Are you bothered by crooked teeth, small gaps, or a misaligned bite, but are hesitant to commit to traditional metal braces? Invisalign® enables you to achieve the straight, beautiful smile through the use of discreet, clear aligners. No need for metal brackets on your teeth!
As a certified Invisalign® provider, Dr. Ben Youel has become the go-to orthodontist in Lake County for clear aligners. During your free consultation, Dr. Ben will examine your bite to determine whether Invisalign® clear aligners are the right tool to achieve your smile goals. Call our orthodontic office or submit a consultation request today to learn how Invisalign® clear aligners can help you achieve a confident, healthy smile.
Specially-Trained Orthodontist and Highly-Experienced Staff
3D digital impressions with iTero Technology
Affordable Payment Plans
Invisalign® treatment involves wearing a series of custom-made virtually invisible aligners for 22 hours per day. The aligners are far more discreet than traditional braces. It will be nearly impossible for your friends and family to be able to tell that you’re straightening your teeth. Invisalign® clear aligners are removable so you can take them out while eating or while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Aligners are created in batches of trays customized to each patient. Most comprehensive patients will need three or four batches of trays to reach their final result. Each set of trays will be worn for one to two weeks. During that time, the trays will exert pressure on the teeth and slowly move them closer to their ideal locations. To make sure the treatment is progressing as planned, you’ll visit Dr. Ben once every six to eight weeks either in-person or virtually. Compliance is key for a successful Invisalign® treatment; make sure you are wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day and only taking them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
With our iTero scanner, we’re able to take a highly-accurate digital impression of the teeth in a matter of minutes – and without the goopy putty. This allows Dr. Ben to greatly improve the fit and effectiveness of Invisalign® treatment while also enabling patients to see what their teeth will look like after treatment is completed.
The first step is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Ben. During your consultation, he will thoroughly examine your mouth and discuss your smile goals to determine whether Invisalign®, another aligner system, or a more traditional orthodontic treatment option is best for you.
One of the first things our patients ask about Invisalign® clear aligner treatment is, “How much does it cost?” There are a few factors to consider, but in general, the cost of a clear aligner case is directly related to the complexity of your alignment and bite issues. A more difficult case will cost more to correct. When you visit us for your free orthodontic consultation, you will leave with an estimate of what your clear aligners will cost (including what portion we expect insurance to cover).
Some of the primary factors that affect the cost of Invisalign® clear aligner treatment include:
Some patients are tempted to try one of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) clear aligner companies that you see advertisements for on Facebook and through streaming services. These products usually cost around $2,000. At Grayslake Orthodontics, clear aligner therapy can cost anywhere from $1,100 to $6,900, depending on the severity of your case. So, for a simple aligner case, Dr. Ben may be able to treat you for the same cost or less than some of the DIY aligner companies out there.
Before you commit to anything it is important to understand what you are getting for your money. Invisalign® clear aligner treatment at Grayslake Orthodontics uses top-tier technology and materials. You also get the hands-on care of an experienced orthodontist at every step along your journey. Clear aligner treatment with Dr. Ben generates optimal results and Dr. Ben works hard to minimize the risk of any adverse outcomes.
DIY clear aligner companies may use inferior materials, and you will not get the hands-on care of an experienced orthodontist. You might have to take your own dental impressions, and even a small mistake while doing so could drastically affect your treatment’s outcome. You might end up having to pay thousands of dollars more just to fix dental issues caused by a DIY treatment gone awry.
One last thing to consider when looking DIY clear aligner companies is what their current customers are saying about them. For example, read a few of the thousands of complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau against one of the highest profile companies before deciding what you would like to do with your teeth.
Some dental insurance policies cover clear aligner treatment. If your plan has a lifetime maximum for orthodontic treatment, you might be able to use it to cover $1,000 or more of the price of your aligners. We are an insurance-friendly practice, so we will be happy to help you figure out if your coverage applies and how you can use it to your greatest advantage. If your insurance doesn’t cover Invisalign®, ask us about using your FSA or HSA funds to cover your treatment.
As an Invisalign®-certified specialist in Grayslake, Dr. Ben wants you to be able to afford your treatment. That is why, in addition to helping you with insurance, we offer a few other provisions that may make it easier to fit Invisalign® into your budget:
Are you ready to start straightening your teeth with Invisalign®? Contact us today to learn more about this treatment and its associated costs.
Below are some of the most common questions our patients have about Invisalign®. During your complementary consultation, Dr. Ben will be happy to discuss any questions you may have. You are also welcome to call our office so we can personally assist you.
On average, the treatment takes 12 months. However, several factors can influence this timeline such as complexity of your treatment plan and compliance with aligner best practices. The age of the patient also influences how rapidly your teeth can be safely moved. Did you know that teeth move slower the older you are? You can avoid unnecessary delays by being diligent in wearing your aligners 22 hours each day, not missing any appointments, and taking excellent care of your teeth.
Invisalign® aligners are constructed out of a patented, non-toxic, BPA-free material that is designed to be as comfortable as possible. But it is normal to experience some soreness, especially when you first transition between aligners sets, as the trays are designed to apply pressure to your teeth.
To maintain results, you must wear a retainer. There are different types of retainers, so Dr. Ben will make his recommendation based on your treatment plan and lifestyle. In some instances, Dr. Ben will recommend wearing a removable retainer at nighttime. In other cases, he may suggest bonding a small wire to the back of your teeth to lock-in the alignment. .
If there are hairline cracks on an aligner, you might be able to continue wearing it — just be careful when handling it so you do not worsen the damage. If an aligner is broken or warped, however, do not attempt to wear it, and don’t try to repair it by yourself. Rather, call us. We will give you guidance on your next steps. We might recommend that you wear a previous aligner until we can order a replacement for you. Or, if you were close to moving on to your next aligner, you might be able to start wearing it a few days early.
Yes, you can! Room temperature or cooler water is the only thing you should have without taking out your aligners. For everything else, you must remove your aligners before you eat or drink because foods and other beverages (even clear liquids) can stain the aligners or leave trace amounts of sugar behind, increasing your risk of cavities. To take full advantage of your aligners and keep your smile healthy, make sure you follow our instructions.
If you are unable to find your aligner, give our office a call. Depending on where you are in treatment, Dr. Ben may advise you to wear your old set until a replacement can be made. Or, if you are already close to moving on, we may instruct you to transition to the next set a little bit early. Communication with our team is essential so you can stay on track with your treatment.
With clear plastic, the aligners can be hard to see. Although this is a good thing when they are in your mouth, it means you could easily lose the aligners when they are not on your teeth. Whenever you take them out—for any reason—put them in your case, and keep the case in a safe place. Never put them in a napkin when out to eat or in the lunchtime cafeteria. When that napkin gets thrown away, the aligners may go with it. This is a very common way to lose your aligners (or retainers).
Although you will only be wearing the aligners for a week or two, they do need to be cleaned every day. Otherwise, they can become cloudy or discolored. Not keeping them clean can increase the odds of tooth decay. Additionally, your teeth will not stay on track as well in a dirty aligner because the fit will be compromised. As a result, after you clean your teeth in the morning and at night, you need to gently brush the aligners to remove any plaque buildup. Also, before putting the aligners back in after meals, you should rinse the aligners with clean water. Only use room temperature or cooler water when cleaning your aligners. Warm water will deform the plastic.
Discomfort is a normal part of any orthodontic treatment. With clear aligner treatment, the discomfort is most intense when you first start and when you transition to a new set of aligners. However, there are ways to deal with this mild pain. First, on the days you are sore, avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods like chips, nuts, carrots, or crisp apples. Soup and soft foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, and pudding are great options to ease your discomfort. You may also take over-the-counter pain medication if the soreness is distracting. Acetaminophen/Tylenol is preferable to anti-inflammatory over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen/Motrin, aspirin or naproxen because the anti-inflammatory medications will slow down tooth movement. So take acetaminophen/Tylenol for discomfort associated with orthodontic tooth movement.
