The results are
clear.
Invisalign® and
Invisalign Teen®
All About Invisalign®
Considering straightening your teeth? Learn about this comfortable, clear alternative to braces.
Invisalign® is the transparent way to straighten your teeth with the most advanced technology, resulting in your best smile. Using a series of clear aligners, you can straighten your teeth gently and with less pain than braces. Invisalign fits your lifestyle and makes it easy to eat, drink, brush your teeth — and take a selfie! Schedule a consultation now to see if Invisalign is right for you.
Dr. Christine Ferrell
is a
Diamond
Invisalign
Provider
Awarded to only
the top 1% of providers
What's the Difference?
Unlike with traditional metal braces, you won’t have to change your diet, struggle with oral hygiene, or feel self-conscious that everyone will notice your "tin grin". Those days are over!
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People will barely notice you’re wearing them. After a few days, even you with forget you’re wearing them!
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No food restrictions – just take them out when you eat.
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No brackets or wires, so no poking your lips and cheeks or getting fabric, hair, or other things caught in any metal pieces.
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Aligners can perform double-duty as custom bleaching trays and protect against grinding.
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You are always photo-ready!
Invisalign is also easier on a busy schedule. You’ll change your Invisalign aligners at home every 1-2 weeks (depending on your customized plan), so you’ll have fewer and less frequent office checkups than with traditional braces. You can go up to 12 weeks between appointments unless you have an issue, so you won’t miss a lot of school or work!
How do I begin?
The first step to starting your alignment is scheduling an appointment with our office. We offer a free consultation appointment to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign! At this appointment we will:
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Evaluate the condition of your teeth, gums and jaw, bite, and the amount of space or crowding you have
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Review your smile, what you would like to change, and the best way to accomplish the redesign of your smile
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Review the fees involved, based on your case
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Review any orthodontics benefits you may have on your insurance plan
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Review your financing options, if applicable
Receive a FREE Smile Kit at the start of your treatment!
Dr. Ferrell and her staff will send you home with a Smile Kit to help you take care of your teeth and your aligners when you’re on the go. Includes:
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Travel Bag
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Folding tooth brush
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Lip balm
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Invisalign travel case
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Travel-sized toothpaste
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Hand Sanitizer
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Nail file for adjusting aligners
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Who can wear Invisalign?Invisalign is a popular choice among teens who don’t like the look of metal braces. It’s also a great choice for adults who would like to straighten their crowded/spaced teeth or correct orthodontic relapse. Orthodontic relapse is the shifting that sometimes occurs when a patient stops wearing their retainers.
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How does an Invisalign orthodontist compare to those online aligner clubs?Before you trust your smile to an online provider, please do your homework. Compare the online service to the Invisalign treatment at your orthodontist. Search the web and social media for patient reviews, confirm credentials and get all of your questions answered. Our patients who have compared Invisalign vs. online aligner clubs share why they were deterred from using a remote provider: No guarantee that an orthodontist was involved in the treatment Skeptical about the accuracy of at-home impressions Many reviews about how aligners didn’t seem to fit consistently Reviews warning of complicated appeal process if patient wasn’t happy with results Quoted savings didn’t include all expenses such as impression kit, replacement fee for lost or broken aligners, cost of final retainers, no insurance benefits utilized
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How much does Invisalign cost?It’s more affordable than you think! In most cases, Invisalign® treatment is comparable to the cost of traditional braces. The cost depends on the complexity of the case and the length of time in treatment. The best way to know is to schedule a free initial consultation with our office.
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Does my insurance cover Invisalign?Because dental benefits differ from policy to policy, you should review your personal coverage plan and check with your insurance provider. In general, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces and many orthodontic insurance plans can cover up to 50%. If you’d like to confirm that we work with your insurance provider, please contact us or visit our Insurance Basics Page.
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How quickly will I see results?We know you’re excited about your new smile. Every patient wants to know how soon they will see changes. The answer will vary on a case by case, but this we can assure you. You will start to feel changes happening by your second set of aligners. And by the second month, you’ll start to notice small changes, even if no one else can. By the fourth month, other people will start to notice the changes too.
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How often do I need to wear my aligners?Your aligners should be worn for 20-22 hours per day and only removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
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Will wearing Invisalign® aligners affect my speech?You may notice that for a few days, you’ll have a slight lisp while you get accustomed to having the aligners in your mouth. You’ll be amazed how quickly you adjust and no one will even notice you’re wearing them unless you point them out. The trick is not to be shy! The more you practice talking with your aligners in, the faster you’ll adjust. So talk a lot, talk to yourself and sing in the shower!
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Will Invisalign affect my diet?Because Invisalign consists of removable aligners, you don’t have to adjust your diet like with metal braces. However, you may need to adjust your eating and snacking routines while you’re wearing your aligners. Your aligners need to be in your mouth to be working, so it’s about budgeting your 2-4 hours per day max of aligners-out time. If you like to sip coffee for an hour in the morning, that’s fine. But you’re reducing your remaining time for meals and snacks for the day. Some patients report adopting healthier habits, like increased water intake and less snacking throughout the day. Some patients credit their Invisalign treatment for losing a few pounds. Bonus!
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What are buttons?Some patients will have small buttons or attachments bonded to their teeth in order to give their aligners a snug fit which helps teeth move into the correct position. They are made of tooth-colored bonding material and are nearly invisible. Dr. Ferrell will determine if you need them, how many, and on which teeth in order to guide your teeth during the course of the treatment. Buttons are easily removed at the end of your treatment.
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How do I clean my Invisalign aligners?You’ll want to clean your aligners daily in order to keep them from looking cloudy or yellow. Brush them with plain toothpaste each time you put them back in your mouth. Avoid whitening toothpaste because as some ingredients can cause discoloration. This is the best way to keep your Invisalign looking clean and clear. If they need an extra boost, Dr. Ferrell recommends using a cleaner designed for retainers like Retainer Brite, Invisalign's cleaning crystals or denture cleaning tablets like Efferdent. Never boil the aligners in hot water or put them in the microwave or dishwasher. High heat will ruin them!
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Can I take out my aligners for a special occasion?For optimal results, your aligners should be left in 20-22 hours per day. Under normal circumstances, that gives you plenty of time for meals, snacks, and enjoying coffee, soda or adult beverages. No doubt, there will be a day when you want to have that freedom to eat/drink for an extended period of time. Here’s what you need to keep in mind: Once the aligners are out of your mouth for more than 2 hours at a time, you start to lose progress. So to accommodate for a minor set-back like a party or special event, Dr. Ferrell recommends extending your time in that set of aligners by an extra day.
