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WHEN INVISALIGN
MAKES
A
BETTER
DENTAL TREATMENT
FOR YOU
A publication of
Contents
Introduction3
What is Invisalign?4
How is Invisalign technology different 6
from braces?
How do Invisalign vs braces compare?8
What is the cost of Invisalign vs braces? 10
Are you a candidate for Invisalign?13
Your referral is our greatest compliment! 17
Introduction
Nearly 4 million people in the
U.S. wear braces, according to
Humana. While straightening your
teeth was once a rare treatment
for severe dental problems, today
it has become more mainstream
even for simply a better smile.
From an orthodontist’s
perspective, straight teeth help us
achieve optimal health, which is
likely one of your goals too. When
they leave your gums exposed,
crooked or misaligned teeth can
lead to:
You might question whether
improving your smile warrants
getting Invisalign or braces. But
the underlying need is not really
as simple as a better smile. When
you reveal your beautiful smile
uninhibited, you radiate
confidence.
• One decayed tooth after
another (it’s a domino effect
if left untreated)
• Tooth loss
• Gum disease
• Other health risks (like heart
disease, which has been linked
to gum disease)
And confidence helps you
make and achieve goals.
By straightening your teeth, your
orthodontist aims to prevent
other problems that could
inhibit your health.
Clearly, straight teeth play a major role
in our physical and emotional health!
What is Invisalign?
So when you or
your kids get
diagnosed with
a need for
dental treatment
to straighten teeth,
is Invisalign vs Braces
a better choice?
What is Invisalign?
First used on dental patients in 2000, Invisalign is a series of clear,
BPA-free plastic trays worn over your teeth to gently move them into
place and straighten them.
With the help of X-rays, pictures, impressions and a 3-D image, an
orthodontist will tailor aligner trays to your teeth. Each aligner tray will
gradually move your teeth to the next desired position in your treatment
plan.
At the end of your treatment, your teeth will be at their final destination—
reflecting a brighter smile and better health.
How is Invisalign
technology different
from braces?
How is Invisalign technology different
from braces?
Dental braces, on the other hand, straighten your teeth using a system
of brackets glued to your teeth and tied together by metal wires and tiny
rubber bands. Traditional braces are made from stainless steel, but now
you can get colored bands to make a fashion statement.
Lingual braces use the traditional wires and brackets but they are installed
on the inside of your teeth, making them less visible. This option costs
more and the braces tend to be more difficult to keep clean.
Ceramic braces provide a subtler treatment, since they more closely
match your enamel color.
Both braces and Invisalign were developed as teeth-straightening
treatments. Orthodontists have successfully treated many patients
with braces.
Because patients have only been using Invisalign since the year 2000, it’s
too soon to determine a success rate. Plus, with Invisalign, the success
depends on the patient’s commitment to wearing the aligner trays, which
may make the success rate deceivingly lower.
Upgrade to the Clear Choice @ happytoothnc.com/upgrade
How do Invisalign vs.
braces compare?
How do Invisalign vs. braces compare?
So what are the pros and cons and other differences to note when comparing
Invisalign vs braces? This comparison chart will give it to you straight!
INVISALIGN
BRACES
Appearance
Clear, nearly invisible, removable
Typically silver (metal), can pay
more for ceramic, irremovable
Treatment Time
22-24 hrs/day for 6 to 18
months on average
24/7 for an average of 2 years
Maintenance
Invisalign Cleaning system, or
brushing and rinsing trays in
luke-warm water
Brush brackets and wires
regularly while brushing teeth;
water pick may be helpful
Follow-up Visits
Every 4 to 6 weeks
Monthly
Positioner or retainer likely
Follow-up Treatment needed ongoing, maybe only
at night
• Invisible
• Removable
• No issues with food getting
Pros
caught
• No difficulty eating
• No discomfort from wires
Positioner or retainer likely
needed ongoing, maybe only
at night
• More effective for more
complex issues
• No temptation to leave them
out
Cons
• May have discomfort from
• May have pain, sores or
tooth movement
discomfort from wires,
• Must remove before eating
brackets or tooth movement
or drinking anything but water • May have some tooth
• Must brush after each meal
discoloration or breakage
to avoid staining
• May have difficulty eating
sticky, hard foods
Cost
Average of $5,000
$1,800-$5,500
Upgrade to the Clear Choice @ happytoothnc.com/upgrade
What is the cost of
Invisalign vs. braces?
What is the cost of
Invisalign vs. braces?
HOW
MUCH
?
While the average cost of Invisalign might
make your heart sink just as you think
you’ve found your perfect solution,
don’t let that deter you.
Remember that this is an average cost. Your cost will depend on the severity of
your case (and the number of aligner trays needed) and your commitment to
wearing the trays. Plus, providers are working to make Invisalign more affordable.
1) INVISALIGN TEEN
The Invisalign Teen treatment offers new features such as:
• Compliance indicators that fade from blue to clear, revealing actual
wear time.
• New design to accommodate canines, second premolars and second
and third molar teeth.
• 6 free individual replacement aligner trays (to cover lost or misplaced
trays).
2) INVISALIGN ONLINE
You may use this Invisalign calculator to help
determine out-of-pocket costs and payments.
CLICK
HERE
3) DENTAL CARE PROVIDERS
More specifically, your dentist or orthodontist should be able to give you an
estimated cost for Invisalign treatment and even help you determine what
your insurance will cover. Dental providers in North Carolina like The Happy
Tooth offer payment plans to make your Invisalign treatment more affordable.
4) INSURANCE COVERAGE
Because it is categorized as an “orthodontic” treatment, about 25% of
Invisalign patients receive insurance compensation of over $500 on average,
according to the November 2010 Invisalign Patient Survey.
5) FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT EXPENSE
Also because it’s an orthodontic treatment, Invisalign qualifies for reimbursement
under a flexible spending account (FSA) offered by your employer. This
allows you to plan ahead and put aside pre-tax money to pay for your
treatment.
Are you a candidate
for Invisalign?
Are you a candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign may be the perfect
teeth-straightening solution for
you if you:
• want to straighten your teeth
discretely.
• play contact sports where
metal wires could cause injuries
to your mouth.
• don’t want to avoid harder or
stickier foods.
• have the self-discipline to wear
the aligner trays.
Keep in mind that orthodontists
typically use Invisalign as a
treatment to straighten crooked
or misaligned teeth.
Braces may be more effective for
patients with bridgework or back
tooth bite issues, as well as patients
needing to rotate canines or premolars or to move teeth vertically.
Upgrade to the Clear Choice @ happytoothnc.com/upgrade
If you simply need to straighten your
teeth or bite, Invisalign offers
appealing advantages.
• Especially for teens or older adults
who may feel self-conscious or
less confident with braces,
Invisalign fixes your smile subtly
and without trapping food.
• Invisalign allows you to eat, drink,
brush and floss normally (simply
remove your trays first).
• Invisalign offers a more
comfortable option for athletes.
• Invisalign saves you time spent at
follow-up orthodontic
appointments and daily cleaning.
For more details about how Invisalign
works, watch this Invisalign video.
But ultimately, your dentist or
orthodontist can best advise you
whether Invisalign vs braces is the
best solution for your individual case.
If both are options, you have the
luxury of choosing!
When you or your child needs
straighter teeth or a corrected bite,
your overall health is at stake. You
can’t eat healthily if your teeth aren’t
healthy, after all!
At The Happy Tooth, you will find a
staff of dentists, as well as
orthodontic specialists who are all
members of American Association
of Orthodontists.
So if your dental needs turn into
orthodontic needs, you can get the
same professional and personal care
under the same roof!
And to make your choice even easier,
we offer a complimentary new
patient consultation so you can get
to know us before your first
appointment.
Whether Invisalign vs braces is the
best solution for you, The Happy
Tooth is equipped to make your
treatment pleasant, affordable and
successful. After all, your smile is
the key to your confidence, health
and happiness!
Need financing? Financial consideration should not be an obstacle to
obtaining a beautiful smile! Learn about our finance options here >>
RESOURCES USED TO CREATE THIS E-BOOK:
Happytoothnc.com
Invisalign.com
Dental Braces: Facts and Benefits
Types of Braces
A publication of
Your referral is our
greatest compliment.
If you have a friend or family member who could
benefit from braces or Invisalign, pass this ebook
along. You can share your smile by paying it forward!
Education is the first step to quality oral health.
Remember, straighter teeth means better physical
and emotional health.
So share this ebook. Together, we’ll help your friends
and family smile, too!
SHARE THIS EBOOK