Invisalign Clear Aligners – Edison, NJ
A Clear Way to a Straighter Smile
If the journey to a straight smile means wearing gaudy metal braces, you might be hesitant to move forward with orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, we offer our patients in Edison an alternative: Invisalign! This option will straighten your teeth without “metal mouth,” and the average treatment timeline is shorter (two of the many benefits of this teeth-straightening service). We at Edison Prosthodontics are happy to share the details with you, so don’t hesitate to read on to learn more or book a visit with Dr. Vrajesh Shah!
Why Choose Edison Prosthodontics for Invisalign Clear Aligners?
- Custom-Tailored Treatment Plan
- Great for Teens & Adults Alike
- 3Shape Trios 5 Digital Impression System
How Invisalign Works
In the end, Invisalign is much less involved than metal braces. It consists of clear, plastic trays worn in a series. These “aligners” act upon your teeth with micro-movements, slowly shifting the pearly whites into place. You would wear each set for 20-22 hours daily over a few weeks (anything less will lead to treatment delays). In doing so, you’d get ideal results in only 12-18 months. That’s a fairly short time to reach a straight and balanced smile!
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Living with dental alignment issues can be quite difficult. An improper bite can lead to complications such as dental injuries, oral infections, chronic pain, and TMJ issues that significantly detract from the joy of life. The good news is that Invisalign treatments at our Edison office can rearrange your teeth into more optimal positions, creating a healthier and more beautiful smile that is easier to care for. Here’s a brief overview of a few of the alignment issues Invisalign clear aligners can address.
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth are crammed into too small a space in your gums, they can be more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay, gum disease, difficulty eating, and chronic pain. This is because crowded teeth overlap one another, making it hard to reach between them to clean away bacteria, food residue, plaque, and tartar. Unfortunately, many people find that their dental crowding gets worse with age. Invisalign clear aligners can gradually shift teeth so that they sit flush next to one another, making it easier to brush, floss, and eat efficiently and comfortably. A well-aligned smile can also significantly bolster a patient’s confidence.
Gaps Between Teeth
Many people have gaps between their teeth for reasons like natural bone development, small teeth, and large jawbones. In some cases, these spaces can result from thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habits in childhood. Using orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign to close these gaps can reduce the risk of bacterial accumulation, tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues. However, these gaps can sometimes also be addressed with cosmetic bonding.
Overbite
An overbite is an alignment issue characterized by the top teeth jutting out too far over the lower teeth, and it can lead to jaw pain, speech difficulties, uneven tooth wear, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. This problem can also put the teeth in an exposed and vulnerable position, putting them at a greater risk of injury.
Underbite
An underbite happens when the bottom teeth protrude past the top teeth or meet them evenly when you close your mouth, and it usually results from genetics, oral trauma, tumors, or childhood habits such as thumb-sucking or extended pacifier use. An untreated underbite can cause issues such as a greater likelihood of sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and problems with chewing and speaking. Treating an underbite with Invisalign usually requires the use of rubber bands and other appliances in addition to clear aligners to gradually rearrange the teeth into a better position. While it’s easier to treat an underbite in a younger patient, it is still important for adults to address it.
Crossbite
Crossbites involve the bottom teeth being positioned slightly in front of the upper teeth and can be caused by genetics, poor oral habits, or the baby teeth being lost prematurely. While Invisalign clear aligners can usually address this issue, it may be necessary to accompany the treatment with elastics and other accessories to reposition the jaw. An unaddressed crossbite can lead to long-term consequences such as a greater likelihood of oral infections, jaw pain, difficulty speaking, headaches, teeth grinding, and facial asymmetry as well as diminished self-confidence.
Open Bite
Open bites happen when the top and bottom teeth do not overlap or touch when the mouth is closed and can result from poor bone development or extended thumb or pacifier-sucking as a child. This issue can make it difficult to pronounce certain words and can lead to excessive wear on the back teeth, making them more likely to be damaged. Invisalign can help the top and bottom teeth meet properly, creating a more beautiful smile that is less likely to be injured.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Compared to metal braces, Invisalign has many great benefits. The most common upsides include:
- Discreet Treatment – Instead of brackets and wires, your Invisalign trays will use clear plastic. They won’t draw any unwanted attention to your grin.
- High Convenience – Invisalign won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile, there are fewer check-in visits, and the aligners are comfortable!
- Better Oral Hygiene – Invisalign trays let you brush and floss normally. In other words, they’ll allow you to maintain better oral hygiene than metal braces would.
- No Dietary Restrictions – Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t have to worry about breaking a bracket or wire. So, you can enjoy a well-balanced, varied diet!
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign varies. After all, no two smiles are the same! While one patient may be dealing with minor spacing issues, the next might have some moderate crowding. This affects the number of aligners needed, if single-arch treatment is possible, if any orthodontic accessories need to be added, and the like. In short, if you’re interested in getting an estimate of the cost, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with us.
