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What happens when you decide Invisalign is right for you? Simply visit an Invisalign®-trained doctor for a consultation to discuss the goals you have for your smile. Once your doctor determines that Invisalign® is right for you, he or she will write up a detailed treatment plan, and a set of virtually invisible aligners will then be sent to your doctor. Your Invisalign® system may look like a simple piece of plastic, but it's much more. With advanced technology, your Invisalign® aligners are custom-made for you, and only you. Over time, your teeth should move to reveal the smile you've been looking for. So take a look at the steps you and your doctor will take to get you to a brand-new smile.

Here is a quick outline of what to expect with your Invisalign® treatment:

STEP 1:  Your initial consultation with your dentist or orthodontist, is oftentimes offered free of charge. During this visit, you'll discuss the issues you have with your teeth and what kind of results you would like to see. Once your doctor decides your situation is suitable for Invisalign® treatment, a treatment plan will be mapped out with your goals in mind. Then, impressions and pictures of your teeth will be taken for digitization purposes.

STEP 2:  The impressions of your teeth will be digitized in order for your doctor to work with a computerized 3-D image of your teeth. Then, your doctor will plan your tooth movements throughout your entire treatment timeline. You'll be able to see a virtual representation of your teeth before, during, and after completion of the Invisalign process so you can see what your smile should look like when you're done with treatment.

STEP 3:  From your doctor's precise treatment plan, customized aligners are created with advanced technology for you to wear at each stage of your treatment. While the number of aligners varies for each individual situation, a full set of treatment typically includes 20-30 aligners per arch and on average will take approximately 12 months to complete.

STEP 4:  You should wear your aligners at all times, with the exception of eating and drinking, in order to complete your treatment in the timeline determined by you and your doctor. You'll go in for occasional checkups, to monitor your progress and to receive your next set of aligners. During the entire treatment process, you'll be able to watch your teeth gradually moving into place. Your smile will, little by little, move into something you'd like to show off. The people around you will be sure to notice your new-found confidence.

An Invisalign® doctor will work with you to create a custom-designed program that will treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners, made for you, and only you. While it's important that you visit an experienced Invisalign® doctor to see how well Invisalign fits your specific needs. 

COST
We know cost is a big question for anyone considering dental or orthodontic work. The truth is, only your doctor can determine the cost of your specific treatment. It really depends on the kind of treatment you need, how extensive the issues are that you want corrected, how long your treatment plan will last, where you live, and other factors determined by your dentist or orthodontist. Invisalign treatment is usually similar to the cost of traditional braces – it can start in the ballpark of $3,500 and go up from there. The national average for Invisalign® (in U.S. dollars) is about $5,000. If you're concerned about cost, talk to your Invisalign doctor about payment options – most doctors offer flexible and affordable monthly payment plans, many with no down payment and no interest.

Because medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, you should review your personal coverage plan. However, in general, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign® should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces.

What are Pros and Cons?

The pros and cons section offers a quick, at-a-glance list of why or why not to have a certain procedure or try a given product.   Use this list to share and learn with others about what procedures and products you feel are the best or not-so-best.  Honest feedback from real people that have experienced the treatment or product themselves!