Invisalign Dentist on Long Island NY

Invisalign braces or clear aligners have become an extremely popular choice for those who need (or want) to have their teeth straightened or adjusted. Choosing to get them over traditional braces can be a difficult choice, not just for the aesthetic factor, but also for the financial factor as well. It is always best to consult with a reputable and certified dental professional when making such a decision.

Clear aligners straightens teeth, adjust spacing between teeth, and treat bite problems without needing a mouth full of metal braces.

While it makes the same adjustments as braces, it’s made from an invisible plastic aligner. As a result, your smile doesn’t suffer while your teeth are fixed.

The plastic aligner fits over your teeth and is smooth, so it’s comfortable to wear all the time. It’s snug enough to stay in your mouth, yet easy to take in and out. These invisible braces allow you to eat any food because they won’t get stuck in metal braces. More importantly, you can easily brush and floss your teeth by temporarily removing the aligner.

On Long Island, the best choice is Dr. Kate Brayman, a cosmetic dentistry expert. Dr. Brayman will consult with you to decide on your options for braces, and whether plastic aligners are the right choice. She has years of experience and success with clear aligners, so you can rest assured you will be in good hands. Most people are great candidates for this cosmetic dental treatment, but some children who have not yet established dentition might not be. 

If you’re on the fence about clear aligners or if you simply want to know more, here are some of the frequently asked questions dentists get asked.

While Invisalign is less painful than braces, there can still be some pain and discomfort. When you have your first aligners installed, you can expect to feel pain from them rubbing against your mouth. Sometimes there are sharp edges on the aligners, and your mouth will have to get used to having them there. It can take a couple of weeks for this sensation to go away. While your mouth will have gotten used to it, you may again feel some discomfort when you get your next set of aligners, although the sensation should be diminished. 

There can also be pain from the pressure that the aligners are putting on the teeth. The goal is to shift your teeth over time, which involves pressing on them, which can also affect your gums. Most patients describe this as discomfort as opposed to pain. You should be able to get used to it quite quickly, however. 

After Dr. Brayman takes an impression of your teeth and creates a 3D model of your mouth, she maps out a precise treatment plan. She’ll define how to adjust the position of each tooth and determine how long the treatment will take. Then her plan and the model are sent to clear aligners technicians. They develop a series of aligners that are tailored to your mouth and the adjustments needed.

These aligners in the series are customized to effectively guide the teeth into the desired positions, creating beautiful results. Each aligner makes a gentle pressure that moves your teeth until you go through all the provided stages. You’ll spend 1–2 weeks in each aligner before advancing through a stepwise process until you achieve desired outcomes.

Invisalign can correct a wide range of dental problems, including crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and protruding teeth. They are custom-made and worn like regular braces for about 20 hours per day during treatment. The Invisalign provider will take a mold of your teeth and send it to the Invisalign manufacturer. They will then create an exact set of aligners for you. Each tray gets replaced every two weeks until your dentist or orthodontist has achieved their desired results.

The Invisalign brand is committed to researching and creating new methods to improve every aspect of the experience. This includes working to limit the number of patients who may not qualify. Many issues can be helped with clear aligners, which include spaces and gaps, overbite, crossbite, crowding, open bite, and more. That said, there are rare cases that do not qualify, and Dr. Brayman can assess your teeth to tell you more.

Who Is Not Eligible For Invisalign?

The thing that may preclude someone more often than other things is that they have active gum disease or cavities. Those issues must be treated before a dentist will move forward with Invisalign. 

If a patient has already had certain dental procedures, then they may not be able to have Invisalign. This can include bridges, veneers, or implants. These treatments can make it hard for the aligners to adhere to the teeth, which will make it impossible for the treatment to properly shift your teeth. However, a dentist may be able to provide Invisalign in certain situations. If you have had recent work, then it must be completely resolved before Invisalign. Otherwise it might affect the bonding to your teeth, or your teeth may still shift slightly. If you need extractions, then Invisalign isn’t appropriate for you, either. 

Finally, to be eligible for Invisalign you must be dedicated to the state of your smile. Having Invisalign means wearing them for at least 22 hours every day, and keeping your teeth and the trays clean. Afterwards, you may also need to have a retainer. If you are not willing to keep your aligners in place, then there is no point to getting Invisalign.

The first appointment is the initial assessment where Dr. Brayman will assess your specific situation and determine eligibility.  If you meet the criteria and decide that you want to proceed, the clinic can take all of your records at that time. There’s no need to wait. This will include before pictures (approximately 10 positions) and impressions. Dr. Brayman’s dental office then sends these off to Invisalign. There is a cost of $500 for the records, but this will be included as part of the Invisalign treatment cost  , should you choose to proceed.

The next appointment will take place two weeks later. This allows the clear aligners the time to create a 3D video using a software called ClinCheck, which will be customized to map out the movement of your teeth.  This information allows Dr. Brayman to know how long the treatment length will be and how many trays will be needed altogether. Once presented with your custom treatment plan, you will have to decide if you’d like to proceed. If you decide to move forward, it takes approximately 2-3 weeks to receive the aligners. At that point, you will receive your clear braces.

Invisible braces are always created specifically for the patient. That means that everything is custom-made to fit your mouth. Once they are applied to your teeth, the aligners will move your teeth in the direction needed. Dr. Brayman will make sure that they are applying force to the right spot and in the right amount. The aligners get switched out regularly, depending on your custom schedule, so they keep applying pressure even after your teeth start shifting. You may even start to see improvements almost immediately, but it will take time for your teeth to get into their final position.

Most people who are interested in this treatment option want to ask questions about the Invisalign Cost on Long Island.

The Invisalign Cost on Long Island averages between $3,500 and $8,000. Invisalign Express 5 cases can be as low as $1,500.

The cost varies because there are many factors to be considered. Some people only need to wear Invisalign clear braces for about a year, while others may need to wear them a while longer, driving up the cost.

Other cost factors include whether or not the patient will need further orthodontic intervention once their Invisalign treatment process has been completed. Those who are concerned about the Invisalign Cost on Long Island should contact their insurance company immediately.

More and more dental insurance companies are now offering partial coverage for this treatment. Some companies will pay as much as $1,500 of the cost, but it is rare for a patient to be given more than that amount of coverage.

Many dental offices now offer payment plan options and even dental credit cards that can allow patients to pay for Invisalign and other dental treatments, without so much stress. The individual can simply apply for the credit before their appointment and then they will only need to ensure they make their payments on time.

How Much Does Invisalign Usually Cost Without Insurance On Long Island NY?

How much is Invisalign without insurance? On average, Invisalign costs about $3,500 to $8,000 without insurance. A few factors determine what you might pay, such as how many aligners you will require to get a complete treatment and how long it will take to fix your bite issues.

If you are considering Invisalign, you should book a consultation appointment with your orthodontist. They can assess your smile and determine the amount of treatment you will need. This will help to narrow down the potential costs so that you can better plan and figure out how much you may need to come out of pocket throughout your course of treatment.

Yes, you’ll need to follow up with Dr. Brayman on a regular schedule. She needs to make sure treatment is going as planned, so she’ll track your progress and verify your teeth are moving into the proper place. The frequency of your follow-up appointments depends on your treatment plan and whether you change aligners weekly or every two weeks. In most plans, patients return for check-ups every month or so to measure progress and receive another portion of the aligners.

For Invisalign to be successful, you’ll need to be dedicated to wearing the aligner all the time — at least 20-22 hours daily — until treatment is finished. When you take it out to brush, you’ll need to remember to put it back in, because if you forget to put the aligner back in your mouth sometimes, you won’t get the expected results. With invisible braces treatment, it usually takes about 12 months, but the doctor will give you details about the length of treatment and checkups after she develops the treatment plan. Dr. Kate Brayman is a Preferred Provider of Invisalign Orthodontics, so you can be sure her expertise delivers the results you desire.

This is an appropriate timeframe for invisible braces to start working and for the dentist to identify and rectify any potential issues. In between those check-ups, if you have a question or need assistance, you can always call Dr. Brayman’s Long Island office.

After your Invisalign consultation, it will take some time for the lab to build your aligners and send them to your dentist. In most cases, this can take approximately four weeks. The process cannot and should not be rushed, as they must be made to very exact specifications. The dentist and the factory may also need to consult to make any changes or adjustments before they are 3-D printed and sent to the clinic. Once they have arrived, you can begin your Invisalign treatment. 

Dr. Brayman will always tailor the length of the treatment period to what the patient needs. The vast majority of cases last between 6 and 12 months. Several factors can go into how long treatment can take, such as the position of your teeth. Not only that but the more disciplined and dedicated the patient is to wear their clear aligner trays, the shorter the treatment period should be.

After your treatment, you will have a bright and beautiful new smile. You certainly won’t want to lose it again.  Your best bet to maintaining that smile is by diligently wearing your retainers.

Retainers will hold the gains that were made with invisible braces. There are a couple of options for retainers. There is a fixed retainer and a removable one. The fixed retainer consists of a thin metal bar made of wire. It is glued to the back of the teeth to ensure that the shifts made during treatment stay in place. The removable retainer is custom-made to ensure a tight fit that holds your teeth in their new position. After treatment, it is often advised that the removable retainer be worn night and day for the first couple of months. Eventually, it can be worn just at night. Both fixed and removable retainers are good options. It will often come down to personal preference and/or what the Invisalign dentist recommends for your specific case.

Dentist vs Orthodontist for Invisalign on Long Island NY

Dentists and orthodontists both go through rigorous education and training to earn their designations. They are both qualified to provide patients with Invisalign treatments that will be both long-lasting and beautiful.

That said, you may find that an orthodontist will suggest traditional braces more often than alternatives such as clear aligners. This is because it can be expensive to purchase clear aligners and the orthodontist may want to keep costs down. They will often install traditional braces and use other reasons as to why the patient was not a good candidate, such as their bite. General dentists are more than capable and qualified to get great results with clear braces.

As long as the person administering the treatment is qualified, then Invisalign is completely safe. There is no concern about getting scratched by wires or having any materials, such as rubber bands come into contact with your mouth. 

Traditional braces can also cause pain and discomfort, while clear braces are extremely comfortable. One of the best things about these braces is that they are virtually pain-free. Many patients have reported headaches and tooth pain when wearing traditional braces. Plus, there can be irritation of the gums and the inside of the mouth as well. With plastic aligners, the trays can be removed and inserted quickly and painlessly, and with no discomfort. Even switching out old aligners with new ones is quick and easy, and painless on your teeth, gums, and the inside of your mouth.

In some cases, patients report seeing results in just a few weeks. With clear aligners, it is easier for patients to track their results as they happen since they can take the trays out and examine the condition and position of their teeth. Seeing progress helps to motivate patients to keep up with wearing their braces as often as possible, and feeling more confident as the treatment period goes on.

In most cases, this process can take anywhere between six months to one year. Your teeth will look better and better throughout the process, but you may not see any improvements until after two or three months have passed. In general, the most severe your particular issues are, the more time it will take for you to see the final results. 

If you have crowded teeth it could take you up to six months if the case is mild enough. Severe cases of crowded teeth take an even longer time period, but your dentist may instead recommend another treatment option such as headgear if that is the case. 

No. Unfortunately, both always have to be treated simultaneously. It is impossible to treat the opposing dentition without treating the opposing arch as the two have to meet.

A transfer case can mean one of two things. In one scenario, a patient is moving to an area where there isn’t an Invisalign provider to continue the treatments. On the other, the dentist is not able to continue the treatments. In these cases, either the patient terminates treatment altogether, or switch to another invisible braces provider to continue with their progress.

Full Invisalign is the standard treatment that a patient gets to straighten or adjust their teeth. It usually requires anywhere from 20 to 35 aligners to get the job done. Invisalign Express is used to correct very minor teeth issues, for cases where only 5 to 10 aligners would be required. In most cases, Express is not sufficient, as the issues can not be fully addressed with minimal aligners. Full is often preferable, as the patient will continue to receive as many aligners as necessary until the teeth issues are resolved. 

If you’ve read the FAQ and think the clear aligner is something you’d like to try, the next step would be to call Dr. Kate Brayman’s office and schedule your consultation and eligibility appointment. It will be at your first visit that you will discuss with her if clear aligners are right for you. If Dr. Brayman feels that it is the right course of action, she will then invite you to come back for a second visit. At this point, it will be up to you to make the final decision on whether or not you want to proceed. 

Make your appointment today by emailing us at info@katebraymandds.com, calling us at +1 516-340-6012, or schedule an appointment using the form here.

Much like anything else, clear aligners come with a host of benefits, but also a few negatives for you to consider. 

• The aligner trays are completely invisible. Nobody even needs to know that you are wearing them. No “train tracks” comments, or experiencing the discomfort in public of being a professional adult who has braces. Your smile will slowly get to how you want it to be over time, and no one will be any wiser.
• Individuals can eat whatever they like. With traditional braces, you wear them until the treatment period is over. Then they are removed. The problem with this is that no matter how diligent you were with your cleaning routine, there is probably still a lot of cleaning to do. Food particles get caught in the brackets, and sometimes cannot ever be removed, for instance. Cleaning with braces is difficult, and can be frustrating for many patients. With invisible braces, these problems disappear, much like the traditional braces themselves. Clear aligner trays can be removed to allow for easier access for cleaning. You can maintain your oral help and prevent plaque build-up from food and other particles that can get stuck. This also means that you will have no restrictions on what you eat, unlike traditional braces.
• Invisalign aligners are much more comfortable than metal braces. I’m sure you’ve heard others with braces complaining. The metal brackets and wires can get uncomfortable at times. The metal can scrape against the inside of the mouth, and patients often complain of irritation, bleeding, and aching. Invisible braces are made from a smooth plastic material that is easy on the mouth and incredibly comfortable.
• Not toxins or contaminants. One of the big fears for people today is the toxins and other contaminants we put in our bodies regularly. Metal braces can also add to this problem as they can emit toxins directly into the mouth. With clear aligners’ BPA-free plastic, those are fears of the past.
• The teeth are easier to care for with Invisalign.
• Individuals can participate in sports activities without worry.
• Individuals experience a much higher self-esteem after treatment.

There are some inconveniences and drawbacks when it comes to clear braces, but they probably do not outweigh the  positives. They are important to consider, however. 

• For one, for clear aligners to be effective, the patient must be committed to wearing them. Traditional braces cannot be removed, so the patient is forced to wear them around the clock. With Invisible braces, they must be worn for 22 hours each day at a minimum. If not, then the treatment will take longer, and the results may not be as good as hoped for. This can be difficult since the aligners must be removed before the patient eats or drinks anything.
• The patient must also be extra attentive to their oral hygiene. This means flossing and brushing after every meal or snack. Of course, being committed to this brushing and flossing routine can have side benefits as well. Your teeth will be whiter, for instance. Also, some patients may decide they don’t want the inconvenience of removing the trays to eat, brush, floss, and avoid eating snacks. This, in turn, can help someone lose weight. Some patients have reported that they noticed their breath being affected. Simply following proper oral hygiene and  drinking plenty of fluids will eliminate this risk.
• Some patients have noticed difficulty pronouncing words in the first few days. If you notice a lisp at first, do not panic. This is nothing to worry about. It only lasts the first few days as you adjust to the braces. Some patients will get them to put in on a Friday, just to ensure that they have the weekend to get used to them and sort out any potential speech problems. You’ll be used to them in no time and your speech will return to normal quickly.

Traditional braces have been an effective tooth care treatment for a long time. However, there are a few alternatives that have popped up over the years. Invisible braces may be the most common and well-known of those alternatives, but you may decide that another is more appropriate for you. 

Incognito braces are similar to traditional braces. The difference is that they have the wire on the back of the teeth so that they are hidden from view. Damon braces have clear brackets, but otherwise, work the same as traditional braces. The clear brackets make them less noticeable.

Although traditional metal braces are still the only option for severe tooth alignment issues, Invisalign offers similar results, without great discomfort.

Traditional metal braces can cause irritation to the sensitive tissues of the mouth. They are also much more noticeable than the clear aligner trays that are worn with the Invisalign system.

Yes, Invisalign is more expensive than metal braces, but the vast majority of individuals find this treatment well worth the cost. Invisalign offers individuals freedom in obtaining orthodontic treatment so they feel much less embarrassed and stressed during their treatment period.

Invisalign is a good option for a variety of bite issues, but there are certain problems that cannot be fixed using this treatment. There are three primary limitations associated with Invisalign and these include:

Tooth shape: If your teeth are pegged or too short, your orthodontist might recommend another treatment option. This is because such issues can actually prevent the proper working of the clear aligners.

Severe overbite: With a regular overbite, Invisalign can be a good option to help to correct it. However, when this is severe, your dentist will likely recommend that you use traditional metal braces because these are easier to tailor to the overbite that you are dealing with.

Large Gaps: Invisalign is a great option for when you have one or several small gaps between teeth. If that gap is more than 6mm, then another option is necessary. 

Tooth position: There are times when Invisalign is not enough to help certain teeth get into the proper alignment. For example, if any of your teeth have too much of a rotation, clear aligners will likely not be enough to correct them.

Intrusions and Extrusions: Intrusions and extrusions are when teeth are too far into or out of the jawbone and they do not match up with the rest of the teeth. Invisalign can’t move teeth very far up or down, which braces use enough force to do so. 

Midline Movements: Ideally, you want your middle front teeth to match up to the middle of  your face. If your front teeth are out of alignment, Invisalign can help correct this, but only up to 2mm in either direction. Otherwise, braces are more appropriate. 

It is also important to remember that wearing your Invisalign clear aligners exactly as your orthodontist directs is critical to get the full benefit of the treatment. You must also follow up with all post-treatment care, such as using your retainers as indicated, to maintain the results you get with Invisalign.

No. Invisalign is an orthodontics-prescribed treatment for misaligned teeth and should only be administered by an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist. Because Invisalign is a precision device, it necessitates the aid of a trained orthodontic expert. A check-up with an Invisalign doctor can assist you to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. Following their guidance will ensure that you get a beautiful smile out of your treatment plan.

Invisalign aligners were the first transparent aligners to hit the market more than 20 years ago. 3D digital imagers and the Invisalign clear aligners that are used in orthodontics are made by Align Technology. Since its inception, they’ve continued to set the pace in cutting-edge invisible orthodontic treatment. Align Technology has invested over $1 billion in R&D, allowing orthodontists to improve the smiles of adults, teenagers, and children with the world’s most sophisticated clear aligner system.

New “cheaper” varieties of invisible braces have recently appeared on the market, which are delivered to customers at home and do not need them to visit a qualified orthodontist in-office.

Some “mail-in” aligner brands claim to provide the “flexibility” of at-home DIY teeth straightening treatment, but how does it compare to the proprietary Invisalign treatment of licensed orthodontists and dentists?

No. Invisalign, as the name suggests, is a brand of transparent aligners that can only be utilized by licensed orthodontists in an accredited practice. SmartTrack plastic, Invisalign SmartForce attachments, and iTero® scanning are some of the proprietary materials offered exclusively through Invisalign for use with their treatment.

In contrast, mail-order aligner companies utilize generic plastics and technology in their transparent aligners.

Do Mail-Order Aligner Brands Offer X-Rays?

No. X-rays are a necessary component of orthodontic care that should be included as part of an overall orthodontic treatment.

Mail-order aligner firms, on the other hand, demand that patients pay out of pocket for x-Rays at their dentist’s office, which is separate from and in addition to their transparent aligner therapy.

Invisalign patients, on the other hand, have the costs of their X-Rays included as a part of their clear aligners treatment at an orthodontist’s office.

Invisalign clear aligners vs mail-order aligner

The answer: Invisalign.

If you’re looking for Invisalign treatment on Long Island, we recommend that you consult with one of the doctors listed below to see if Invisalign is right for you.

Yes. While Invisalign treatment is an orthodontic procedure, it may also be done by a general dentist. This is because Invisalign isn’t designed to treat significant or severe orthodontic problems, so any qualified dentist can learn to work with patients and repair their smiles with Invisalign. To offer this procedure, your dentist does not need to be an orthodontist.

Yes, it does. It makes a difference where you get your Invisalign. All Invisalign treatments are not created equally.

Invisalign is a powerful instrument in the hands of the correct practitioners. It is not, however, a magic wand that instantly provides you with the confident smile you desire. To align teeth in very specific degrees and directions using Invisalign aligners necessitates considerable expertise. Not all providers are capable of treating your teeth with Invisalign in offering the level of quality care required.

The short answer is that no, Invisalign itself does not whiten teeth. However, using whitening in conjunction with Invisalign can be a powerful way to improve your smile. It’s important to remember that with Invisalign, you will need to brush your teeth more often. You can get food particles stuck under the aligners which need to be removed as soon as possible. This will keep your teeth looking as healthy as possible. 

However, Invisalign trays also help with the whitening process in a more direct way. They are the perfect vessels to hold whitening gel and spread it evenly on your teeth. This can be one of the trickiest parts of whitening. The trays can help to make sure that all of your teeth get whitened. You can choose to do this during the process, or wait until after. Your final Invisalign tray will fit your teeth perfectly, so you can use them to apply your whitening agent going forward for years to come. You can have straighter teeth and a brighter smile all at once. 

In some cases, a patient’s face can look slightly different after having Invisalign aligners. The number one goal is always to create the best smile possible, but that can have other benefits as well. Every face is unique, and shifting the teeth around can change a face ever so slightly. 

Even though they may seem like it, almost no faces are actually symmetrical. It’s usually not noticeable, but there are always subtle differences between each side of the face. When there is a jaw issue, those differences can be pronounced and very noticeable. Invisalign can bring the jaw back into alignment, which will make the face look more symmetrical than it did before. Strangely enough, it can even affect the look of your nose. As the jaw moves, it can pull on your lips, which will then pull on the skin around the nose. The difference is minor, but it is still there. 

If you are treating an underbite with aligners, then your lower face can look different when the process is finished. With an underbite, there is an imbalance between how your bottom teeth sit when compared to your top teeth. After Invisalign, your jaw will no longer stick out, which will improve the look of your face and make you look more proportionate. 

An overbite tends to cause your cheeks to look sunken and your chin to look weak. With correction, your face will look fuller as your arches align properly with your bite. Your face will look more balanced and you will have stronger features on the lower half of your face. 

In general, Invisalign is more expensive than traditional braces. The reason for this is that Invisalign is more comfortable and more effective at treating what it does. The aligners must also be manufactured in a lab using patented plastic materials. Invisalign is an advanced, state-of-the-art treatment, and the cost reflects that. 

Because it is such an effective treatment and that the materials are so important, it is not really possible to negotiate the price of Invisalign. However, you can always check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for certain aspects. You may also want to wait until we are offering specials on the treatment to get it at the best cost possible. Always remember that Invisalign, like any other cosmetic dentistry treatment, is an investment. You are investing in your self-confidence and in the look and feel of your smile and face.