Invisalign – Baltimore, MD

Crowded Teeth

When teeth are crowded and overlapping each other, the appearance of your smile as well as your oral health and chewing patterns can be negatively impacted. The good news is that Invisalign is an option for patients with more mild and moderate cases. If we determine that clear aligners are right for you, then we will use a custom series to gently shift your teeth into their proper positions, reducing your chances of problems like cavities and periodontal disease in the process.

Gaps Between Teeth

If teeth are too far from each other, gaps become visible. Unfortunately, even if the spaces are small, they put you at higher risk for oral health problems since food debris and plaque become easily trapped and more difficult to remove. That’s why we recommend coming in for a consultation sooner rather than later! If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we can close the gaps, improving the appearance and health of your smile in the process.

Overbite

In addition to moving your teeth into proper alignment, Invisalign can move your bite into proper alignment. So, if your upper teeth jut out far beyond your lower ones, schedule an appointment with us to see if Invisalign is right for you! If it is, then we will use clear aligners and any other orthodontic accessories that are needed, like rubber bands, to create a healthy bite. That way, your confidence, chewing habits, and speaking patterns benefit from the time and money you invest.

Underbite

Even in minor cases, underbites can lead to low self-esteem, trouble chewing properly, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), and chronic jaw pain. So, if you haven’t already, schedule an appointment at our office to discuss your treatment options. You might be surprised to find out that you’re a candidate for Invisalign, which means your journey to a straighter smile and healthier bite will be metal-free!

Crossbite

Like overbites and underbites, crossbites can negatively impact your day-to-day life. In fact, many patients with this orthodontic problem have trouble chewing properly, enunciating clearly, and smiling confidently. There is some good news: Invisalign clear aligners can be used with rubber bands, buttons, and attachments to address more moderate cases of malocclusion. That means that you can have a healthier bite and a more aesthetically pleasing smile without metal brackets and wires!

Oftentimes, patients with this orthodontic problem can achieve their dream smile in just 12-18 months too!

Open Bite

Often the result of a childhood habit, like sucking your thumb, or genetics, open bites can lead to everything from trouble enunciating clearly to chronic jaw pain. So, even if you are happy with the look of your smile, it’s important to explore your treatment options. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then you won’t have to wear metal brackets or wires; we’ll move your bite into proper alignment with clear, custom-made aligners.

Removable Aligners

While brackets and wires can only be removed by a dental professional, clear aligners can be removed before eating, brushing your teeth, or even giving an important presentation at work. So, you can see why so many patients are drawn to this orthodontic treatment! Of course, the flip-side of that is that you need to make an intentional effort to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Otherwise, there’s a chance that you will fall off-track with your treatment plan.

Hassle-Free Oral Hygiene

As you can imagine, brushing and flossing around metal brackets and wires can be a bit of a nuisance. Good news: you won’t have to worry about that with Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, all you need to do is take them off. Then, you can complete your oral hygiene regimen without any obstacles. Not only is this considerably less of a hassle, but it also reduces your risk of developing serious oral health problems, like cavities and periodontal disease.

No Dietary Restrictions

To reduce the risk of orthodontic emergencies, like broken wires, patients with traditional braces are asked to adjust their diet. This involves cutting out crunchy foods, like whole apples, as well as not eating anything sticky, like caramel. Invisalign doesn’t come with the same dietary restrictions because there aren’t any metal brackets or wires. All you need to do is keep your intake of sugary and starchy foods to a minimum to help prevent tooth decay!

Freedom to Smile

Even teen patients aren’t particularly excited about the idea of wearing metal braces. In fact, patients of all ages often end up keeping their lips closed when they smile or covering their mouths when they laugh in an effort to hide the brackets and wires. You won’t have to worry about that with Invisalign; the aligners are completely clear! As a result, they won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile – whether you’re taking a picture or meeting someone new.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

Treatment plans with traditional braces are typically two or three years. Conversely, Invisalign has an average treatment timeline of only 12-18 months. The complexity of your case, how many aligners you need, and how often you wear them are a few of many factors that will play a role in the length of your teeth-straightening journey, but we can provide you with an estimate at your initial consultation. That way, you have a general idea of when you’ll see results!

Wearing Your Trays

As we mentioned above, you need to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day to stay on-track with your treatment plan. So, you should really only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary. Many patients also find it helpful to use the stopwatch on their phone, especially toward the beginning of their time with Invisalign. If you sometimes forget to put your aligners back in after eating or brushing your teeth, then use the reminder tool on your phone as well!

Cleaning Your Aligners

Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t need to make any changes to your oral hygiene regimen. You do, however, need to start cleaning your trays each morning and evening (or after every meal, if possible) to prevent pigmented stains from developing. Fortunately, you don’t need any special products. Just use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to gently scrub the surface.

Eating & Drinking

When it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign, there’s basically only one rule: you need to remove your aligners first (unless you’re drinking water). There are some other habits we recommend adopting, however. The first is putting your aligners in their case when you aren’t wearing them instead of putting them in a napkin or leaving them on your plate. We also recommend keeping sugary and starchy foods to a minimum in an effort to prevent common oral health problems, like cavities.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

We recommend carefully retracing your steps if you lost your aligner. If you can’t find it, then call us right away so we can determine if you can move onto the next set in the series a bit early. If that’s not an option, then we will ask you to wear your previous set while a replacement is made.

We recommend contacting us if your tray is damaged as well (even if it’s a small, hairline crack). Our goal in both situations is to determine a way to proceed that doesn’t result in significant treatment plan delays.

Attending Routine Check-Ins

Another important component of life with Invisalign is the check-in visits. Typically, they happen every 6-8 weeks, but we may schedule them more frequently if your teeth aren’t moving as anticipated. The good news is that these visits are usually 20 minutes or less, so you’ll spend considerably less time in the treatment chair overall.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

The total cost of Invisalign in Baltimore can vary significantly from person to person based on many factors, including:

• The number of aligners you need to straighten your teeth. It will depend on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
• Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth often costs more than straightening just one.
• Treatment compliance. You’ll need to pay for a replacement if you lose an aligner.
• Whether you require additional accessories. Some patients need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.

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

Nowadays, there are several clear aligner therapy options to choose from. Do-it-yourself orthodontic treatments like SmileDirectClub™ have become increasingly popular in recent years, promising to be a quicker and more affordable way to achieve the smile of your dreams. They usually cost around $2,000, while Invisalign in Baltimore may cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Even though DIY treatment is cheaper, it’s important to keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

For instance, SmileDirectClub™ comes with little to no supervision from a licensed dental professional. That means many things can go wrong throughout the process, resulting in issues that will need professional attention and cost you thousands of dollars. Some people even claim that this option worsened their orthodontic issues!

Meanwhile, you can enjoy personalized support and guidance from our team while you undergo Invisalign treatment. We’ll be there every step of the way to monitor your progress and ensure you’re on the right track. Many patients believe that the cost of Invisalign is worth every penny. Not only will you have the trusted oversight of a dental professional, but you’ll have professionally made and high accurate impressions.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer some form of coverage for orthodontic treatment. However, Invisalign is often left out of those policies. Of course, every plan is unique, which is why you should confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider to understand what’s covered. During your consultation, we’ll go through your plan and figure out how to use your benefits to your greatest advantage.

Are you ready to start your Invisalign journey? Give us a call and schedule a consultation with our team today. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan that fits your budget perfectly!

How is Invisalign Teen Different?

There are actually two key differences between Invisalign Teen and Invisalign. The first is that the aligners have blue dots. They serve a very important purpose: they show if the trays are being worn for the recommended amount of time. If those blue dots are still visible, we’ll know that your child isn’t meeting the 20+ hour-a-day requirement.

The second noteworthy difference is that Invisalign Teen comes with a few replacement trays for those “oops” moments. So, if your child accidentally breaks one while playing sports, loses one on the school bus, or finds themselves in a similar situation, you don’t have to stress – at least not right away.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

That’s a great question, and one we will seek to answer at their consultation! The first thing we need to consider is the complexity of your teen’s case. If their teeth are severely rotated out of position, for example, traditional orthodontics are required. If, on the other hand, their teeth are slightly crooked or have a few significant gaps between them, then there’s a good chance that they are candidates.

Another important factor is the level of responsibility that comes with Invisalign Teen. Although there are a few replacement trays included in your child’s treatment plan, losing or breaking them consistently can result in additional costs and significant delays. So, you want to have a frank discussion with them about wearing their aligners, maintaining their aligners, and protecting their aligners.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen continues to be popular because:

• The aligners are virtually undetectable
• The average treatment timeline is shorter
• The check-in visits are usually less than 20 minutes
• The aligners are comfortable
• There aren’t any dietary restrictions
• Brushing and flossing are easy
• The aligners won’t interfere with sports

Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign Teen – from how much it costs to if your child is a candidate? If so, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Baltimore dental team!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Short answer: it depends. On average, it takes about 12 to 18 months to finish treatment. However, every patient is unique and several factors affect the amount of time it takes to complete Invisalign treatment, such as the severity of your misalignment and your commitment to the treatment plan. For those with mild orthodontic issues, they can expect to finish treatment as early as six months! If you have a more severe case of dental misalignment, you can speed up the process by visiting your dentist regularly and diligently following treatment instructions.  

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Invisalign clear aligners are made of a smooth plastic design, making them one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment options. Although it’s not painful, there is an adjustment period you’ll have to go through. You may experience mild soreness and discomfort, but it should go away as you get used to the treatment. Since the clear aligners apply constant pressure to shift your teeth into more ideal positions, you might experience slight pressure and discomfort every time you advanced to the next set.

Is Invisalign Cheaper than Braces?

Every smile is unique, meaning the total cost of orthodontic treatment (whether it’s Invisalign or braces) will vary based on multiple factors. However, the price of Invisalign is usually about the same as traditional braces. The higher costs of both of these solutions average around $5,000. There are some cases where Invisalign is more expensive because it’s usually not covered by dental insurance, but many patients say it’s well worth the investment because of the incredible benefits. Since some plans do offer partial coverage for clear aligners, you should check with your insurance provider before making any final decisions.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

The best part about Invisalign is that there are no dietary restrictions while you undergo treatment. Since the clear aligners are removable, all you have to do is take them out before you eat. If you fail to do so, you risk damaging the aligners, causing cracks and stains. It also places unnecessary pressure on your teeth. That said, you should always take out your plastic trays and store them in a safe place before eating or drinking anything that’s not water.