Many patients want to pursue straighter, more aesthetically pleasing teeth through orthodontic treatment, but the thought of wearing metal braces for months or even years on end understandably gives them pause. Thankfully, there’s an alternative available at Nawrocki Dental – Invisalign in Cocoa Beach. Invisalign treatment consists of customized, clear aligners that each represent a different stage of the smile as teeth are gradually shifted. They are also removable, which allows patients to continue to eat their favorite foods, brush and floss, and even enjoy important occasions to the fullest. Contact our dental office today to schedule your first appointment with Dr. Gary Nawrocki, or if you have any questions for our team about smile alignment with Invisalign in Cocoa Beach, FL.
Why Choose Nawrocki Dental of Cocoa Beach for Invisalign?
Completely Personalized Treatment Plans
State of the Art Dental Technology
Knowledgeable and Caring Dentist
How Invisalign Works
After Dr. Nawrocki has determined that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign treatment, our team will capture three-dimensional images of your smile and jaw and transfer them to the Invisalign laboratory so they can create your new aligners. The numbers of aligners you’ll be provided with varies from case to case, but typically anywhere from 20 to 29 are necessary. The patient will then be instructed to wear their aligners constantly, save for when they’re eating or drinking. This is important because food can become trapped against the teeth if the tray is left in place, contributing to decay.
In most cases, patients need to switch out their aligners for the next one every couple of weeks. You’ll also attend brief appointments with Dr. Nawrocki so that he can gauge your progress. That’s all there is to it!
Who Can Invisalign Help?
As a versatile treatment option for various dental problems (i.e., overcrowding, gapped teeth, bite alignment issues), Invisalign is a highly sought-after method of orthodontic care that allows patients to straighten their smiles without the harsh metal brackets and wires.
Crowded Teeth
When teeth appear too close to each other, you will experience difficulty brushing and flossing effectively. This will leave you vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease because of the accumulated plaque and tartar that cannot easily be removed. Invisalign can move your teeth in the right direction, allowing for additional space between each tooth.
Gaps Between Teeth
Patients often assume that the gaps between their teeth are only an aesthetic concern. That’s not the case! This orthodontic problem can also negatively impact the health and function of your smile in the short and long-term. The good news is that Invisalign can eliminate this extra space, providing you with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and cavity, as well as a disease-free smile.
Overbite
An overbite is when your front teeth sit in front of your bottom teeth, but there is a considerable space between the two that makes everyday things like chewing properly and speaking clearly difficult. Fortunately, Invisalign has a unique way of shifting teeth so you no longer suffer the negative effects of a poorly aligned bite. Instead, you will be able to embrace a new and improved smile that looks and functions normally!
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, placing your jaw in an unnatural position and increasing your risk of TMJ dysfunction, chronic jaw pain, and premature wear. Fortunately, we can often use clear aligners as well as other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, to realign bites, minimizing wear and tear in the process. If you want to find out if you’re a candidate, the next step is simple: contact us to schedule a consultation!
Crossbite
Essentially, a crossbite is a mixture of an overbite and an underbite. One of our biggest concerns with this orthodontic problem is premature wear and tear on your teeth. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation with us to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign! If you are, we can create a custom series of clear aligners to gently and meticulously guide your teeth and bite into their proper positions.
Open Bite
An open bite is when your teeth don’t come together evenly in the front or back. Sometimes, that means there is a small space between your back teeth. Other times, that means there is considerable space between your front teeth. In both cases, it’s important that you explore your orthodontic treatment options before problems like premature wear and chronic jaw pain arise.
The Benefits of Invisalign
When choosing Invisalign, your dentist in Cocoa Beach will go over all the advantages you’ll experience by wearing these clear aligners. Instead of the stricter, less flexible solution that is traditional braces, Invisalign enables you to undergo an orthodontic treatment that caters to the busy, self-conscious individual who wants fast and proven results.
Some of the benefits you can expect with Invisalign include:
A more aesthetically pleasing orthodontic solution that doesn’t compromise your daily appearance
Greater flexibility because you’ll be required to remove your trays to eat and drink, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods
Ease of cleaning because all that is required is your toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water
Faster results than those produced wearing traditional braces
No irritation because no metal brackets or wires are rubbing against your soft oral tissues
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Since Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments, there’s a good chance you know quite a bit on the topic already. Even then, you might be missing some important information on what life with clear aligners actually looks like. If you want an inside look, keep reading!
Wearing Your Trays
At your initial appointment, we will provide you with helpful information on how to stay on-track with your treatment plan. One of the most important guidelines is wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. This is pivotal because, if you don’t wear them, your teeth won’t move. The easiest way to meet your wear time goal each day is by only taking them out when necessary, like right before you eat, and putting them back on shortly after.
Cleaning Your Aligners
You only need two things to keep your aligners clean: clean, cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Plus, you really only need to dedicate a couple of minutes a day to this process. If you’re having trouble brushing your teeth and cleaning your trays on-the-go, then keep a few travel-sized oral hygiene essentials in your purse or car!
Eating & Drinking
Good news: whole apples, cashews, celery, popcorn, and tortilla chips are all on the table since there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign. That said, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to take off your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. You also need to keep added sugar to a minimum to lower your risk of oral health problems, like tooth decay.
Damaging a Tray
Is there a small or large crack running down one of your aligners? Did your tray completely split in half? Whatever the case may be, we recommend contacting us ASAP to share what happened. From there, we can determine if you can continue wearing your tray, if a replacement one needs to be made, or if you can move onto the next set in the series.
Note: If you lose a tray, you should also make calling us a priority so we can determine what the next best steps are to avoid unwanted treatment plan delays.
Routine Check-Ins
Between your first and last appointment, you’ll come to our office every 6-8 weeks. This is important because these routine visits allow us to closely monitor how your teeth are responding to the clear aligners and, ultimately, if they are tracking as anticipated. If they aren’t, then we will need to figure out what adjustments need to be made to your treatment plan. If they are, then we’ll provide you with your next batch of aligners so you can continue to progress through your treatment plan.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Since there is no set price for Invisalign, we can’t give you an estimate until you sit down with Dr. Nawrocki to discuss your eligibility and treatment plan. After all, each patient is different and has unique needs, making the cost different for everyone. The good news is that we can provide you with a number at your consultation, and you can read on to learn more on the topic in the meantime!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Simply put, there are several factors that will contribute to the overall cost of Invisalign, including:
How many aligners you will need to complete treatment
How severe your problem is at the start of treatment
Whether you will require any pre-orthodontic dental work (i.e., tooth extraction, periodontal therapy)
The number of potential replacement aligners, should you accidentally lose or damage one
The retainer you will need to wear when finished with Invisalign
Does Invisalign Cost More Than Mail-In Aligners?
Usually, Invisalign costs more than mail-in aligners. Why? To start, mail-in options completely bypass the initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and often aren’t supervised by licensed dental professionals. If this sounds dangerous to you, it certainly can be! In fact, there have been several patients who have experienced worsened misalignment and even serious dental emergencies, like loose teeth. That’s why it’s best to opt for a reliable, professional, and safe orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign, instead.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Your dental insurance company will likely cover orthodontic care in some capacity. So, make sure to double-check the fine print on your plan! If you need some help with this process, a member of our administrative team will be happy to check on your behalf if you prefer. We have years and years of experience working with our patients to help them maximize their coverage to the fullest so they don’t have to stress or worry, and we’d be more than happy to do the same for you.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, you’ll be happy to know that there are other financial solutions available to our patients. We offer periodic special offers, we have our own in-house savings plan, and we welcome flexible financing with CareCredit! Simply put, there’s more than one way to get the treatment you need while staying within your budget. So, don’t let the lack of dental insurance stop you from scheduling a consultation with us. We’d be happy to provide you with further details on the financial solutions available, answer any questions you have, and help you determine which one is right for you.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign in Cocoa Beach is one of the most convenient ways to get the straighter, healthier smile you deserve. This unique orthodontic treatment is very different from traditional metal braces, so it’s natural to have some questions about how it works. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common Invisalign questions below. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Does Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?
Traditional metal braces are notorious for their sharp wires and brackets that rasp against sensitive soft tissues like your lips, cheeks, and tongue. Thankfully, Invisalign aligners are crafted out of a single smooth piece of biocompatible plastic. This should help you enjoy a much more comfortable straightening experience!
However, it is normal to experience some soreness when shifting your teeth into place with Invisalign. Typically, you can expect to feel some discomfort each time you start a new set of aligners, but it should be mild and fade on its own in no time. You can minimize your soreness by applying an ice pack, taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed, or starting each new set of aligners right before bed.
How Long Do I Have to Wear My Invisalign Aligners for Every Day?
While Invisalign’s removable nature is one of its most popular benefits, it’s also its largest responsibility. It’s up to you to wear your aligners for enough time every day to keep up with the predicted timeline of your treatments. You should wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day. This should give you plenty of time to take them out to brush, floss, eat, drink, and play sports. If you frequently don’t wear your aligners for enough time every day, you could increase the length and cost of your treatment.
Are Invisalign Results Permanent?
The results of your Invisalign have the potential to last for the rest of your life, as long as you take the right steps to protect your investment! It’s essential that you follow all Dr. Nawrocki’s instructions and wear your aligners every day for the right amount of time. In addition, just like any other orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to wear a custom retainer for a time once you’ve finished your Invisalign treatment. This will help hold your teeth in the right position permanently so you can enjoy a beautiful smile for life.
Can I Get Invisalign If I’ve Had Metal Braces Before?
Did you have traditional metal braces earlier in life, but now find that your teeth are crooked again? Unfortunately, this is a common problem, especially for patients who neglected to wear their retainers regularly. Thankfully, Invisalign is an excellent choice for correcting all sorts of misalignment and crowding, so there’s a very good chance that it can help you regain your results. However, every case is unique. During your consultation, Dr. Nawrocki will carefully inspect your teeth, jaw, and bite alignment to see if Invisalign is the most effective way to straighten your teeth.
Are you ready to start your journey towards a straighter smile? Give us a call today and schedule your consultation to see if Invisalign is right for you!
