How often must I wear my aligners?

You must wear your aligners for approximately 22 hours every day. You only remove them to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth. Remember, to get the best results you must wear your aligners as directed!

Are there any eating restrictions I must follow during treatment?

No. As long as you remove the aligners before you eat, you can eat what you like. However, you should always brush your teeth and clean the aligners before putting them back in.

Will wearing the aligners affect my speech?

There is always an adjustment period when beginning orthodontic treatment. The more you speak with your aligners in, the faster you will adjust. Invisalign aligners are surprisingly comfortable and most patients get used to them very quickly.

Does Invisalign treatment take longer?

No. Your treatment time will depend on the severity of the misaligned teeth. We find that many patients have a shorter treatment time with Invisalign than they would have had with braces. Many patients can have straight teeth in 6-18 months, which is on par with traditional braces.

How frequently will I have to visit the orthodontist while in treatment?

We create a customized treatment plan based on your needs. Normally, we suggest visits at 4- to 8-week intervals. Your aligners are switched every 7 to 10 days and given to you in advance. However, if you are attending college away from home, we can provide enough aligners to last the entire semester. Or, if you travel frequently for work, we can work around your schedule.

So, whether you see us once a month or need more time between appointments, we will make it work.

What happens after treatment is complete? Will I need to wear a retainer?

We recommend that all orthodontic patients wear their retainers at night indefinitely. Sleeping with your retainer(s) at night will help ensure that your bite and the position of your teeth remain healthy and correct. This is true whether your treatment was completed with Invisalign or traditional braces.

Does Invisalign work for kids?

Absolutely! Invisalign can be a great option for kids and teens. Even if your child’s adult teeth haven’t all come in yet, we can still use Invisalign as an early treatment option.

Are treatment results with Invisalign as good with traditional braces?

Yes! Once your treatment is complete, the results you’ll get with Invisalign should be identical to the ones you would have received with braces.

Will people be able to tell I had Invisalign treatment?

The only way someone would know if you had Invisalign treatment is if you tell them.

We encourage you to schedule a free consultation today to learn more! And if you’re ready, we will get started the same day!

Do you take my insurance?

View our Participating Insurances page for more details.

Dental Insurance FAQs

Your Insurance Questions, Answered

I have orthodontic coverage through my dental insurance. Does that mean I won’t pay anything out of pocket for my treatment?

Most dental insurances cover a set percentage of the total treatment fee, less any deductibles and up to a lifetime maximum amount, for orthodontic treatment. The patient is responsible for the portion of the treatment fee that is not paid by their insurance.

Does my insurance pay out the full amount all at once when I start treatment?

Very few insurance policies pay an up-front lump sum for orthodontic treatment. The majority of insurances make smaller payments regularly throughout the course of treatment. Some pay monthly, others quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. This is why it is important to maintain your coverage until your treatment is completed.

What are non-covered services?

Even if a policy includes orthodontic coverage, there are often services involved in orthodontic treatment that are not included in that coverage. When these services are provided, the patient is responsible for the full cost. Depending on the policy, these may include additional appliances, cosmetic upgrades, records, scans, retainers, and other services.

My insurance only covers orthodontics in cases of medical necessity. What does that mean?

When an insurance policy covers medically necessary orthodontics, they generally mean they will only pay out in cases where the patient experiences significant levels of pain or dysfunction in crucial activities such as eating or speaking, or in cases of serious structural deformity or damage. It can be very difficult to have treatment approved as medically necessary.

What happens if I am covered under more than one policy?

If you have secondary insurance, we will make your contract according to our best estimate of what your primary insurance will pay. We do this because there is no way for us to reliably estimate what a secondary insurance might pay.

The process of determining what your secondary insurance will pay can take 3-4 months from the start of treatment to complete. It is required that you make payments according to your contract until we receive payment from the secondary insurance. If your secondary pays out so much that you have an overpayment, you will be issued a refund.

Easy Ways to Pay

One-Time Payment

Pay up front, so you can focus on your treatment.

Convenient Monthly Plans

Pay a balanced amount over time.

Participating Insurances Include

csea logo
ghi logo
delta logo

...and more!

csea logo
aetna logo
ameritas logo
anthem logo
cigna logo
delta logo
dental logo
ebs logo
empire logo
geha logo
ghi logo
guardian logo
principal logo
united-concordia logo
united-hc logo
mvp logo

...and more!

Participating with these providers and other convenient payment plans designed to fit your lifestyle/budget.

FSA, HSA, and CareCredit accepted.

Learn More

6 Convenient Locations