Longmont Invisalign
As your Invisalign specialists in Longmont, we can help straighten your teeth. Dr. Hedrick has been providing clear aligner treatment for years with excellent results, completing more than 30 cases per year—likely more than any other individual dentist in the area. She and Dr. Ryan work together to offer high-quality, personalized treatment to help you achieve a straighter smile.
What is Invisalign?
Also known as clear aligners, Invisalign consists of removable clear trays that gradually straighten teeth. It’s a modern option to traditional metal braces.
Invisalign performs similarly to metal braces, but the clear device makes it more aesthetically pleasing.
The most common brand name of clear aligners is Invisalign. The name has become generic (like Chapstick, Kleenex, or Q-tips) and can refer to any brand of clear aligner.
The Clear Aligner Brand We Use at Longmont Dental Loft
There are several well-known clear aligner brands, such as Invisalign and SureSmile, that dentists use to straighten teeth. At Longmont Dental Loft, we’ve worked with different brands in the past, but we’ve found that CandidPro offers the best experience for our patients. It combines the convenience of remote monitoring with expert oversight, making it easier than ever to achieve a straighter smile.
CandidPro – A Better Clear Aligner Experience
We love CandidPro because it streamlines your treatment while ensuring outstanding results—all with fewer in-office visits. Here’s why it’s such a great option:
- Fewer Office Visits – Most of your scans are done from home, meaning less time in the dental chair and more convenience for you.
- Easy, At-Home Scanning – You’ll receive a special device that attaches to your phone, allowing you to take precise scans of your teeth. This technology is just as accurate as an in-office scan.
- Comprehensive Treatment Kit – You’ll get a full set of aligners delivered in a box, so you can progress through treatment without waiting for new trays.
- App-Based Monitoring – With the Candid app, you can track your progress in real time and even see your teeth shifting into place.
- Expert Oversight – Your treatment is carefully monitored by our doctors, who reviews your scans, approves each step, and ensures everything is on track.
CandidPro offers the perfect balance of convenience and professional supervision, giving you the confidence that your smile transformation is progressing exactly as it should. Want to learn more? Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of the process!
What Are the Risks of Mail-Order Clear Aligners?
You’ve probably seen ads for mail-order clear aligners, especially for brands like Byte and NewSmile. These companies promise low-cost aligners without requiring you to visit a dentist, making them an attractive option for those looking for budget-friendly teeth straightening.
The process typically starts with an at-home impression kit, where you take molds of your teeth yourself and send them back to the company. Based on your impressions, the company then sends you a series of clear aligners to wear over a set period.
While cost is the primary reason people choose mail-order aligners, there are significant risks associated with this approach. Unlike clear aligner brands that work directly with dentists, these companies provide no in-person dental oversight, which can lead to serious issues, including:
Irreversible Damage
Moving teeth is a medical procedure that should be done under the supervision of a trained dentist or orthodontist. Without professional oversight, there’s a higher risk of permanent damage to teeth and gum tissue, including bite misalignment, gum recession, and even tooth loss.
No Comprehensive Exam
Unlike dentist-supervised clear aligners, mail-order aligner companies do not perform a comprehensive dental exam before starting treatment. This means underlying issues like cavities, gum disease, or bone loss can go unnoticed, potentially leading to severe complications.
No Supervision During Treatment
Teeth movement doesn’t always go exactly as planned. In dentist-supervised treatment, your progress is monitored and adjustments are made as needed. With mail-order aligners, there’s no professional checking your progress, so if something goes wrong, you may not realize it until it’s too late.
If you’re considering clear aligners, it’s important to choose a treatment that is both safe and effective. With CandidPro, your treatment is fully supervised by our doctors, ensuring you achieve the best possible results without the risks associated with unsupervised mail-order aligners.
Advantages of Invisalign Over Braces
When it comes to Invisalign vs. braces, Invisalign has many advantages:
- Comfort: Clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces. Their smooth plastic won’t rub and irritate your gum tissue.
- Removable: Unlike metal braces, clear aligners can be removed to eat and to floss your teeth.
- Aesthetically pleasing: We’ve never heard anybody say they like the look of metal braces. Alternatively, clear aligners are virtually invisible.
Why Get Invisalign?
People get clear aligners for varied reasons, from cosmetic to functional. Some of the most common reasons are to help fix:
- Crooked teeth
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Gap in teeth
- Open bites
- Overbites
- Premature wear
- Underbites
Clear Aligner Process
Consultation
During your initial visit, our doctors will take a 3D image of your mouth using an Primescan scanner. She will then upload the data to a computer to show you how your teeth currently look and how they’ll appear after treatment. This is a great opportunity to discuss your smile goals and determine if clear aligners are the right choice for you.
Treatment Plan
Our doctors will carefully analyze your scans and create a fully customized treatment plan based on your specific needs. She will determine how many trays you’ll need and estimate how long your treatment will take. Once finalized, the plan is submitted to CandidPro, where your custom aligners will be created.
Aligners Are Created
Your custom aligners are created and shipped to our office in a matter of weeks.
Clear Aligner Treatment
Once your aligners are ready, you’ll come into our office to pick up your entire set of trays. You’ll also receive a scanning device that attaches to your phone, allowing you to take precise weekly scans at home using the Candid app.
Every week, you’ll scan your teeth and submit the images through the app. Our doctors will review your progress and approve when it’s time to move to the next tray. You’ll receive an app notification and an email letting you know when to switch aligners. You can also track your progress in real time through the app, even seeing how your teeth are shifting into place.
The entire process typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on your individual treatment plan.
Dentist Visits
One of the biggest advantages of CandidPro is that it significantly reduces the number of in-office visits. Instead of frequent checkups, you’ll only need to visit our office:
- At the beginning of treatment – To get scanned and pick up your aligners, along with your at-home scanning device.
- At the end of treatment – To ensure your teeth have moved as planned and discuss next steps, such as retainers.
As long as you submit your weekly scans and your teeth are progressing according to plan, you won’t need to come in for additional visits during treatment. If an issue arises, we can always schedule an appointment to address any concerns.
How much does Invisalign cost?
At Longmont Dental Loft a typical case is approximately $6,000. Some dental insurance plans will offer partial coverage.
What Does Invisalign Feel Like?
Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, you’ll get used to it after a few days. In fact, over time, you might even forget you’re wearing an aligner.
Each time you move up to a new set of trays, you will notice some discomfort at first. For this reason, we recommend switching to the next set right before you go to sleep. By the time you wake up in the morning, the new trays will feel more normal.
Am I a Candidate for Clear Aligners?
Invisalign can benefit a wide range of people, from teens to adults. Due to recent advances, we can even use it for complex cases that could have only once been achieved with traditional braces.
However, not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign, but we can determine your eligibility with a consult and 3D scan with our team.
Why Get Invisalign at Longmont Dental Loft?
We think there’s no better place than our office to help you with clear aligners. After all, it’s hard to find a team more dedicated to great results than Dr. Hedrick and Dr. Ryan. Between Dr. Hedrick’s extensive experience and Dr. Ryan’s commitment to personalized care, you’ll receive expert treatment and a great overall experience. We can also provide many useful clear aligner tips. If you have any questions or would like to see what your smile would look like after Invisalign, please contact our office at 303-772-6333.
