Invisalign is an amazing opportunity to give yourself the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted without committing to unsightly hardware for a period of months or years. It’s understandable that you might not want to get attached to the idea of discreetly correcting your smile until you’re certain you qualify for Invisalign, but there’s good news: because Invisalign is custom fit and versatile in the issues it corrects, there’s a very good chance you’ll be a candidate for treatment. Prepare for your consultation by asking yourself a few questions to see if you’re good to go with Invisalign. Are My Teeth Straight? If you’ve already got a winning ten smile, congratulations! Unfortunately having a smile that’s already straight disqualifies you from using Invisalign. If, however, you’re living with mild to moderate alignment issues that affect the functionality or appearance of your teeth, you’re probably a good candidate for Invisalign. The treatment straightens teeth over a period of time, just as braces would but without the full metal grin that comes with normal orthodontic aligners. If you’re less than confident in your smile because of the following, chances are good you’ll qualify for Invisalign:
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Open Bite
Gap Teeth
Crowded Teeth
Severe issues may need other treatments in addition to or in place of Invisalign -- only your doctor can tell you for certain what the best plan of action is for your individual case. Conversely, if your teeth are only slightly off-center and you’d like to reap the benefits of a generally straighter smile, Invisalign is almost definitely an option barring any previous disqualifying dental work. Am I Committed to My Smile? Invisalign might look effortless, but like everything that looks easy -- from pulling off the perfect Holiday celebration to maintaining a face of flawless makeup -- there’s hard work and effort behind it. Ask yourself if you’re ready to commit to the treatment process. While every effort is made to make it as seamless and quick as possible, a great smile takes time. Depending on the issue being treated, you can expect Invisalign treatment to take 12 to 18 months to complete. You’ll be wearing your clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, switching to a new set every one to two weeks.In addition to the initial consultation and exam to make sure you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, your doctor will want to see you in the office once every four to six weeks to make sure your treatment plan is progressing as it should. Have I Had Other Dental Work Done? While having previous dental work done doesn’t necessarily preclude you from treatment with Invisalign, it’s something you need to discuss with your dentist. With all the dental work options available, from crowns and veneers to fillings and prosthetics, you’ll want to go over your personal history with your doctor to see if Invisalign is right for you. Invisalign may actually be better for patients who have had certain work because the aligners don’t require heavy duty hardware or bonding materials. In the unlikely event it’s determined that you aren’t a candidate for Invisalign, it’s because the treatment would damage the work that was done to keep your mouth as functional and healthy as possible -- but don’t fret, there are a number of ways to improve your smile that your dentist can recommend based upon your needs. Am I Ready to Book an Appointment?If you can tick this question off on your checklist, then you’re as ready as can be. Drs. Krieger and Hur are ready and waiting for your call. For your first appointment, you can expect to have your teeth evaluated for treatment. If you’re a good candidate, you’ll have your smile mapped and you’ll walk out of the office with a personalized treatment plan. We know your time is valuable and we want you to make the most of it, rather than spending all day trying to book an appointment. We’ve made use of the latest technology to get you in and out as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. You can reach us by telephone at 201-560-0606 or via e-mail. Contact us today to start your journey to a straighter smile.
