Invisalign
Creve Coeur
Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. As an alternative to traditional metal braces, Invisalign has become increasingly popular due to its comfort and convenience. You can achieve a beautiful smile without the hassle of traditional braces with Invisalign in Creve Coeur.
When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Frost, Creve Coeur orthodontist at Frost Orthodontics, he’ll analyze your smile to create a personalized treatment plan. Depending on the dental issues you present, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign.
Complete our Invisalign questionnaire below and schedule your appointment for St. Louis orthodontics treatment today! We look forward to helping you create a smile you love.
Invisalign in Creve Coeur
In the video below, Dr. Frost explains our Invisalign treatment and the technology we use. He walks you through the benefits and what to expect regarding our advanced iTero scanner.
- Open video transcript
00:06
Good morning, I’m Dr. Andy Frost and I am an orthodontist in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
00:12
Our business is straightening teeth, for children and adults.
00:17
The product that we’re discussing today is the iTero Scanner. And the purpose of the
00:21
scanner is to get an exact digital representation of the patient’s teeth for invisalign treatment.
00:29
So traditionally when we would do Invisalign treatment we would make an impression of someone’s
00:33
teeth and then that would be scanned by the Invisalign company. Now, we make an exact
00:39
digital representation with our scanner which is much more accurate than using the two-step
00:44
process of doing the impressions and then the scan. It’s about 10 to 15 minutes to get
00:49
an exact representation.
00:52
The technology has been available for four or five years now and for wide spread use.
00:58
We’ve been using it for about two years.
01:00
Well, Invisalign is becoming more and more available all the time. The company is promoting
01:06
products for younger and younger patients all the time. We use it mostly for people
01:11
who have all of their adult teeth and we haven’t treated anyone younger than about 14 years
01:16
of age using invisalign. I think it’s best used for people who can comply with it well;
01:21
adults who don’t want to wear braces, it’s a very nice alternative.
01:25
So, in order for us to get a high quality scan of the type we need to do the treatment
01:32
properly, we have to isolate the teeth using a retractor. This keeps the cheeks away from
01:39
the teeth as well as taking saliva away which will distort the scan. Now she is working
01:46
on the interior teeth and as she works around the mouth, she will be able to track the scan
01:51
on the computer monitor as she progresses.
01:54
Once she’s worked around the lower teeth, she will move to the upper teeth.
02:09
So, once the patient’s scan has been put into the Invisalign software, I have the ability
02:13
to see how the teeth are going to move during the treatment. So, in this young man’s case,
02:19
you can see that the upper jaw is widened and the teeth are brought back and aligned.
02:26
We can also see it in the front view or the side view so we can see how we want the teeth
02:34
to overlap. The software also shows us where the placement of all of the buttons are
02:41
for this patient’s treatment. These, in real life, are not red but white.
What Invisalign Can Correct
Invisalign can treat several dental issues, from mild crowding to misalignment. The most commonly addressed problems include:
- Crowded teeth: When the teeth overlap one another, and there isn’t enough room for them to fit comfortably in the mouth
- Gaps between teeth: When there are gaps of more than 2 millimeters between teeth
- Overbites and underbites: When the upper teeth overlap significantly over the lower, or when the lower teeth overlap considerably over the upper
- Crossbite: When one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower
- Open bite: When the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed
It’s important to note that Invisalign is most effective when treating relatively minor orthodontic issues. Severe misalignment, crowding, or bite problems are better suited for traditional metal braces.
The Invisalign Process
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, Dr. Frost will evaluate your teeth and bite to determine if you’re a good candidate. He will use our trailblazing iTero scanner to generate an accurate 3D scan of your mouth. Dr. Frost uses the information to create an individualized treatment plan.
Once he determines the next steps, Dr. Frost will review the details and explain how Invisalign can correct your dental issues. You’ll also discuss treatment length for your particular case and any other questions you may have. Then, we’ll send your 3D scan to a dental laboratory for custom Invisalign fabrication.
Fitting & Follow-Up Appointments
You’ll receive your first set of aligners at your next Invisalign appointment in Creve Coeur. Dr. Frost will assess the fit and ensure you feel comfortable wearing them.
Throughout treatment, you’ll visit us every four to six weeks for progress updates and adjustments. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you experience discomfort or have questions about your Invisalign aligners.
Wearing Invisalign
Wear each set of aligners for two weeks before transitioning to the next in the series. The number of aligner sets depends on the severity of the dental issues you present. Wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day, only removing them when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing.
It’s important to note that not wearing your aligners for the recommended time can negatively impact your treatment. Also, avoiding hard or crunchy foods that could damage your aligners is essential.
Ensure you brush and floss regularly to remove bacteria and plaque along your teeth and gum line. It’s best to follow all instructions from Dr. Frost to ensure successful treatment!
After Treatment
After completing your Invisalign treatment, Dr. Frost will determine whether you need continuing preventative measures. We often recommend wearing a longer-term retainer at night to ensure your teeth don’t shift.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign offers many benefits that traditional metal braces cannot. Enjoy the following advantages when you choose Invisalign:
- No dietary restrictions: You don’t have to worry about certain foods getting stuck in your teeth or metal brackets with Invisalign.
- Less time in the orthodontist’s chair: You don’t have to worry about regular maintenance appointments and wire tightening.
- Improved oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing are easier with Invisalign since you can remove your aligners.
- More discreet orthodontic treatment: The aligners are virtually invisible, so you can improve your smile without anyone else noticing.
Paying for Invisalign
In most cases, Invisalign treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces. However, as with other medical treatments, only your doctor can determine the cost based on your specific needs.
Factors may include your goals, case complexity, treatment length, where you live, insurance coverage, and additional factors. In the US, the cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from $3,500 to $8,000, with the national average at about $5,000.
Invisalign in Creve Coeur
At Frost Orthodontics, we understand the importance of having a beautiful and healthy smile. That’s why we strive to provide the highest quality orthodontic care in Creve Coeur, MO. Our goal is to help you achieve a smile you love!
If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign treatment, contact us at Frost Orthodontics today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Frost will discuss how Invisalign can help you achieve the smile of your dreams!
We look forward to assisting you!
