There are a lot of benefits of Invisalign as part of your orthodontic treatment. If having a beautiful smile with straight, aligned teeth is a priority of yours—but walking around with a mouth full of metal is not—a clear aligner may be right for you.
Invisalign treatment typically costs around the same amount as metal braces and will take as long as braces to do (in general, anywhere from six to 18 months, although this will vary based on individual needs and the orthodontist). Invisalign is also used in many of the same circumstances as braces, including gap teeth, crowded teeth, and underbites, .
Although most clear aligners will have the Invisalign trademark, the costs, length of time needed, and the expectations a patient should have will differ and a treatment plan is essential if you are on a budget. Similarly, not every provider is one and the same, either.
If you are having trouble finding the right Invisalign provider in your area for treatment, we have compiled a list of traits that everyprovider should exemplify—including being a certified Invisalign provider. If your potential provider is missing the mark on any of these key traits, it should be a taken as a solid sign that you should keep looking.
Full Transparency
Be wary of anyone who sounds like a snake oil salesman. Ultimately, Invisalign is a great option that offers many benefits, including a similar time frame and cost as traditional braces.
However, if your provider is making things out to sound too good to be true with amazingly inexpensive treatment, then things probably are. Be wary of doctors who seem to be downplaying the costs, time commitment, or discomfort associated with Invisalign.
It is one thing to reassure a patient that Invisalign will not be an unpleasant or painful experience. It is another to pretend as though there will be an absolutely seamless experience. It will involve a little bit of soreness, frequently switching aligners, appointments every six to eight weeks, and a rather significant financial cost. A good Invisalign will convince you that this is all worth it,however, rather than pretending as though these costs do not exist in the first place.
Any decent provider should be open and transparent about the cost and time frame as well. Although some patients will be lucky enough to have their aligner off in a matter of months, you should be skeptical of any dentist that insists on this right away.
The reality is thatthe timeframe can be hard to predict and the to wear aligners is 12 to 18 months. While your dentist may be somewhat confident that you will not need your aligners for a long time, they should be transparent with you about the fact that things may not always go as predicted.
A good provider will always be open about the cost and whether or not they are compatible with your medical benefits. Any provider that seems to be reluctant to tell you about the full costs or seems to spring additional charges on you at random is probably not the most trustworthy.
A Focus on Accessibility
A perfect smile should be available to everyone, regardless of their needs. Every provider should be committed to making sure their premises and services are accessible to every patient, including older patients, young patients, and people with disabilities. Accessibility measures to look out for include:
- Wheelchair accessibility, such as ramps, automatic doors, and elevators
- A seating area appropriate for patients with small children
- Parking spaces for disabled patients and expectant mothers
- Website information on accessibility features, such as the number of stairs, parking, etc.
- Staff are trained to work with special needs patients, such as patients with on the
- A generally patient, compassionate temperament among staff
Even if you do not have any special requirements that must be catered for, finding a provider that puts a clear priority on accessibility is always a good thing. It means you have found healthcare professionals that value every patient and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that every person has access to dental care—and that’s an important trait to look for.
Great Listening Skills
Every healthcare provider should be a great listener. It’s normal to have a lot of questions and the best providers will listen to your concerns at every step of the way. If you’re wondering how you should feel after a consultation with a dentist, the answer is heard and you should not settle for less.
A Warm, Welcoming Demeanor
You should never feel as though you are not welcome when it comes to healthcare. A great provider will make sure you feel comfortable, welcome, and understood. They will answer your questions without judgment and will not look down on you for not knowing everything about the process.
If you do not feel supported or welcome at a clinic, remember that you will be working with them for weeks or even years. In other words, there’s no reason why you need to stick around people who do not treat you with the utmost respect.
Great Referrals
Referrals are a great dentist’s secret superpower. They act as legitimate proof that a provider is great. are more than willing to share this fact with others—so there’s no reason why even newer clinics should have no testimonials from satisfied patients.
Preferably, it would be great to have referrals from people you know personally, although this is not always possible. Regardless, a great Invisalign provider should have testimonials on their website (with pictures so you can see the progress with your own eyes).
Need Help Finding an Invisalign Provider?
If you don’t even know where to begin when it comes to finding an Invisalign provider, give us a call on our toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-(855)-282-1699 or visit our website to about the dentists in your area.