Your Guide To Invisalign: Advantages, Costs & Timeline

Invisalign is the most popular alternative to braces. Instead of metal brackets and wires, it uses clear “aligners” to correct the position of your teeth. Compared to braces, Invisalign has lots of benefits including enhanced comfort, faster results, and a nearly invisible appearance when worn. And at SmilesHUB, Dr. Ritu Dhadwal and our team are here to help you get a straighter smile with Invisalign. 

As a certified Invisalign dentist, Dr. Ritu can help you straighten your teeth, correct your bite, and love your smile once again. But you may be wondering what to expect from treatment. What are the benefits? How much does it cost to get Invisalign in Oakbrook Terrace, IL? How long does treatment typically take? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer all of these questions and much more.

Understanding How Invisalign Works 

Instead of using wires, brackets, and elastics to move your teeth, Invisalign uses clear “aligners,” which are also sometimes called “trays.” These look similar to a plastic retainer, or a night guard that you would wear at night to protect your teeth from teeth grinding.

‍

Although it looks very different from braces, Invisalign does the same thing. Using digital technology, Dr. Ritu Dhadwal works closely with Invisalign to create a treatment plan that will gently move your teeth into the proper position. The result? A smile that’s straight, healthy, and makes you feel great about how you look.

‍

Thanks to advances in treatment techniques and their SmartTrack thermoplastic material, Invisalign can be used to correct most minor-to-moderate orthodontic issues including crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and gaps between teeth. It’s also appropriate for bite issues including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and even open bites.

‍

Each set of aligners moves your teeth by about 0.1mm over a period of about 1-2 weeks. Once your teeth adjust to their new positions, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners and the process will start all over again. Throughout the process, you’ll see Dr. Ritu for checkups. She will work closely with Invisalign to keep an eye on your progress, make adjustments, and ensure that your teeth are moving properly. 

The Benefits Of Choosing Invisalign In Oakbrook Terrace, IL 

Invisalign is the most popular alternative to traditional metal braces for patients of all ages. It’s suitable for both adults and teenagers. Why do so many patients choose to straighten their smile with Invisalign? Here are just a few reasons.

• Won’t affect your appearance – Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible when worn. They are designed to fit your teeth and gums perfectly, making them much less noticeable than braces. This makes Invisalign particularly popular among teenagers, young adults, and professionals who would like a more subtle method of smile correction.

‍

• No dietary restrictions – One of the worst things about braces is that you can’t eat things like popcorn, chips, gum, and other things that could damage your aligners. With Invisalign, this isn’t an issue! You’ll take your aligners out to eat and drink anyway, so there are absolutely no dietary restrictions. You can keep eating all of your favorite foods throughout your treatment.

‍

• Easy to brush and floss – Brushing and flossing around braces can be difficult and time-consuming. And if you don’t pay close attention, you could leave behind food particles that increase your risk of tooth decay or gum disease. But with Invisalign, you can remove your aligners to brush and floss. There’s no need to change your oral hygiene routine, and it’s much easier to keep your smile in good shape.
  
  
• Much more comfortable – Invisalign tends to move teeth a bit more gradually compared to braces, so your teeth won’t be as sore when you switch to a new set of aligners. Also, there are no metal components that could poke your lips, cheeks, or any other part of your mouth. Invisalign is made out of smooth, thin plastic and is designed to fit over your teeth perfectly.

‍

• Convenient treatment with fast results – You’ll usually need an Invisalign checkup about every 6-8 weeks. And since there’s no need to manually adjust braces, these are pretty quick! You’ll usually be in and out of our SmilesHUB within 15-30 minutes. Not only that, but Invisalign is often faster than traditional braces, which makes it easier to fit into your busy lifestyle.

‍

How Much Does Invisalign Cost? Breaking Down The Details

The average cost of Invisalign in Illinois is between $3000 and $7000. Usually, Invisalign treatment from SmilesHUB is comparable in price to traditional braces. One option may sometimes be a bit more expensive than the other, but the overall cost is pretty close.

What factors affect the cost of Invisalign?

The primary factor that affects Invisalign treatment costs is the complexity of your case. If you have more complex orthodontic issues, your treatment will take longer. Dr. Ritu will need to spend more time planning your treatment, you will need more sets of aligners, and you may even need additional treatments like Invisalign attachments to keep your teeth moving properly. This all adds up to a higher treatment cost. 

‍

Treatment delays are another big factor. If you don’t wear your aligners enough and your treatment is delayed, you may need to come in for additional visits with Dr. Ritu and get modifications to your treatment plan.

How can I fit the cost of Invisalign treatment into my budget? 

At SmilesHUB, we do our very best to be transparent about the costs of Invisalign treatment. After your visit with Dr. Ritu and our team, we’ll provide you with an accurate estimate of how much we think your treatment will cost. No hidden fees or surprises!

‍

However, we know that fitting the cost of Invisalign into your budget can be difficult. So let’s go over a few ways that you can keep costs under control and pay less for your straight new smile!

‍

• Dental insurance – Some dental plans include orthodontic coverage. This usually caps out at about $3000, but this can go a long way toward paying for your Invisalign treatment in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Have any questions about your insurance coverage? Our team can help you understand your benefits.
  

• HSA/FSA funds – If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use it to pay for Invisalign. Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign are fully qualified HSA/FSA expenses under current IRS laws.

• Financing – At SmilesHUB, we offer financing through CareCredit. This lets you split the cost of Invisalign treatment into budget-friendly monthly payments. Ask our team for more information at your consultation with Dr. Ritu, and we can find out if you qualify!
• SmilesHUB Assurance Plan – If you’re a member of the SmilesHub Assurance Plan, you can get a free orthodontic consultation as part of your yearly membership. Not only that, but you will get a 10% discount on the cost of orthodontic treatment. 

‍

Timeline of Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign usually takes about 6-18 months for teenagers, and about 12-18 months for adults. It’s typically faster for teens because their mouths haven’t fully developed yet, so it’s a bit easier to move teeth into their proper positions. But what exactly happens during this treatment period? Let’s get into the specifics!

Initial consultation

First, you’ll come into SmilesHUB for your consultation with Dr. Ritu. She will perform a comprehensive oral exam and take X-rays of your mouth to determine the severity of your orthodontic problems. She will also discuss your smile goals with you, and the benefits and drawbacks of Invisalign.

‍

If she determines that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and you’re ready to commit to treatment, Dr. Ritu will discuss treatment costs with you and help you set up a plan that works for your budget. Then, she will schedule you for a follow-up visit to design your Invisalign plan.

Designing your Invisalign plan

At your next visit, Dr. Ritu will use a hand-held digital scanner to take a 3D image of your teeth. She will upload this image into an Invisalign program, and then use it to design your Invisalign plan. Before your treatment even begins, you can see a preview of your results!

Once she finalizes your plan, Dr. Ritu will send it to the Invisalign lab. This is where your first few sets of Invisalign aligners will be made. It takes a couple of weeks for your aligners to be built and sent back to SmilesHUB.

Wearing your first set of aligners

Once we receive your aligners, you’ll come in for a visit with Dr. Ritu at SmilesHUB. She’ll give you your first few sets of aligners, as well as instructions on when to swap to a new set, and how to care for your aligners and your teeth during treatment.

‍

Then, you’ll go home and start the Invisalign treatment process. You will need to wear your new aligners for 20-22 hours per day. Ideally, you should only take them out when you eat and drink, and when you brush and floss. You will switch to a new set of aligners based on Dr. Ritu’s instructions, usually every 1-2 weeks.

Checkups at SmilesHUB

Along with straightening your teeth at home,  you will also need to see Dr. Ritu about every 6-8 weeks. During each 30-minute visit at SmilesHUB, she will check on your teeth, make sure they're moving properly, and then give you a few more sets of aligners to take home.

‍

If she notices that your teeth aren’t quite moving as expected, an Invisalign refinement may be needed. She will scan your teeth again to make sure she understands their current position, and then adjust your Invisalign plan to keep things on track.

Retainers and finishing up

Once your Invisalign treatment is done, you’ll come in for one last visit with Dr. Ritu. She will give you a set of retainers to wear. You’ll need to follow her instructions and wear them as directed to keep your teeth from shifting. You’ll start out by wearing them all day, but you can slowly transition to wearing them overnight.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Invisalign usually takes 6-18 months for teenage patients and 12-18 months for adults. However, treatment can take as long as 24 months for patients with complicated orthodontic issues.

Is Invisalign painful?

You will feel some soreness when you switch to a new set of aligners. This gets much better within a day or two, and Dr. Ritu can provide you with tips on how to reduce discomfort as you adjust to your Invisalign trays.

How effective is Invisalign compared to traditional braces?

Invisalign is just as effective as traditional braces for correcting minor to moderate orthodontic issues. However, it’s not always suitable for patients with very crooked teeth or severe bite problems. In these cases, metal braces may be a better alternative.

What is the average cost of Invisalign?

Invisalign costs between $3000 and $7000 for most patients. The longer and more complex your treatment plan is, the more your treatment will cost.

‍

Start Your Invisalign Journey With SmilesHUB Today

Invisalign is an invisible, convenient, and extremely effective alternative to braces, and allows you to transform your smile in just 12-18 months. If you’re considering Invisalign treatment in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Dr. Ritu and our team would love to meet you.

As a certified Invisalign provider, Dr. Ritu has the skills and expertise you need for every step of your Invisalign journey. Give us a call at (630) 519-6971 or contact us online to book your appointment at SmilesHUB. Don’t wait. With Invisalign, the smile you’ve always wanted may be closer than you think!