There are many options for patients who want to avoid metal braces! The most popular alternative orthodontic treatment is Invisalign®, which are clear plastic aligners designed to straighten teeth. After an examination of your teeth, your dentist will determine which option is best suited to your wants and needs.
According to the Invisalign® website, the cost for treatment is approximately the same as the cost for metal braces. A portion of this cost may be covered by your insurance. Please call us to set up a consultation and discuss potential payment plan options.
The first step is to schedule a consultation with your doctor, so they can devise a treatment plan that is best suited to your individual dental needs. Once approved, you will receive your first set of aligners. Your doctor will then regularly monitor the movement of your teeth and new aligners will be ordered according to the progress made in your treatment plan.
Invisalign® aligners are made of clear, flexible plastic. The company received a patent for this material – SmartTrack® – to be used exclusively for Invisalign® treatment purposes. These aligners are FDA approved and nearly invisible!
Your doctor will give you an estimate regarding how long your Invisalign® treatment should take, which will depend on your specific needs. The average length of time for treatment is approximately 12-18 months. However, some patients may see results far sooner. Remember to wear your aligners exactly as instructed by your doctor to obtain the best results.
Your doctor will most likely recommend that you wear retainers following your Invisalign® treatment. This is a precaution that will prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positioning. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly to ensure long-lasting results.
You must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.
No. Unlike braces, you may eat whatever you like as long as you remove the aligners before eating. Prior to placing the aligners back on, it is important to brush your teeth and the aligners after you eat.
Like any orthodontic treatment, there is a short adjustment period. The more you speak with the aligners on, the quicker you will adjust.
There will be some pressure and minor discomfort for a day or two after each initial insertion. This is a sign that your teeth are moving sequentially into their final position.
It is recommended that you remove your aligners prior to chewing gum as the gum will stick to the aligners.
We discourage smoking with aligners as the cigarette smoke will tend to discolor them.
Brushing them with toothpaste will keep them fresh and clean.
Regular office visits are every five to six weeks. This will ensure that your Invisalign® treatment is progressing as planned.
All orthodontic patients are instructed to wear their retainers at night indefinitely. Sleeping with your retainers in at night will ensure a healthy bite and maintain the new position of your teeth.
Yes, if their teeth, including second molars, have grown in completely.
Yes! We are always delighted to welcome new faces to our practice. Whether it is time for your routine cleaning or you have a specific oral health goal in mind, our dedicated team is committed to providing a gentle, high-quality experience from the moment you walk in.
We certainly do. Recognizing that our patients have busy schedules, we provide both late-day and weekend time slots. We strive to make your dental health a convenient priority, so please contact us to coordinate a time that works best for your lifestyle.
To ensure dental care is accessible, we provide numerous payment avenues. We accept cash, debit, and all major credit cards (Visa®, Mastercard®, and American Express®), along with digital payments via Venmo, CashApp, and Zelle. For more involved procedures, we offer flexible monthly financing through CareCredit® and Cherry to help keep your treatment within your budget.
Currently, we are not providers for Medicaid or Apple Health. However, we accept a wide array of private insurance plans and offer various payment alternatives to keep your visits affordable. Contact our front desk to discuss your specific situation or to see if we can work with your current coverage.
Yes, we work with most major dental insurance carriers. Our administrative team is happy to manage the paperwork and file claims on your behalf to ensure you maximize your benefits. If you have any questions regarding your plan’s specifics, just give us a call—we’re here to help.
For patients without traditional insurance, we provide an in-office membership plan that makes preventive dentistry much more affordable. Our staff can walk you through the details of the plan and help you find a solution that fits your dental needs.
Please come prepared with your identification (photo ID), completed new patient paperwork, and your insurance card if you have one. It is also beneficial to provide a list of current medications, your medical history, and any recent dental X-rays or records from the last six months to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
We value your time and ask that you provide us with at least 48 hours' notice if you need to adjust your scheduled time. This courtesy allows us to help other patients who may be waiting for care. Please note that appointments canceled late or missed without notice may incur a $50 charge.
Dental anxiety is very common, and we are here to support you. Please inform our team if you feel uneasy so we can personalize your visit with extra care and comfort options to ensure you feel completely at ease throughout your treatment.
Yes, we provide emergency dental services. If you are in pain or have suffered an injury, please call us immediately so we can schedule an urgent consultation with Dr. Punia as quickly as possible.
A dental emergency is any oral health issue requiring immediate care to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a compromised tooth. This includes knocked-out teeth, intense toothaches, facial swelling, abscesses, or fractured teeth. If this happens, contact us right away. In the meantime, rinse with warm salt water, apply cold pressure to any swelling, and keep any broken tooth fragments—do not attempt to fix the issue yourself.
