Now, Braces Are Clear, Comfortable, and Convenient!
If your teeth are overlapped, there are noticeable gaps between your teeth, or your bite is misaligned, we have good news: you may not have to wear metal brackets and wires to transform your smile. At Connection Dentistry, we offer Invisalign, which uses a series of clear, see-through, and virtually undetectable trays to guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions. To learn more, schedule an appointment with our Raleigh dental team or read on!
Why Choose Connection Dentistry for Invisalign?
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Dentists with Years of Advanced Training
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Top-Rated Dental Team
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Customized Care for Each Individual Patient
How Invisalign Works
As you can imagine, the technology behind Invisalign is incredibly complex. Fortunately, the overall treatment process isn’t! After determining that you’re a candidate for Invisalign, one of our dedicated dentists in Raleigh will create a custom treatment plan designed to gently move your teeth from their current misaligned positions into their ideal, properly aligned positions. Then, you’ll be given a series of clear trays, and you’ll wear each one for 7-14 days, and for 20-22 hours a day.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Invisalign is both discreet and effective. In fact, it can address a wide range of orthodontic issues – from crowded teeth to misaligned bites! Here’s a little more information on each, including why it’s important to explore your treatment options:
Crowded Teeth
In short, your toothbrush and floss have a hard time removing food particles and plaque from the unique crevices that overlapped teeth create. That’s why it’s so important that you look into orthodontic treatment! If your case is mild or moderate, then there’s a good chance that you’re a candidate for Invisalign, which can guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions without the metal. Ultimately, the look, health, and function of your smile will benefit from it!
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between teeth also increase your chances of developing tooth decay and other oral health concerns, like gum disease. Fortunately, the see-through aligners we offer at Connection Dentistry can close those spaces by applying gentle pressure to your teeth. Whether the treatment process takes 6 months or 18 months, you’ll be able to smile confidently the whole time since the trays are see-through, making them incredibly hard to see when worn.
Overbite
Your upper teeth sitting in front of your lower teeth is a good thing. There is some cause for concern, however, if there is a large gap between the two, placing unwanted pressure on your jaw. This bite problem can also make it difficult to chew and speak, negatively impacting your day-to-day life. The good news is that Invisalign has helped millions of patients with this very orthodontic problem.
Underbite
If you have an underbite, then you know all too well the negative effect it can have on the look and function of your smile. The best thing to do is schedule a consultation to see if it can be addressed with Invisalign. If the answer is “yes,” then we can use a series of custom-made aligners and additional orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, to improve both the position of your teeth and the alignment of your bite!
Crossbite
What if you have a mixture of an underbite and an overbite? In that case, you may have a crossbite. Like the other orthodontic issues on this list, it’s important not to ignore it, especially since it can lead to long-term issues like TMJ dysfunction. Instead, get an appointment with our Raleigh dental team on the calendar so we can determine if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment.
Open Bite
Do your teeth meet evenly when you bite down? If they don’t because there is space in the front or back of your mouth, then you may have an open bite. Not only does this orthodontic issue place pressure on certain teeth (increasing the risk of premature wear), but it can also result in trouble enunciating clearly. Fortunately, clear aligners, rubber bands, and buttons can often be used together to bring your teeth and bite into proper alignment.
The Benefits of Invisalign
To date, Invisalign has helped more than 12 million patients around the world. Year after year, this discreet orthodontic treatment continues to be popular because:
- The average treatment timeline is 12-18 months.
- There aren’t any dietary restrictions.
- There are no disruptions to your oral hygiene regimen.
- The trays are custom-made, making them more comfortable.
- There are fewer check-in appointments.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
To date, over 12 million patients around the world have straightened their teeth with Invisalign. So, there’s a good chance that someone you know has worn clear aligners. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the transition to life with braces will be any smoother. That’s why we’ve dedicated this next section to covering what you need to know about wearing your trays, cleaning your aligners, etc.!
Wearing Your Trays
You don’t want treatment plan delays, right? Then it’s of the utmost importance that you wear your aligners as often as possible. Patients are usually told to wear them for 20-22 hours a day for that very reason. If you’re not sure if you’re wearing yours often enough, then use the timer on your phone! There is also a feature on the Invisalign app that helps make tracking your wear time a breeze.
Cleaning Your Aligners
There are a few habits we recommend adopting to keep your aligners clean. First, rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm or cool water after taking them out. Second, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean water to gently clear away food particles, plaque, and other debris from the surface after you’re done eating, drinking a cup of coffee, or brushing your teeth. Third, do NOT use bleach or any other household cleaners.
Eating & Drinking
There’s really only one rule when it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign: you need to take your trays off before indulging in anything other than water. As your dental team, we also encourage you to incorporate as many smile-friendly foods into your meals as possible, like plain yogurt and cooked vegetables. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout every step of the teeth-straightening process.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Losing or damaging a tray often causes patients to panic. Instead, we recommend calling our Raleigh dental team ASAP. After learning what happened, we can take a look at where you are in your treatment plan. Then, we can decide the best way to move forward. In some cases, we ask patients to wear their previous set of aligners while a replacement arrives. In other cases, we recommend simply moving onto the next set of aligners in the series a bit early.
Routine Check-Ins
Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, you’ll come into our office so we can take updated scans of your teeth. This is essential because it allows us to monitor the movement of your teeth. If they are moving as anticipated, then we will simply give you your next round of aligners. If they aren’t moving as anticipated, then we will need to find a solution, like having you use chewies or wearing your current pair of trays a bit longer.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Everyone’s smile is unique, and so is the cost of Invisalign. Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with an estimate of the cost without a consultation. After all, each treatment plan is custom-made! The good news is that we can provide you with a breakdown of both the price you can expect to pay and the financial solutions we offer when you come in for your appointment. That way, you have the correct information about the price and the ways you can make your smile transformation more affordable. Until then, here are some things for you to take into consideration.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign treatment varies for everyone depending on a variety of factors. Here are some of the more prominent ones:
- Arches: Most people who get Invisalign need to have both their upper and lower arches adjusted. However, in some cases, only one arch needs to be addressed. If this applies to you, the cost will be lower.
- Complexity: If you have more severe misalignment, your treatment will likely come with a higher cost. Closing a few small gaps is less costly than correcting significant bite issues.
- Length of Treatment: A longer treatment time means more aligners and a higher overall cost.
- Compliance: You should wear your aligners for 22 hours each day. If you aren’t wearing them often enough, this can lengthen your treatment time.
Invisalign Vs. Mail-In Aligners” Which Costs More?
The cost of orthodontic treatment can add up quickly, so many people are tempted by mail-order aligners as a “quick fix” at a lower cost. However, a lower cost doesn’t mean that it is a better option. The price may be generally lower than Invisalign, but mail-order aligners have a “do-it-yourself” approach with little oversight from a dental professional. This means that there is much more room for error. You could end up with serious problems that will need to be addressed by a dentist anyway.
By choosing Invisalign, you have the trusted oversight of your dentist for every step along the way. Invisalign is professionally made, uses highly accurate impressions, and results in a more successful treatment. The cost difference is worth it for a smooth, stress-free treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Depending on your dental insurance plan, you may receive partial coverage for orthodontic treatment. However, every plan is different, so it is best to contact your provider ahead of time to see if this applies to you. At Rensch and Laster Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we are more than happy to file insurance claims electronically on your behalf. If you have questions about your coverage, don’t hesitate to ask our front desk for help!
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you will be left completely on your own. With our in-house dental savings plan, you can save on treatments completed at our practice. We also accept payments through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Proceed. These third-party financing companies can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options, don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly team members!
Invisalign FAQs
What Does Invisalign Look Like?
Many patients near Raleigh opt for this alternative orthodontic service because it’s more discreet than traditional braces. Instead of utilizing bulky brackets and wires, this method uses clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth to reposition them gently. The material is entirely transparent and allows your natural teeth to shine through, so you don’t have to worry about unsightly metal in your mouth drawing unwanted attention.
Some people require the inclusion of accessories like attachments, buttons, or elastics in conjunction with their Invisalign. Thankfully, these also come in tooth-colored shades or can be translucent to avoid detracting from your appearance.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
The truth is that any dental work that exerts enough pressure over your teeth to move them has the potential to be uncomfortable sometimes, and your clear trays are no exception. However, this option is considered much less painful and invasive than standard orthodontics. This is partly because the smooth plastic material isn’t likely to lacerate your gums or the insides of your lips or cheeks like braces tend to.
That said, it’s natural to feel some mild to moderate aches when you first start your treatment until your mouth acclimates to the added force. Then, you might experience similar throbbing for a little while when you switch to new trays in your series to account for the ongoing movement of your teeth.
How Long Does Invisalign Usually Take to Complete?
The length of your orthodontic service depends on your unique circumstances, but most people complete Invisalign in 12 to 18 months. The timeline can fluctuate based on the severity of your condition and how well you adhere to our team’s instructions.
For instance, those with severe misalignments are likelier to have longer treatments because their teeth have a further way to travel. You must also wear your trays for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent them from reverting to their previous positions. Correcting this can potentially add weeks onto your overall timeline, so it’s important to adhere to wear-time instructions.
Are There Dietary Restrictions with Invisalign?
Unlike standard braces, Invisalign is removable and shouldn’t be in your mouth during meals, so there are no dietary restrictions. Instead, take the trays out and store them safely in the case they came with to avoid harming them or accidentally tossing them with the trash after you finish eating.
You might feel tempted to sip coffee or tea with your aligners still inserted, but overly hot temperatures can warp the plastic material so it no longer fits. Plus, you could stain or abrade the surface by consuming darkly pigmented foods and drinks, defeating the purpose of an “invisible” treatment.