Invisalign – West Caldwell, NJ

Straightening Your Smile Without Metal Braces

Have you always wanted to straighten your teeth, but the thought of wearing traditional metal braces for two years or longer just sounded like an impossibility? Or, did you wear braces when you were a kid and your teeth have since relapsed? Well, you're in luck, thanks to Invisalign. Now, having that confidence boost and achieving your dream smile really isn't that big of a deal. In addition to attaining an attractive grin, straight teeth make it easier to floss and keep your teeth clean, resulting in greatly improved oral hygiene. Read on to learn more about Invisalign in West Caldwell!

Why Choose Magid Dental Care for Invisalign?

  • Fully Customized Removable Clear Aligners
  • Dental Team That Always Takes Their Time with You
  • Kind Dentist Who Is a Preferred Invisalign Provider

How Invisalign Works

Woman smiling while holding Invisalign clear aligner

You know that Invisalign utilizes see-through, comfortable aligners instead of metal brackets and wires, but how exactly do they work? In short, Dr. Magid will map out how to get your teeth from where they currently are to their properly aligned positions. Then, a series of clear aligners are made to incrementally shift your teeth. By wearing each tray for 20-22 hours a day, enough pressure is applied to move them a step closer to where they should be. After a week or two, you’ll move onto your next set of trays, which will pick up where the previous ones left off. This process will repeat until you’ve worked through the entire series, and you have a gorgeous, straight smile!

Indications for Invisalign

Closeup of patient placing Invisalign aligner on her top teeth

Thankfully, Invisalign can address some of the most common orthodontic issues, from overcrowded teeth to misaligned bites. Here’s a bit more about how clear aligners can fix:

Crowded Teeth

Many patients struggle with teeth that overlap. Since this can negatively impact the health, function, and look of your smile, it’s worth considering Invisalign! The clear aligners can effectively guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions in an average of just 12 to 18 months.

Gaps Between Teeth

For some patients, the gap between their teeth is a signature part of their look. For others, it’s something that makes them feel self-conscious. If you’re a part of the latter, then you’ll be happy to know that Invisalign can bring your teeth closer and closer together until they are perfectly aligned.

Bite Alignment

Bite issues – from overbites to underbites – can make it difficult to chew properly, speak clearly, and smile confidently. Fortunately, Invisalign can fix several common bite problems!

The Benefits of Invisalign

Person holding Invisalign aligner in West Caldwell in their hand

Here are a few noteworthy reasons more than 12 million patients have chosen to pursue their dream smile with Invisalign:

  • Improved comfort thanks to no wires or brackets poking your mouth or breaking.
  • Aligners are thin and clear making them almost invisible, so people around you will hardly notice you’re getting treatment.
  • They are removable, allowing you to take them out of your mouth to eat, brush, floss, or for that special occasion.
  • Animated preview of how your teeth are going to move beforehand, letting you see your results before committing to treatment.
  • Maintain your professional appearance with discreet, clear aligners.
  • They are custom-made just for your teeth for maximum effectiveness and comfort.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Fingers picking up Invisalign from carrier case on blue surface

Now that you understand more about Invisalign and how it works, it’s only natural to wonder how much it costs. Before proceeding, you must consult with Dr. Magid to ensure that you’re a good candidate. He’ll discuss your smile goals and examine your current condition to ensure no pre-existing issues, like cavities or gum disease, interfere with the results.

Once you’re approved to proceed, our team can provide a detailed estimate and walk you through the information for your approval. Continue reading to learn more about how the pricing of Invisalign is determined, and feel free to contact us for additional information.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Bird’s eye view of several Invisalign trays around its carrier case

You might not pay the exact same amount as someone else for your orthodontics because the total depends on your unique situation. Several factors can influence the final total due, such as:

  • Whether you’re treating a single arch. Though it’s uncommon, in instances of mild misalignments you might only need to treat one row of teeth, which reduces the rate.
  • The severity of your condition. Those with a slight issue to address likely won’t pay as much overall as someone whose mouth requires more manipulation of movement.
  • The proposed treatment timeline. The longer your treatment, the more trays you will need to wear, resulting in a higher cost.
  • How well you comply. You must wear the trays for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting. If you don’t, you could add weeks or months to your overall timeline.

Invisalign vs. Mail-Order Aligners: Which Costs More?

Closeup of a clear aligner on a white background

There are several online and long-distance providers that offer a “quick fix” to straighten smiles for a lower rate. These often charge about $2,000 for treatment while Invisalign can range from $3,00 to $8,000.

However, using “do it yourself” kits comes with additional risks that you might pay for in the long run. For example, they don’t include an examination before beginning and there’s no professional oversight. Many patients have inadvertently made their dental condition worse and then had to pay additional fees for their dentist to correct the damage.

Meanwhile, Dr. Magid has 20+ years of experience and is a certified Invisalign provider. He’ll provide any additional treatments necessary to keep your mouth healthy for the duration of your orthodontic treatment and beyond.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?  

Top of dental insurance form with pen and black framed glasses

This service is considered a cosmetic procedure intended to boost your appearance more than improve your oral condition, so most insurance policies don’t include it. However, every plan is different, so it’s worth checking your information to verify what’s covered.

Please let us know if you’re struggling to find the information or require assistance with paperwork or applications. Our friendly office staff is familiar with many providers and is happy to help however they can.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Woman in blue scrubs handing paperwork on clipboard and pen to patient

Upgrading your grin helps you look and feel like the best version of yourself, which in turn leads to better career opportunities, more meaningful relationships, and a more active social life. We don’t want your budget to hold you back from enjoying life to its fullest, so we offer the following options to help make Invisalign more affordable:

  • Flexible financing. We’ve partnered with CareCredit, a third-party financer, so you can break up your total invoice into more manageable monthly installments that are easier on your wallet.
  • In-house memberships. We also have an onsite savings plan you can join for a flat fee to gain access to routine checkups and cleanings in addition to discounts on other services that we provide.

Invisalign FAQs

What Does Invisalign Look Like?

Many people in West Caldwell want straighter teeth but prefer to avoid the hassle and potential embarrassment that comes with traditional braces. Invisalign is a more discreet alternative made from transparent plastic that fits snuggly over your grin to reposition it instead.

The see-through material allows your natural smile to shine through, so you don’t feel self-conscious about having metal brackets attached to your teeth throughout your treatment. You might require additional attachments, buttons, or elastics that can be made of other materials that are more visible. Rest assured, Dr. Magid will do his best to ensure that everything is clear or tooth-colored to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

It’s natural to worry that your orthodontics might hurt because any treatment that exerts enough pressure on your teeth has the potential to cause discomfort. Thankfully, Invisalign is known to be more comfortable and less invasive than braces. For starters, the smooth plastic won’t lacerate the tender tissues inside your lips, gums, or tongue like standard braces sometimes do. You also don’t have to worry about snapped brackets or wires poking sore spots in your mouth.

You might expect some mild soreness when you first start wearing your aligners regularly as your teeth adjust to the added force. Typically, this resolves itself within a few days, and it’s usually safe to take Tylenol or ibuprofen in the meantime until it abates. Then, you might experience renewed sensitivity when you switch to a new set of trays until your teeth start to shift to accommodate them.

How Long Does Invisalign Usually Take?

On average, most patients wear Invisalign for 12 to 18 months before completing treatment. However, it depends significantly on your individual circumstances. If you have a mildly crooked teeth, for example, you might only be required to wear the trays for 6 months. Other patients who have more severe misalignments or bite malocclusions are likelier to need them longer.

Meanwhile, traditional braces typically take 18 to 24+ months to do the same work. That means you can potentially reduce your treatment time by opting for this alternative orthodontic method.

What if My Invisalign Broke?

You’ll wear each set of trays for 20 to 22 hours daily, then you’ll be given a new pair to account for the ongoing movement of your teeth. Although the plastic material is durable, it’s not intended to last forever. If you’re not careful when handling your Invisalign, you might break, scratch, crack, or otherwise damage it.

If you notice that your tray is injured, please contact us to let us know rather than try to address it yourself. Many patients have tried to glue their aligners with household products that aren’t intended for oral use and can be toxic if digested, like super glue. Call our office, and we’ll help reorder your trays if needed. We’ll also let you know whether you should repeat a previous set or advance to the next pair earlier than intended.