Invisalign FAQs

First, they are nearly invisible: you can straighten yourteeth without anyone knowing. Second, they are removable: you can still eat and drink what you want, when you want. They promote better oral hygiene because you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Third, they are comfortable because there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions. Finally, you can view your own virtual treatment plan in our office, so you can see how your corrected smile will look when your treatment is complete...even before you start!

Yes, it does! Over 5% of all dentists and 70% of all orthodontists in the United States and Canada are already certified to treat patients with Invisalign®. It has been proven effective in both clinical research and in private practices nationwide.

Aligners, also called "repositioners" or"contact lenses for teeth," looksimilarto some whitening trays, but are made of a clear, strong, medical-grade plastic polymerthatis virtually invisible when worn. They are made utilizing a 3-D computer imaging technology which was first envisioned in 1945 by Dr. H.D. Kesling.

Most people are not aware just how complex the Invisalign® manufacturing process is, and it is important for doctors and patients alike to understand what actually goes into each and every aligner. Aligns customized manufacturing process is unlike any other in the world. Clearly impossible to provide you with a one-on-one tour of their world-class facility in Santa Clara, we provide instead the "virtual vis if video as the next best thing to being there. Simply click on the "sheet of paper linkto the left.

For your convenience we offer a wide range of financial options to suit your individual needs. We accept Debit, Visa and MasterCard at each appointment or for more comprehensive treatment we offer a 5% bookkeeping reduction offeesforpre-payment or alternately we offer Low-Interest financing with low payments that can make any dentistry very affordable.

You will notice that we make every effort to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We go to great lengths to ensure your dental experience is a positive one. We also offer many variations of sedation or "sleep" dentistry. We offer simple pill sedation to IV sedation or General Anesthesia forvery anxious patients. We ensure you are at ease at each and every visit. If you have been avoiding dentistry due to fear, let us review the various comfort options we have available to make your dental treatment a reality. Yes, the Food & Drug Administration has cleared the Invisalign® System as a Class I medical device for orthodontic treatment for prescription use.

Yes, the likelihood is that it will work for you! It is effective for a wide range of people, including those whose teeth are too crowded, who have gaps between teeth, an overbite, a deep bite or whose teeth may have shifted since wearing conventional braces. Currently more than 45,000 patients in the United States, Canada, Australia & Europe are being treated with Invisalign®.

Actually, most people are candidates for Invisalign®. In fact, it works for 30% of people overthe age of 14 who could be treated with braces. If your teeth-including second molars- have grown in fully and you have no pending dental treatment or tooth decay, chances are good you will qualify.

First, schedule a CONSULTATION for an initial screening. If you qualify, we will schedule you for another appointment to take impressions to submit to Invisalign®, who will use state-of-the-art technology to project your tooth movement. We will be able to show you a video of yourteeth moving, their final position and how long it will take...before you even commit!!. Invisalign® will then translate the treatment plan into a series of precisely customized aligners, each of which you will wear for about two weeks until yourteeth are straight or the initial objectives have been met. Typically, you will return for short 10 minute appointments about once every 6-8 weeks. This is the only way for our office to determine that the treatment is progressing as planned.

Yes. Dr Botbol is Level 1 & 2 Certified by Invisalign and has achieved Invisalign Advantage Status. Only trained and certified, licensed professionals are able to offer the Invisalign® system to you. Dr. Botbol has treated many of his patients with Invisalign® and has had excellent results. Patients love it.

Invisalign® costs about the same as conventional braces and is priced by the treating doctor. It varies from patient to patient and is based largely on the complexity of your case and the anticipated length of treatment. Prices Range from $3900 to $6900 and includes all exams, x-rays and Professional Teeth Whitening ($350 value). Please call our office to find out about current Invisalign Specials!

Typically, an insurance policy that covers traditional braces also covers Invisalign® to the same extent. Surprisingly, we have many patients who have had 50% coverage for their treatment We will happily find out if your plan covers it!

Yes, our office provides a wide variety of financing options available to you. Ask our wonderful Treatment Co-ordinator for details.

As with traditional braces, treatment times vary depending on how much straightening your teeth will need. However, treatment time is about the same as traditional braces, between 9 and 18 months.

The aligners should be worn day and night, except when eating, drinking, brushing or flossing and at least 22 hours per day.

No. The aligners are removable, so you can still enjoy your favorite food and drinks; but don't expect to chew any gum with them in your mouth... it sticks! Our office also discourages smoking since it can stain the aligners, defeating their "nearly invisible" benefit. The aligners may temporarily affect your speech for a day or two. until your mouth adjusts to them. Some people may even experience a slight lisp for a couple of days; however, astheirtongue gets used to having them in the mouth, all speech impediments should disappear.

Yes. Actually, since yourteeth will be moving over the course of Invisalign® treatment, normal bleaching trays will no longer fit There is added value in that your aligners will double as bleaching trays. All of our Invisalign patients receive Free Professional Teeth Whitening ($350 value).

As with conventional braces, the answer will largely depend on you. We will provide retainers to help maintain your beautiful new, straight smile for a lifetime.

The loss of one aligner will not usually affect the treatment. You will be instructed in most cases to advance to the next aligner in the series. In those instances when a replacement is required, a nominal fee will be charged for Align to make you another.

Invisalign® has made it easy for you to know which aligners to wear (which are current and which arent) by supplying you with clearly-marked, color-coded cases to keep them in.

There may be some temporary, minor soreness each time you start a new aligner series. This is a perfectly normal sign that the aligners are working - sequentially & incrementally moving yourteeth to their final destination. The soreness -typically described as a feeling of pressure- subsides within a few days afteryou insert the new aligners in the series. All of our Invisalign patients say they would do it again in a heartbeat! Simply click on the "Request an Appointment1 linktab below ortelephone our office to schedule your first appointment. Your first Invisalign screening appointment is always FREE, so you can find out if Invisalign is right for you with no obligation.

After you have decided to proceed with Invisalign® treatment, we will take impressions of all of yourteeth to insure a high degree of accuracy throughout the process. Then we will send Invisalign® your impressions which are used to make plaster models of yourteeth. Using advanced imaging technology, Invisalign® transforms your plaster models into a highly accurate 3-D image. A computerized movie, called ClinCheck®, depicting the movement of your teeth from the beginning to their final positions is created. From your approved Clincheck® file, Invisalign® uses laser scanning to build a set of actual models that reflect each stage of your treatment plan. Your customized set of aligners are then made, sent to our office and delivered to you.

You wear each aligner set for about 2 weeks. After wearing all of your aligners in the series, you get the beautiful smile youVe always wanted. It's that easy!