Our Journey to A Brighter Smile: Invisalign and How it Works
7 years…
That is how long I had braces as a kid. In all honesty, I probably got braces way too young. And being as young as I was, I wasn't diligent or regimented when it came to wearing headgear and rubber bands. Once the whole ordeal was over, I never wore my retainer, which led to me to the point I’m at today!
My teeth have gradually been shifting back to where they were, and on top of that, I have recently developed a case of TMJ. For years, I would get occasional lockjaw - a condition where your jaw literally seizes up and only allows you to open your mouth a certain, limited amount. It progressed into TMJ - my Jaw would click and sometimes not open all the way. And then it finally stayed that way. I literally cannot open my jaw wide enough to bite a big sandwich and it can be painful to leave my mouth open for a long period of time.
I decided that enough was enough…I had to get this all fixed!
After researching and trying to find the perfect cosmetic dentist for me, I came across Dr. Steven Liao. Located in Lodi, NJ, the 50 minute drive seemed worth the trek to get my teeth fixed. Dr. Steven Liao is rated as a top dentist in NJ, and he teaches Invisalign to other dentists in North America. He has completed over 800 Invisalign cases thus far. After chatting with him, and scouring his instagram (linked here) I decided to go in for a free consultation (a service available to anyone interested!)
I brought my husband with me. My husband has been a snorer for years now, and this past year we found an device on Amazon which totally fixed the problem. Unfortunately it came with a price because as the snoring stopped, he developed gaps in his teeth, and a massive underbite! “You are coming with me, and getting your teeth looked at!” I told him.
I didn’t know what to expect for the consultation process. I had imagined molds with that putty-like material, being shoved into my mouth - GAG GALORE! Needless to say I was a little bit nervous.
Dr. Liao and his team were so welcoming and warm. They explained the whole process and made sure I was comfortable the ENTIRE time. There were no molds or putty. Instead, a wand was glided along my teeth which then created a 3D image on their computer system. Dr. Liao was able to show me exactly what was going on with my teeth - where I was applying the most pressure, where my teeth were hitting each other, where they were chipping, and best of all, how he was going to fix all of it!
I found the consultation process not only easy and painless, but fascinating. Jay didn’t have an appointment, but Dr. Liao was able to squeeze him in and look into his case as well. Easy peasy, we both decided on the spot to get Invisalign. Our trays arrived a few weeks later and now I am on day two of my Invisalign treatment.
I have been posting in my Instagram stories as the journey has gone underway, and a lot of you have been asking questions about the Invisalign process. Below are some of the most asked questions, and Dr. Liao’s answers!
What Is the process? : I explained to you the consultation process above. Once our trays were in, we had to go back into the office to pick them up and get our “buttons” applied. Buttons are tiny dots of dental bonding material affixed to the teeth. These are tooth colored, so virtually invisible, and they help to shift the teeth during the process. Buttons also help to keep the trays on your teeth. After applying the buttons, Dr. Liao made sure the trays fit right. They taught us how to put them in and remove them, as well as care for them! The whole process was easy and pain free. We downloaded an app to help remind us when to change out our trays and to help us stay on track.
How long do you wear them for? You have to wear your Invisalign for 22 hours a day. Which means, you can take them out for meals. My total duration of treatment is 6-7 months. Jay’s is a bit longer. Each person’s case is different, so the duration of treatment will vary.
Can you get Invisalign if you need teeth removed? Yes you can get Invisalign if you need teeth removed. However, the teeth will most likely be removed during or after the process.
Can Invisalign help with TMJ? Invisalign can help with TMJ, but it is not a cure for TMJ. Invisalign helps with bite alignment, which in turn can help pressure on your jaw and teeth alleviating TMJ.
How long is the typical treatment? Average cases for adults is between 8-10 months. Some can be shorter, and some can be longer.
Can Invisalign help with a wide gap? Absolutely!
What is the average cost? Costs range between $3500-$4500 depending on the difficulty of the case. Insurance may be able to take care of a portion of your treatment.
How long does it take to see results? Patients normally see results in 1-2 months!
Does is hurt? You will feel pressure which means the teeth are moving, however it is not as painful as braces. For me personally, the first day, my teeth were a little sore. But what is more bothersome to me is getting used to the actual trays in my mouth.
Will Invisalign fix overcrowding? Yes, Invisalign is perfect for that!
Can you eat with your trays in? You can eat soft foods, such as bananas, however it really isn’t recommended. Certain foods can stain the color of the trays, and then you are stuck with tinted trays for a week or two. Once the trays are off, you can eat pretty much anything, however it is not recommended to bite into an apple.
Who isn’t a candidate for Invisalign? Most patients are candidates for Invisalign to straighten their teeth, however there are a few exceptions. Smokers, children who are too young to follow the instructions, and elderly patents who don’t have the manual dexterity to take the aligners on and off are not candidates for the treatment.
What is the maintenance and care? You have to brush your teeth and floss after every meal. Keeping your teeth and gums clean is especially important since not a lot of saliva will be getting to your teeth during the process (saliva actually helps to protect your teeth and prevent cavities). You can also soak your trays in a cleaning solution once a week to keep then fresh and clean.
One of the treatment rooms at The Dental Associates of Lodi
I am super excited to see the results of the treatment. I have heard that it gets easier every day that passes - so I am hoping that eventually I don't even notice that I have anything my mouth! I am so thankful for Dr. Liao and his staff for making things so easy and comfortable for me and my husband! Their professionalism and kindness only adds to the amazing experience we have already had!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me or Dr. Liao at the Dental Associates of Lodi at 862-247-8030.
<3
P.S.
A consultation with Dr. Liao is always complimentary! If you are looking to improve your smile and are curious as to what is available to you, I highly recommend his practice!