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Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Straighter Smiles without Metal Braces

If you can keep a secret, we have a good one to tell you. At East Islip Dental Care, Dr. Michael Wakily is a certified Invisalign provider who can straighten your teeth so discreetly that only you and he will know… until everyone sees your new smile featuring straighter teeth!

No question about it—a smile with beautiful, straight teeth is priceless. It can give you the advantage in a number of situations from professional meetings to social engagements. In fact, research shows that people with beautiful smiles are often considered smarter and friendlier. So why not give yourself the competitive edge with a straight smile from Invisalign in Islip?

Why Choose East Islip Dental Care for Invisalign® Clear Aligners?

  • Custom-made for every patient
  • Often able to straighten teeth faster than traditional braces
  • Subtle appearance that no one will notice

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign are, indeed, braces, but they are not the typical braces with metal brackets and wires that you’re accustomed to seeing on children and teens. Instead, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to shift teeth into proper alignment. Dr. Wakily has an established relationship with the Invisalign lab, and he works closely with their technicians to fabricate aligners that are created specifically for the orthodontic needs of your smile.

Invisalign is designed to treat a number of orthodontic issues, including:

  • Rotated teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Misplaced midline
  • Open bite
  • Buck teeth or overjet
  • Under bite
  • Over bite
  • Cross bite

The Invisalign Process

Before beginning any orthodontic treatment, a thorough dental cleaning and exam are necessary. Dr. Wakily will want to know that your oral health is secure and that there are no pre-existing problems such as cavities or periodontal disease; these will need to be treated before you begin to wear your Invisalign clear braces.

Then, with a comprehensive collection of digital X-rays, impressions, and photographs, Dr. Wakily and the other dentists develop your unique treatment plan. All you have to do is wear your aligners for at least 22 hours every day. This helps to ensure that your orthodontic treatment will be completed on time, and you’ll have that straight smile sooner rather than later.

Aside from being practically invisible, Invisalign offers yet another unique advantage—they are removable. So, if you have a special occasion, Dr. Wakily won’t mind if you remove your clear braces for a short time. But in addition to that, you’ll be able to eat whatever you like. Go ahead and enjoy corn on the cob or a juicy steak! Just be sure to brush and floss afterwards—another task that is easier because Invisalign clear plastic braces are removable.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

aligner

When you invest in straightening your smile, you can improve not only your appearance but also your long-term oral health. The confidence you gain is well worth the cost of treatment. But exactly how much will Invisalign set you back? It’s difficult to say, given that this procedure is so customized. The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with us. We can examine your teeth and give you a clearer idea of the timeline and cost associated with your specific case.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

patient’s smile

The cost of treatment isn’t the same for any two patients. The amount you pay will depend on the answers to these questions:

  • What kind of alignment problems do you have? Small gaps are easier to fix than crooked or rotated teeth.
  • Are we treating one or both arches? Usually both need to be realigned, but sometimes only one arch is needed.
  • How long will treatment be? The longer the treatment, the more aligners you use, and the higher the cost will be.

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

messy DIY impressions

At first glance, you may be interested in learning more about Smile Direct Club™ because of the advertised potential cost savings. However, what the commercials don’t tell you is that you are responsible for important parts of the treatment process. If the impressions are inaccurate, you’re stuck with aligners that won’t fit properly, a treatment plan that doesn’t suit your smile, and/or hours on the phone talking to support, not a licensed dental professional. If something goes wrong with your Invisalign aligners, you simply call up our office, and your dentist will resolve it quickly with you.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

aligners

Sometimes. Although most dental insurance plans cover “orthodontic treatment,” this may or may not apply to Invisalign clear braces. Before you move forward with treatment, our team will closely look at your benefits and do everything we can to help you maximize the coverage you’re entitled to. During your consultation, we’ll let you know exactly how much you’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket so there are no unpleasant surprises later on.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

patient

Other than working with your dental insurance, we at East Islip Dental Care can help you save as much as possible. If you do not have dental insurance, we can explain our in-house dental fee plan to you and get you enrolled to save about 20 percent! With or without insurance, you can also break up the total cost of treatment into easier monthly payments by applying for CareCredit or other third-party financing.

Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign

With Invisalign, getting a straighter smile doesn’t have to disrupt your lifestyle. The discreet aligners don’t call attention to themselves and allow you to enjoy the foods you love. However, before you decide to move forward with this treatment, you likely have other questions. We welcome any inquiry about this treatment and will do our best to give you as much information as you need to make an informed decision. Here are some common questions about Invisalign and our responses. We hope they motivate you to schedule a consultation with us!

Can I Eat with Invisalign Aligners in My Mouth?

No, you should always remove them before eating or drinking anything besides water. Leaving the aligners in while eating exposes them to bacteria and damage. Additionally, the aligners likely won’t stay perfectly clear as foods and beverages other than water can easily stain or discolor them. Plus, bits of food can become wedged, potentially altering your teeth’s movement. It’s safer and cleaner to take out the aligners for eating and drinking, brush and floss your teeth, and put them back into place.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Each case is unique and entails a personalized timeline. However, most patients are able to complete treatment in about 18 months, which is significantly shorter than treatment with braces. Of course, the length of treatment greatly depends on the severity of your alignment issues as well as how closely you follow our instructions. When you come in for your consultation, we can give you a clearer idea of how long you can expect to be wearing Invisalign aligners. Then, after you’re done wearing the clear aligners, you’ll need to wear a retainer for a while to make sure your teeth don’t regress back to their old positions.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Whenever you shift teeth, there’s going to be some discomfort involved. For a few days after starting treatment, as well as after switching to a new set of aligners, you’ll likely feel sore. During these times, we recommend eating softer foods and taking over-the-counter pain reliever to manage your discomfort. Apply a cold pack can also help alleviate some of the soreness. In addition, unlike traditional braces, which are rough in texture, Invisalign aligners are smooth, reducing irritation to your lips, gums, and cheeks. Basically, Invisalign is much more comfortable!

What Do I Do If I Lose an Aligner?

Unfortunately, clear plastic aligners can be easily misplaced, which is why we recommend always putting them in the case when they’re not in use. However, we acknowledge that even the most careful person can lose an aligner. If you do, you need to contact our office immediately so that we can order a replacement. Otherwise, you could prolong your treatment.

If an aligner breaks or becomes damaged, discontinue wearing it and get in touch with us right away.