Dr. Zeeny Teja is a Preferred Provider for Invisalign in the Seattle, WA communities.
Invisalign is a way to straighten teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners. Each set of clear aligners is worn for two weeks, being removed only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As each aligner is replaced with the next in the series, teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position prescribed by the orthodontist. Office visits are scheduled about once every six weeks to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from patient to patient.
Invisalign Teen is the newest Invisalign product, and is being used very effectively for some teen cases. Contact our office to schedule a Complimentary New Patient Appointment to see if you are a candidate for this treatment option.
What are the primary benefits of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?
- Invisalign aligners are practically clear so they are difficult to see.
- Invisalign aligners are removable. (especially nice for Invisalign Teen patients if they have senior pictures or a prom to go to.)
- There are no dietary restrictions (except highly refined sugar and carbonated beverages), as the aligners can be removed for eating and drinking.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene is much easier because the aligners can be removed to brush and floss! (This is our favorite benefit.)
How do I get started?
Visit our office for a Complimentary Initial Exam to see if you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign treatment. The next step would involve gathering diagnostic records: x-rays and impressions. Dr. Teja then works with Invisalign to develop a satisfactory treatment plan using 3D computer imaging technology. Your Invisalign Clincheck will be ready for you to review with Dr. Teja in about 2-3 weeks, after she has worked closely with the Invisalign team to achieve an acceptable result. Once the Clincheck is approved, custom-made aligners are manufactured by Invisalign (10 – 14 days). An appointment is scheduled to deliver the aligners, and you are on your way to a Beautiful smile.
FAQ:
- What do aligners look like?
- How often will I have to wear my aligners?
- What is the best way to clean my aligners?
- Will wearing Invisalign aligners affect my speech?
- How much does Invisalign cost?
- Does insurance cover Invisalign
- I am currently wearing braces. Can I make the switch to Invisalign?
- Can young children wear Invisalign Teen?
- How often must I wear my aligners? What happens if I don't wear my aligners for that many hours in the day?
- Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
- Since having my braces removed, my teeth have shifted. Can Invisalign correct this?
- Why do dogs love retainers?
- Is there a difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?
- What is the replacement cost of an aligner?
- What are the “knobs” on the aligners used for on Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?
- Do Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
1. What do aligners look like?
The virtually invisible aligners, which are made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan, look similar to tooth-whitening trays. Invisalign aligners are custom-made especially for you, to move your teeth in the sequence determined by your doctor.
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2. How often will I have to wear my aligners?
Invisalign only works while you're wearing the aligners. It's recommended that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night, except to eat, brush, and floss your teeth. This means they will typically be in your mouth 20-22hours a day for the most effective movement of the teeth.
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3. Will wearing Invisalign aligners affect my speech?
Some people are affected more than others, but most adjust in a short period of time to the feeling of the aligners and do not have permanent changes in their speech.
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4. What is the best way to clean my aligners?
Invisalign offers an Invisalign Cleaning Kit that you can purchase from their website. We have found that many patients have had success in using a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean their aligners. Never use hot water on any Invisalign aligner or any retainer.
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5. How much does Invisalign cost?
We know cost is a big question for anyone considering orthodontic work. Each orthodontic case is unique. Several factors affect the cost of any orthodontic treatment, for example, the complexity of the issues that need to be corrected and the length of your treatment plan. Dr. Teja takes a highly supervised approach to every patient’s treatment plan; Invisalign cases are no exception. With this approach, corrections can be made in a timely manner, in order to reduce problems. She wants you to have a beautiful smile but equally importantly, a functional bite which can last you a lifetime. At our Complimentary Initial Exam, you will walk out of our office knowing your treatment cost, and the estimated length of treatment.
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6. Does insurance cover Invisalign?
Any insurance plan that covers orthodontics should cover Invisalign.
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7. I am currently wearing braces. Can I make the switch to Invisalign?
Dr. Teja has treated some cases with a combination of braces and Invisalign but to switch treatment would result in a cost adjustment to your orthodontic investment, due to the Invisalign fees. Each case is assessed on its merit.
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8. Can young children wear Invisalign Teen?
As with adults, each child’s malocclusion needs to be evaluated for its suitability for treatment with Invisalign Teen. Every child is unique, and because the aligners are removable and can more easily be lost or broken, a child’s maturity can be a factor in determining if they are responsible enough to take exceptional care of the aligners. The child also would have to be diligent enough to wear their aligners 20-22 hours a day. For each aligner that is lost, treatment time is prolonged and replacement costs may be assessed.
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9. How often must I wear my aligners? What happens if I don't wear my aligners for that many hours in the day?
Aligners are most effective if worn 20 to 22 hours per day. By not wearing aligners as prescribed, treatment time will be extended and predicted treatment outcomes may not be achieved. Each time the aligner is left out of the mouth for an extended period of time, teeth may begin to shift, losing the correction that has been obtained.
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10. Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
All orthodontic patients, (in fact EVERYONE!), should limit their frequency and intake of highly refined sugars and carbonated beverages, to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, due to the removable nature of the aligners, dietary restrictions for Invisalign patients are less stringent than for patients undergoing conventional orthodontic treatment. In fact, you're required to remove your aligners to eat and drink. Additionally, it is important to brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain fresh breath and proper hygiene.
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11. Since having my braces removed, my teeth have shifted. Can Invisalign correct this?
A number of Invisalign patients have undergone previous treatment involving conventional braces at some point in their past, often during their youth. Invisalign can usually correct the shifting that occurs after braces, and is a wonderful way to recapture good alignment, provided that the relapse is not too severe.
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12. Why do dogs love retainers?
Dogs have a strong sense of smell so they are attracted to the Invisalign retainers because they smell like you! Keep those retainers far away from those darling dogs because they will chew on them.
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13. Is there a difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?
Invisalign teen is designed to work with the developing dentition and has special features for accommodating partially or unerupted permanent teeth. There is also a hidden feature that helps assess compliance with wear!!
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14. What is the replacement cost of an aligner?
This depends on charges assessed by Invisalign, and the need for impressions. A range of $ 25.00 to $ 75.00 should be expected.
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15. What are the “knobs” on the aligners used for on Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?
“Attachments” are prescribed by Invisalign in order to accomplish certain tooth movements. These are bonded to the specified teeth using tooth colored material and are therefore not very noticeable. Not all patients require attachments.
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16. Do Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
No. Invisalign aligners and retainers do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers. The aligners and retainers are made with USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any medical device, you should consult with your health professional about your aligner or retainer treatment and any applicable risks of use.
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Please visit the Invisalign web site for more information.
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