Invisalign – Raleigh, NC

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.

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.

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!