Invisalign
Malocclusion, more commonly known as crooked teeth, is one of the most common dental issues we see at Amores Dental. Invisalign has been proven to treat mild to moderate dental malocclusions, including underbite, overbite, crossbite, and more.
We are an Invisalign Platinum Provider
You’ve dreamed of a beautiful smile for as long as you can remember. It’s NOT too late! From teens to seniors that beautiful smile is just an Invisalign procedure away.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Invisalign?
If you are interested in pursuing Invisalign for your mild to moderate malocclusion, schedule an appointment with the team at Amores Dental. We will perform a thorough exam and take x-rays to determine your eligibility.
As a general rule, we use the following criteria to determine whether or not a patient qualifies for treatment with Invisalign:
- Mild to moderate malocclusion (protruding teeth, gapped teeth, overbite/underbite, open bite, misaligned bite, crossbite)
- Good dental/oral health without periodontal disease or tooth decay/cavities
- Over the age of 18 (we can treat younger teens, but have found that age has a lot to do with compliance)
- Over the age of 18 (weBe willing to commit to wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day- even while sleeping- if not, they will not work can treat younger teens, but have found that age has a lot to do with compliance)
Invisalign Vs. Braces
At Amores Dental, we offer both traditional braces and Invisalign for treating mild to moderate malocclusion. Below, we’ll take a look at each of these in relation to the procedure itself, cost, effectiveness/treatment times, comfort, aesthetics, maintenance, and food restrictions.
Procedure
The first step to both treatment types is a thorough dental exam and x-rays, including discussing your needs and goals for treatment. At this time, we will be more than happy to address your questions and concerns.
For metal braces, brackets will be attached to your teeth with a dental adhesive. Then, a wire will be threaded through them. Rubber bands are used to hold the brackets and wire in place. Over the course of treatment, as your teeth begin to shift, you’ll need to have the braces tightened. After the braces are removed, you’ll be given a retainer which you will need to wear for 1 to 3 years to keep your teeth in their new positions.
For Invisalign, the next step will be to make a custom mold of your teeth. This mold will be sent to the lab for the fabrication of your aligners. Once the aligners are ready, they will be shipped back to the office, and we will schedule your appointment to have them fitted. Once the first set is in, we will send you home with the remaining aligners and you will be instructed to switch to a new set every 1 to 3 weeks.
Invisalign clear aligners are designed to be removed while eating and while brushing/flossing teeth. For best results, they should be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. If you’re not wearing them, they will not be effective.
Cost
On average, traditional metal braces cost $3,000 to $7,000, while Invisalign aligners cost $2,500 to $8,000. There are several factors involved in determining the cost, including the complexity of malocclusion, length of treatment, your location, and the dental professional that you choose.
In many cases, dental insurance will cover a portion of orthodontic treatment for children and teens. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards, as well as financing options like CareCredit and LendingClub.
Effectiveness / Treatment Timeline
The FDA has approved both traditional braces and Invisalign to treat malocclusions. We typically recommend Invisalign for patients who have mild to moderate malocclusion, while the more complex cases require traditional braces.
On average, Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months to work. Patients with very mild malocclusions often see results within 6 months, while moderate to severe cases may take up to 24 months. Traditional braces may take up to 2 years to work. There are several factors involved in determining your treatment timeline. You’ll want to discuss these with the dental team to make your decision. For example, your compliance with wearing the aligners determines the effectiveness of Invisalign.
Comfort
Traditional metal braces are more painful and cause more discomfort, especially when treatment begins and every time they are tightened. Many patients also have problems with the metal scraping and pushing against the inside of their cheek or their tongue.
This is not a problem with Invisalign clear aligners, as they are made of smooth plastic. However, it is important to note that many patients do develop a lisp and have increased salivation for a few weeks after beginning treatment.
Aesthetics
Traditional metal braces require small brackets to be attached to your teeth and connected with a wire. Brackets can be metal, ceramic, plastic, or other material. Patients can customize their braces by choosing various colors for their brackets and bands. We also offer lingual braces, which are similar to traditional braces but attached to the back of the teeth instead of the front.
Many of our teen and adult patients prefer Invisalign because they are not as visible. The aligners are transparent and custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly. They look like clear retainers and most people won’t even realize that you have them in.
Maintenance
In order to prevent tooth decay and improve your results, you need to make sure that you are practicing proper oral hygiene. This can be challenging with traditional braces because food tends to get stuck in the brackets. Invisalign clear aligners, on the other hand, can be taken out so that you can brush and floss your teeth as usual. Before putting your aligners back in, make sure to clean them with an aligner cleaner.
Food Restrictions
Patients with metal braces have a long list of foods that they must give up during treatment, including gum, popcorn, carrots, chewy candies, nuts, and more. Since Invisalign clear aligners are designed to be removed while eating, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods and snacks. However, make sure to brush/floss your teeth after eating and rinse your aligner well.
Invisalign Before & After
Before Invisalign, life can be difficult. Crooked teeth can impact your confidence, your oral health, and your overall health in a variety of ways. However, Invisalign offers several benefits, including:
- Easier to clean: since the aligners are removable, you can brush and floss your teeth like you normally would. Plus, you can clean the aligners thoroughly and not worry about bacteria sitting on them and getting on your teeth.
- Better aesthetics: since the aligners are transparent, you don't have to worry about people knowing that you have braces if you want to keep it a secret. Even up close, most people won't notice them.
- More comfortable: the aligners are made from smooth plastic, so you don't have to worry about cutting your mouth on wires/brackets.
- No food restrictions: you do not have to give up any of your favorite foods with Invisalign because the aligners are designed to be removed while eating. Not only will this reduce the time it takes to clean your teeth after eating, it also reduces your risk of damaging your aligners.
- Requires fewer dental visits: Invisalign is fairly self-directed in that you will be given all of your aligners up-front and instructed to change them every 1 to 3 weeks. You will need to schedule periodic follow-ups to monitor your progress.
- Safe for all ages: Invisalign clear aligners have been proven safe and effective for all ages- but ideally, patients need to have all of their secondary teeth and a fully formed jawbone.
- Resolves a variety of malocclusions: research has shown that Invisalign is ideal for correcting a variety of mild to moderate malocclusions. Severe cases may require traditional braces or a combination of orthodontic treatments.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Treatment with Invisalign is slightly more expensive than that of traditional braces. The average cost is between $2,500 to $8,000 and is based on a number of factors including additional procedures required and the number of aligners required.
While treatment with Invisalign is more expensive, there are many benefits including better gum health, reduced risk of tooth decay, improved confidence, less risk of developing bruxism, keeping teeth from shifting into gaps left by missing teeth, and improved ability to chew and digest foods.
Invisalign For Adults vs. Invisalign For Teens
The team at Amores Dental offers Invisalign for Teens and Invisalign for Adults. The primary difference between the two is that the teen version has blue dots that fade over time if the aligners are being worn. While this is not exactly fail-safe, it does give parents peace of mind that they can monitor their teen’s compliance with treatment. If the dots are not fading, the aligners are not being worn as they should.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you have crooked teeth, schedule your consultation today with the team at Amores Dental. We have two locations in the area to serve you: Dadeland and Palmetto Bay. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We are looking forward to helping you straighten your teeth and get your smile and confidence back!
ITero® Element™ Digital Scanner – Impressionless Scanning
For optimum care and patient comfort during the Invisalign process, [practice_name] uses the latest technology, The iTero® Element™ Digital Scanner. The iTero® Element™ makes it possible to create digital impressions for Invisalign® and other orthodontic procedures in just a couple of minutes, without the need for messy putties or the discomfort associated with other impression techniques.
Traditional impressions can be unpleasant and sometimes result in taking multiple rounds of impressions in order to achieve the accuracy needed for fabrication of Invisalign® aligners. The iTero® Element™ Digital Scanner ensures a more accurate impression from the start and thus allows for a more comfortable patient experience and faster aligner delivery.
The iTero® Element™ also has a built-in simulator – we scan the teeth and create a simulation of what your teeth may look like in a straighter, corrected position. You will be able to see you how orthodontic treatment can improve your smile, before you even have the treatment!
Benefits of iTeroâ„¢:
- View 3D scans onscreen immediately
- Better fitting aligners
- Better patient experience
- Eliminates the mess and gagging associated with regular impressions
Invisalign FAQs
At Amores Dental, we want our patients to understand their treatment options. We strive to address all questions and concerns. Below are some of the most common questions we get from our patients when it comes to Invisalign.
How Long Do You Have To Wear Invisalign?
The typical length of treatment with Invisalign is 12 to 18 months. Patients with mild malocclusion may see results within 6 months, while those with moderate to severe malocclusion may require slightly longer than 18 months.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign uses SmartTrack technology to put pressure on teeth, gradually shifting them into their appropriate position within the jaw.
Can Invisalign Fix An Overbite?
Yes, Invisalign can fix mild to moderate overbite. However, in some cases, a severe overbite may require traditional braces or a combination of orthodontic procedures.
Is Invisalign Better Than Braces?
The effectiveness of Invisalign is comparable to that of traditional braces. For patients who want to fix their malocclusion but don’t want everyone to know they have braces, Invisalign is a better option because they are virtually invisible.
Is Invisalign Cheaper Than Braces?
Invisalign costs about the same as traditional braces. However, there are several benefits offered by Invisalign over traditional braces, including comfort, aesthetics, shorter treatment time, and more.
Why Choose Amores Dental?
A Multi-Specialty Office With An Extraordinary Team Of Highly Trained Dentists
On Staff Specialists Include:
- Orthodontist - Platinum Invisalign Provider
- Periodontist - Specializing in Implant Placement & Complex Gum Surgeries
- Pediatric Dentist - Providing Positive Dental Experiences for Children
- Endodontist / Root Canal Specialist
- General Dentist
All Dental Procedures Completed In One Office:
- Extensive Advanced Training in Surgical Implant Placement & Restorative Dentistry
- FELLOW of International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) - Awarded for Distinguished Implant Excellence
- On Staff Periodontist Specializing in Implant Placement & Complex Gum Surgeries
- Highest Implant Success Rates Using Cutting-Edge Cone Beam 3D CT Technology for Precise Implant Placement
What our Happy & Healthy Patients Say
ExcellentBased on 680 reviewsJaime Cabre2024-11-05Very professionals, highly recommended.Karina Villanueva2024-11-04Once again we had an amazing visit! Everyone was so polite, so professional, so kind. Miguel had a great experience and loved the way that he was treated and cared for. Many, many thanks!! Everyone is amazing in every way!!!!Shanda Mazzorana2024-11-02My husband and I have been a client at Amores Dental for many years due to our great satisfaction with this practice. The knowledge and professionalism of the dentists, technicians, hygienists and business office associates are superior to that of other practices to which we were previously affiliated. The physical settings of their two locations are pleasant and clean. There is a genuine sense of family that not only welcomes but also connects intimately over time.Larry Grubbs2024-10-31Dr Martinez and her staff did a great job fixing an issue with one of my teeth.Zack B2024-10-30On time w their appointments, nice knowledgeable staff, Dr.Amores is awesome. Highly recommend.Zoraida Collazo2024-10-28The whole entire staff is so pleasant! I called and they were able to squeeze me in the same day. They take customer service to a new level. I will recommend Amores Dental to everyone.Jennyffer Hansson2024-10-28Clean office. Friendly staff. I would recommend to family and friends.Amarilys Cano2024-10-27Amores Dental is AWESOME!!! We love the way they truly care about each patient. The people, the atmosphere, and the heart behind the entire practice, AMAZING!!! We thank God for Amores Dental!!