Invisalign FAQ

Lakewood Invisalign FAQBelmar Orthodontics is excited to be a Lakewood Invisalign provider, offering are patients an alternative approach to traditional braces that is quickly growing in popularity for teenagers and adults.  At Belmar Orthodontics, we want to enable our patients to make informed decisions about their dental health and we do this by supplying them generous information in and out of the office.  To help you decide if Invisalign® is the treatment method you can find the most success and ease with we encourage you to contact our office for a consultation and evaluation.  The information below, compiled by Dr. Hardy and Dr. Cindy, can help you navigate through the many questions you probably have about the treatment.

What Does Invisalign® Cost?
The costs for Invisalign® treatment are similar to the costs for traditional wire braces,  but the condition of your teeth, the length of the treatment, and the number of aligners your treatment requires to get your teeth and smile where they need to be can impact prices from patient to patient.

Will my Invisalign® aligners be visible to others?
The Invisalign aligners are fabricated from a clear plastic and are designed to be virtually “invisible”, allowing you to correct your orthodontic issues in a discreet manner.  To achieve the best result possible, most patients will need small, tooth colored bumps (called attachments) on several of their teeth.  These attachments are the same color as your teeth so they are practically invisible as well.

How does Invisalign® work?
As you progress through your Invisalign® treatment, your teeth are gently and gradually moved into their ideal, correct position. By using a series of custom-fit aligners, you will see, overtime,  the position of your teeth shift.   During treatment, the trays are progressively adjusted, transforming your smile into the result you desire.

Can I remove my Invisalign® aligners during treatment?
The Invisalign® aligners are designed to be removable, allowing you to eat, drink, and clean your teeth with as you did before you began treatment. However, patients need to reach the 22-hours of wear time per day to optimize the results of the treatment.  Aligners should be worn as much as possible.

Will Invisalign®  impact my ability to speak normally?
After your initial adjustment period to having your aligners most patients report no difficulties with speaking normally.  It is not uncommon to have a slight lisp for the first few days as your mouth and tongue adjust to having the aligners in your mouth.

Am I allowed to drink beverages while wearing my Invisalign® aligners?
Dr. Hardy recommends that patients only drink cold water when the aligners are in their mouths.  Sometimes,  a patient can drink from a straw when they are drinking anything other than water, but it should always be cold to prevent distortion of the trays.  Please talk to a member of our Belmar Orthodontics team at the beginning of treatment concerning any eating or drinking habits that may make it difficult for you to comply with this aspect of treatment.

How do I clean my Invisalign® aligners?
Invisalign® aligners can be easily cleaned by scrubbing them with a toothbrush and water. Sometimes antibacterial hand soap and a toothbrush can boost your cleaning efforts if needed.  Just make sure you rinse the aligners and your toothbrush well before reinserting the aligners in your mouth.

How long will my Invisalign® treatment take?
Every patient that we treat has different things going on with their smiles and bites, but most of our adult patients complete the treatment within 12 months.  Treatment time can be lengthened if the patient is not diligent about wearing their aligners for the proper amount of time each day.  For patients using Invisalign Teen®, the growth of their permanent teeth will also determine treatment time length.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have more questions about Invisalign treatment or wish to schedule an Invisalign® consultation with Dr. Hardy, please contact our office today at: 303.225.9016.

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