Because medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, you should review your personal coverage plan. However, in general, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces.

We know cost is a big question for anyone considering dental or orthodontic work. The truth is, only your doctor can determine the cost of your specific treatment. It really depends on the kind of treatment you need, how extensive the issues are that you want corrected, how long your treatment plan will last, where you live, and other factors determined by your dentist or orthodontist.

This varies person to person and depends on the outcome of the treatment. Some patients might need a positioner, or conventional retainer. Other patients might need a clear plastic retainer similar to the ones Invisalign makes, such as Align Technology’s Vivera Retainer. (See www.viveraretainer.com) Discuss this with your dentist. Every patient is different, and outcomes vary.

The length of treatment depends on the severity of your case and can only be determined by your doctor; however the average case takes about 12 months.

Invisalign aligners are classified as Class II medical devices by the FDA, and Align Technology, Inc. has held the necessary 510K clearance from the FDA since 1998 to be able to sell and market the Invisalign system.

Align Technology, Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign, was founded in 1997.

Your doctor will schedule regular appointments – usually about once every four to six weeks. The goal of these visits are to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

We find aligners are most effective if worn 20 to 22 hours per day – and removed only for eating, brushing, and flossing.

The best way to clean your aligners is to use the Invisalign cleaning kit, available for order at www.invisalignstore.com. As a secondary method, however, your aligners can also be cleaned by brushing them and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

While Invisalign moves your teeth without the pain and anxiety of metal braces, some people will experience temporary discomfort for a few days at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. It’s also a sign that Invisalign is working, as it moves your teeth to their final destination. This discomfort typically goes away in a couple of days.

No, gum will stick to the aligners. We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks.

We discourage smoking while wearing aligners because it is possible for the aligners to become discolored.

No. Thanks to the removable nature of the aligners, you can eat and drink whatever you want while in treatment. In fact, you’re required to remove your aligners to eat and drink. So, unlike undergoing traditional treatment using wires and brackets, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite foods and snacks unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Also, it is important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain fresh breath and proper hygiene.

Similar to other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp caused by the aligners should disappear.

Doctors are treating a significant number of patients with a combination of braces and Invisalign. Consult your Invisalign doctor to determine the best treatment for you.

A number of Invisalign patients have undergone a previous treatment involving braces at some point in their past, often during their youth. Invisalign can usually correct the shifting that occurs after braces, and do so without having to go through the trauma and social awkwardness of wearing metal braces.

No. Invisalign aligners and Vivera Retainers do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers. These aligners and retainers are made with USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any medical device, you should consult with your health professional about your aligner or retainer treatment and any applicable risks of use.

The virtually invisible aligners, which are made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan, look similar to tooth-whitening trays. Invisalign aligners are custom-made for you and only you to move your teeth in the sequence determined by your doctor.

Like brackets and arch wires are to braces, Invisalign aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on your teeth. The main difference is that Invisalign not only controls forces, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move. These movements are determined by your doctor as he or she maps out your unique Invisalign treatment plan.

More than 1,000,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign. The number of Invisalign smiles grows daily.

The Invisalign® system is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Using advanced 3-D computer-imaging technology, Invisalign depicts your complete treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position. Then a series of clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth – and your teeth only – to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series, until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor, based on your specific needs.

No it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, but most are referred by family and friends.

Simply call our office or send us an email! We will be happy to schedule your appointment, our scheduling coordinator will request some basic information from you. We will then mail to you a welcome packet including all of the information needed for your initial appointment.

More and more adults today are seeking the benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. In our practice 30% of all orthodontic patients are over the age of 21. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important at any age. It’s never too late!

The doctors use the latest orthodontic technology: The Damon System, which greatly reduces the need for extraction of permanent teeth.

Generally braces do not “hurt” but they do feel foreign at first and take about a week to get used to. The doctor utilizes the latest orthodontic technology: After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days and an over the counter pain reliever such as Tylenol will provide relief.

Orthodontic fees depend on the complexity of the correction. We will explain the exact cost and financial options during the initial consultation. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review each of these with you. We will also review your insurance information, help to maximize your benefit and we will file your claims for you.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Dr. Eckley utilizes the latest orthodontic technology: Most patients are seen every 6 to 10 weeks.

Yes! We recommend seeing your family dentist at least every 6 months for a thorough cleaning and examination while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Yes, once your treatment begins we will provide you with complete diet instructions and a list of foods to avoid. These include the chewy, crunchy, and sticky items such as ice, hard candy, caramel, nuts, taffy, etc. that can distort of break your braces. You can avoid extra repair appointments and reduce your time in braces by carefully following these instructions.

Excellent oral hygiene is a must with braces. Patients should thoroughly brush at least 3-4 times each day; after each meal and before going to bed. Once your treatment begins, we will provide special toothbrushes, flossing aids, toothpaste and mouth rinses to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists. Admission to an orthodontic postgraduate program is extremely competitive and selective.