Sandy Springs cosmetic dentist Dr. Brenda Paulen is an Invisalign provider! Dr. Paulen was an early adopter of clear aligners and has been helping patients straighten their smiles with Invisalign since 2002.
She recommends Invisalign for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns or those who are experiencing an orthodontic relapse. Invisalign can be the perfect solution for adults, even those who have never worn braces before.
Invisalign can effectively treat a variety of dental health and cosmetic concerns, including:
Crooked or misaligned teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Crowded teeth
Invisalign is often the perfect solution for teen and adult patients who prefer a more discreet orthodontic treatment option. The clear aligners are made to fit snugly over your teeth so that no one has to know you are wearing them. Worn for approximately 22 hours daily, they are also removable for enjoying your favorite foods and performing your daily oral hygiene routine.
Made from a unique hard-soft plastic that does not irritate the soft tissues and gums, most patients find Invisalign convenient and comfortable. Learn more about the most popular cosmetic dentistry service we provide.
Click below to see what your new smile could look like after Invisalign treatment!
Real Results With Invisalign
Invisalign® What to Expect
Invisalign offers many benefits, including improved dental health. Straight teeth are important for a balanced bite and allow for more efficient brushing and flossing to prevent common problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
After a thorough examination, Dr. Paulen will create a personalized treatment plan using specialized computer software. A series of custom, clear, removable retainers will be worn for the specified treatment time. Patients can remove retainers daily for brushing and flossing to maintain good oral health throughout treatment.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
Many people worry about the aesthetic impacts of their smile when they have crooked teeth. That’s usually what brings patients in requesting Invisalign treatment. However, crooked teeth aren’t just an aesthetic problem. They have heavy impacts on your overall oral health, not just the way your smile looks.
Crooked teeth are harder to clean than straight ones. Crooked ones are usually cramped and overlap, making it difficult for traditional toothbrushes and dental floss to clean them. Sometimes, even our specialized dental tools can’t clean crooked teeth properly. Even if you’re rigorously caring for your teeth, plaque and tartar build up in those difficult areas. You’re still at risk for tooth decay and gum disease because of your crooked teeth.
Your crooked teeth also are at a higher risk for wear and damage. Your bite should come together evenly so that the pressure of it distributes throughout your teeth evenly. When your teeth are crooked, some teeth take on more pressure than others. These teeth wear down faster and are more likely to chip or crack because of the extra pressure they’re under.
An uneven bite is a big factor in TMJ disorders. When your bite doesn’t come together properly, the jaw doesn’t track smoothly. The jaw joint wears down, and the facial muscles that assist in jaw movement can become tense and painful. TMJ can radiate pain throughout your face, neck, and head, and it can impact the function of your jaw, too. Crooked teeth can cause all of these problems.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Invisalign has a higher patient satisfaction rate over traditional braces for many reasons. The aligners are clear and discreet and hardly noticeable. Braces are bulkier, made of metal, and very noticeable. Many patients choose this treatment for this reason alone.
Invisalign aligners can be removed throughout the day to eat and properly care for your teeth. Traditional braces are made of metal wires and brackets that must remain bonded to your teeth for the entire length of the treatment.
This makes it difficult to brush, floss, and eat certain foods. Finally, Invisalign is more comfortable. They are made of a smooth material that will not harm the soft tissues in your mouth as metal braces can.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign treatment costs will vary depending on the length of treatment and the number of aligners needed to achieve the desired result. On average, the cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from $3,500 to $8,000.
The national average is $5,000 per case. A minor treatment case, such as an adult with orthodontic relapse, may cost as little as $2,000. Dr. Paulen will evaluate your condition and let you know how much it will cost you.
Does dental insurance cover invisible braces?
Invisible braces may be covered in part by dental insurance with orthodontic benefits. Proud Smiles will help you with any billing and paperwork to maximize your dental insurance benefits. We also offer third-party financing and payment plans for patients concerned about the cost of Invisalign treatment.
You may be surprised to find out how affordable Invisalign can be. Dr. Paulen can help you find the monthly payment that fits your budget. Calculate your cost at: invisalign.com/cost
Need A Retainer?
You don’t have to be an Invisalign user to benefit from Vivera retainers. Call our office to learn more today!
As with any dental procedure, there is a level of discomfort associated with treatment. Although, Invisalign treatment is gentle and should not cause significant pain. As your teeth gradually move into position, you may feel slight discomfort. This can be managed with over-the-counter medications but is not always necessary.
Yes! A retainer will greatly reduce the chances of developing orthodontic relapse, or the return of your crooked teeth. A retainer will help your teeth adjust and remain in their new straighter position. You risk undoing everything your Invisalign treatment accomplished by not wearing a retainer and following all post-treatment instructions. The Vivera retainer program will include a new retainer every six months for two years. We recommend renewing this every two years to keep your retainers in good shape and to protect your investment in your smile.
Alternatively, for patients who grind their teeth or have been diagnosed with a TMJ disorder, Dr. Paulen may recommend a nightguard to prevent damage. This would substitute as a retainer and maintain your results from Invisalign treatment.
No. Invisalign clear aligners are made of safe and comfortable material that does not rub or irritate your gums. The clear aligners should fit very snuggly without touching your gums.
Don’t eat or drink anything but water when the Invisalign aligners are in your mouth. Anything other than water can scratch or damage your aligners. Drinking staining beverages like wine can discolor your aligners, which defeats the purpose of having clear aligners. People will be able to notice that you’re wearing something in your mouth. It can cost you money and delay your treatment.
No. Don’t try to speed up Invisalign treatment in any way. Even when you feel adjusted to the set of aligners you’re on now, that doesn’t mean that it’s time to change them immediately. Your bones and gums take more time to adjust to the new placement. If you try to rush the treatment, you can loosen teeth and cause other complications.
At a minimum, you should wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Otherwise, they aren’t going to be able to do their job properly. You want to get straighter teeth as soon as possible. If you don’t wear your aligners for that long, it will push back your treatment end date.
