with Dr. Salivonchik. Our practice serves the Whitehall-Coplay area, the Allentown, Bethlehem,
Easton area, the Poconos, and surrounding areas. We’re ready to provide the general, restorative and
cosmetic dentistry procedures you and your family need to maintain optimal oral health and an aesthetically
pleasing smile.
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