Invisalign – Fuquay-Varina, NC
Straighten Your Teeth Without the Metal
Do you ever catch a glimpse of your smile in the mirror or see it in a photo and wish that you could fix your crooked or crowded teeth? If the idea of wearing dark-colored brackets and wires has stopped you from pursuing orthodontic treatment in the past, you’ll be happy to know that there is a way to straighten your teeth without the metal: Invisalign. With clear, practically undetectable aligners, you can achieve your smile goals without calling any unwanted attention to yourself. Interested in learning more? Then get in touch with our team or read on!
Why Choose Langworthy Family Dentistry for Invisalign?
- Friendly Dentist with Advanced Training in Invisalign
- Trained in Cosmetic Dentistry at the Nash Institute Continuum
- Highly-Skilled, Caring, & Energetic Dental Team
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic treatment that allows patients to discreetly address crooked, spaced-out, and otherwise misaligned teeth. To accomplish this, each patient is given a personalized series of trays. Each one is custom-made to apply just enough pressure on the teeth to gently guide them a step closer to their ideal positions. The following tray will pick up where the previous one left off, gradually and safely aligning your teeth and your bite in the process. In as little as six months, you can completely transform your smile – no metal brackets or dark-colored wires necessary!
Indications for Invisalign
Although Invisalign in Fuquay-Varina is widely known for being incredibly discreet and much more comfortable than traditional braces, it’s important to note that they also can correct a wide range of orthodontic issues, including:
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth overlap, the look of your smile isn’t the only thing being compromised: it can increase your chances of dental problems too! Don’t worry – the clear aligners can effectively guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, benefiting your smile and oral health in the process.
Gaps Between Teeth
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 metal!
Bite Alignment
Invisalign can help with misaligned teeth and uneven bites. Open bites, crossbites, and underbites are a few conditions that can make chewing properly and enunciating clearly difficult. Fortunately, you can leave those issues in the past thanks to clear aligners!
The Benefits of Invisalign
Still unsure if Invisalign is the best teeth-straightening solution for you? Here are six priceless benefits to consider:
- Quicker average treatment timelines
- Custom-made trays designed with comfort in mind
- Hassle-free dental care
- No dietary restrictions
- Completely removable trays
- Fewer check-in appointments
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Whether you’re a student, a parent, or you’re in the workforce, you might be wondering what (if anything) will change once you start Invisalign. Since the aligners are metal-free, removable, and comfortable, you don’t have to worry – no large adjustments are necessary. That said, there are a few small ones you need to make to your routine to stay on-track with your treatment plan, like:
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!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Before committing to a straight smile, you should know the cost of Invisalign in Fuquay-Varina. After all, you can’t get aligned teeth if they exceed your budget. Still, you can only get an accurate estimate by visiting us for a consultation. Invisalign’s price varies from patient to patient, so our team needs to know your situation first. Whatever the cost, though, you can count on Langworthy Family Dentistry to guide you through the payment process. To that end, go ahead and keep reading or book a visit with us today!
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!
Invisalign FAQs
Does Invisalign Hurt?
If you had traditional braces when you were a kid (or you know someone who did), then you may be worried that Invisalign will come with quite a bit of discomfort. Don’t worry – the aligners are completely metal-free, so they won’t dig into the soft tissue in your mouth. Plus, your teeth are moved gradually into their properly aligned positions. So, while some soreness is normal from time to time, you can easily alleviate it by taking OTC pain medication as directed.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?
Like many other patients, you might be excited about the idea of having clear, comfortable aligners instead of noticeable, metal brackets. To ensure your orthodontic treatment stays discreet, you need to adopt good habits, like cleaning them after each meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a clear, mild dishwashing liquid. It’s also a good idea to rinse them with clean, cool water each time you take them out so saliva and other debris don’t harden on the surface.
Why Do I Need to Wear My Aligners for 20+ Hours a Day?
Basically, if you don’t wear your aligners for the recommended amount of time each day, then your teeth won’t move as anticipated. If your teeth don’t move as anticipated, then you will fall off-track with your treatment plan. Sometimes, this requires an entirely new one to be made and, in turn, a larger investment of your time and money. To prevent that from happening, you should make it a priority to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day.
Tip: If you aren’t sure how close or far you are from the mark, use the stopwatch on your phone throughout the day!
Will I Need Attachments?
It’s possible! Orthodontic accessories like these are often used in more severe cases since they give the aligners something to grip. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not attachments need to be added to your treatment plan is something that your dentist will decide.
Important note: It’s common for patients to have the most attachments at the beginning of their teeth-straightening journey. So, even if you need 20 or more initially, don’t worry – they are hard to detect, and they will be removed before the end of your orthodontic treatment.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
Yes, you can! There is one “but” though: you need to take your aligners off first (even with iced coffee). It’s also a good idea to drink this caffeinated beverage with your morning meal to capitalize on your aligner-free time.
What Happens When I’m Done with Invisalign?
Once you’ve achieved the results you desire, we will take impressions of your teeth and have a custom retainer made. During this time, you’ll need to continue wearing your last set of aligners to prevent orthodontic relapse. When you come back for your final appointment, we will remove any remaining attachments, take the “after” photos, ensure the retainer fits properly, and show you how to take care of it so it lasts.