Invisalign dental treatment is an alternative to traditional metal braces for straightening crooked or misaligned teeth. Whereas traditional metal braces involve metal brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners use sets of clear aligner trays that you take out and replace every one or two weeks, according to your dentist’s recommendations. As such, these aligner trays are removable for convenient cleaning and eating. They are also clear and transparent, so your smile can shine through unhindered by brackets and wires.
 
Each aligner tray gradually moves your teeth into proper alignment. The trays, which are made of thermoplastic material, are designed to apply a certain amount of force on your teeth to shift them until treatment ends and your smile is anew. Dentists recommend that patients wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, only taking them out when eating or cleaning. As such, it’s expected that you’ll wear them while you’re sleeping.
 
Invisalign clear aligners can treat most dental issues, whether they are simple or complex. For dental issues that are too complex for Invisalign clear aligners, you may be able to combine traditional braces with Invisalign treatment – starting with traditional metal braces until the teeth are shifted enough to switch to Invisalign clear aligners for the remainder of treatment.

The amount insurance covers for Invisalign treatment varies with different insurance providers. While many insurance providers cover at least a portion of Invisalign treatment, some may view it as a cosmetic service and deny coverage. Still, most insurance providers will cover at least 25 to 50 percent of the total Invisalign fee.
 
To find out exactly how much of your Invisalign treatment your insurance provider will cover, you have a few options. You can review your benefits information on your online account, or you can call your insurance provider directly to determine how much coverage you are eligible for with Invisalign treatment.
 
You can also receive a more precise determination of how much your insurance would cover by having a consultation with a dentist and having the clinic send in a coverage request. The dentist can examine your bite, alignment, and dental health during such a consultation to determine the extent of Invisalign treatment and provide an estimated cost breakdown.
 
After establishing the cost breakdown, the clinic can send that information to the insurance company for a coverage request. When the insurance company receives the coverage request, they will analyze the information and send a predetermination back to you or your clinic informing you of how much they’ll cover.

During the first Invisalign appointment with your dentist, they will take an impression and pictures of your mouth at every angle using digital imaging technology. After compiling these pictures to form a complete impression of your mouth, they will send this information to an Invisalign laboratory where your aligners will be fabricated.
 
It may take around three weeks for the dental clinic to receive your aligner trays. When they receive the aligners, you’ll have another appointment with your dentist to test your first set of aligners. You’ll also have certain attachments added to your teeth that hold the aligners in place. The dentist may perform interproximal reduction to create room for the aligners. This procedure involves gentle sanding of your teeth and involves the use of anesthetics to minimize any discomfort.
 
After these first two appointments, you’ll have routine follow-up appointments where your dentist will monitor your progress and address any concerns you have about treatment. When Invisalign treatment is complete and your teeth are in good alignment with each other, you will transition from aligners to retainers that keep your teeth in the right position.

Many dental clinics provide affordable payment plan and financing options for Invisalign treatment. However, these plans vary with each clinic, so it’s a good idea to contact your dental clinic directly to learn more about your payment options for Invisalign.
 
At Real Smile Dentistry, we are proud to offer Invisalign treatment to eligible patients, with accommodating payment plans and financing options. To learn more about Invisalign treatment at Real Smile Dentistry or to schedule an Invisalign consultation, call us today or make an appointment online! We serve patients from Miami Beach FL, Greater Miami FL, Aventura FL, Miami Shores FL, Wynwood FL, Little Haiti FL, Dodge Island FL, Midtown FL, North Miami FL, and Pinewood FL.