Many teenagers and adults avoid orthodontic treatment because they don’t want to spend the duration of their
treatment with a mouthful of metal brackets and wires. Fortunately, there is an alternative teeth straightening
option that is virtually invisible. At Baltimore Dental Arts, we offer Invisalign as a way to correct misalignment
issues without compromising the appearance of your smile. To learn more about how you can get on a path towards a
straighter smile with Invisalign in Baltimore, give us a
call! We’d be happy to answer your questions and get you started with an initial consultation.
How Invisalign Works
Just like traditional braces, Invisalign uses slight pressure to slowly shift the teeth. However, instead of having
brackets and wires, Invisalign moves teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligners. Each one will slip over the
teeth and is shaped in a way where it will guide the teeth to their rightful locations. Patients will typically wear
a single set of trays for about two weeks for 22 hours a day before switching to the next set in the series. Once
all of the trays have been worn, the final results are revealed!
Indications for Invisalign
Invisalign is able to correct a wide array of alignment issues. Here are just some of the more common ones that we
see:
Crowded Teeth
When teeth are crowded and overlapping each other, Invisalign is an excellent solution. Clear aligners can be used to
shift them into a more aligned position, therefore preventing problems, like cavities and periodontal disease.
Gaps Between Teeth
If teeth are too far from each other, gaps become visible. They also put you at higher risk for oral health problems
and tooth damage. This is because food debris and plaque become easily trapped and more difficult to remove.
Invisalign can move your teeth to be the perfect distance apart.
Bite Alignment
Teeth that aren’t aligned quite right can cause problems, including temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
and bruxism. Invisalign is effective when it comes to correcting overbites, underbites, crossbites, and many more.
The Benefits of Invisalign
If it’s determined that you make a good candidate for the procedure, here are some of the awesome benefits that
you can expect to experience for yourself:
- Comfort: No brackets and wires means no soft tissue irritation. Occasional soreness is normal,
but it doesn’t last long and is easy to manage. You can even start a new set of aligners before you go to
bed so you can sleep through the initial discomfort.
- No Eating Restrictions: As long as you remove your aligners beforehand and brush and floss your
teeth before putting them back in, you can eat any of your favorite foods.
- Discreet Appearance: Clear aligners are nearly undetectable so no one will even be able to tell
that you’re wearing them.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Before making a final decision on Invisalign, are you wondering how much it’ll cost? Well, numerous factors contribute to the overall price of treatment, like the complexity of your orthodontic issues, your age, and how often you wear your aligners. If you want an accurate estimate of your total expenses, you’ll need to
schedule a consultation
with our team at Baltimore Dental Arts. We’ll take the time to discuss your financial options with you to make your dental bills much easier to manage.
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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!
Invisalign FAQs
Are you ready to start working towards a straighter smile? Now that you know more about Invisalign in Baltimore, you’re probably excited to move forward with treatment. However, since the clear aligners are a truly unique process, it’s completely normal to have a few questions before kicking off your journey. To help you out, we’ve decided to answer some of the most common questions we receive from patients about it. If you don’t see your specific question below, feel free to contact us and speak to a member of our team!
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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.
Formerly Conklin & Ward Dental Group