Invisalign – Long Island City, NY
Straighten Teeth Seamlessly & Confidently
Choosing to straighten your teeth is a big decision that affects not only your appearance, but your lifestyle as well. As an adult, you may be looking to improve your smile for business reasons, social reasons, or even for a special occasion like your wedding day. Or perhaps you're a teen or the parent of a teen looking for an effective yet modern-day orthodontic solution that doesn’t require a mouthful of metal. Either way, Invisalign and Invisalign Teen can provide a simple way to accomplish this without having to put your life on hold. Take a moment to learn more about the entire treatment process with Invisalign in Long Island City and how it can help you below.
Why Choose LIC Dental Associates for Invisalign?
- Certified Invisalign Provider
- No Brackets, Wires Or “Metal Mouth”
- Invisalign Teen Available Upon Request For Younger Patients
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
While the results may appear the same—a confident, beautiful smile—when you stop and actually compare Invisalign® to other teeth-straightening options, the advantages become quite apparent. Knowing the pros and cons of each option ahead of time will help you make a more confident decision.
How does Invisalign work?
Once we’ve determined that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, Dr. Saran or another member of our team will take a detailed scan of your teeth using their 3M Digital Scanner so that we can have a series of clear, custom-made aligners created. Each of these aligners represents a different stage of your smile as it slowly shifts into a much more ideal position; all you have to do is wear them for the instructed amount of time before switching to the next in the set. Also, we ask that you attend regular, brief check-ups at our Long Island City dental office so that we can ensure you’re progressing smoothly through the treatment process.
Invisalign treatment offers patients several valuable benefits over metal braces. There are no uncomfortable wires or brackets to worry about – only smooth, clear plastic that’s been crafted to match your unique needs. Because of their removable nature, you won’t need to make any changes to your diet or oral hygiene routine at home. Best of all, we can usually complete your treatment in 6 -18 months, which is a significant improvement over the multiple years traditional orthodontics can often require.
Take Our Invisalign Smile Assessment
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
If you’ve been trying to find out how much Invisalign costs online, then you may have hit a few roadblocks. Simply put, there isn’t a flat fee for clear aligner treatment – each one is 100% tailored to the patient’s needs! Don’t worry though; our team does everything we can to make understanding the cost of Invisalign easy, starting with dedicating this next section to covering important information about the price.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
As we mentioned above, your Invisalign treatment will be completely customized to your specific dental needs, including the severity of your misalignment and if you need to straighten one or both arches of teeth. We can answer any questions you have about the cost of your care at your consultation. However, we also need to mention that how well you follow the treatment guidelines will also impact the price you pay. For example, if you fall off-track with your plan because you consistently didn’t wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, then we may need to order new aligners, which adds to your investment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
In short, mail-order clear aligner companies, like Smile Direct Club™, cost less. Before you let that sway your decision, it’s important to do your research. For example, mail-order alternatives don’t conduct a thorough exam upfront to make sure you’re a good candidate, which is one of the many reasons so many patients have experienced worsened misalignment. If you want to straighten your teeth without jeopardizing the look, health, and function of your smile, then you should choose professional treatments, like Invisalign.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance providers do cover some of the cost! So, if you have dental insurance, don’t hesitate to double-check the fine print on your plan. Since our team welcomes Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO, Guardian PPO, and several others, we also have extensive experience helping our patients maximize their coverage. Therefore, you can also bring any questions you have to us – we’re here to help!
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Now you may be wondering, “What if I don’t have dental insurance?” Good news: you can save with our LIC Dental Associates Perks Program. You won’t have to worry about any annoying red tape either (i.e., waiting periods, annual maximums, yearly deductibles). Just join and save! Otherwise, you can opt for flexible financing through CareCredit and Lending Club. These third-party financiers offer payment plans so you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of Invisalign upfront.
If you want to learn more about our affordable financial solutions or you’re ready to schedule a consultation, get in touch with our team!
Invisalign® Frequently Asked Questions
At LIC Dental Associates, we use Invisalign to give our patients an alternative to noticeable and uncomfortable braces. If you’ve been considering these clear aligners, you may have questions about the process and what your day-to-day may look like. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Invisalign. Read on to satisfy your curiosity so you can feel confident in your treatment.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
One of the biggest benefits that patients enjoy with Invisalign is that they’re completely removeable! That means you can eat and drink whatever you want, as long as you’re not wearing your aligners. Water is the only beverage you should drink when wearing your aligners. Other drinks can stain the clear plastic, and hot liquids can warp your trays. Just be sure to clean your teeth and rinse out your aligners before placing them back into your mouth after eating. Food debris can stain the clear plastic, and trapped plaque can increase your risk of tooth decay.
What Happens if You Lose an Aligner?
Although you should do all you can to care for your aligners, it’s fairly common for patients to lose or break them. If this occurs, call our dental office right away. We will give you a replacement as soon as possible. Until then, wear the most recent aligner in the series. The sooner you can resume the process, the better your chances are of staying on track with your treatment time.
How Will Invisalign Affect Your Life?
One of the best parts of Invisalign treatment is that you can straighten your teeth both discreetly and comfortably. There is a slight adjustment period when you first start, but this is relatively short and there is no pain. Plus, the aligning trays are made of clear plastic, allowing you to easily wear them in your personal and professional lives. Just remember to bring your Invisalign when you’re traveling!
When Do You Visit Our Dental Office for Checkups?
Unlike traditional braces that require tightening every few weeks, leading to many orthodontic visits, Invisalign only requires appointments every 6 to 8 weeks. During these visits, we will carefully check your smile and ensure that your treatment is going smoothly and on schedule. You won’t have to come see us each time you move onto the next aligners in the series.
How Do I Clean My Aligners?
Keeping your aligning trays clean is an important part of a successful Invisalign treatment. You can clean your Invisalign by using clear hand soap, a nonabrasive toothbrush, and room temperature water. Be sure to avoid using hot water because it can warp the plastic. When you’re cleaning your aligners, it’s a good idea to lay down a towel or cloth on the sink and ground. That way, if you happen to drop them, you’ll have cushion ready to break the fall.