Dr. Park Offers Affordable INVISALIGN® Treatment in Rochester, NY
Dr. Aaron Park at Irondequoit Family Dentistry is proud to be a certified Invisalign provider in Rochester, NY. Invisalign Clear Aligners give you a nearly invisible, convenient, and comfortable alternative to straightening your teeth without the cumbersome and uncomfortable brackets and wires that you will experience using conventional braces. Now, teens and adults can achieve a stunning smile and restore a functional bite without compromising esthetics in the process.
How Does Invisalign Teeth Straightening System Work?
Invisalign is a teeth-straightening system that uses a series of clear, BPA-free plastic aligners that apply gentle, controlled pressure, gradually moving your teeth into their desired position. These clear aligners, provided in sets, are custom-made to fit your mouth and are worn for one to two weeks, as determined by your treatment plan. As you progress through each set of aligners, your teeth will gradually shift.
When you choose the Invisalign teeth straightening system, you will need to commit to wearing the aligners 20–22 hours a day, removing them only for eating and drinking (except water), brushing, and flossing. The average length of time it takes to complete your Invisalign treatment can take 12–18 months, depending on the severity of your issues. When your treatment is complete, you will need to wear a custom-made retainer, which are typically worn at night to help prevent the teeth from shifting back to their original positions.
What are the Benefits of Invisalign Clear Aligners?
- Results You Can Trust: The computerized and pre-planned approach of using Invisalign, combined with custom-made aligners, allows for a more accurate and often quicker treatment process for straightening teeth compared to traditional braces.
- Comfortable: Invisalign aligners are made of smooth multi-layer polymer (BPA free), which makes them comfortable to wear. This eliminates the irritation caused by metal brackets and wires that occurs with wearing conventional braces.
- Nearly Invisible: Since Invisalign Clear Aligners are virtually undetectable, most people will not even notice you are using a tooth straightening system—a stark contrast to wearing conventional braces.
- Easily Removable: Invisalign aligners easily pop in and out of your mouth, which means there are no food restrictions. Because they are removable, you can clean them properly and maintain a good dental hygiene routine—brushing and flossing like you normally would.
What is the Invisalign Process?
The process for getting Invisalign clear aligners involves several stages, from an initial consultation to wearing custom aligners, then maintaining your new smile with a retainer.
Step 1 – Your First Visit
- Discovery: Your dentist will evaluate your smile goals, examine your teeth, gums, and jaw, and take photos, X-rays, and digital scans to determine if Invisalign is right for you.
Step 2 – Treatment Planning
- Imaging: A 3D digital scan of your mouth is used to create a custom treatment plan and a virtual preview of your expected results.
Step 3 – Approvals and Fabrication
- Approvals: Your dentist reviews and approves your treatment plan.
- Aligner Fabrication: Your custom aligners are manufactured and delivered to the dental office.
Step 4 – Treatment Begins
- Your First Set: You will receive your first set of aligners and instructions on how to wear them.
- How It Works: Aligners are worn for about 22 hours per day and changed every 1–2 weeks.
- Total Treatment Time: Average treatment time is 9–15 months, with 18–30 aligners, depending on your needs.
Step 5 – During Your Treatment
- New Aligner Sets: You will switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks.
- Progress Checks: Regular follow-up visits ensure your treatment stays on track.
Step 6 – Maintaining Your New Smile
Once your treatment is complete, you will receive a custom-made clear retainer to maintain your teeth in their new position. These retainers are worn at night to keep your smile looking beautiful.
What Types of Issues can an Invisalign Treatment Correct?
Common smile problems Invisalign can correct include:
- Underbite: When the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth.
- Overbite: When the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth significantly.
- Open Bite: When the front and back teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed.
- Crowding: Overlapping or crooked teeth that have little room to grow in properly.
- Abnormal Eruption: When teeth erupt into soft tissue at incorrect spots.
- Crossbite: When the upper and lower teeth do not line up correctly.
- Spacing Issues: Gaps or spacing issues between teeth.
- Protrusion: When the upper teeth extend outward more than normal.
Invisalign Smile Simulator
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
If you are considering Invisalign Teeth Aligners as an alternative to wearing traditional metal braces, you may have many questions about their effectiveness, their comfort level, overall cost, the duration of the entire teeth-straightening process, and how they might impact your current lifestyle. Since any orthodontic treatment requires an investment—both in your time and financially, here the most common questions people have about Invisalign to help you make an informed decision.
Logistics About Invisalign Treatment
Q: How long will the entire Invisalign treatment take to straighten my teeth?
A: Each individual patient is different. The timeline for completion will vary on the severity of your teeth alignment issues. Typically, the length of time you’ll need to wear your Invisalign teeth aligners will range from 9-18 months.
Q: How often should I change each individual Invisalign aligners?
A: Dr. Park will determine your exact schedule (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly), but you’ll typically change your Invisalign aligners every 1 to 2 weeks.
Q: How often will I need in-office appointments with my dentist for a progress checkup and to receive a new set of aligners?
A: Typically, you will need to make an appointment for an assessment and to receive your new aligners every 4-8 weeks. The frequency will depend on how quickly your teeth are moving. .
Q: Is there a way I can see the result after my Invisalign treatment is complete?
A: Yes. Dr. Park uses the Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro, you can view a digital image of your potential future smile. This simulator uses provides a high-resolution, interactive image of your teeth where you can track your progress at every appointment.
Impact on Lifestyle
Q: How long do I have to wear my Invisalign aligners every day?
A: Invisalign teeth aligners must be worn between 20-22 hours each day, should only be removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing/flossing after each meal before inserting.
Q: Will my speech be impacted while wearing them?
A: While you’re wearing your Invisalign teeth aligners, you may experience a slight lisp for a few days, but you will adjust to them and find ways to minimize any changes in your speech.
Q: Can I eat and drink normally?
A: You can eat the foods you normally would eat, but you must remove your Invisalign aligners for all meals, snacks, and drinks (except plain water) to avoid damage, staining, and trapped food that can cause cavities or slow treatment.
Q: Will people be able to tell that I’m wearing them?
A: They are hard to spot from a distant but more apparent up close. People may notice only a subtle difference like attachments (small tooth-colored bumps on teeth), and rubber bands, especially on your front teeth. Lighting can also determine how visible the aligners are.
Q: How long will the entire Invisalign treatment take to straighten my teeth?
A: Each individual patient is different. The timeline for completion will vary on the severity of your teeth alignment issues. Typically, the length of time you’ll need to wear your Invisalign teeth aligners will range from 9-18 months.
Comfort Level
Q: Are wearing Invisalign aligners painful to wear?
A: Generally, wearing Invisalign teeth straightening aligners are less painful than wearing traditional metal braces because there are no wires poking you. Just as with wearing traditional braces, you will feel pressure and some discomfort which typically lasts for about 24-48 hours, depending on the amount of movement that happens with each aligner.
Q: How long will any discomfort last after receiving a new set of aligners?
A: Any discomfort will usually last 1-3 days with each new aligner set, as your teeth shift.
Q: What can I do to alleviate any discomfort or pain?
A: Taking a common over-the-counter pain reliever will help with the discomfort.
Financial Matters
Q: How much does an Invisalign treatment cost?
A: Costs vary widely. The average national average cost is approximately $5,000 to $5,500, depending on case complexity. The GOOD NEWS is that Dr. Park at Irondequoit Family Dentistry in Rochester, NY, prices Invisalign treatments at a low fixed price of $3,900. (Yes, you read that correctly!)
Q: Will my dental insurance cover an Invisalign treatment?
A: Invisalign treatment is often covered, as long as your dental insurance covers orthodontics.
Q: Does the overall cost of my Invisalign treatment include scans, aligners, appointments, and retainers after my treatment is complete?
A: Dr. Park’s affordable Invisalign treatment in Rochester, NY, covers all costs. One price from beginning to end.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
A: Yes. Our Rochester, NY, Dental practice offers Care Credit. You can apply online by clicking here.
After Treatment / Care and Maintenance
Q: Will I need to wear a retainer after my treatment is complete?
A: Yes. It is necessary to wear a retainer after treatment to prevent teeth from shifting back (relapse).
Q: How long will I need to wear retainers?
A: An Invisalign retainer is typically worn full-time (20–22 hours/day) for 3–6 months immediately after treatment. After this, most patients switch to nighttime-only wear for at least another 6–12 months, and eventually move to a long-term, nightly schedule to prevent teeth from shifting.
Q: Do I need to brush my aligners with toothpaste or another type of cleaning method?
A: Simply clean your aligners with mild soap and water.
If you have any questions about Invisalign Clear Aligners, or would like to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation, please call (585) 266-4860.
Invisalign and the starflower mark are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc.