WHEN INVISALIGN

MAKES A BETTER DENTAL TREATMENT

FOR YOU A publication of

vs. BracesShare this ebook:

Contents

Introduction 3

What is Invisalign? 4

How is Invisalign technology different 6 from braces?

How do Invisalign vs braces compare? 8

What is the cost of Invisalign vs braces? 10

Are you a candidate for Invisalign? 13

Your referral is our greatest compliment! 17

IntroductionNearly 4 million people in the U.S. wear braces, according to Humana. While straightening your teeth was once a rare treatment for severe dental problems, today it has become more mainstream even for simply a better smile. You might question whether improving your smile warrants getting Invisalign or braces. But the underlying need is not really as simple as a better smile. When you reveal your beautiful smile uninhibited, you radiate confidence.

And confidence helps you make and achieve goals.

From an orthodontist’s perspective, straight teeth help us achieve optimal health, which is likely one of your goals too. When they leave your gums exposed, crooked or misaligned teeth can lead to:

• One decayed tooth after another (it’s a domino effect if left untreated)

• Tooth loss• Gum disease• Other health risks (like heart

disease, which has been linked to gum disease)

By straightening your teeth, your orthodontist aims to prevent other problems that could inhibit your health.

Clearly, straight teeth play a major role in our physical and emotional health!

What is Invisalign?

What is Invisalign?First used on dental patients in 2000, Invisalign is a series of clear, BPA-free plastic trays worn over your teeth to gently move them into place and straighten them.

With the help of X-rays, pictures, impressions and a 3-D image, an orthodontist will tailor aligner trays to your teeth. Each aligner tray will gradually move your teeth to the next desired position in your treatment plan.

At the end of your treatment, your teeth will be at their final destination—reflecting a brighter smile and better health.

So when you or your kids get diagnosed with a need for dental treatment to straighten teeth,

is Invisalign vs Braces a better choice?

How is Invisalign technology different

from braces?

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How is Invisalign technology different from braces?Dental braces, on the other hand, straighten your teeth using a system of brackets glued to your teeth and tied together by metal wires and tiny rubber bands. Traditional braces are made from stainless steel, but now you can get colored bands to make a fashion statement.

Lingual braces use the traditional wires and brackets but they are installed on the inside of your teeth, making them less visible. This option costs more and the braces tend to be more difficult to keep clean.

Ceramic braces provide a subtler treatment, since they more closely match your enamel color.

Both braces and Invisalign were developed as teeth-straightening treatments. Orthodontists have successfully treated many patients with braces.

Because patients have only been using Invisalign since the year 2000, it’s too soon to determine a success rate. Plus, with Invisalign, the success depends on the patient’s commitment to wearing the aligner trays, which may make the success rate deceivingly lower.

How do Invisalign vs. braces compare?

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How do Invisalign vs. braces compare?

INVISALIGN BRACES

Appearance Clear, nearly invisible, removable Typically silver (metal), can pay more for ceramic, irremovable

Treatment Time 22-24 hrs/day for 6 to 18 months on average 24/7 for an average of 2 years

MaintenanceInvisalign Cleaning system, or brushing and rinsing trays in luke-warm water

Brush brackets and wires regularly while brushing teeth; water pick may be helpful

Follow-up Visits Every 4 to 6 weeks Monthly

Follow-up TreatmentPositioner or retainer likely needed ongoing, maybe only at night

Positioner or retainer likely needed ongoing, maybe only at night

Pros

• Invisible• Removable• No issues with food getting

caught• No difficulty eating• No discomfort from wires

• More effective for more complex issues

• No temptation to leave them out

Cons

• May have discomfort from tooth movement

• Must remove before eating or drinking anything but water

• Must brush after each meal to avoid staining

• May have pain, sores or discomfort from wires, brackets or tooth movement

• May have some tooth discoloration or breakage

• May have difficulty eating sticky, hard foods

Cost Average of $5,000 $1,800-$5,500

So what are the pros and cons and other differences to note when comparing Invisalign vs braces? This comparison chart will give it to you straight!

What is the cost of Invisalign vs. braces?

What is the cost of Invisalign vs. braces?

HOW MUCH?While the average cost of Invisalign might make your heart sink just as you think you’ve found your perfect solution, don’t let that deter you.

Remember that this is an average cost. Your cost will depend on the severity of your case (and the number of aligner trays needed) and your commitment to wearing the trays. Plus, providers are working to make Invisalign more affordable.

1) INVISALIGN TEENThe Invisalign Teen treatment offers new features such as:

• Compliance indicators that fade from blue to clear, revealing actual wear time.

• New design to accommodate canines, second premolars and second and third molar teeth.

• 6 free individual replacement aligner trays (to cover lost or misplaced trays).

2) INVISALIGN ONLINEYou may use this Invisalign calculator to help determine out-of-pocket costs and payments. CLICK

HERE

3) DENTAL CARE PROVIDERSMore specifically, your dentist or orthodontist should be able to give you an estimated cost for Invisalign treatment and even help you determine what your insurance will cover. Dental providers in North Carolina like The Happy Tooth offer payment plans to make your Invisalign treatment more affordable.

4) INSURANCE COVERAGEBecause it is categorized as an “orthodontic” treatment, about 25% of Invisalign patients receive insurance compensation of over $500 on average, according to the November 2010 Invisalign Patient Survey.

5) FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT EXPENSEAlso because it’s an orthodontic treatment, Invisalign qualifies for reimbursement under a flexible spending account (FSA) offered by your employer. This allows you to plan ahead and put aside pre-tax money to pay for your treatment.

Are you a candidate for Invisalign?

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Are you a candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign may be the perfect teeth-straightening solution for you if you:

• want to straighten your teeth discretely.

• play contact sports where metal wires could cause injuries to your mouth.

• don’t want to avoid harder or stickier foods.

• have the self-discipline to wear the aligner trays.

Keep in mind that orthodontists typically use Invisalign as a treatment to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth.

Braces may be more effective for patients with bridgework or back tooth bite issues, as well as patients needing to rotate canines or pre-molars or to move teeth vertically.

If you simply need to straighten your teeth or bite, Invisalign offers appealing advantages.

• Especially for teens or older adults who may feel self-conscious or less confident with braces, Invisalign fixes your smile subtly and without trapping food.

• Invisalign allows you to eat, drink, brush and floss normally (simply remove your trays first).

• Invisalign offers a more comfortable option for athletes.

• Invisalign saves you time spent at follow-up orthodontic appointments and daily cleaning.

For more details about how Invisalign works, watch this Invisalign video.

But ultimately, your dentist or orthodontist can best advise you whether Invisalign vs braces is the best solution for your individual case. If both are options, you have the luxury of choosing!

When you or your child needs straighter teeth or a corrected bite, your overall health is at stake. You can’t eat healthily if your teeth aren’t healthy, after all!

At The Happy Tooth, you will find a staff of dentists, as well as orthodontic specialists who are all members of American Association of Orthodontists.

So if your dental needs turn into orthodontic needs, you can get the same professional and personal care under the same roof!

And to make your choice even easier, we offer a complimentary new patient consultation so you can get to know us before your first appointment.

Whether Invisalign vs braces is the best solution for you, The Happy Tooth is equipped to make your treatment pleasant, affordable and successful. After all, your smile is the key to your confidence, health and happiness!

RESOURCES USED TO CREATE THIS E-BOOK:Happytoothnc.comInvisalign.comDental Braces: Facts and BenefitsTypes of Braces

A publication of

Need financing? Financial consideration should not be an obstacle to obtaining a beautiful smile! Learn about our finance options here >>

Your referral is our greatest compliment.

If you have a friend or family member who could benefit from braces or Invisalign, pass this ebook along. You can share your smile by paying it forward!

Education is the first step to quality oral health. Remember, straighter teeth means better physical and emotional health.

So share this ebook. Together, we’ll help your friends and family smile, too!

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