The promise of straightening your teeth without sacrificing your smile… Invisalign has a lot of buzz around it for good reason.
Gone are the days of garish metal braces that act like a gleaming silver arrow that directs attention straight to your teeth. Invisalign means that you can get the smile of your dreams discreetly while also keeping your confidence in check.
But how do these little miracle workers work and what makes them so great?
Here’s everything you need to know about what Invisalign treatment entails, how much Invisalign costs and what the process is like. Our article will take you from curious to confident so you feel prepared for your first consultation.
No more bulky braces, it’s time to shift over to subtle straightening.
What is Invisalign
First things first, what actually is this supposed wonder product you’ve heard so much about?
Well, Invisalign are clear aligners that are completely customised for you. Worn like an ultra thin, ultra clear mouthguard, they gently shift your teeth into place, and most clients see significant results within one year of treatment. Meaning you can straighten your teeth and get the smile of your dreams in a way that’s discrete, comfortable and easy to look after. Unlike regular braces, you can remove your Invisalign aligners for eating, drinking, cleaning and for any special events, so they won’t have any impact on your daily life. On average we see patients experience significant results within a year, but of course every smile is different and times vary depending on your mouth.
What are the benefits of Invisalign aligners?
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Invisalign aligners are discrete and invisible
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They’re easy to clean and don’t make it hard to brush your teeth like braces do
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Invisalign aligners are super comfortable to wear – bye bye braces ulcers and abrasions
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Invisalign is easy to eat with as they can just be taken out, so you won’t have to cut out apples or your favourite hard snacks
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With Invisalign, you don’t get the risk of permanent staining from plaque buildup around braces.
What is the Invisalign process?
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Your first consultation
At your first consultation your dentist will evaluate your smile and discuss suitable treatment options. We will arrange a time for you to come back for a 3D scan appointment with our therapist. Your dentist can then create a customised treatment plan for you. Done completely digitally, your treatment plan will map out your mouth and your step-by-step smile transformation, which we will email to you. -
Your unique aligners
Once your plan is approved, your clear Invisalign aligners will be made up. You’ll wear a new set of aligners every 1-2 weeks, depending on how quickly your teeth move. And your dentist will see you every 6 – 10 weeks to track your progress and issue the next batch of aligners. -
Wearing your aligners
Aligners are to be worn for 20-22 hours a day and can be taken out for eating, drinking, cleaning and brushing your teeth. Each pair of aligners gently shift your teeth into place, until you have the smile of your dreams.
Results: Before and after Invisalign
The results speak for themselves, take a look at these progress pics from one of our very happy Perth patients, Grace! She only had to wear her Invisalign for 8 months until she achieved the smile she had always wanted. See the transformation for yourself:
Braces or Invisalign. Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s what to consider if you’re deciding between braces and Invisalign:
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Results: How effective each treatment will be for your smile (your dentist can help advise here)
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Treatment cost: Braces are generally more expensive and cost between $6,000- $12,000
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Personal cost: Will the treatment impact your self-esteem as your teeth straighten
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How it impacts you: Convenience of treatment, level of comfort and impact on your daily life
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Time commitments: Duration of treatment and frequency of follow up visits
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Treatment time: On average, braces are usually worn for 18-24 months while Invisalign is normally worn for 9-15 months
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Ease of care: Braces are much harder to clean and if not cleaned properly, can leave permanent, box-shaped staining on your teeth.
For a more detailed comparison of the differences between braces and Invisalign, read Braces or Invisalign: What One is Right For You next.
Bye bye braces, there’s a new kid on the block.
How much does Invisalign cost in Perth?
Different states have different pricing and costs will also vary from dentist to dentist.
Additionally, every smile is unique, meaning the amount of time you need to wear Invisalign will vary, and so will the cost. Simple cases start at $4500, with the more complex cases, that need many aligners, costing up to $9000. This means that most of the time, Invisalign can cost less than braces.
Most dentists will also offer an option to pay off your Invisalign with a payment plan over the course of your straightening.
Is Invisalign covered by private health insurance in Australia?
Your level of cover and insurance provider will determine whether or not you’re eligible for Invisalign cover. Here’s the basics regarding Invisalign and health insurance:
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Most health funds offer a lifetime orthodontic limit which can be used towards Invisalign.
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Payment
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Coverage at clinic: Some providers will pay automatically and allow you to just swipe your card through the HICAPS machine in the office
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Claim later: Other providers will require you to pay up front at the clinic, and will refund the money to you after with receipt.
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For information specific to you, get in touch with your health insurance provider for all the details.
Invisalign vs DIY Home kits
While it might be tempting to buy into cheap, DIY at-home aligners that you can order online, there is a familiar little golden rule that really does apply. If it sounds too good to be true… it probably is. There are several factors that influence the success of your treatment, and without professional dental care it is impossible to ensure that your treatment will work. Here’s why your dentist will have more success than DIY home kits:
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Overcrowding
One of the main reasons why people have a crooked smile is because there is overcrowding in their mouth, meaning that there is not enough space for all of your teeth to fit comfortably. In these cases, straightening all of the teeth will actually cause you damage and pain and will push your teeth into your gums. In cases of overcrowding, there is almost always the need for some teeth to be removed prior to straightening, to make sure that there is enough room for a straightened smile. -
Regular check ups
A major downfall of these at home kits, is the lack of dental checkups by qualified dentists to ensure that everything is moving into the correct places, and your treatment is working. Without dental checkups, your teeth could end up moving into the wrong places and or have your teeth tilting in an awkward angle. -
Permanent damage and tooth loss
Misaligned teeth aren’t the only danger of DIY teeth straightening. According to Orthodontics Australia, at-home straightening can lead to permanent damage to your teeth, gums and oral health and even cause tooth loss.
“DIY braces can cause permanent damage to gums and even lead to tooth loss. That won’t give you much to smile about.” – Orthodontics Australia
Frequently asked questions about Invisalign
Can you take your Invisalign aligners out for special events?
If you have a special event coming up, you can take your aligners out for an extended period of time, as long as it’s not too frequently.
Will Invisalign give you a lisp or affect your speech?
Just like braces, or any other kind of in-mouth treatment, it’s pretty common to notice a mild lisp the first few days of wearing your aligners. This is not permanent. After a few days your mouth will get used to talking with your aligners, without you even needing to try, and your speech will return to normal.
Will Invisalign hurt?
It’s normal to experience some discomfort with each new set of aligners in the same way as when braces are tightened. The feeling is usually described as a feeling of extra pressure in the mouth and tends to disappear within a couple of days. With Invisalign, you’re significantly less likely to get ulcers and abrasions in your mouth than with braces, increasing the comfort levels of the treatment.
If you’re ready to straighten your smile, elevate your confidence and feel comfortable in the process, book online now. If you’ve got any other questions or queries about Invisalign and your options, you can contact us or give us a call on (08) 9383 1200 for more information.
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