Invisalign – Issaquah, WA

Straighter Smiles Without Braces

Everyone loves the idea of having a smile with straight, perfectly aligned teeth. However, if you’re an adult, the idea of getting braces for a straighter grin is probably not a very appealing one. In certain cases, if you only need to make mild to moderate corrections to straighten your smile, you may be able to get Invisalign as an orthodontic alternative. Call First Impressions today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sherman and see how Invisalign clear aligners from our Issaquah, WA cosmetic dentist can help you.

 

Why Choose First Impressions for Invisalign?

  • Clear, Comfortable See-Through Aligners
  • Dentist That’s Always Honest and Transparent
  • Over 500 5-star Reviews Online

 

How Invisalign Works

: Closeup of woman placing Invisalign aligner in mouth

Invisalign treatment involves multiple aligners that are typically worn for about two weeks each for 20 to 22 hours a day minimum. They fit snugly over your teeth, exerting a small amount of pressure to slowly push them into a better position. When it’s time to eat or brush your teeth, you can simply remove your aligners so that they don’t get in the way.

Indications for Invisalign

Dentist placing Invisalign aligner on model of teeth

Fortunately, Invisalign can effectively address a multitude of orthodontic issues, including:

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth come with both aesthetic and functional drawbacks. Plus, the unique crevices between your teeth can harbor food particles that are difficult for your toothbrush to reach, increasing your chances of developing tooth decay. Don’t worry – the clear aligners can gently nudge your teeth in the right direction, improving your confidence and bite.

Gaps Between Teeth

Spaced-out teeth can also negatively impact the look of your smile and increase your chances of developing oral health issues like gum disease. Once again, Invisalign’s clear aligners are up for the task! With custom-made trays that gradually shift your teeth into their properly aligned positions, you’ll see the gaps close in no time.

Bite Alignment

Invisalign can address the position of your teeth and your bite! So, whether you’re struggling with an overbite, crossbite, underbite, or something similar, Invisalign may be the solution you’ve been looking for.

The Benefits of Invisalign

Closeup of patient holding Invisalign aligner

Invisalign is well known for its virtually undetectable aligners. While the fact that they are clear is certainly a benefit, it isn’t the only one. Here are a few more:

  • No dietary restrictions
  • Hassle-free oral hygiene
  • Quicker treatment timelines (on average)
  • Fewer check-in visits

How Much Does Invisalign Cost

Dentist with black gloves holding Invisalign aligner

Patients are often curious about the cost of Invisalign – it’s only natural! Ultimately, the best way to get a price estimate is by scheduling a consultation. That way, our talented dentist, Dr. Sherman, can conduct an exam, assess the severity of your misalignment, and learn about your smile goals. With all of this information, he will be able to create a custom treatment plan and share the associated price. Of course, we will also review all of the financial solutions we offer, including dental insurance and flexible financing.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

A few key things go into determining the price of Invisalign:

  • How many aligners you need: Small adjustments require fewer aligners, which will cost less than bigger changes that require more.
  • Insurance coverage: Many dental insurance plans offer orthodontic benefits, but they don’t always apply to Invisalign.
  • Preparatory treatments: If you have an active cavity or gum disease, these will need to be taken care of first before you can start Invisalign. Leaving them untreated will only lead to bigger problems down the road.

Invisalign vs. Clear Aligners By Mail: Which Costs More?

Several companies offer to help people straighten their teeth with clear aligners without ever having to step foot inside a dentist’s office. A person simply sends in a few pictures of their teeth, and then aligners are mailed directly to them. In addition to the convenience, this method often costs less than working with a dentist as well.

While that might seem like a great deal on the surface, the truth is that it could end up being much more expensive in the long run. When you get Invisalign with Dr. Sherman, he regularly performs progress checks to ensure everything is going to plan. If adjustments need to be made, he can apply them before an issue develops.

You don’t have this safety net with mail-in aligners. This is why many patients report experiencing pain, loose teeth, and even tooth loss as a direct result of the treatment. There are actually multiple class action lawsuits that have been filed against these companies due to negligence. Ultimately, customers ended up having to pay a lot more to get their teeth fixed compared to if they just chose to see a dentist in the first place.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Almost every dental insurance plan will offer to pay for a portion of a patient’s orthodontic treatment, but this may only apply to metal braces and/or people who are 18 years old and under. Be sure to read over your policy closely to make sure it covers clear aligners for adults. Of course, we’re happy to go over your benefits with you ahead of treatment as well!

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

There are other ways to save when getting Invisalign beyond using insurance. Our dental office works with CareCredit, a third-party financier used by thousands of dentists and healthcare professionals around the country. It gives people access to flexible, low-to-no-interest payment plans that can be spread across a few or even several months depending on what works best for them. You can explore your options and sign up for a plan in minutes just by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page .

Invisalign FAQs

Closeup of smiling patient holding clear aligner

Since Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments in the world, you might already know quite a bit about clear aligner treatment. But what if you want to learn more about the teeth-straightening process – from if it will hurt to if you need to adjust your diet in any way? The good news is that you have two options: you can reach out to our Issaquah dental team directly or you can read on to learn the answers to FAQs about Invisalign!

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Let’s start with one of the most asked questions: does Invisalign hurt? If you’ve been wondering this yourself, good news: while some soreness from time to time is expected, clear aligner treatment isn’t painful. Not only are there no metal brackets and wires, but the trays are custom-made just for you, which means no uncomfortable irritation either. Of course, if any discomfort stemming from the movement of your teeth does arise, you can alleviate it with a few simple steps, like sipping on cool water, sticking to soft foods, and taking an OTC pain reliever.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

With traditional braces, patients are asked to abide by dietary restrictions, like not eating anything crunchy. With Invisalign, you’re free to enjoy all of your favorite foods because the aligners are removable! With that said, if you have a lot of attachments, then we may recommend exercising caution with whole apples, carrot sticks, celery, and the like since their crunchy consistency can cause one of them to fall off. On a similar note, we encourage our patients to be mindful of foods that are high in added sugar since they are a leading cause of tooth decay.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Usually, patients complete their Invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months. Of course, there are some cases that take significantly more or less time – it really depends on the patient! For example, if your case of malocclusion is relatively minor and you’re diligent about wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day, then you may work through your series of trays in just six months. If, on the other hand, your teeth are severely overcrowded and you consistently don’t meet the recommended wear time, then it may take more than a year and a half to straighten your teeth.

What Happens After Invisalign?

During your Invisalign treatment, our focus is precisely, gently, and safely moving your teeth into their properly aligned positions. Once they are there, our goal shifts to keeping them in place. After all, roughly 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse in the years following having their braces removed, and we want to help prevent that from happening to you. So, we will provide you with a custom-made retainer, give you our recommendations for when and how often to wear it, and share how to keep it in pristine condition throughout the years.