INVISALIGN FAQ

1. Does my insurance help cover Invisalign like regular braces?
2. My teeth are fairly crowded. Will Invisalign work for me?
3. How long does Invisalign generally take?
4. I had braces as a kid, but now my teeth are shifting. Can Invisalign help me?
5. What is the minimum age that can be treated with Invisalign?
6. Does this work with overbites?
7. I have a few crowns and one bridge. Am I still a candidate?
8. Will TMJ affect Invisalign treatment?
9. I heard Invisalign was just for minor problems. Is that true?

Does my insurance help cover Invisalign like regular braces?

Yes, you will be pleased to know that if you are eligible and your plan has an orthodontic benefit, you can apply it to the total cost just like traditional braces. Our office team has experts in this area and will be sure you get the maximum insurance benefit you are allowed from your plan. Each plan is different, but our special computer programs can help let you know how much benefit you can expect. We also have special financing, some even with 0% interest, and payment plans to help cover the difference.

Teeth are fairly crowded

Obviously not all situations of crowding can be handled with Invisalign, but you will be excited to learn that Dr. Safar has tremendous experience in this area, and has found that 80% or more of adult patients are candidates. “ The more cases we treat the more amazed I am at just how versatile the aligners can be for even the most complex situations.” You will learn for sure at your initial consultation if you are a candidate. If Dr. Safar determines that Invisalign may not be your best option, she also works closely with highly skilled traditional orthodontists, that may be able to help you with a combination of traditional braces and Invisalign.

How long does it take?

The cases we have been seeing in the office here in Carmel Valley/Del Mar on average have been finishing in the 9-12 month range for moderately complex situations. Less complex cases often finish in 6-9 months and conversely, severely complicated cases may take longer. The great thing is that most traditional braces tend to take between 18-24 months. So Invisalign not only allows you the comfort and flexibility to take them out when you eat and clean your teeth, but Invisalign is generally 30-40% faster than traditional braces. The best thing is that with the clear aligners, most of your friends won’t even notice you are wearing them until they see that beautiful new smile and wonder what happened.

Braces as a kid, now shifting

That is a great question because by far, the majority of the patients we see are in this category. Most adults had braces as kids, and now see that the teeth are shifting or overlapping because they didn’t wear or they lost their retainer. It is natural for our teeth to shift over time if things aren’t perfectly balanced. This situation is almost what Invisalign was designed for. People tend to remember how goofy they looked or what a hassle the metal braces were as kids, and although they want straight teeth now, they don’t want to go through traditional braces again. Instead, they suffer with a smile that while it’s not bad, it nags their self confidence or makes it harder to brush and floss them. Crowded or overlapped teeth also tend to get more stain and discoloration. So not only will Invisalign help your smile look better, it could help your mouth to be cleaner and healthier.

Minimum age

Generally the minimum age for Invisalign is about 14 years old. You need to have your second or 12 year molars fully erupted for Invisalign to work best. Dr. Safar can determine if Invisalign is right for your child at the initial consultation

Overbites

In 80% or more of the situations, Invisalign can be an excellent choice for this problem. Dr. Safar has treated a large number of patients with “deep bites” or over bites with wonderful results. Invisalign often uses small tooth colored composite buttons, that are placed on specific teeth, to allow the aligners to reposition the bite to a more natural and pleasing position throughout the treatment time.

I have a few crowns and one bridge...

Most adults have had a crown or two by the time they decide to try Invisalign. So generally it is not a major issue. Depending on where the bridge is and what your goals are, a bridge may have some effect on the treatment. Luckily, Invisalign offers Dr. Safar the flexibility to move some teeth while not moving others. With the experience she has, we can often work around or incorporate the bridge into the needed movements. You can find out for sure at your complimentary consultation.

Will TMJ affect this

TMJ actually is the jaw joint itself, so everyone actually has TMJ. But I think what you are referring to is pain or discomfort in the joint. Some people with severe joint pain or dysfunction may be more affected by the process, but in many cases, having the bite aligned and balanced properly may actually significantly relieve your symptoms.

Invisalign for minor problems

Perhaps when it was first introduced, we tried to limit our use of Invisalign to simpler issues. But now after nearly a decade of use and hundreds of thousands of patients undergoing treatment, we have found that Invisalign can handle nearly any situation. This includes more complex situations from crossbites to crowding and even big gaps between teeth.