Invisalign

Invisalign utilizes a set of removable clear appliances called aligners which move your teeth to the desired position both for esthetics and function. They are custom fitted for your mouth and are created from a digital scan of your teeth from our iTero intraoral scanner. The planning of your treatment is done virtually on a computer and is called a Clincheck. Dr. Vlahos can precisely design an orthodontic treatment plan that allows a patient to virtually see what their treatment will entail and what the result will look like before anything is done to their teeth. Patients can view their Clincheck and request specific changes if desired. Aligners are worn for 1-2 weeks depending on your individual treatment plan. Aligners are worn all the time and are only removed when a patient is eating or cleaning their teeth. Within a short period of time, a patient will begin to see visual changes in their smile and will be closer to the beautiful smile that is desired!

First appointment: Dr. Vlahos in St. Catharines offers a complimentary consultation to discuss your particular situation and what Invisalign can do for you. He will take the time to listen to you and what changes you would like in your smile. Often, he can perform a no obligation ITero digital scan of your teeth and with the Invisalign Outcome Simulator, you can visualize what your treatment would look like.
Second appointment: This is visit is an information gathering appointment. Vlahos will perform a thorough exam of not only your teeth and gums but also of jaw muscles, jaw joints, and soft tissue. If an iTero digital scan was not performed in your consultation appointment, it will be done now. Also, a complete series of xrays and photographs will be taken.
Optional appointment: Dr. Vlahos will discuss your treatment plan with you and he will show you your Clincheck. At this time, you can request specific changes to your treatment plan if so desired.
Third appointment:: The day has come! At this appointment, you will receive your aligners. Vlahos will prepare your teeth for your Invisalign treatment. He will insert your aligners and go over important details regarding their wear and care.
Subsequent appointments: Aprroximately, once a month, you will come in to monitor your progress and pick up more aligners. Vlahos will also address any particular concerns you may have.

Taking care of your smile: Once you have completed your set of aligners, you will receive a set of retainers that Dr. Vlahos will explain how to properly wear. Enjoy your new beautiful smile!

With over 240 Invisalign cases treated, Dr. Vlahos is an experienced Invisalign provider in the Niagara Region and St. Catharines. He has treated many different tooth position problems ranging from crowding of teeth, spacing of teeth and bite issues. Dr. Vlahos will take the time to discuss with you your particular situation, emphasize your personal requests and together, we can devise a treatment plan that is right for you, on your budget and within your time frame.Commonly treated problems treatable by Invisalign include:
Crowding of Teeth

Crowding of teeth-One of the most common problems for many patients. Crowded teeth are esthetically unappealing and can be a challenge to keep clean. Often, crowded teeth contribute to problems with the bite as well. Usually, there is a discrepancy with the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw, namely, the teeth are too big for the jaw. Dr. Vlahos has treated many crowding cases ranging from mild crowding of lower front teeth to severe crowding of both jaws. Often these cases can be treated without the removal of any health natural teeth. Our patients get to keep their natural teeth!Spacing of Teeth

Spacing of teeth-Another common problem for many patients. Spacing can result from many reasons. A space in between your two upper front teeth may occur from a very strong muscle attachment in that area in between the teeth (usually from the upper lip to the gum tissue). The action of the muscle can cause the teeth to spread apart. Other causes of spacing can include tongue thrust habits where the tongue continually pushes on the backs of the teeth and cause them to spread apart. Occasionally, a patient may have teeth too small for their jaw so Invisalign can position their teeth into their proper place but some sort of prosthetic treatment (bonding, veneers or crowns) maybe needed to get the esthetics just right.
Bite Issues

Bite Issues-Often teeth do not mesh together properly for a number of reasons. Some possible symptoms of problem bites include excessive tooth wear both in the front and the back, fracturing of teeth and/or restorations, inability to effectively chew food and jaw joint and jaw muscle issues. Often, if there is a deep bite especially in between the upper and lower front teeth, advanced wear can occur on the edges. This can become an esthetic issue as teeth wear down and become flat, it gives the appearance of ‘old’ teeth. Open bites in the front or back may lead to uneven biting forces on the remaining teeth, again, potentially causing pathologic tooth wear and possible bulk fracture.

The beauty of Invisalign orthodontic treatment is after a short initial adjustment period (2-3 days for most people), the treatment is relatively unobstrusive. Often patients will forget that they are wearing their aligners! Unlike, regular braces that use metal wires and brackets, Invisalign aligners are comfortable, removable and invisible. Oral hygiene with regular braces can be a challenge for even the most meticulous patients but with Invisalign removeable aligners, home care is a breeze. The risk of developing any cavities or gum issues during your Invisalign treatment is significantly less than with regular braces. Your Invisalign aligners are worn for about 22 hours a day. They are only removed when you are eating and cleaning your teeth. You can drink with them in your mouth. However, depending on your diet, they can stain but you will be changing to a new aligner every week or two. Invisalign treatment works really well for those that are active in sports. Unlike, regular braces with sharp metal brackets that can damage soft tissue, Invisalign is kinder to your tissue. Also, if your sport requires a mouthguard, simply remove your aligners and insert your mouthguard. Try that with regular braces! Invisalign treatment has a minimal impact on your life and is the treatment of choice for many people with busy lives.

Straight teeth that mesh together properly not only feel good but look good as well. A straighter brighter smile will give you the self confidence to approach any challenge in any social situation. Straight teeth are much easier to clean and will result in healthier gums and reduced risk of cavities. Avoiding gum disease will also improve your overall health as gum disease has been linked to many other health problems like heart disease. A good bite will help to greatly minimize the potential for tooth wear especially if you grind or clench your teeth. A good bite will help to minimize any potential issues with jaw joint and jaw muscles. Invisalign can help you get healthier overall with minimal impact on your busy life. Not only is Invisalign an investment in your oral health but also in total body health. A beautiful, well maintained, healthy smile can last you a lifetime and your health is worth it!

The cost of your Invisalign treatment can be tailored to your budget. Typically, full Invisalign treatment can range from $3500 to 5500. The fee will be determined by the complexity of your problem and the time needed to perform the treatment. There are other forms of Invisalign treatment that are less than a full fee depending on what you are looking for but they will be limited in scope of treatment. The fee can be spread out in payments over the course of your treatment. Often, a deposit will be needed to start the process. The total cost of your treatment will include one set of retainers that you will need after your treatment is completed. Before treatment can begin, Dr. Vlahos must perform a very thorough examination of your mouth with necessary xrays to ensure that your mouth is healthy to proceed with Invisalign treatment. This exam and xrays are not included in the fee but are usually covered by your typical dental plans. If you have dental insurance benefits, we will be more than happy to submit your pre treatment estimate and claims for you on your behalf electronically. We can work with your benefits to maximize their reimbursement and minimize your out of pocket expenses.

Often patients want and need to expediate their Invisalign treatment to accommodate a special day in the near future like a wedding or graduation. There are technologies present that can decrease the treatment time by 50%. Acceledent is a safe and effective advanced accelerated orthodontic device that utilizes precise calibrated vibrations called micropulses that transmit through the tooth and root to the surrounding bone and allows for the tooth movement to occur quicker. In Dr. Vlahos’ experience, it also helps to facilitate difficult tooth movements and that makes your Invisalign treatment go smoother. There is an added cost to your overall treatment but it is great for those patients who have a tight deadline.

Your Invisalign treatment starts with a complimentary consultation. You will meet Dr. Vlahos and his team and he can discuss with you how Invisalign can help you. He will take the time to fully discuss your treatment options and answer all of your questions including flexible and affordable payment plans. If possible, he can provide a no obligation iTero digital scan of your teeth that appointment so that you can see what Invisalign can do for your smile. To proceed with the treatment, we would need current X-rays and photographs of your teeth and face, and a necessary pretreatment thorough examination of not only your teeth but also of your gums, jaw muscles and jaw joints. This is to ensure there are no undetected underlying problems that may affect your Invisalign treatment. Once that is done, your information is submitted to Invisalign. About 10-14 days later, your treatment will begin. You will schedule an appointment to get your aligners and you are on your way to straighter teeth and a beautiful, healthy smile! Contact our office today at 905-937-4673 or email [email protected] to set up a complimentary consultation. Many patients in St. Catharines and Niagara have already done so!

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$50/mo
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$125/mo
for 24 months

$200/mo
for 24 months

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