Invisalign New York

The Discreet Way to Achieve a Straighter Smile

Several Invisalign clear aligners on a table

If you need orthodontic treatment but don’t want to end up stuck with noticeable metal braces, Invisalign could be the subtle alternative you’re looking for here at Gramercy Dental Studio. It is the ideal solution for many adults who want to maintain their professional appearance while they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. As a Silver level Invisalign provider, your cosmetic dentist in New York, Dr. Ira Newman, has already helped a high number of patients take advantage of this innovative, discreet teeth straightening method. Could you be a candidate for Invisalign? Don’t wait — contact us today to learn more.

Why Choose Gramercy Dental Studio for Invisalign?

  • Dentist Who Is a Silver-Level Invisalign Provider
  • Compassionate Dental Team By Your Side
  • One-on-One Attention From Our Team of Dental Experts

How Does Invisalign Work?

Close up of person placing an Invisalign aligner over their teeth

Instead of using conventional brackets and wires, Invisalign in New York relies on clear, customized aligners that gradually move teeth into their ideal position. The Invisalign process is simple — first, state-of-the-art computer imaging software will lay out your complete, personalized treatment plan, allowing the Invisalign lab to craft the perfect set of aligners. Then, you will wear each aligner for a certain amount of time (usually two weeks) before you switch to the next one. Dr. Newman will evaluate your progress during brief checkups every six weeks or so to ensure that everything’s going smoothly.  After your treatment period concludes, you’ll need to wear a retainer so you can prevent your teeth from drifting back out of place.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Woman smiling outdoors and holding an Invisalign tray

Some of the most outstanding benefits of Invisalign include:

  • Invisalign will do more than give you an attractive smile. Moving your misaligned teeth into their proper places will lower your risk of tooth decay, TMJ problems, and other significant oral health problems.
  • The aligners are removable, which means you can continue eating all of your favorite foods throughout your treatment and brush and floss like normal.
  • The comfortable plastic material doesn’t create the same oral irritation and discomfort that can occur with traditional braces. You won’t even need to attend unpleasant adjustment appointments.
  • The aligners are discreet. Although they are not totally invisible, they won’t be the first thing that other people notice about your appearance.
  • The average treatment time is faster than that of traditional braces. The average treatment time is about one year, but you may begin to notice a difference in your smile much sooner than that.

The experienced team at Gramercy Dental Studio will always be ready to help you if you ever have questions or concerns during your treatment.

Who Can Invisalign Help?

Smiling woman holding an Invisalign aligner near her mouth

During your consultation, Dr. Newman will evaluate the specific nature of your dental misalignment. He’ll also make sure you fully understand all of the pros and cons of Invisalign. Our team will provide you with an estimate of the cost of your treatment and help you explore payment options. Then, you and Dr. Newman can decide together whether you should move forward with the treatment. With all of that said, Invisalign can address most types of orthodontic issues, including:

Crowded Teeth

Illustration of crowded teeth

Are your teeth rotated or tilted out of position? Do they crowd together to the point where they overlap? If so, come in to our New York, NY dental office to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign before the look, health, and function of your smile suffer. If we determine that clear aligner treatment is right for you, then we can align your teeth discreetly, comfortably, and in an average of just 12-18 months!

Gaps Between Teeth

Illustration of spaced out teeth

Whether you have a considerable gap between your two front teeth or several considerable spaces throughout your smile, you’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign may be an option! With this orthodontic treatment, we can apply gentle pressure to your teeth using a custom-made series of aligners, which are comfortable, clear, and can be removed at any time.

Overbite

Illustration of overbite

If your upper row of teeth juts out far beyond your lower teeth, then you may have an overbite. Although this bite problem may not seem like much of an issue at first, it can negatively impact your self-esteem as well as your ability to chew properly and enunciate clearly. For those reasons, we recommend coming in for a consultation sooner rather than later so we can determine if Invisalign is right for you.

Underbite

Illustration of underbite

What if your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth? This is referred to as an underbite, and, as you may have guessed, patients are encouraged to explore their orthodontic treatment options before the look, health, and function of their smiles suffer. Fortunately, many teens and adults with this bite problem are candidates for Invisalign, which doesn’t involve metal brackets, dietary restrictions, and the like.

Crossbite

Illustration of crossbite

In short, a crossbite is when there is a mixture of your upper teeth sitting in front of your lower teeth and your lower teeth sitting in front of your upper teeth. Although some cases of this bite problem are severe enough that traditional braces are necessary, others can be addressed with Invisalign. If that’s the case for you, then we will create a custom treatment plan to correct this bite problem as efficiently as possible.

Open Bite

Illustration of an open bite

If there is an open space between your upper and lower teeth when you bite down – whether in the front of your mouth or the back – chances are that you have an open bite. Usually, Invisalign clear aligners and other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands and buttons, can be used to correct it before problems like premature wear and tear become a concern.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Dentist showing Invisalign to a patient

The cost of Invisalign in New York will look different for every patient. Numerous factors determine how much you can expect to pay for your treatment. At Gramercy Dental Studio, Dr. Newman and his team will go above and beyond to identify ways to make your new smile as affordable as possible. Whether it is reviewing your plan to maximize your dental benefits or providing flexible financing options, we will provide the help you need to see a drastically improved smile without having to wear bulky metal braces.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

No designated price comes with Invisalign in New York. Instead, you’ll meet with Dr. Newman for an initial consultation. During this visit, he will determine how much your treatment will cost based on the following factors:

  • Do you need Invisalign for the top or bottom arch? Do you need aligners for both arches? If you only require treatment for one row of teeth, you can expect your cost to be much lower.
  • How complex is your case? If you need help realigning an overbite or open bite, it will likely require more time and money than closing a small gap between teeth.
  • How long will your treatment last? If you need more aligners throughout your treatment, you can expect it to cost more overall.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

As it is with the cost of Invisalign, no two dental insurance companies are the same, nor are their policies. While many do not provide orthodontic treatment of any kind, including Invisalign, you’ll want to make sure you check with your insurance carrier to determine what they offer. If you are unsure where to look or who to contact, our team will be happy to do the work for you. In fact, we’ll find ways to maximize your benefits and file any claims and paperwork on your behalf. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), it is advantageous that you use these funds to help pay for your Invisalign in New York.

Living with Invisalign Aligners

woman smiling while working on laptop at home

Like many other patients, you may be interested in doing as much research as possible prior to signing on the dotted line. Don’t worry – we’re here to help! You’re welcome to get in touch with our dental team directly, or you can reach out if you’d prefer to continue the process online.

Wearing Your Trays

group of friends smiling together outside

Something that is crucial when it comes to staying on-track with your treatment plan is wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t, then your teeth won’t move as anticipated, resulting in unwanted treatment plan delays. The best thing to do is find a routine that works for you with the help of the stopwatch on your phone. That way, you don’t have to put much effort into meeting the recommended wear time.

Cleaning Your Aligners

patient rinsing clear aligners in sink

Cleaning your aligners is important for several reasons, including that you want to avoid stubborn stains and oral health problems like tooth decay. So, make sure to implement good habits throughout your teeth-straightening journey, like rinsing your trays with clean, cool water when you take them off and using a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them each morning and evening.

Eating & Drinking

woman smiling while eating lunch outside

When it comes to meals, there’s really only one rule: you need to take your aligners off beforehand. Outside of that, all of the usual guidelines are in place, like keeping your consumption of added sugar to a minimum and exercising caution with extremely hard and crunchy foods.

It’s also important that we mention here that you need to take your trays off before drinking anything other than water too (including coffee).

Losing a Tray

man smiling while talking on cellphone

Losing a tray may initially cause you to panic, but it’s important that you don’t. After all, looking for your aligners in that state can make it even harder. So, take a few breaths and try to remember the last place you had them instead. Then, carefully retrace your steps from there. Remember, there’s a good chance that they wound up someplace unexpected, like the center console of your car, so do your best to conduct a thorough search. If you don’t have any luck, then give us a call to share what happened.

Routine Check-Ins

dentist patient talking in dental office

Another part of living with Invisalign is attending the check-in visits. These are usually every six weeks or so, and they are crucial because they allow us to take updated scans of your teeth. Then, we compare these scans to your treatment plan, which gives us insight into how well your teeth are tracking. If everything is progressing as anticipated, then your appointment may be as little as 15 minutes!

Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign is an excellent solution to get the straight smile you’ve always wanted, but Dr. Newman understands you have several questions about the treatment before you’re ready to commit to it. That’s ok. He takes the time to explain your treatment plan and address your concerns to help you make the right choice for your smile. In the meantime, here are a few answers to some of the top questions about Invisalign to help determine if it’s right for you.

Why should I straighten my teeth?

Although you’ve always wanted to feel confident about your smile, you’re not sure if you should spend the money on orthodontics. Did you know braces and clear aligners offer more benefits than just improved aesthetics? Correcting your bite and alignment is actually an investment in your dental health. Your teeth are easier to clean when they are in their ideal positions, decreasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You also lessen your risk for several other complications, including dental emergencies, jaw pain, and unevenly worn teeth.

How long will I need to wear the aligners?

Typically, Invisalign provides a shorter treatment than metal braces. On average, you can expect to finish your series of aligners between 4 - 12 months; however, the duration is determined by your treatment plan. Several factors influence the length of time you need to wear them, such as the complexity of your case. Dr. Newman explains how long you can expect to need the aligners during your initial consultation.

How much does Invisalign cost?

There’s no easy way to estimate how much you’ll pay without first performing a consultation. Your personalized treatment plan determines the cost, such as how many aligners you need. It’s often thought Invisalign costs more than metal braces, but this isn’t necessarily true. There are several ways to keep your new smile affordable, such as using your dental coverage.

Many insurance policies that include orthodontia now cover a portion of the cost of the aligners. We work on your behalf with your insurance company to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We accept a variety of payment options to cover any remaining balance, such as third-party financing with CareCredit.

What happens if I break an aligner?

Your aligners are made from a thin, comfortable material. Although they are strong, they can break. If an aligner cracks, it’s best to call our office right away. If you have only been wearing it for a couple of days, you may need to have it replaced. If it’s almost time to switch to the next one, Dr. Newman may just have you progress to a new aligner.

You can help reduce the risk of an aligner breaking by handling them carefully. Use two hands when removing and inserting them. Always keep them in their protective case if they aren’t in your mouth.