Q: How does Invisalign® work?
A: Dr. Zach and Dr. Alex map specific tooth movement during your Invisalign® treatment to move each tooth into position. Tiny tooth colored composite attachments act as handles for the Invisalign® aligners to grip onto and apply gentle pressure to move your teeth.
In our office, appointments are typically 'on demand' every 18 weeks (12 if the patient does not utilize our virtual DentalMonitoring® app).
Q: Why do I need to wear elastics during treatment?
A: Elastics (or 'rubberbands') are used to correct misaligned bites. Patients who have a "Class II" or "Class III" bite can benefit from wearing elastics as prescribed to ensure a healthy bite that functions well.
Q: How long will my treatment last?
A: Treatment plans and treatment length are highly individualized. The length of time spent in treatment is determined by many factors including the complexity of the patient case, the patient's age, patient compliance in elastic and Invisalign® wear, tooth eruption and more!
Q: Where can I get braces?
A: Orthodontic treatment should be directed by an orthodontic specialist. Both braces and Invisalign® apply pressure to your teeth and move them through bone. It is best to have a board-certified orthodontist directing this treatment. Dr. Zach and Dr. Alex Mellion are always accepting new patients in their Fairlawn and Medina offices and no referral is required.
Q: Where can I get Invisalign near Akron, Ohio?
A: Our Mellion Orthodontics Fairlawn office is convenient to those in Akron and the surrounding communities.
The Fairlawn office is proud to serve Akron, Bath, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Granger, Highland, Hinckley, Medina, Seville, Wadsworth and beyond!
Q: Do braces / Invisalign® hurt?
A: Applying braces or Invisalign® attachments does not hurt. You may experience some soreness or mild discomfort as your teeth move through the jaw bone throughout treatment. Typically an over-the-counter pain reliever is enough to reduce discomfort.
Q: How do my teeth know where to go?
A: For those in braces, teeth gravitate along the curve of the archwires placed at your initial appointment and each subsequent appointment. The path they follow is based on where our doctors place each bracket. Wire tension and pressure changes throughout treatment to give you a great smile at the end.
For patients who are prescribed Invisalign® by our doctors, they virtually map out your tooth movement and your aligners are manufactured by Invisalign® based on those specifications. There are tiny differences in each aligner set that guide your teeth to that amazing Mellion Smile!
Q: What is the best age for braces?
A: Age 7 is the perfect time for a first visit but patients of ANY age can benefit from orthodontic treatment!
Q: Can Invisalign® fix overbites?
A: Yes! Invisalign® is a tool that Dr. Zach and Dr. Alex utilize to correct overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other issues such as crowding, spacing, and alignment concerns. Invisalign® can be used to address malocclusions of all types to give you a great smile!
Q: How long does Invisalign® take?
A: Invisalign® treatment plans vary greatly in length and the length of your treatment will be determined by how much tooth movement needs to take place!
Those with mild shifting or alignment issues may need only a few months of treatment while those with more complicated cases may take 18 or more months. Invisalign® is often a faster method of orthodontic treatment when compared to traditional braces.
Q: What is the cost for braces or Invisalign®?
A: The cost for Invisalign® and braces is the same in our office.
Dr. Zach and Dr. Alex Mellion believe cost should not dictate the treatment method used. Because our doctors are efficient in using Invisalign®, you can receive advanced treatment technology for the same cost as traditional braces.
Q: How do braces work?
A: Metal or ceramic brackets are adhered to the teeth with a special glue. An archwire is threaded through them. Pressure from the wire and/or heat from your mouth activates the wire and applies pressure to move your teeth.
Every 8-12 weeks an appointment is necessary to change the archwire and reposition brackets (if necessary) to achieve your end result.
Q: How long does it take to put braces on?
A: The day your braces go on you can expect to spend about 90 minutes with us. For Invisalign® that first appointment is shorter - typically 30 minutes in our office.
Q: Does Delta Dental cover orthodontics?
A: Delta Dental, and a number of other private insurance or employee sponsored insurance plans often carry an orthodontic benefit that can be used for braces or Invisalign® at Mellion Orthodontics. If you have Delta Dental or another insurance plan such as (but not limited to) Anthem, Principal, Guardian, or MetLife we will verify your available benefits during your complimentary consultation and review them with you. We are happy to submit claims for your primary and secondary benefits and you should expect them to pay according to the out-of network assignment of benefits details. For adults, there may be an age limit but your policy will outline that age limitation in detail.
Q: Where can I get Invisalign near Medina, Ohio?
A: Our Mellion Orthodontics Medina office is convenient to those in Medina and the surrounding communities.
The Medina office is proud to serve Brunswick, Granger, Hinckley, Lodi, Medina, Seville, Strongsville and beyond!