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Stop by dentalhealthcenter.com for more information on Dr. Thomas K. Hedge, DDS.
What is Invisalign®?
How does Invisalign® work?
What are the primary benefits of Invisalign®?
What are aligners made of?
What do aligners look like?
How does Invisalign® effectively move teeth?
How do I get started with Invisalign®?
Can I go to any orthodontist or dentist to be treated with Invisalign®?
How much does Invisalign® cost?
Does insurance in the Cincinnati area cover Invisalign®?
What is the minimum age of a patient that can be treated with Invisalign®?
Does the procedure work on overbites (overjets)?
Are there certain dental conditions that automatically exclude you from being an eligible patient?
Are crowns a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
Will TMJ affect Invisalign® treatment?
Can Invisalign® close gaps (space closure)?
Are bridges a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
Will the treatment be painful?
Will wearing Invisalign® Aligners affect my speech?
Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
Will smoking stain the aligners?
Can I chew gum while wearing aligners?
What's the best way to clean my aligners?
How often must I wear my aligners?
Can I use aligners for bleaching teeth while active tooth movement is occurring?
How often must I come in?
What happens after treatment to prevent my teeth from moving again?
What is Invisalign®?
 Invisalign® is the invisible new way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires. At The Dental Health Center, we are proud to offer this new technology.
How does Invisalign® work?
Invisalign® uses 3-D computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment plan from the initial position to the final desired position from which a series of custom-made "Aligners" are produced. Each "Aligner" moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.
What are the primary benefits of Invisalign®?
There are four primary benefits of Invisalign®:
- Invisalign® is nearly invisible - you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. (Well…we would know, but not many others)
- Invisalign® is removable - you can eat and drink what you want in treatment; you can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene. (This keeps our hygienists happy)
- Invisalign® is comfortable - there are no metal brackets or wires to cause mouth irritation; no metal or wires also means you spend less time in our office getting adjustments.
- Invisalign® allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start - so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete. We will alert you when your “movie” is ready (once Dr. Smith or Dr. Roy has determined if it is acceptable), and you will come in to view this. You may also make changes to the final outcome before we even start!
 What are aligners made of?
Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.
What do aligners look like?
Aligners are nearly invisible and look similar to clear tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. You might call them "contact lenses for teeth."
How does Invisalign® effectively move teeth?
Like brackets and archwires, Invisalign® Aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign® not only controls forces, but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.
Getting Started
How do I get started with Invisalign®?
Just make an appointment with our office in the Cincinnati area (West Chester) by calling 513-777-7017 or sending an e-mail to Corine@DentalHealthCenter.com. We have New Patient forms available on our site as well.
Can I go to any orthodontist or dentist to be treated with Invisalign®?
Specific training is needed to use Invisalign®; as a result, orthodontists and dentists are required to become Invisalign®-certified before they can begin treating patients with Invisalign®. Dr. Thomas Hedge at The Dental Health Center is certainly well qualified. He did more Invisalign cases than any other doctor in our region.
Cost
How much does Invisalign® cost?
As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign® is heavily dependent on the complexity of a patient's case. Our fee's range from $2800 to $4800.
Does insurance in the Cincinnati area cover Invisalign®?
Because dental benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, each patient should review their coverage. However, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign® should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces.
Case Selection
 What is the minimum age of a patient that can be treated with Invisalign®?
Dr. Thomas Hedge can use Invisalign to treat a vast majority of patients with fully-erupted second molars.
Does the procedure work on overbites (overjets)?
We can use Invisalign® to treat a vast majority of adults & adolescents with overbites.
Are there certain dental conditions that automatically exclude you from being an eligible patient?
We can best determine which treatment is best for you after a free consultation in our office in West Chester.
Are crowns a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
No, crowns are usually not a factor in Invisalign® treatment. However, sometimes we use small bonded composites called attachments, which are bonded onto teeth to help achieve certain movements. In these cases, the location of crowns must be carefully evaluated by us.
Will TMJ affect Invisalign® treatment?
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular, or jaw, joint. Individuals can have a number of problems with the jaw joint, some of which can be aggravated by appliances and treatments like Invisalign®. To find out if your TMJ problem will adversely impact dental treatment, a consultation in our office should help to determine this.
Can Invisalign® close gaps (space closure)?
Yes. Spaces between teeth are generally easy to close with the Invisalign® System. In fact, we’ve closed some the size of Cincinnati!
Are bridges a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
Because bridges firmly link two or more teeth together, they can offer significant resistance to tooth movement. We will be able to determine whether bridges will be a factor in your treatment.
While in Treatment
Will the treatment be painful?
Most people experience temporary, minor discomfort for a few days at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. It is a sign that Invisalign® is working - sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination. This discomfort typically goes away a couple of days after you insert the new Aligner in the series.
Will wearing Invisalign® Aligners affect my speech?
Like all orthodontic treatments, Aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having Aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the Aligners should disappear. When you can say “Cincinnati” without lisping, you should be home free.
Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
No. Unlike traditional wires & brackets, you can eat whatever you desire while in treatment because you remove your Aligners to eat and drink. Thus, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite foods and snacks, unless instructed otherwise by our office. Also, it is important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your Aligners to maintain proper hygiene.
Will smoking stain the aligners?
We discourage smoking while wearing Aligners because it is possible for the Aligners to become discolored.
Can I chew gum while wearing aligners?
No, gum will stick to the Aligners. We recommend removing your Aligners for all meals and snacks.
What's the best way to clean my aligners?
The best way to clean your Aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.
How often must I wear my aligners?
Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing and flossing.
Can I use aligners for bleaching teeth while active tooth movement is occurring?
Yes, under certain circumstances. Consult with our office to determine if this would be right for you. We also provide many teeth whitening options, should you decide to do this before or after Invisalign®.
How often must I come in?
We will schedule regular appointments - usually about once every six weeks. This is the only way we can be sure that the treatment is progressing as planned.
What happens after treatment to prevent my teeth from moving again?
This depends on the outcome of the treatment. Some patients might need a positioner, or conventional retainer. Other patients might need a clear plastic retainer similar to the ones Invisalign® makes. Discuss these possibilities with us. Every patient is different and outcomes vary.
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