Invisalign® Clear Braces – Ellicott City, MD
Completely Metal-Free Orthodontic Treatment
Straightening your teeth is important to ensure your smile functions perfectly and you avoid any unnecessary dental damage or wear. Many patients, especially adults, avoid correcting alignment concerns because they don’t want to deal with the hassles of traditional bracket and wire braces. For many, Invisalign clear braces are an effective alternative to these traditional orthodontic options that allow patients to straighten teeth while looking and feeling their best. If you want to learn more about Invisalign clear braces in Ellicott Citty, MD, call Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group to schedule your orthodontic consultation with our team today. We’ll help you determine whether or not Invisalign is the right orthodontic treatment to deliver the alignment results you’re after.
Why Choose Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group For Invisalign® Clear Braces?
- Subtle Appearance Throughout Treatment
- No Metal Brackets or Wires
- Welcoming, Friendly Dental Team
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign orthodontics straighten teeth gently using a series of clear, plastic alignment trays. Each set of aligners is crafted to represent the smile one step closer to the desired end result. When worn for about two weeks, the pressure of the aligners shifts teeth into this new position closer to the desired end result. Then, patients simply exchange the current set of aligners for the next set in the series. In most cases, patients complete the entire treatment in just 8 to 18 months.
Benefits of Invisalign Clear Braces
No treatment plan is right for every patient, but if you do decide that Invisalign is the best treatment to achieve your orthodontic goals, you can expect the following benefits:
- No hassle – maintain your diet and oral hygiene routine throughout treatment. Simply remove your aligners during meals and while brushing and flossing.
- Cosmetic appearance – clear aligners look just like your healthy, natural teeth, allowing you to smile with confidence throughout treatment.
- Comfort – there will still be some discomfort as teeth are shifting into their new alignment, but without brackets and wires to irritate the soft tissue, Invisalign orthodontic treatment is much more comfortable.
- Saved time – with fewer appointments throughout treatment and total alignment time usually within a year, patients save a significant amount of time.
Benefits of Invisalign
Thanks to advancements in the field of orthodontics, there are several types of braces to choose from, not just one. If you decide that Invisalign is the best one for you, you can expect the following benefits:
You Don’t Need to Make Any Changes to Your Diet
While patients with traditional braces need to eliminate almonds, whole apples, popcorn, and other crunchy foods from their diet, patients with Invisalign don’t! That’s because there aren’t any metal brackets or wires. Instead, your teeth are guided into their properly aligned positions with a series of removable aligners. So, all you have to do is take them out and store them properly beforehand.
Brushing Your Teeth Is Easy
Another perk: you won’t have to buy any special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes. Since the aligners are removable, you can brush and floss without any hassle. Not only does this save you time, but it also reduces the chances of you developing common oral health problems, like periodontal disease and tooth decay!
The Aligners Are Basically Invisible
Naturally, one of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that the trays are see-through. As a result, they don’t draw any unwanted attention to your teeth, allowing you to smile with confidence throughout the teeth-straightening process. Of course, you do need to take good care of your aligners to prevent them from turning yellow. So, make sure to prioritize good habits, like cleaning them after each meal.
There Aren’t Any Metal Components
To be completely honest, there will still be some discomfort as your teeth are shifted into proper alignment with Invisalign. But, without brackets and wires to irritate the soft tissue, your experience will be considerably more comfortable. Plus, if any discomfort or soreness arises during your time with clear aligners, you can take OTC pain medication, sip on cool water, and stick to soft foods – it will help!
Less Time in the Treatment Chair
Unlike traditional braces, which require adjustment appointments every month, Invisalign check-in visits are usually every six or eight weeks. Not only that, but the total alignment time is typically under 18 months. So, you will achieve the results you want faster and spend less time in the treatment chair along the way!
You Can Remove the Aligners on Special Occasions
Are you taking a new driver’s license photo soon? Is your wedding coming up? Do you have an important presentation at work? If the answer is “yes,” don’t worry – you can take your aligners off! All we ask is that you put them back on ASAP and that you make up for any lost time the following day. That way, you don’t fall off-track with your treatment plan.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment using Invisalign, you’ve likely looked around for the best prices. You can easily find cheap Invisalign orthodontics or similar treatments, but it’s important to remember that cheap doesn’t always mean good or effective. The cost of Invisalign in Ellicott City can vary based on the dentist performing your treatment, the number of aligners being used, and even the part of the country you live in. Our team will carefully explain the cost of your Invisalign plan, help you maximize dental insurance coverage, and ensure the price of your treatment fits comfortably within your budget.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Each Invisalign treatment is highly personalized, so the price will depend on several variables. The three most common ones are:
- How many arches – Most people straighten both their top and bottom teeth, but not always. If you’re only fixing one arch, your treatment will likely cost less.
- Complexity – Severe orthodontic problems, such as multiple crooked teeth, will take longer to correct than minor issues, like a small gap between the two front teeth.
- Length of treatment – The longer your treatment, the more aligners you’ll have to wear. Therefore, you can expect to pay more for treatment.
Your Invisalign dentist in Ellicott City will discuss all of these factors and more in great detail during your consultation. From there, we can give you a cost estimate and talk about payment options.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
If you’ve looked into straightening your teeth, chances are you’ve heard about Smile Direct Club. This treatment, and others like it, involves ordering clear aligner kits online, taking your own impressions, and fixing crooked teeth all without setting foot in a dental office. Smile Direct Club and other “do-it-yourself” clear aligner systems rarely cost more than $2,000, while Invisalign can cost as much as four times that amount.
However, keep in mind that cheaper is not always better. With Smile Direct Club, there is plenty of room for things to go wrong, from capturing impressions incorrectly to not wearing the aligners as directed. As a result, you might develop serious issues that would need to be corrected by a dentist anyway.
With Invisalign, on the other hand, you have the trusted supervision of our dentists. Your aligners will be highly accurate, and your treatment process will be smoother and more successful overall. In this case, investing in a quality treatment is worth the higher cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Only some dental insurance policies cover orthodontic treatment, and many of them leave out Invisalign. This is not always the case, though. That’s why it never hurts to check with your insurance company to find out how much coverage you’re eligible for. Our dental team can even help with this process. We’re also in-network with many of the nation’s leading PPO plans, including Cigna, Delta Dental, and BlueCross BlueShield.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover Invisalign, or if you’re uninsured, we can still help you afford Invisalign in Ellicott City. Thanks to our partnerships with the third-party financing companies CareCredit and HCS, you can split up the cost of your treatment into monthly payments that are more budget-friendly. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of a straight smile without breaking the bank!
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
As you move through the decision-making process regarding which orthodontic treatment you want to use to straighten your smile, let the professionals at Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group recommend Invisalign. These clear aligners can produce life-changing results. But before you solidify your decision, you likely have a few questions you would like answered. This is why our team has compiled Invisalign FAQs to help you better understand the potential treatment you are preparing to undergo. If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office.
How can I keep my aligners clean?
You may opt to purchase the Invisalign Cleaning System, or you can choose to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water. Most individuals rely on the second method, as these are items you already have at home. When performing your oral hygiene routine in the morning and at night, you can quickly switch over when finished and begin cleaning your aligners. You should remember never to use toothpaste, as it is too abrasive and will scratch your trays, and you should avoid hot water, as this can warp the plastic.
What should I do if I accidentally damage or lose an aligner?
Should you accidentally damage or lose an aligner, always make sure to keep your previous set available. Why? Because it may be necessary to revert to your older set to keep your teeth from shifting back. You will need to contact us and alert us to the situation. Once we take a look at your smile, we can recommend either having a replacement aligner made or moving ahead to the next set in the series.
Are there food/drink restrictions while wearing Invisalign?
No! That is one of the great benefits of Invisalign. Because you are required to take out your trays before eating or drinking, you can enjoy all the foods you love. Just remember to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, and rinse your trays before reinserting them. It is best if you avoid consuming too much sugar or starch to avoid tooth decay and cavities, and you should be mindful of eating hard, crunchy foods, as these can damage your teeth.
What will I need to do once I’m finished with treatment?
When finished with Invisalign, your “treatment” isn’t officially over. In fact, you will be expected to wear a retainer to keep your teeth from shifting back into their original position. This small, metal appliance is a lifetime commitment. In the beginning, you may need to wear it all the time; however, as the months pass, your dentist may suggest only wearing it at night while you sleep.
While this may sound like a tedious task, it will prevent your smile from reverting to its original state, making the treatment process worth the investment.