When you hear the word “orthodontics,” what comes to mind? Probably a young teenager whose teeth are covered by a latticework of metal. There are indeed many orthodontic patients who fit that description. However, there now exists an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces: Invisalign® clear aligners. Dr. Banks is pleased to offer Invisalign for patients who are interested in ‘invisible braces’.
As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of almost invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners are completely removable — for important social occasions, for eating, and, most importantly, for tooth-brushing and flossing. This advantage can also be a disadvantage: It means you must resist the temptation to take your aligners out more than is advised. Here are some other advantages of the Invisalign system:
Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct many malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. However, there are still some situations for which traditional braces would still be best. We would be happy to discuss your child’s needs in detail with you.
Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move teeth into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic.
Here’s how it works: Specialized computer software helps us design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign company will manufacture two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners,” one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.
In the past several years, two features have been added to make Invisalign a more appropriate orthodontic treatment method for teenagers. Special “eruption tabs” hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign for teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign can only be successful if this is the case.
As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. So please don’t neglect to do this! You’ll need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners, too, will have to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.
Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You’ll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment in a beautiful new smile.
More Presicion: 3D-printed slots are more accurate and precise than injection molded slots, preventing divergence.(i)
Consistency and Scale: 3D printing makes it easy to produce the same thing without disruption to structure or form, resulting in consistent product quality.
Faster Rate of Innovation:
Changes can be made quickly, making it easy to implement customer feedback, iterate fast, and update hardware at the pace of software.
We make every effort to keep down the cost of your child’s orthodontic care. Our fees are competitive with those of other pediatric dentists and orthodontists in the Kitsap area.
Orthodontic care is a long term investment to ensure a beautiful and healthy smile for your child. The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on a number of considerations. The length of treatment, the complexity of the care required and the type of orthodontic treatment chosen (traditional braces versus Invisalign) will all impact the cost of care.
Orthodontic records will help us determine the most beneficial means of treating your child. These records include photographs, digital study models and x-rays.
A down payment is expected at the start of treatment. The remaining balance may be paid in monthly installments. The amount of the monthly payment and the duration (up to 18 months) will depend on the overall treatment time for your child.
We are ‘participating dentists’ in various insurance plans. In addition, we will accept assignment from any recognized dental insurance carrier for most services. Please be sure to bring your newest dental insurance ID card with you whenever you visit.
Dental benefit plans are negotiated between your employer and insurance carrier and are designed to cover only a portion of your total cost. Your dental insurance plan may or may not have orthodontic coverage. Furthermore, orthodontic coverage has a lifetime maximum and will not cover the entire cost of orthodontic treatment.
Any coverage you have helps to reduce your out-of-pocket expense. Our business team is very knowledgeable about dental insurance. They will work with you to determine the extent of your coverage and to help you receive your maximum allowable benefits. It is your responsibility, however, to pay any balance not covered by insurance.
