Invisalign – Millersville, MD

Optimal Oral Hygiene

Patients who wear metal braces often have a hard time cleaning between teeth and around their orthodontic appliance. They’re also encouraged to purchase additional supplies and instruments to ensure an effective clean. Invisalign eliminates this problem because the trays must be removed before brushing and flossing can begin.

While you will need to clean your teeth more frequently (after each meal), this process will be much smoother and less cumbersome, which means you can enjoy better oral health and hygiene throughout your treatment.

Greater Flexibility

Invisalign offers a more flexible approach to orthodontic treatment. Not only is it non-invasive, unlike metal braces that are bonded to the surfaces of teeth, but it does not inhibit your daily lifestyle or routine.

You can continue to eat your favorite foods, maintain a normal oral hygiene routine, and enjoy more convenient follow-up appointments, which is helpful if you are a busy student or professional.

Clear, Transparent Aligners

Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic, so they are highly discreet. This is a preferred benefit among self-conscious teenagers and adults. Their transparency makes it harder for others to notice your braces, so you can remain confident when talking to others or smiling in a photo.

Another advantage of wearing clear aligners is that they will not be visible when participating in a big event, such as a wedding or reunion. Instead of worrying about shiny metal showing up in photographs, all you’ll see is a straighter set of teeth.

Smooth Trays That Offer Greater Comfort

The material that is used to create Invisalign aligners is designed to be smooth so that minimal irritation (if any) occurs. Unlike metal brackets and wires that protrude and rub against your gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue, Invisalign glides seamlessly across these soft oral tissues, reducing the chances of irritation.

While minor soreness may occur when initially wearing a new set of aligners, it is only temporary and can be easily managed with an OTC medication.

Greater Confidence in Your Appearance

Traditional braces often do not help when it comes to feeling confident in your appearance; however, Invisalign is the complete opposite. Whether you’re planning a sales pitch to a specific client, preparing to give a speech before the class, or meeting someone new, your clear aligners will blend in seamlessly so that you can remain confident in the way you look.

Faster Follow-Up Appointments

Throughout Invisalign treatment, you will be expected to maintain regular follow-up appointments with our McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice team. These are normally every 6-8 weeks and only last 30 minutes maximum. Since there is no wire to tighten or replace, you can expect to spend less time in the treatment chair – a drastic difference for anyone wearing traditional braces, as these visits can require an hour or more because of the adjustments that often need to be made.

You can expect your follow-up appointments to focus more on making sure your teeth are continuing to move in the right direction.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

There are several factors that must be considered when formulating an estimate for Invisalign:

• One Arch or Both: The most common form of treatment is to wear aligners on both the upper and lower arches, but this is not always the case. It may be that you only need your top or bottom teeth fixed. Depending on how many you will need, you can expect the cost to be higher or lower.
• Severity of Misalignment: Whether it is crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth that are causing the problem, the cost will also be based on how severe it is, as there may be additional orthodontic components needed to ensure positive results.
• Treatment Timeframe: If your treatment takes longer than usual (i.e., 12-18 months), you can expect the cost will increase because you’ll need additional aligners.

Invisalign vs. Unsupervised Mail Order Liners: Which Costs More?

The idea of spending less on orthodontic treatment might sound appealing, but if you want to avoid causing additional problems and worsening symptoms, you’ll think twice before opting for a do-it-yourself solution.

Companies that do not provide supervision by a dental professional may offer a significantly lower price, but you will not receive any help when it comes to taking your impressions, scans and monitoring your progress. There are no orthodontists to go and see but instead a few virtual appointments.

With Invisalign, though, you can entrust your smile to professionals who are well-versed in administering this type of treatment and who can ensure that your results will be predictable. We’ll also monitor your progress so that if there are any changes required along the way, we address them before it has the chance to ruin your smile.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance companies will agree to pay for this type of orthodontic coverage, but that is not always the case. You should check with your company to find out if you’re covered. If not, you’ll need to see if you can apply for a separate plan that includes orthodontics. No matter the result, you can count on our team to help you navigate the financial side of Invisalign so that you get the most out of your benefits.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If private dental insurance is not something that you have, you can apply for interest-free financing through CareCredit. This makes it easy to pay off your treatment over time instead of paying the entire bill upfront. As a third-party financier, they offer no surprise fees and low-interest or no-interest payment plans based on your needs and eligibility.

Does Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?

If you’ve worn metal braces before, or you know someone who has undergone orthodontic treatment, you may be worried that your Invisalign aligners will hurt. Unlike metal brackets and wires that are forcibly tightened, Invisalign causes minimal discomfort. First, there are no protruding pieces of metal to rub against your soft tissues because Invisalign is made of smooth plastic. Second, while there will be some soreness because of your tooth movement, this can be remedied with an over-the-counter pain reliever and should dissipate in a few days.

Are There Certain Foods I Can Eat During Treatment?

One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign is that you can eat all your favorite foods! There are virtually no food restrictions when choosing this type of orthodontic treatment. Metal braces can make it difficult to eat some of the foods you love because of how easy it is for small pieces to get stuck in your brackets and wires; however, with Invisalign, you’re required to remove your trays before eating. This makes it easy to enjoy meals and worry less about the impact it has on your braces.

Can I Expect Invisalign to Change the Way I Talk?

You will notice that initially, your voice will sound a bit different. You’ll likely develop a slight lisp, but this will quickly go away the more you practice talking. Remember, the oral structures inside your mouth (i.e., your tongue, cheeks, lips, and teeth) must adjust to these new objects (your trays). As you begin to speak or even read aloud, you’ll find that it becomes easier to say certain words, syllables, or phrases. In just a few weeks, you can expect that you’ll sound more like your normal self.

Can I Wear Invisalign if I’ve Had Metal Braces Before?

In most cases, patients who previously wore metal braces can undergo Invisalign treatment. The choice, however, is up to our team at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice. We will need to evaluate your current oral health to determine if the shift in your teeth and/or bite is significant enough. If we find that Invisalign will not produce the kind of results you need, you’ll likely be required to return to metal braces. However, if your teeth or bite have shifted only slightly, there is a good chance that you’ll be cleared to receive clear aligners.