Invisalign in Brooklyn, NY

Invisalign aligners are smooth and apply gentle pressure, so they cause much less discomfort than traditional braces. You might feel mild soreness or pressure for a day or two when you put in a new aligner, as your teeth begin to shift. This is normal and a sign that Invisalign is working. Most patients tell us the feeling is minor and goes away quickly. Dr. Ingberman often recommends switching to a new aligner at night so you sleep through the initial adjustment period. Overall, Invisalign is known for being a comfortable way to straighten teeth, with no sharp metal brackets to irritate your mouth.

You should wear Invisalign aligners 22 hours per day for best results. Essentially, you need to have them in all the time except when eating, drinking anything but water, or brushing your teeth. Consistency is key if you occasionally fall short a little, just get back on track as soon as possible. Not wearing the aligners enough can slow down your progress and extend the total treatment time. Dr. Ingberman advises patients to treat aligner-wearing like a habit: “Only take them out for meals and cleaning. The more disciplined you are, the faster you’ll see your new smile.” If you ever have a day where you wear them less (for example, a long dinner event), try to make up some hours by wearing them extra time the next day.

After any orthodontic treatment (Invisalign or braces), wearing a retainer is critical to maintain your results. Teeth have a tendency to shift back over time, so a retainer ensures your smile stays perfect and all that hard work is preserved. The good news is your retainer will likely be a clear, Invisalign like tray or a small fixed wire behind the teeth; either option is discreet. Dr. Ingberman will discuss the best retainer for you. Typically, patients wear a retainer full time for a few months after finishing Invisalign, then transition to nightly wear. Over the long term, wearing your retainer while you sleep is usually enough to keep your teeth straight for life.

Braces used to be a teenage rite of passage, but now teens have a more discreet option. Invisalign is very popular with teens at Brace Central, and for good reason. Teenagers love that they can straighten their teeth without obvious metal braces, and parents love that Invisalign makes it easier for their kids to keep their teeth clean and healthy during treatment. Dr. Ingberman has treated countless teenagers with Invisalign and Invisalign Teen®, which is a version of the aligners designed especially for younger patients.

“Many teens are fantastic candidates for Invisalign,” explains Dr. Ingberman. “The aligners are virtually invisible in school photos and social events, plus teens can brush and floss normally. As long as they’re responsible about wearing them, the results are just as good as braces.” Invisalign Teen comes with small blue indicator dots on each aligner that fade with wear. This helps the orthodontist, teen, and parents gauge if the aligners are being worn enough. Teens who wear their aligners the recommended amount will see the blue dot fade; if the dot is still bright blue at check-ups, it suggests they aren’t wearing them as instructed. This feature provides accountability without constant nagging.

Additionally, Invisalign Teen includes up to six free replacement aligners in case any get lost or damaged, giving parents peace of mind. Most teens adapt quickly to the routine of Invisalign. They can remove the aligners for band practice, sports games, or dinner with friends, which can make the teen years a bit easier compared to dealing with braces. It’s important that a teen is committed to wearing the aligners and keeping track of their responsibility is key. Dr. Ingberman will evaluate if your teenager is a good candidate based on their dental needs and maturity to comply with the treatment. When followed properly, Invisalign for teens can deliver awesome results by the time they’re graduating high school or starting college, boosting confidence at a critical time in their lives.

In many cases, yes. Invisalign is orthodontic treatment, and if you have orthodontic coverage as part of your dental insurance plan, it can typically be applied toward Invisalign similar to braces. Our office manager will review your insurance benefits and help you maximize your coverage. We handle the insurance paperwork and submit claims on your behalf to make the process easy. “Many patients are pleasantly surprised that their insurance can significantly reduce the cost of Invisalign,” notes Dr. Ingberman. “We’re in-network with several major plans, and even out-of-network benefits can often contribute. We make sure patients get the full benefit they’re entitled to.”

If you don’t have insurance or if it only covers part of the cost, don’t worry. Brace Central offers flexible financing options to fit Invisalign into your budget. We can set up interest free monthly payment plans, so you can pay gradually over the course of treatment. For example, many patients get started with an initial down payment and affordable monthly payments after that we’ll work out a plan that’s comfortable for you. We also accept Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which can use pre-tax dollars toward Invisalign.

Remember, your initial Invisalign consultation at Brace Central is complimentary. At this visit, you’ll get a professional assessment, treatment plan, and exact pricing information at no cost. You have nothing to lose except maybe the crooked smile! by finding out what Invisalign can do for you.

Because aligners are removable, occasionally a patient might misplace or lose one. Don’t panic, we have you covered. If you lose an Invisalign tray, contact our office and we’ll advise you on the next steps. Often, Dr. Ingberman will suggest that you wear your previous aligner (the one you just finished) or move to the next aligner in your series, depending on where you are in the schedule. “If someone loses an aligner, I usually tell them to go back to the last tray just to keep the teeth from shifting backward,” Dr. Ingberman says. “Then we quickly order a replacement aligner or have them move to the next one a bit early if appropriate.” It’s a good idea to keep your most recent old aligner just in case this happens. Our team will ensure your treatment stays on track even if an aligner goes missing. Invisalign also offers a few complimentary replacement aligners for Invisalign Teen cases, since we know accidents can happen with younger patients.

Treatment time with Invisalign varies per person. Simple cases (like minor spacing) might take as little as 6 months, while moderate cases typically run about 12 to 18 months. “On average, my Invisalign patients finish treatment in about a year,” notes Dr. Ingberman, “but every smile is unique. We’ll give you an estimated timeline after we map out your treatment plan.” Rest assured, Invisalign’s advanced planning software ensures your teeth move efficiently, often with fewer office visits and in less time than traditional braces for comparable cases.