
Whether you wore braces as a child and your teeth have begun to shift back to their previous positions or you think you’re too old to resolve crookednes or gaps, there’s no reason to give up! In fact, a quarter of all orthodontic patients are adults, so you are far from alone. Dr. G is happy to offer teeth straightening treatments that do not require you to use metal brackets and wires, including well-known Invisalign as well as our own in-house version, Nu Smile Aligners (which costs less and delivers higher quality results compared to similar treatments). To take your first steps towards your new smile, call our dentistry team to set up a consultation to discuss your options for orthodontics in our Staten Island, NY dental office.
When you begin your Invisalign treatment, we’ll design several aligners, which are made from clear, medical-grade plastic. Every pair of aligners fits over your top and bottom arches and gently pushes them towards their straighter, healthier position. After you have worn your first pair of aligners for at least two weeks, you will wear the next pair in your series. Keep in mind that your aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day. With that said, you will be able to remove them on your own to eat meals and practice oral care. This makes Invisalign a more convenient and aesthetically-pleasing treatment solution compared to braces.
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While they are similar to Invisalign, meaning they also use clear aligners as a virtually undetectable orthodontic solution, NU Smile Aligners are both designed and fabricated based on examinations and digital scans we perform of your jaw and teeth. This makes them very comfortable and easy to maintain compared to metal braces. After you’ve addressed your smile concerns effectively, we can also provide you with clear retainers to ensure you maintain your new appearance.
Whether you choose Invisalign or our in-house NU Smile Aligners to realign your teeth, we’re happy to break down which solution we think will best achieve your smile goals and protect your oral health to the fullest extent. If you have questions about treatment, consider reviewing some of our most commonly asked questions below as the answer you’re looking for may already be there! If not, please don’t hesitate to address your concerns with Dr. Gizachew directly at your next appointment.
Many factors can determine how long your smile realignment will take. One of the biggest factors includes how severe your misalignment is as well as how committed you are to completing your treatment plan. In most cases, treatment takes anywhere between 12 and 18 months. In more mild cases, it can take as little as 6 months. While 18 months sounds like a long time to be wearing Invisalign or NU Smile Aligners, it’s hardly as long as treatment for traditional braces (which can take about 22 months on average to complete). By staying on top of routine checkups to our office and wearing your aligners as directed, you can complete your treatment as efficiently as possible.
No two smiles are alike, which means the cost of your orthodontic care will vary. While Invisalign can cost about as much as traditional braces, our in-house option can be more affordable because we are essentially cutting out the middleman. As a result, we can save money on shipping costs and other fees put onto us from Invisalign, which we can pass in the form of savings on to you. With that said, other variables can influence the amount you’ll pay, including your oral health and your commitment to wearing your aligners as directed. If you do not, treatment can take longer, which means you’ll need more aligners to achieve your goal. Furthermore, the more severe your case, the more aligners you will need period.
Small overbites are normal, but there are cases where patients have serious jaw misalignment that can cause the front teeth to dramatically overlap the bottom teeth. Both Invisalign and NU Smile Aligners can correct mild to moderate overbites and other bite alignment issues (i.e. underbite, crossbite, open bite, etc.) However, there are cases where overbites are so severe they cannot be resolved with clear aligner technology at all. In this case, we may recommend you visit an orthodontist to consider treatment with traditional braces. If you fear that clear aligners are not right for you, we’re happy to connect you to an orthodontist so you can receive a consultation.
If you have your full, permanent set of teeth, you’re likely eligible for Invisalign and NU Smile Aligner treatment. While most healthy teens (including ones as young as 13) and adults can receive it, there are some exceptions. For example, bite misalignment can be too severe, meaning braces would be a better option. If you smoke or are not willing to stop using tobacco products, we may not recommend treatment. Additionally, any extra small, misshapen or eroded teeth must be addressed first before orthodontic treatment can be performed.