Invisalign – Fuquay-Varina, NC

How Is Invisalign Teen Different?

Invisalign Teen is the same as Invisalign for adults in most ways. We will provide your teen with a series of custom tooth trays, which should be worn as much as possible. As they work their way through their aligners, their teeth should gradually shift into their proper places.

The biggest difference between regular Invisalign and Invisalign Teen is the fact that the aligners for the latter treatment have small blue dots on them. These fade away as the aligners are worn; this can help us keep track of your teen’s compliance with treatment.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

Invisalign is great for teens who:

• Have mild to moderate dental misalignment.
• Want their orthodontic treatment to have a subtle appearance.
• Have sensitive oral tissues and might find traditional braces to be bothersome.
• Have a history of being responsible and accepting accountability for their actions. (This one is important; if your teen neglects to wear their aligners, their treatment will not work!)

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Some of the top benefits of Invisalign Teen include:

• The removability of the aligners makes it easy for teens to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth.
• Invisalign has fewer dietary restrictions than braces, so your teen can continue to eat all their favorite foods.
• The subtle appearance of Invisalign can help teens feel more confident in their smile.
• The aligners can be removed during sports practices or band class so your teen can wear a mouthguard or play a wind instrument.

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth overlap, the look of your smile isn’t the only thing being compromised; overcrowding can increase your chances of dental problems too! Don’t worry – Invisalign’s clear, comfortable aligners can effectively guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, benefiting your smile and oral health in the process. Simply put, if you are struggling with this common orthodontic problem, traditional braces may not be the only path to a straight smile.

Gaps Between Teeth

Unfortunately, like crooked teeth, gaps can harbor food particles and plaque. Since this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, investing in Invisalign is also investing in your oral health! Plus, the clear aligners allow you to bring your teeth back together without the noticeable metal. So, if you’ve been waiting for the day when you can improve the alignment of your teeth and bite without drawing unwanted attention to your smile, it’s here!

Overbite

Do your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower teeth more than they should? If so, you know first-hand that enunciating clearly, chewing properly, and smiling confidently can be quite difficult. The good news is that Invisalign clear aligners can correct mild to moderate overbites as well! Sometimes, this requires the use of additional orthodontic accessories, like buttons, but you don’t need to worry – they are still considerably more discreet than metal brackets and wires.

Underbite

If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, you may have been told in the past that traditional braces were the only solution. However, that may not be the case any longer! After all, Invisalign has helped countless patients with underbites, preventing common problems like chronic jaw pain and difficulty chewing in the process.

Crossbite

As you can see from this list, Invisalign can help with misaligned teeth and uneven bites, including crossbites. Even in mild cases, crossbites can make chewing properly and enunciating clearly difficult. Fortunately, you may be able to leave those issues in the past thanks to clear aligners! The easiest way to find out is by scheduling a consultation with us so we can review your dental history, take a look at your teeth and gums, and determine the severity of your case.

Open Bite

As you may have guessed from the name, an open bite is when there is an open space between your upper and lower teeth that prevents you from biting down all the way. Like the other bite problems on this list, numerous issues can arise if it’s left untreated, including chronic jaw pain. That’s why we don’t recommend taking the “wait and see” approach. Instead, give us a call to see if Invisalign is an option!

Wearing Your Trays

Although Invisalign aligners are removable, you shouldn’t get in the habit of taking them out unless it’s absolutely necessary. In fact, patients are asked to wear their aligners for 20+ hours a day, so it’s crucial that you are strategic with the aligner-free time you do have. If you’re not quite sure how close you are to this goal, try using the stopwatch on your phone throughout the day. Then, make adjustments to your routine as necessary, like scheduling less time for breakfast and more time for dinner.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Taking good care of your aligners is also important. After all, you don’t want them to turn yellow or develop an unpleasant smell, right? Fortunately, you can keep them stain and odor-free with a few simple best practices. The first is using clean (never hot) water to rinse them each time you take them off. The second is using a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them before putting them back on. Outside of that, make sure you store them properly!

Eating & Drinking

Basically, the only thing you can drink while wearing your Invisalign aligners is water. When it comes time to eat, take your aligners out, rinse them with clean, cool water, and place them in their designated case beforehand. Do NOT put them in a napkin or leave them on a plate (these are two common reasons aligners get lost or misplaced). Once you’ve finished your meal, brush your teeth. That way, you can put your trays back on.

Losing a Tray

Losing a tray can often lead to anxiety and stress. Don’t worry – we’re here to help. The first step we recommend taking is retracing your steps, looking in “odd” places, like the waste bin, in the process. If you can’t find them, then give us a call. Depending on where you are in your treatment plan, we will either recommend wearing your previous set of aligners while we have new ones made or moving onto the next set in the series a bit early.

Attending Routine Check-Ins

Another important component of life with Invisalign is the routine check-in visits at our Fuquay-Varina dental office. In addition to catching up with you and answering any questions you have, we will take new impressions of your teeth and compare them to your treatment plan. That way, our cosmetic dentist can see if they are moving as anticipated. If they are, then your entire visit will likely be less than 20 minutes!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

After your oral exam with Dr. Langworthy, our office can assess the factors that affect your Invisalign treatment’s cost. These will include:

• The Number of Aligners You Need: Depending on the misalignment, you may need more or fewer aligners. Naturally, the number will affect your overall expense.
• Which Arches Require Trays: Straightening the upper and lower arches costs more than just straightening one.
• Treatment Compliance: If you misplace or lose an aligner, replacing it adds to the cost. Your expenses will also rise if you don’t wear it consistently.
• Additional Accessories: In some cases, patients might need elastics or other tools for successful treatment. If that applies to you, the procedure will cost more.

 

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

As a low-cost “quick fix,” Smile Direct Club™ is the winner. It’s priced at a little under $2,000, while Invisalign can run from $3,000 to $8,000.

Even so, remember that Smile Direct Club™ is a DIY clear aligner kit. It thus has little to no professional oversight and leaves room for error. Plenty can go wrong, from self-made impressions to not following the treatment process correctly. Such things could cause problems that would require professional help anyway.

In contrast, Invisalign involves the trusted oversight of Dr. Langworthy every step of the way. Consequently, it uses professional trays that rely on highly accurate impressions. The result is a smoother and more successful alignment journey. Needless to say, then, Invisalign’s higher price is worth the peace of mind.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Today, most dental insurance policies offer orthodontic coverage — including Invisalign. In fact, the right plan could reduce your expenses by $1,000 or more! Still, every policy is unique, so confirm the details with your insurance provider. If you need help doing so, our team is happy to assist — we have experience maximizing benefits.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Of course, there’s always the chance you don’t have dental insurance. Even if that’s true, however, there are other ways to make Invisalign affordable.

At Langworthy Family Dentistry, you can lower the cost of Invisalign with flexible financing. Since our office works with CareCredit, you can pay for treatment in monthly, low-interest installments. That way, you can cover the necessary costs over time instead of all at once.

In the end, Langworthy Family Dentistry would love to straighten your smile in a budget-friendly way. Therefore, book a visit with us to learn more financial details!