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Invisalign® – Williamsville, NY

Straighten Your Smile with Clear Braces

 

Many older patients wish they could achieve the straight, beautiful smile of their dreams, but they don’t want to undergo years of wearing metal braces that make them feel like a kid in junior high. Thankfully, Invisalign® orthodontics is a much more sophisticated and seamless alternative, and you can find it here at Amherst Dental Group in Williamsville. In fact, Invisalign® treatment is transformative, replacing braces for teenagers (YES TEENAGERS!) and adults into their 70’s and 80’s (YES THIS IS TRUE!).

We now have 3 certified Invisalign providers: Dr. Lee Shainbrown, Dr. Kathleen Tytka, and Dr. Barry Winnick. Dr. Winnick has been a certified Invisalign® practitioner since 2002, in addition to his 30+ years of experience in traditional orthodontics. He has even recently become an Invisalign® Teen provider!

Simply put, Amherst Dental Group is the best dental office for handling your Invisalign® case, and you’ll be sure to enjoy our friendly team members and warm dental office atmosphere while you’re here. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss Invisalign in Williamsville, NY!

Why Choose Amherst Dental Group for Invisalign®?

  • State-of-the-Art Technology
  • No Cost Monitoring Program
  • Lifetime Whitening Included

Clear Aligner Technology

Set of clear aligners in carrying case

The steps of Invisalign® treatment are as follows:

  • During your first visit, the doctor will determine whether or not Invisalign® treatment is the right choice for your smile.
  • Our team will take a 3D scan and photos of your smile and send them off to the Invisalign® lab, where they’ll create a series of precise, personalized aligners made from clear plastic. There could be as many as 48 or as few as 12, depending on your unique needs. Each aligner is meant to represent a different stage of your smile as the teeth are slowly moved into their ideal position.
  • Patients simply need to wear each aligner for a predetermined period of time before switching to the next in the series.
  • Patients will also need to attend regular check-ups at Amherst Dental Group so that we can confirm that you’re making progress and there are no problems with the treatment.

Who Can Invisalign Help?

woman holding Invisalign with her face blurred in the background

Do you think that only those with minor problems can take advantage of Invisalign? With the exception of patients with severe misalignment, Invisalign can be used to correct most orthodontic issues. In other words, if you have mild to moderate misalignment, you may want to consider this treatment and discuss it with one of our dentists! If you have one of the following indications, it could be a good option for your smile.

Crowded Teeth

diagram of crowded teeth

When teeth become crowded and crooked, they create tiny nooks and crannies. These areas are often more successful at hiding plaque, meaning they are harder to clean. Although it may seem that there isn’t enough room to shift your teeth, we may be able to address overcrowded teeth with Invisalign and enable you to maintain proper oral hygiene as well as a more balanced appearance.

Gaps Between Teeth

closeup of teeth with gaps

With more space, larger bits of foods can linger in the mouth, encouraging bacterial growth and increasing your chances of decay and infection. Fortunately, Invisalign can close these gaps, ensuring the perfect spacing of teeth. As a result, keeping your smile healthy, clean, and beautiful is as simple as possible.

Overbite

closeup of overbite

If your top teeth come drastically in front of the bottom teeth when you close your mouth, it’s called an overbite. This may make eating a challenge as well as create a “buck tooth” appearance. Invisalign can help bring the lower jaw forward to match up properly.

Underbite

diagram of an underbite

Opposite to an overbite, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth jut in front of the upper teeth. On top of biting and chewing issues, this position can also lead to jaw pain and other issues with the joint. By aligning the bite, we can make eating more efficient and comfortable.

Crossbite

diagram of a crossbite

A crossbite consists of a mixture of bite alignment. Some upper teeth are in front while some lower teeth are positioned forward. This setup can increase your chances of teeth grinding while you sleep, jaw joint issues, and inefficient biting and chewing. Through treatment, we can give you the function and perfect smile you deserve.

Open Bite

diagram of an open bite

If you have spots where your upper and lower teeth do not touch at all, you may have what’s called an open bite. As you might imagine, having these spaces means you can’t grind food sufficiently for digestion. In mild to moderate cases, we can bring the top and bottom teeth together for better eating.

Benefits of Invisalign

Woman placing Invisalign tray

When you compare Invisalign to traditional braces, you can’t help but notice significant advantages that clear aligners offer. For instance, unlike the traditional multiple years that metal braces can often take, most Invisalign® cases are completed after 8-18 months. And cutting down treatment time is just one of many, many examples! In multiple ways, Invisalign can be life altering in the best possible sense.

Improved Comfort

With braces, you have to deal with not only the soreness of shifting teeth but also the bulky brackets and wires that can poke, irritate, or even cut your cheeks, tongue, or lips. The first week of treatment can be downright miserable!

There are no uncomfortable metal wires or brackets to worry about with Invisalign® clear aligners – only smooth plastic that’s been designed to fit your unique smile. While you still will likely experience some soreness as you switch your aligners, which is a sign that treatment is working, your mouth should feel much more comfortable with Invisalign than with normal braces.

Discreet, Subtle Trays

The clear plastic of the aligners renders your care virtually invisible, which means that most people shouldn’t even notice that you’re undergoing treatment. With this subtlety, you can carry on with work, social interactions, and life in general without your smile drawing unwanted attention.

Better Dental Hygiene

With a system of brackets and wires, traditional braces can be challenging to keep clean. In fact, oral hygiene takes much longer and is more complex than usual. Invisalign® aligners are removable, meaning that your oral hygiene routine and diet can stay the same throughout the treatment. You will need to brush and floss after you eat, in the morning, and at night before bed. At your next dental checkup appointment, you may be surprised at how fast your cleaning is!

Quick Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up appointments with braces occur at least every few weeks to adjust the hardware and check progress. Check-in visits with Invisalign are typically shorter and allow more flexibility in scheduling because they are meant mostly to make sure you’re progressing as planned. Also, you don’t have to worry about emergency appointments for broken brackets! If you lose or break your aligners, give us a call, and we should be able to give you instructions over the phone.

Boosted Confidence

Having metal hardware bonded to your teeth can make you feel more self-conscious about letting them show when you talk or smile. You may fear that the braces will be all anyone sees. If, however, you straighten your teeth with Invisalign, you can have the confidence to talk, laugh, and smile freely.

Non-Invasive Treatment

When a patient starts braces treatment, their lifestyle must change in various ways, from their oral hygiene routine to the foods they eat. Frequent appointments can make travel difficult to plan, and your appearance is significantly altered during treatment. However, Invisalign gives you the freedom to eat whatever you want, travel with greater ease, maintain your usual oral hygiene habits, and experience fewer disruptions to your life.

No Cost Monitoring

Digital bite impressions on chairside computer

At Amherst Dental, we make it easy for you to maintain your excellent smile. Every six months at your check-up and cleaning, our doctors will monitor your retention at no additional cost! We want to make sure that you don’t lose the smile we have created, and regular checkups are vital to doing that.

Without wearing retainers regularly, your teeth can move back to their original position and undo months, or even years, worth of work! At Amherst Dental, we will help you maintain your beautiful smile!

Our Amherst Dental Group Lifetime Whitening Program is included with all Invisalign® orthodontic treatments at no additional cost! You will be enrolled into our Lifetime Whitening program to make sure that your teeth are not only straight, but beautiful as well!

Important Advice Concerning Orthodontic Treatment for Teens

Woman with healthy smile after Invisalign treatment

The picture above of white spots (decalcification) is, unfortunately, a common occurrence following orthodontic treatment with traditional braces. The cause is the failure to properly remove plaque around each bracket that is attached to a tooth during the traditional braces process. In fact, even patients who are the most meticulous at cleaning their teeth may see some white spots following treatment. Therefore, there is no escaping the fact that braces create an environment that is much more difficult to keep clean and is likely to result in scarring teeth. For generations, this was a side effect of having teeth straightened with braces.

According to the latest data, more people are having their teeth straightened today than at any time in history. Yet, how often do you see adults wearing braces? Not very often!

Now, thanks to Align Technology*, the developer of Invisalign® treatment and the worldwide leader both in research and treatment, adults and teenagers no longer have to rely on braces to have teeth straightened

In conclusion, the seven dentists in our group, combining for over 200 years of experience in dentistry, recommend that parents seek a consultation with Amherst Dental Group before proceeding with traditional braces for their children.**

* Please note that we do not have an ownership position in Align Technology, the developer of the Invisalign® system.

** We do recognize that there are certain cases where regular braces need to be used in lieu of Invisalign® aligners, but with continual research, clear aligners are gradually replacing traditional braces in almost every case.

Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology Inc. and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

woman smiling and understanding the cost of Invisalign in Williamsville

Let’s say two patients come to us wanting Invisalign treatment. Even though they would like the same procedure, it will likely cost them different amounts because their smiles are unique. As a result, we cannot provide a general quote for Invisalign treatment without having a consultation. However, our team will gladly meet with you in person to talk through the financial details and possible ways to make this treatment fit in your budget. Whatever the amount is for your specific case, you’re sure to find it well worth the investment.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

man learning about the factors of the cost of Invisalign in Williamsville

When we calculate the cost during your consultation, we consider primarily the severity and type of your misalignment as well as how long we predict treatment to take to correct the issues. Only after we’ve had a chance to examine the current state of your teeth can we provide a specific estimate for your individual case. Another contributing factor to the overall cost is how well you follow instructions and wear the aligners as directed.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

woman smiling after choosing Invisalign over Smile Direct Club

Over the past few years, other kinds of clear aligner treatments have hit the market. Brands like Smile Direct Club and others claim to offer the procedure from the comfort of your home at a discounted price, which initially can sound very convenient. However, by taking those first steps on your own, you run the risk of taking inaccurate impressions, which leads to aligners that don’t fit correctly or a faulty treatment plan. In addition, no certified professional supervises your progress, which means you’ll have to go through frustrating customer service if something goes wrong. In the end, it is often worth the extra cost to have peace of mind and reliable results.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

dental insurance to cover the cost of Invisalign in Williamsville

At Amherst Dental Group, we know insurance can be confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with it. For instance, although most dental insurance policies include benefits for orthodontic care, they often don’t apply to Invisalign treatment. After you’ve met with one of our dentists to talk about Invisalign, we can look up your plan and see whether part of the cost of Invisalign in Williamsville can be covered by your insurance.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

woman holding a piggy bank to cover the cost of Invisalign in Williamsville

Regardless of your insurance situation, our team is happy to work with you to make treatment affordable. Currently, you can meet with us for an Invisalign consultation for free! This means you can learn more about the treatment and get an estimate at no cost. If you decide to move forward with Invisalign, we also accept payment through CareCredit, a trusted financier. If you qualify, you could get low-interest financing, which breaks up the total into smaller monthly payments.

Invisalign FAQs

woman smiling and pointing to Invisalign in Williamsville

Before you decide to do Invisalign, you may have questions about this treatment. That’s perfectly fine! We invite you to bring your questions to your consultation, and we’ll be happy to address your concerns and make sure you fully understand everything so that you can make the best decision for your smile. Below are our responses to some of the most common questions we’re asked about Invisalign—please take a look at them and let us know if you’d like to discuss these concepts in greater detail in person.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Last?

The results of Invisalign treatment are supposed to last for the rest of your life! However, if you fail to wear your retainer as instructed after you’ve finished with the aligners, your teeth can revert back to their former positions in a process called orthodontic relapse. That’s why your six-month checkups are especially important! We can make sure you aren’t losing the progress you’ve made and you hold onto the results you’ve worked hard for.

Are There Food Restrictions with Invisalign?

One of the downsides to having traditional braces is that you have stay away from certain foods while your teeth are being straightened. That isn’t an issue with Invisalign because the aligners can be taken out, allowing you to eat basically whatever you want. You just need to brush and floss before putting the plastic back into position. In other words, not only does Invisalign help your appearance and confidence, but it also gives you priceless freedom!

How Should You Take Care of Your Aligners?

Even though you’ll be switching out your aligners about every two weeks, you still need to maintain your aligners during the short time you have them. Otherwise, they can become cloudy or discolored, which defeats the purpose of having aligners in the first place! To keep them crystal clear, make sure you’re brushing and flossing your teeth properly. Do not eat or drink with the aligners in your mouth, and gently brush the aligners once a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste. You may also use the cleaning crystals or other products sold directly by Invisalign to prevent plaque buildup in the aligners.

Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Most patients who are interested in Invisalign qualify for this treatment. First, you must be in good oral health, which means you can’t have gum disease, cavities, or other issues. If you do, we can perform the necessary procedures to get your mouth healthy again. You also must have only mild to moderate misalignment problems. More severe cases may require more intensive orthodontic care. When you schedule your consultation, we’ll take a detailed look at your smile as it currently is and let you know whether Invisalign is a good choice for you.