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Invisalign dentist Coffs Harbour Archives - Magic Smiles Dental

Apr 21
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woman smiling before Invisalign treatment

Is Invisalign® worth it?

By Invisalign No Comments

If you’re considering starting a journey to straight teeth, you might be interested in Invisalign—and you’re not alone. Currently, 12 million people have achieved a more beautiful and healthier smile with this clear aligner system. Because of the solid global backing and success, you may still wonder if Invisalign is worth it for you? Well, the short and anticlimactic answer to this burning question is “it just depends.” 

Knowledge is power, and it’s worth visiting a dentist near you to know for sure. If you are in New South Wales, schedule an Invisalign consultation with Dr. Arpit Pathak or one of his colleagues as an initial step. Then, answer the following questions regarding Invisalign candidacy:

Do you value discretion?

One of the top reasons people choose Invisalign is that it is famously hard to detect. Invisalign aligners are crafted from transparent, biocompatible plastic designed to fit snugly on the teeth. If you want the fact that you’re straightening your teeth to be your little secret, then Invisalign is ideal.

How severe is your misalignment?

Although Align Technology is continually evolving, it is not suitable for everyone. Invisalign is ideal for patients with mild to moderate misalignment. Additionally, those who need to refresh and realign their teeth after previous orthodontic work may benefit from Invisalign. (Yes! Usually, it pays off to wear your retainer with fidelty!) Depending on your specific needs, braces may be better suited for your smile.

Do you want to be able to keep your diet the same?

It’s human nature to gravitate towards the foods we’ve learned to love. However, Dynamic Eating Psychology supports that restricting foods (especially those you enjoy) triggers a stress reaction in the body. Yes, it’s essential to eat some foods in moderation. However, saying “no” to foods that you have an emotional bond with can leave you feeling uneasy.

Unfortunately, fixed braces come with the hurdle of not being able to eat whatever you want. Sticky, tough, and crunchy foods are off-limits when wearing braces because they can snap the wires and brackets. Conversely, a bonus feature about Invisalign is that it’s removable. As long as you take out your aligners before meals and snacks, you can eat virtually whatever you want, whenever you want.

Are you interested in a potentially more comfortable treatment?

Usually, all orthodontic treatments have the potential to produce mild to moderate discomfort. Orthodontic treatment relies heavily on applying pressure to the tooth roots. Consequently, gentle orthodontic pressure can still cause soreness that you can usually mediate with over-the-counter medication.

Structurally, braces can be more uncomfortable than clear aligners. If dislodged, metal wires and brackets may scratch or poke the gums and sides of your mouth. On the other hand, Invisalign is made of plastic, which feels smooth.

Is Invisalign Really Worth Your While?

Though results and experiences vary from person to person, studies support that patients are satisfied post-Invisalign. Frankly, it’s hard to tell if clear aligner therapy is suitable for you without at least meeting with an Invisalign provider to see if you qualify.

If you’re still wondering if the Invisalign system is worth it, schedule an appointment at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre by calling (02) 6654-0650 or messaging us online. Our dentists are eager to evaluate your smile to see if Invisalign could benefit your life. 

Sep 10
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woman placing Invisalign aligners in mouth

Is Invisalign worth the cost? 

By Invisalign No Comments

How much would you pay to have a beautiful smile for the rest of your life? It’s hard to put a price tag on that. However, we understand that patients must consider their budget before moving forward with orthodontic treatment.

Asking whether or not Invisalign® is worth the cost implies that Invisalign clear aligners are more expensive than traditional braces. That isn’t always the case. Depending on your alignment issues, clear aligners could be the same price as metal braces or even more affordable. 

Invisalign vs Traditional Braces

Some benefits of Invisalign are more obvious than others. For instance, patients love that aligners are clear and hardly noticeable. Other benefits are less obvious, like the fact that Invisalign can provide faster results than braces in some cases. 

Let’s dive into the reasons why so many patients believe that Invisalign is worth the cost.

1. Aesthetics

The aesthetic difference between traditional braces and Invisalign is clear. The nearly invisible aligners draw older teens and adults to this orthodontic treatment because they can maintain a mature and professional appearance while undergoing orthodontic treatment. 

What is even better is that this method of straightening teeth and correcting bite issues often provides several other advantages over traditional orthodontic methods. 

2. Comfort

Invisalign uses a patented SmartTrack™ material that consists of several layers of polyurethane plastic resin. SmartTrack is safe, effective, and comfortable. The aligners fit snugly around the teeth and should not irritate the gums, lips, or cheeks (a common complaint among patients with traditional braces). 

3. Freedom

Patients who choose Invisalign have the freedom to remove the aligners whenever necessary. Although they must be worn for at least 22 hours per day to be effective, being able to remove the aligners while eating is a freedom that traditional braces do not offer. 

4. Easy maintenance

Traditional braces require a lot of maintenance. You even need a special tool for flossing. Invisalign aligners are easy to clean. Simply soak them in a cleaning solution or gently scrub them with a toothbrush. 

Removing the aligners also makes it easy to thoroughly clean your teeth before putting the aligner back in your mouth. Easy maintenance and the ability to care for your teeth as usual reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease during and after treatment. 

5. Results

The success of the Invisalign brand can be attributed to its effective and proven results. Compared to braces and other clear aligner brands, Invisalign is often faster at moving teeth and treating a variety of other conditions. As long as the patient complies with his dentist’s aftercare guidelines, his results should last a lifetime! 

The Numbers

So, what does Invisalign really cost? According to health.com, Invisalign treatment typically costs between $3,000 and $7,000. Most people pay less than $5,000. Traditional braces can cost as low as $3,000 and as high as $10,000. 

What you pay for treatment will depend on several factors, including: 

  • The extent of your alignment issues
  • Your location
  • The dentist you choose
  • Your compliance
  • Retainers and aftercare
  • Insurance coverage

To get a more realistic estimate, talk to an experienced Invisalign dentist near you. 

Invisalign Dentist in Coffs Harbour

Our team at Magic Smiles in Coffs Harbour and Woolgoogla can help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. Contact us today at any of our three locations by phone or send us a message online. 

Aug 06
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A woman puts a clear aligner in her mouth after visiting an Invisalign doctor in New South Wales.

Do clear aligners move teeth better than braces?

By Orthodontics No Comments

People often come to a fork in the road on the path to straightened teeth: braces or aligner therapy? Each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages, but you may be wondering if one orthodontic treatment is more effective than the other.

The answer? It really just depends.

In 2019, BMC Oral Health published a medical journal comparing the effectiveness of clear aligners and braces. Researchers discovered that clear aligners were better in moving sections of teeth in shorter lengths of time. However, braces are more effective at controlling the teeth, holding teeth in place, and bite force contacts.

Both treatments use proven technology with a long history of successful cases. The real question is not whether one is better than the other, but whether one suits your personal needs and lifestyle.

Clear Aligners

Aligner therapy is a popular alternative to metal braces. Clear aligners work like any other orthodontic device. They apply pressure on the teeth to gently move them and reshape the supporting jaw bone, but with trays instead of wires and brackets.

Advantages

  • Most people choose clear aligners, like Invisalign®, because they are invisible. When patients clean them regularly and effectively, most people won’t notice that they have aligners on.
  • No poky wires or scratchy brackets are needed for aligner therapy, so many people consider them more comfortable.
  • Do you have a big speech, and you’re worried your orthodontic device may make you sound funny? Are you not ready to give up your favorite foods? Clear aligners are removable.
  • Clear aligners are low maintenance. Because they can be removed, aligners and the teeth are easy to clean.

Disadvantages

  •  Although Invisalign has advanced quite a bit since its emergence in the 1990s, this technology is still limited and cannot correct overly complex alignment issues.
  •  Accidents happen. Clear aligners are easy to misplace or break because they are removable.
  • If patients don’t wear clear aligners as prescribed, they will not work. People must remember to wear them with responsibility.

Braces

When most people think about braces, they imagine those made of brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Traditional metal braces have been straightening teeth for decades. Thankfully, contemporary braces are much smaller and more comfortable than before.

Advantages

  • Traditional braces are best for complicated cases, such as rotated teeth.
  • The wearer cannot remove fixed braces, so they cannot be lost.
  • Because they cannot be removed, treatment time can be faster when compared to inconsistent aligner wearers.
  • Braces encourage compliance because patients must visit their orthodontists monthly for check-ups and tightening.
  • Braces are customizable, and patients can choose different colors to showcase their sense of style.

Disadvantages

  • Metal braces are obvious.
  • Braces aren’t removable, so patients must wear them at all times until treatment is over.
  • If patients have a tight schedule, it may be difficult to visit their orthodontists every month.
  • Patients must avoid some foods so that brackets don’t pop off.
  • Sometimes, braces can make it harder to clean and floss teeth thoroughly.

Schedule an Appointment Today

No matter what path you choose, straighter teeth benefit wellness and may cause you to smile more. At Magic Smiles Dental Implant Centre, our dentists examine the teeth to help determine if aligner therapy is right for you.

Please schedule a consultation for clear aligner therapy in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, NSW, by sending us a message online.