Is Invisalign or Invisalign Teen Right for You?

Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign Treatment and Costs

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What is Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign is a removable aligner for orthodontic treatment involving the use of a series of plastic aligners or trays to move your teeth.  Unlike braces, aligners are not stuck to your teeth and are completely removable.   Every 7 to 14 days, a new aligner is placed in your mouth which is a little tighter than the last.  The aligners are numbered (1,2,3,4…etc.) showing you which one to wear next.  Each subsequent aligner moves the teeth a little bit at a time.

The first step for Invisalign is to have a 3D impression/mold of your teeth taken.  This is sent to the Invisalign laboratory where it is converted into a 3D digital model of your teeth.  Dr. Papasikos in Montclair, NJ will then create a customized treatment plan of where and how we want your teeth to move.

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What are the aligners/trays made out of?

Aligners are made out of a special plastic that is super-flexible and has memory.  This allows the aligner to be stretched to fit crooked teeth and then return to its original shape, making the teeth straighter.  The Invisalign plastic is BPA free.

What are attachments?

Attachments are little bumps that get glued/bonded to your teeth.  They are made of tooth-colored adhesive that blends with your teeth and is virtually invisible.  The attachments act as handles for the aligners to snap around and push/pull your teeth.  Attachments are different shapes and sizes and are customized to your specific treatment based on the position of your teeth.  In the image below, the attachments are the pink colored bumps (they are not pink in real life!).

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How long does Invisalign Treatment take?

The length of treatment varies case by case.  The more severe and complicated the case, the longer it will take.  Average treatment lasts around 12-18 months.  Teeth in adults tend to move slower than in teens, so adult treatment may take longer.  Very simple, limited cases can take as little as 6 months, whereas more complex cases can take 24 months or more.

Is Invisalign Treatment as effective as braces?

Invisalign is certainly as effective as braces when under the care of an experienced orthodontist.  You have to remember that Invisalign is just a tool (similar to a hammer or a screwdriver) to move teeth.  Case selection is critical for the success of braces or aligner therapy.  There are some cases that are better treated with braces than with aligners and vice-versa.  It is up to your doctor to select the appropriate tool for your case.  You can’t blame a hammer for not working if you should have used a screwdriver!

Ultimately the responsibility is on your orthodontist to select the right treatment for you and properly design your treatment plan.  Fortunately, the doctors at Papasikos Orthodontics have tons of experience with Invisalign treatment and are the ONLY Premier Invisalign Providers in Montclair and Glen Ridge, NJ.  We have successfully treated hundreds of cases using Invisalign and Invisalign Teen treatment and will go over with you in detail whether you are a candidate during your free orthodontic consultation.

Overall, Invisalign treatment can correct overbites, underbites, cross-bites, space/gaps, crowding, rotated teeth, impacted teeth, overjets, and most other orthodontic problems.

Invisalign Treatment Before and After

Below are before and after pictures from actual patients treated by the doctors at Papasikos Orthodontics in Montclair, NJ

Patient 1:  8 months

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Patient 2: 18 months

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Patient 3: 18-24 months

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Patient 4: 12 months

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Patient 5: 18 months

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Patient 6: 15 months

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How much does Invisalign Treatment cost?

Treatment cost varies depending on the case type, severity, and also by office location. Here in Montclair, NJ,  Invisalign treatment can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,500.  The only way to know for sure is to come in for a complimentary consultation so Dr. Papasikos can assess exactly how complex your treatment will be and then determine the precise fee.  Many offices charge a consultation and records fee of up to $400, however, all of this is completely complimentary at Papasikos Orthodontics.

Now, don’t stress too much about the numbers.  Most people (even adults) have some sort of orthodontic insurance coverage which can range anywhere from $1000 to $5000, up to 50% of your treatment fee.  This means your out of pocket cost will be A LOT less than expected, sometimes as low as $1,000 or $2,000.

This may still seem like a lot, but, fortunately, here at Papasikos Orthodontics, we offer FLEXIBLE, INTEREST FREE Payment Plans.  We’ll work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget, with monthly payments as low as $100 to $200 spread out over the course of your treatment.

More About Orthodontic Insurance

If you have orthodontic insurance coverage, you will get quoted a lifetime maximum.  This means that your insurance company will pay no more than this lifetime maximum.  Now if you get a new insurance, you will have a new lifetime maximum and possibly some additional benefits.  However, many insurance companies have a “work in progress clause,” meaning if you have already started orthodontic treatment and switch insurances, the new insurance will only offer partial coverage for your remaining treatment.

In addition, most insurance companies spread their payments out over the course of your treatment. This means that if you lose your insurance in the middle of treatment, you will lose any benefits that have not been paid out yet.

You can also use your Flex Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to help pay for your orthodontic treatment.  This will take some planning ahead to allocate the proper resources into your FSA or HSA account.

If you have any questions about Invisalign and affording treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Papasikos Orthodontics
55 Park Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 744-2511