It goes without saying that we’re all used to wearing masks in public now. And of course, we’re also staying home more and self-isolating. So it’s a really great time to practice some self-care and consider at-home Invisalign ® treatment. Behind your mask, no one can tell you’re straightening your teeth, and when the mask eventually comes off, you’ll be able to show off a healthy, gorgeous smile. At Sensational Smiles, we offer convenient and affordable Invisalign treatment that includes the expertise of our board-certified orthodontists.
Mail-Order Aligners vs Invisalign
Now you’ve most likely heard about the many other at-home aligner treatments out there that promise fast results at an affordable price. So what’s the difference between those aligners and Invisalign? (Spoiler alert: Invisalign is really your only choice.) You get treatment that’s supervised and designed by an American, board-certified orthodontist. Mail-order aligners can’t promise this — in reality, a dentist only needs to complete a weekend course to provide the professional support that some at-home aligners include. You’re basically left to practice orthodontic care on your own, an uncomfortable idea to say the least. Best case scenario? Subpar results. Worst case? Damage that will take an orthodontist years to repair.
Another difference between other aligners and Invisalign is quality in production and materials. Many of the mail-order aligners rely on old technology and generic materials and it can be hard to know what you’re really getting. Sensational Smiles’ at-home aligners uses real Invisalign aligners — the same proven, top quality appliances used in more comprehensive Invisalign treatment.
What Does the At-Home Invisalign Process Look Like?
Now that you know the basic differences between mail-order aligners and Invisalign, let’s take a closer look at the at-home Invisalign treatment process with Sensational Smiles:
Step 1: Your Free Consultation
Your Sensational Smiles orthodontist, either Dr. Ibrahim or Dr. Gin, will sit with you for a free consultation, one of only three visits you’ll have to make to our office. We also offer virtual consultations if that’s more convenient for you.
For an in-person consult, we first do a scan of your mouth with our state-of-the-art iTero digital scanner. This provides us with a precise 3D model of your mouth that we use as the basis for your Invisalign aligner prescription. We’ll then examine your teeth so we can see first-hand what your misalignment looks like. As you know, orthodontic treatment changes your facial structure, so you want a professional who knows how to design a smile that complements your features. Your orthodontist can also show you what your final smile will look like with the Invisalign Outcome Simulator. You could say you get a “before and after Invisalign treatment” even prior to starting the process! By the end of the consultation, you’ll have a solid idea of your goal and your personalized Invisalign treatment plan to follow at home.
Step 2: Pick Up Your Invisalign Aligners
The next step is picking up your set of customized Invisalign aligners from our Naperville office. Since every patient is unique, the number of aligners needed varies from person to person.
Step 3: Cozy Up at Home With Your Invisalign Treatment Plan
The rule of thumb for effective Invisalign treatment is wearing your aligners 20-22 hours a day. At home, you’ll swap out a new set of aligners every 1-2 weeks according to your treatment plan. As you progress through your aligners, your teeth will gradually (and gently!) shift into alignment. The length of your treatment depends on your smile needs, but we can confidently say that with Sensational Smile’s at-home Invisalign, it’s possible to achieve your winning smile in as little as six months.
Eat and Drink As Usual
Unlike braces, wearing Invisalign aligners in no way restricts what you can and can’t eat. Why? Because you simply take out your aligners when eating and when drinking anything other than water. It goes without saying that the foods you eat with wearing your Invisalign aligners should be healthy so go ahead, enjoy those crunchy apples without worrying you’ll break wires or damage brackets.
A Nearly Invisible System
It might not matter as much with a mask on, but it’s nice to know that underneath, your Invisalign aligners are almost invisible. When you’re at home with family or on Zoom, no one will notice your Invisalign aligners unless they stare directly at your teeth and look really closely. Invisalign’s clear, BPA-free plastic fits tight to your teeth and right to the gumline for discreet, comfortable straightening, yet another difference between other aligners and Invisalign.
Easy Upkeep
When you take out your aligners to brush your teeth and floss, take a few minutes to clean your aligners with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water before putting them back in. We also suggest rinsing your aligners with water any time you take them out.
Step 4: Visit Us To Share Your Invisalign Results
Congrats, you’re pretty much done! Your third and last appointment is for making sure you love your Invisalign results. We’ll also go over your after-care options — yes, you do have to wear and invest in a retainer. That’s typical of all post-aligner and braces treatment. Your Sensational Smiles orthodontist will create custom retention aligners to ensure your new smile lasts a lifetime.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of traditional Invisalign treatment usually depends on your alignment issues, your location, and insurance coverage, and runs from $5000 to $8000. But we at Sensational Smiles believe that everyone deserves a healthy, straight smile so our at-home Invisalign treatment is 60% less than traditional Invisalign treatment. We also offer flexible payment options.
So are you ready to have the smile you’ve always wanted? Now’s the perfect time to start wearing your at-home Invisalign and begin your journey with Sensational Smiles. No one will know you’ve been working on a brilliant, beautiful smile underneath your mask until your big reveal! Contact us today.
