Invisalign – West Caldwell, NJ

Crowded Teeth

Like many other patients, you may be struggling with teeth that overlap. Since this can negatively impact the health, function, and look of your smile, it’s worth considering Invisalign! If we decide together that this is the best orthodontic treatment for you, then we will use a custom series of clear aligners to guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions. Not only will the process not involve any metal at all, but there is a good chance you’ll achieve the results you desire in just 12-18 months!

Gaps Between Teeth

For some patients, the gap between their teeth is a signature part of their look. For others, it’s something that makes them feel self-conscious. If you’re a part of the latter, then you’ll be happy to know that Invisalign can correct mild to moderate cases of this orthodontic problem. If that’s the case for you, then we can bring your teeth closer and closer together until they are perfectly aligned.

Overbite

Although your upper teeth are supposed to sit in front of your lower ones, several problems can arise if they jut out too far, including trouble chewing properly and enunciating clearly. If you’re struggling with this orthodontic issue and wondering if Invisalign can fix overbites, we have good news: the answer is often “yes!” So, don’t wait – schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist in West Caldwell, Dr. David Magid.

Underbite

Like the other orthodontic problems listed here, underbites can take a toll on your self-esteem, your oral health, and more. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation with us sooner rather than later! If we determine that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, then we can guide both your teeth and your bite into proper alignment with clear, comfortable, and custom-made aligners.

Crossbite

Do only a few of your upper teeth sit in front of your lower ones? If so, you may have a crossbite, which is a bite problem that can negatively impact your oral health and increase your risk of TMJ dysfunction. There is good news, though: traditional braces are no longer the only solution. If we determine that you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we can create a healthier bite with a series of clear aligners.

Open Bite

When you bite down, your upper and lower teeth should meet evenly. If they don’t, you may have an open bite. This bite problem can form for several reasons, including prolonged thumb-sucking and genetics. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to have it corrected. If your case isn’t too severe, there’s a good chance we can do so with Invisalign!

Improved Comfort

Unlike metal braces, there aren’t bulky brackets or protruding wires with Invisalign. Instead, your teeth are gradually moved into their ideal places with smooth plastic aligners that are custom-made for you. As a result, the teeth-straightening process is considerably more comfortable.

Tip: If there is a sharp edge on one of your trays, bring it to our office so we can carefully file it down. You can also place a small piece of dental wax over it to protect the soft tissue in your mouth.

Virtually Undetectable

Although effective, traditional braces are a bit of an eyesore. That’s why so many patients, including teenagers, are hesitant to pursue a straighter smile. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners are clear and have a low profile, which means that people around you will hardly notice you’re getting treatment.

Ultimate Convenience

Not only are Invisalign aligners clear and comfortable, but they are removable! So, you don’t have to worry about complicated oral hygiene regimens like you do with metal braces. Just take your trays off, rinse them with water, and gently place them in their designated case. Then, brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual.

Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods

Another noteworthy benefit of Invisalign: there aren’t strict dietary restrictions. In fact, the only rule is that you must take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, all we ask is that you don’t overindulge on sugary and starchy snacks that can negatively impact your oral health and, in turn, lead to lengthy treatment plan delays.

Tip: Always put your aligners in their designated case instead of wrapping them in a napkin or leaving them on your plate. This is a small habit that will reduce the chances of them accidentally getting misplaced or damaged significantly.

No Monthly Adjustment Appointments

In short, patients with traditional braces need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. If you’re a student, parent, or professional with a jam-packed schedule, that may not be feasible for you. The good news is that the progress visits with Invisalign are every 6-8 weeks instead. So, you’ll spend less time in the treatment chair overall!

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

If you want a straight smile for an upcoming event, like your wedding, you’ll be happy to hear that the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months. During your consultation, our West Caldwell dental team will complete a comprehensive oral exam, determine if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, and, if you are, provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline. 

Wearing Your Trays

One of the few rules with Invisalign in West Caldwell is that you need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day. Until you find a routine that works for you, we recommend using the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time. It’s also a good idea to only remove your trays when it’s absolutely necessary, like before eating or brushing your teeth.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Taking good care of your aligners is crucial, especially if you want to maintain a healthy smile and a discreet orthodontic treatment. The good news is that you don’t need to buy expensive cleaning products to do so. In fact, there’s a good chance that you already have the three things you need: clean water, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and mild dishwashing soap.

Note: Always check the temperature of the water when you’re rinsing your trays! If it’s too hot, then it will warp the plastic, rendering them virtually useless.

Eating & Drinking

Since clear aligners in West Caldwell are removable, patients don’t need to abide by the same dietary restrictions that come with traditional braces. That said, you should exercise caution with raw almonds, popcorn, tortilla chips, and other crunchy foods, especially if you have attachments. You should also limit your intake of soda, ice cream, and other sweet treats since any oral health problems that develop will bring your orthodontic treatment to a temporary stop.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Although we do our best to share helpful advice on how to prevent losing or damaging your aligners, we also understand that accidents sometimes happen. The best thing to do if you find yourself with a broken or missing tray is to call our office. That way, Dr. Magid can determine if it’s safe to move on to the next set in the series or if you should revert to the previous set while we have a replacement made.

Attending Progress Visits

In addition to coming to our office every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning, you’ll need to come to our office every 6-8 weeks for progress visits. At each one, we will take impressions of your teeth so we can monitor their movement. If you’re on track with your treatment plan, then we will provide you with the next several sets of aligners in the series and schedule your next visit. Oftentimes, patients are in and out of the treatment chair in less than 30 minutes!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

You might not pay the exact same amount as someone else for your orthodontics because the total depends on your unique situation. Several factors can influence the final total due, such as:

• Whether you’re treating a single arch. Though it’s uncommon, in instances of mild misalignments you might only need to treat one row of teeth, which reduces the rate.
• The severity of your condition. Those with a slight issue to address likely won’t pay as much overall as someone whose mouth requires more manipulation of movement.
• The proposed treatment timeline. The longer your treatment, the more trays you will need to wear, resulting in a higher cost.
• How well you comply. You must wear the trays for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting. If you don’t, you could add weeks or months to your overall timeline.

Invisalign vs. Mail-Order Aligners: Which Costs More?

There are several online and long-distance providers that offer a “quick fix” to straighten smiles for a lower rate. These often charge about $2,000 for treatment while Invisalign can range from $3,00 to $8,000.

However, using “do it yourself” kits comes with additional risks that you might pay for in the long run. For example, they don’t include an examination before beginning and there’s no professional oversight. Many patients have inadvertently made their dental condition worse and then had to pay additional fees for their dentist to correct the damage.

Meanwhile, Dr. Magid has 20+ years of experience and is a certified Invisalign provider. He’ll provide any additional treatments necessary to keep your mouth healthy for the duration of your orthodontic treatment and beyond.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?  

This service is considered a cosmetic procedure intended to boost your appearance more than improve your oral condition, so most insurance policies don’t include it. However, every plan is different, so it’s worth checking your information to verify what’s covered.

Please let us know if you’re struggling to find the information or require assistance with paperwork or applications. Our friendly office staff is familiar with many providers and is happy to help however they can.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Upgrading your grin helps you look and feel like the best version of yourself, which in turn leads to better career opportunities, more meaningful relationships, and a more active social life. We don’t want your budget to hold you back from enjoying life to its fullest, so we offer the following options to help make Invisalign more affordable:

• Flexible financing. We’ve partnered with CareCredit, a third-party financer, so you can break up your total invoice into more manageable monthly installments that are easier on your wallet.
• In-house memberships. We also have an onsite savings plan you can join for a flat fee to gain access to routine checkups and cleanings in addition to discounts on other services that we provide.