The True & False of Invisalign

A lot of people think Invisalign is just for minor problems, but that’s simply not true. Since Invisalign came into existence in 1997, the technology has come a long, long way. Now, Invisalign trays can fix almost any problem, big or small. The problem we notice at North Shore Orthodontics in Smithtown is that there is a lot of misinformation on the Internet about Invisalign. Therefore, we thought it was time to sort the fact from fiction.

1) Invisalign is only for people with slight orthodontic problems. FALSE.

Invisalign doesn’t just fix minor overbites and underbites or those few teeth that are crowded together. It can fix more than that. The key is to understand the severity of the problem you want to fix and determine with Dr. Smith whether it’s right for you. Most cases can be easily fixed with Invisalign.

What Invisalign can fix:

1. Gaps in your teeth
2. Crowded teeth
3. Overbites
4. Underbites
5. Crossbites

2) Invisalign doesn’t have an age limit. TRUE.

Invisalign is perfect for anyone at almost any age looking to correct their teeth in Smithtown. It’s great for teens because it’s virtually invisible, which helps with their self-esteem. At North Shore Orthodontics, we understand that with dating, prom, sports and active social lives, getting metal braces probably isn’t at the top of your teen’s list of things they want to do.

Adults seeking orthodontic treatment can benefit from Invisalign because it’s discrete and allows them to smile confidently without feeling awkward. Plus, it’s great for older people who want to get their smile back to where it was 20 years ago. After all, our teeth will shift throughout our lives, and we can only keep them in the right position through treatment and retention.  The only group we do not currently recommend Invisalign for is children, due to their developing jaws. Other than that, it’s a picture-perfect solution.

3) Remembering to wear the trays will be hard. FALSE.   

For Invisalign to work its magic, you need to wear them for 22 hours a day. That’s 2 hours to eat, drink, floss and brush. A lot of people worry that they won’t have what it takes to wear their aligner trays for 22 hours every day, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. Truly, you’ll hardly notice them after the first hour. Think of them like contacts; once they’re in place, you don’t even notice them.

As for your teen, Invisalign has taken every step to ensure they stay on track with treatment.  Invisalign Teen aligners come with “compliance indicators,” little blue dots that gradually fade if the aligners are being worn full time.  Some of us like to keep these little blue dots a secret until the first appointment.

Don’t fret, the staff at North Shore Orthodontics knows that you can do this!

4) The aligners will make me talk with a lisp. (mostly) FALSE

It’s normal to have a lisp for the first few days of wearing your Invisalign trays. However, you should remember that the human body and the mouth, in particular, have amazing adaptation abilities. Learning to talk with Invisalign is very quick and easy. You’ll be speaking normally in no time!

5) You can see the results happening right before your eyes. TRUE.   

So, it’s not going to happen overnight, but it does happen rather quickly. In fact, most people see visible results within the first 3 months of wearing their trays. Plus, since they’re clear, and you won’t have all that metal in your mouth, you’ll notice a difference easily!

Side note: Looking to speed up your progress? Check out AcceleDent. Just use it 20 minutes a day to massage your gums, and your teeth will move faster. Ask a staff member or Dr. Smith for more information.

6) I won’t be able to eat whatever I want. FALSE.

This is completely false. With Invisalign, you can eat and drink anything you want. The key is to just take out your aligners first and make sure you brush, floss, and rinse your teeth before you put them back in. So, who’s ready for some corn on the cob or soda? With Invisalign, you can eat it, drink it and have seconds. Just remember to put your aligners back in right away!

7) I can take them out for special occasions. TRUE.

Weddings. Prom. Homecoming. Board meetings. Interviews. Whatever the reason or occasion, the beauty of Invisalign is that you can remove your aligners anytime you want. If you have a big event coming up that you don’t want to wear your aligners for, then don’t. You’re free to take them out and put them back in after. It’s that simple. With regular braces, that’s not the case. You need to wear them until your treatment is finished. Unless, of course, you’re a multi-millionaire or movie star. Then you can have your metal braces removed and put back on whenever you like.

8) Invisalign costs much more than braces. FALSE

You may be surprised to hear that in most cases, Invisalign costs the same or very close to the cost of braces.  Oftentimes, if you have orthodontic insurance, Invisalign is covered the same as braces! Plus, here at North Shore Orthodontics, we’re happy to help work with you on a payment plan to suit your needs.

So, stop waiting, and stop by the office and let’s talk Invisalign.

Getting braces is a rite of passage for teens, but emotions can range from elation to trepidation. Some kids are excited because it means they’ve finally reached their teenage years and are on their way to rocking a beautiful, mature smile. For others, not so much. They may fear feeling self-conscious or worry that braces will hurt.

As an orthodontist, I’ve witnessed both sides of this emotional spectrum and everything in between. Rest assured, getting braces should NOT be a traumatic experience. In fact, with the right knowledge, your child can get their braces on and feel cool and confident heading into the new school year.

Here are three tips to steer clear of any drama when your kiddo gets braces in Smithtown.

1. Put their mind at ease.

At my orthodontic practice, I always schedule a free consultation with patients before the big day. That way, my team and I can explain everything your teen needs to know about getting braces, including how we put them on, how it will feel, and the foods they should avoid. We always try to make them laugh and create a relaxed environment. By doing that, I’ve noticed that the kids I treat are a lot less nervous when the big day arrives; most are even excited. Especially when I tell them they can pick out different colored rubber bands at every appointment to show off their unique style. It’s the little things!

2. Be prepared.

There are a lot of things you can do to make those first few days and weeks of having braces go more smoothly. First things first, have dental wax on hand. Encourage your kid to place wax anywhere on their brackets or wires that feels tender. Second, stock up on ice cream and make cool treats like smoothies readily accessible. Need a recipe? We got you covered. Check out this link.

These cold snacks and meals help relieve swelling and numb some of the soreness, especially for the first few days. If that’s not doing the trick, feel free to use pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen with the proper dosage.

3. Set up the reward system.

Orthodontic treatment is a journey. It can be a little lengthy depending on your child’s orthodontic issue, so it’s important to celebrate milestones. For example, once your child has braces on for six months, consider celebrating with a delicious meal of their choice on Long Island. For their one-year braces anniversary, maybe you can give them a gift card to their favorite store. For the grand finale, pull out all the stops and give them a “skip day” from school (if there are no tests, of course!) so they can spend the day with you taking selfies of their new smile.

Getting braces in Smithtown should be fun. It’s a complete transformation for teens, not only in their smile but in their confidence, too. Hopefully, these helpful tips will have both you and your child ready to rock the braces process to create a smile that sparkles in yearbook photos for years to come!

Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful school year for all!

Give us a call at North Shore Orthodontics to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Dr. Craig Smith

Smithtown Orthodontist