INVISALIGN® CLEAR BRACES - VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Straighter Teeth Without the Metal
Invisalign® is a cosmetic braces option that helps adults and image-conscious teens create straighter smiles without the need for conventional bracket-and-wire braces. Instead, it uses a series of clear, custom-made trays, also known as aligners, designed to fit comfortably and discreetly around your teeth.
This revolutionary orthodontic option has been used by over 6 million people, a number that is growing every day, to align their smiles with beauty and comfort. This treatment will be conducted under the supervision of one of our experienced dentists in Virginia Beach to make sure that everything goes smoothly and that your treatment stays on time. Dr. Stephanie L. Santos and Dr. Vinita J. Folck will carefully examine your smile before developing a personalized treatment plan to ensure the success of your alignment. If you’re ready for a straighter smile without the metal, give us a call!
How Does Invisalign® Work?
Each one of your Invisalign® aligners is carefully crafted according to a detailed treatment plan created by Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck. As you go through your treatment, you’ll wear each aligner for about two weeks before moving on to the next one in the set. To ensure your teeth are ready to move onto the next set, you’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, brush, floss, and engage in special occasions. Periodically, you’ll visit us for quick checkup appointments so we can monitor your progress.
The treatment time will vary based on the severity of your misalignment and how committed you are to our instructions for wearing them. On average, Invisalign treatment takes between 10 and 18 months to gradually shift your smile into alignment. Afterwards, we will give you a clear retainer to wear to make sure that your teeth stay in their new position. This process is typically shorter than traditional braces.
Is Invisalign® Right for You?
Not every patient is a good candidate for Invisalign®. If you want to know if this cosmetic service is right for you, visit Smile by Design of Virginia Beach for a consultation. During your talk with Dr. Folck or Dr. Santos, your oral health will be assessed, and all your treatment options will be fully explained. If Invisalign® isn’t right for you, we can help you understand what your alternatives are. Fortunately, most patients are great candidates for Invisalign! This treatment can be used to fix mild to moderate cases of crowded teeth, gaps between the teeth, and bite alignment issues like overbite or underbite.
Why Patients Love Invisalign®
Besides being clear, Invisalign® is also removable! That means your aligners can be taken out throughout the day to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As a result, you can enjoy the same diet without ever having to worry about eating something that will damage your aligners.
You can also keep your teeth cleaner with Invisalign®. Braces that have brackets and wires make it difficult to thoroughly clean your smile by giving food, bacteria, and plaque places to hide. As a result, patients with conventional braces are more vulnerable to common oral health problems, like tooth decay and gum disease. With Invisalign®, this is never an issue because you can take care of your teeth like you always have!
A straight smile won’t just help you improve your confidence; it’s good for your oral and overall health, too. Call Smile by Design of Virginia Beach today to schedule an Invisalign® consultation. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck are committed to helping patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, and Northeast Virginia Beach achieve healthier, more beautiful smiles.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
It’s natural to wonder whether and how your life might change once you begin your Invisalign treatment. If you’re unsure about what to expect, it’s natural to start to worry. Our team at Smile by Design of Virginia Beach believes that understanding more about what life looks like with clear aligners can help set your mind at ease.
Continue reading to learn more about the ins and outs of living with Invisalign, and feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.
Wearing Your Trays
This orthodontic method relies on clear plastic aligners designed in advance to account for the ongoing movement of your teeth over a designated period. You’ll switch to a new set of trays every one to two weeks to ensure your treatment progresses as intended. To stay on track, it’s essential to wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day to prevent your teeth from reverting to their starting positions.
If you don’t wear your Invisalign for the allotted time, your overall treatment timeline could be extended by weeks or even months.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Because bacteria and food particles can become trapped between your teeth and gums and your aligners for long periods, you’re at an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Consistently cleaning your trays is a simple and effective way to prevent potential problems, and fortunately, it’s not too difficult.
You should remove them at least twice daily to wash all the surfaces using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear hand or dish soap. Then, rinse them with lukewarm or room-temperature water because hot temps can warp the plastic, so they no longer fit. Be sure to also brush and floss your teeth, so you can put them back into a clean mouth.
It’s also safe to soak them for 15 minutes daily using special Invisalign Cleaning Crystals that can eradicate up to 99% of germs.
Eating & Drinking
Unlike traditional braces, there aren’t long lists of foods to avoid with Invisalign because you should remove them for meals. If you leave them in, overly hot, hard, or acidic foods could abrade the material. We recommend taking your carrier case with you when you’re on the go so that no matter what, you have a safe place to stow them while you eat.
You might be tempted to enjoy different drinks, like coffee or tea, with your aligners still inserted. Unfortunately, this can leave them looking dark or cloudy, which defeats the purpose of “invisible” orthodontics. We recommend only drinking water if you have your trays in your mouth.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you lose a tray, don’t panic! You’re not the first patient to have done so, and you won’t be the last. That said, you should inform us immediately because an absent aligner could add additional time to your treatment if it’s not handled correctly. Contact us, and we’ll let you know whether you should advance to your next trays early or revert to a previous set to maintain your teeth while a replacement is ordered.
Routine Check-Ins
Although you won’t require adjustments like you would with braces, you’ll still need to schedule regular follow-up appointments with our team. Typically, you can expect to have a check-in every four to eight weeks, depending on your situation. These visits are usually brief (about 15 to 20 minutes) and allow us to provide the next series of aligners and ensure that your teeth are shifting the way they’re meant to.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
In addition to finding out if you’re a candidate and how long your treatment will take, it’s natural as a prospective patient to be curious about the cost. However, it’s important to note that there isn’t a flat fee for Invisalign because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment plan! On the contrary, each treatment is 100% tailored to the patient’s unique dental needs and smile goals, which is what determines the final price. Of course, if you want to learn more general information about the cost of Invisalign leading up to your consultation, then don’t hesitate to read on.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of your Invisalign treatment doesn’t just rely on one factor; it relies on several factors, including the state of your oral health, the initial position of your teeth, your commitment to the treatment plan, and if you lose or break any aligners. For these reasons, the best way to get a fair and precise estimate is to schedule an appointment with our office. During this appointment, we can learn all about your orthodontic issues and smile goals before creating a custom treatment plan and reviewing the associated costs.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Although the cost of Invisalign will certainly play a role in whether or not this clear aligner treatment is right for you, it’s important to remember it’s not the only factor. Although mail-order alternatives come with a significantly lower upfront price, they don’t offer the same safe, reliable, and trustworthy treatment. In fact, they don’t include thorough exams upfront, they rely on DIY impressions, and they have countless lawsuits from previous patients who experienced worsened misalignment from their product. So, even if they cost less, mail-order clear aligners aren’t worth your money.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Remember, the fine print on dental plans varies from patient to patient. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that you review your benefits and reach out to your provider if you have any trouble understanding your coverage. As always, our team at Smile by Design VA is here to help as well. We’re proud to welcome dental plans from popular providers like Humana, MetLife, Aetna, and several others. Plus, we can help you file the claims and maximize your benefits as well as find the answers you’re looking for along the way.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t automatically assume that Invisalign will be too expensive. We would be happy to review all of the financial solutions available to you during your consultation, including CareCredit. Many patients have benefited from using the payment plans they offer, which allow you to space out your payments instead of paying for the entire cost of your Invisalign treatment upfront. This third-party financier has helped millions of patients, signing up only takes a few minutes, and there are little-to-no interest options for qualified patients as well!
Caring for Your Invisalign® Aligners
You can use the Invisalign Cleaning System to clean your aligners, but you can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush, mild hand soap, and lukewarm water. It’s important to avoid using hot water because it can warp the plastic permanently. Additionally, be careful not to drop your aligners on hard surfaces because they can crack or break.
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign in Virginia Beach is a great alternative to metal braces, but choosing an orthodontic system is a big decision. It’s not uncommon to have a few concerns before you’re ready to move forward. Your cosmetic dentist will explain everything during your Invisalign consultation and address any apprehensions. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about clear aligners.
What does Invisalign look like?
Your aligners are customized to fit your mouth like a glove while applying pressure to reposition your teeth. They are made of clear plastic to provide a nearly invisible treatment. Although you can see the aligners when they are in your hand, they are very difficult to detect when you’re wearing them. Your aligners will stay transparent by removing them when eating or drinking anything except water. A good oral hygiene routine and cleaning your Invisalign regularly will safeguard them from stains or discoloration. Although your aligners will be virtually undetectable, any buttons or attachments may be a little easier to spot; however, they are far less noticeable than brackets and wires.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Many patients say Invisalign is more comfortable than metal braces because there aren’t any brackets or wires rubbing on the inside of the gums and cheeks. Not to mention, there are no wires pulling on your teeth. However, it’s normal to have some tenderness when first wearing your aligners. Don’t be concerned because that’s a sign your treatment is working. Any tenderness will improve in a few days, which can be managed using an OTC pain reliever. Eating softer foods can also prevent discomfort. You may also experience some pain when switching to a new aligner in your series, but it will become less frequent as you progress through your treatment.
Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
Braces and Invisalign can cost about the same because various factors affect the price, like the complexity of the tooth movements and whether you’re treating one or both arches. Your cosmetic dentist will examine your mouth and provide you with an estimate for your individualized treatment plan. A member of our team will review your payment options, like using your dental insurance. Many dental plans will cover a set amount for orthodontics, which can range from $500 to $2,000. Besides traditional payments, you can pay any remaining balance using monthly installments with little or no interest in financing.
How long does Invisalign take?
Most patients are finished with their aligners in 12 to 18 months, but every situation differs. Teens often have shorter treatment times than adults because their bones are still developing. The number of aligners needed will also affect your timeline, as well as your commitment to your treatment plan. Your cosmetic dentist in Virginia Beach will explain how long you’ll need to have aligners during your consultation. You can avoid delays in your treatment by wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and switching to the next in the series on time.