Invisalign® on the Upper West Side

Smiles on the Upper Westside provides Invisalign in the UWS neighborhood of NYC. Call 212-222-5225 to schedule an appointment with our dentists.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. Billed as “the clear alternative to braces,” Invisalign uses smooth, clear, medical grade aligners to gently shift the teeth into the desired position.

Rather than attached metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of customized, removable aligners. You will wear each set for two weeks, 20-22 hours per day, or as directed, and then switch to the next set at home. You will visit our office once every four to six weeks for progress monitoring.

Invisalign treatment begins with a 3-D digital model of your current smile. We will morph the image to show you exactly how you will look at each stage of treatment, including the results, and then use the model to create your customized series of aligners.

Though it may be frustrating to think about, first impressions truly do make a difference. Flashing a mouthful of metal on a first date or at an important job interview can erode your self-confidence. Invisalign’s virtually invisible aligners let you smile and talk without worry.

Invisalign is also far more comfortable than braces. While wires and metal brackets can easily irritate the sensitive soft tissues of the mouth, and adjustments can hurt, Invisalign’s smooth aligners have no rough edges. They gently shift your teeth without undue force.

If you get traditional braces, your dentist is in control. We will put them on your teeth, perform all adjustments, and remove them. If a bracket comes loose or a wire pops, you will need to see us on an emergency basis. You cannot eat certain foods such as popcorn or whole apples, and you must learn a whole new oral hygiene routine.

With Invisalign, you are in control. We will place attachments on your teeth and teach you how to take care of the aligners, but otherwise it is up to you. You can remove your aligners to enjoy your favorite foods and to perform your regular brushing and flossing routine. You will change aligners at home, and see us only for treatment monitoring.

Invisalign was once more expensive than braces, but this is not as true as it used to be. Upgrades such as colored metal can raise the price of braces, as can the costs of adjustments and emergency visits. Invisalign’s transparent pricing model includes all visits to the dentist.

Dental insurance is highly complex, and benefits vary widely between plans, even with the same insurer. Some plans cover both Invisalign and traditional braces, some cover one or the other, and some do not cover orthodontic treatments at all. Our experienced staff will help you understand your insurance coverage and out of pocket costs before we start treatment.

There are some orthodontic cases where Invisalign isn’t a fit and traditional braces are needed. Assuming you are a candidate for both braces and Invisalign, deciding which is better ultimately comes down to your lifestyle and personal preferences. Most patients feel that Invisalign is better because it offers a discreet treatment option that is more comfortable and convenient than traditional braces.

Invisalign treatment is less expensive than clear (ceramic) braces and lingual braces, but the price of Invisalign is usually comparable to or slightly more than metal braces.

Yes, Invisalign is certainly worth the money. Most of our Invisalign patients are adults, many of whom have spent most of their lives feeling unhappy about or even embarrassed by their teeth. Invisalign allows them to achieve the smile they’ve always wanted without the self-consciousness caused by wearing braces as an adult. For these patients, Invisalign is a game-changer.

No, you should never eat with your Invisalign aligners in, as it can damage the aligners and leave your teeth susceptible to decay. The advantage of Invisalign treatment is that your aligners can be removed so you can eat whatever you like—there’s no reason to keep them in when you eat.

Yes, there is no age limit for Invisalign treatment! We have treated many older adults with Invisalign to correct misaligned teeth and bite issues.

Nothing happens—and that’s the problem! Invisalign aligners only work when you wear them. If you don’t wear them, your teeth aren’t being moved to their proper positions. While this might not present much of an issue if you only do it once or twice, if you make a habit of taking your aligners out and leaving them out for extended periods, it will result in a longer treatment time.

Your teeth can potentially shift back to their previous positions after any orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. To prevent this from occurring, wear your retainers as directed.

We don’t recommend wearing your aligners only at night, as Invisalign was designed to be worn at least 22 hours each day. If you only wear your aligners 7–8 hours a day, your treatment time will take up to 3 times longer!

If you are searching for Invisalign on the Upper West Side, call our NYC dental office at 212-222-5225 to schedule your first appointment with the dentists at Smiles on the Upper West Side.