Invisalign – Raleigh, NC

Crowded Teeth

Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, it’s important that you explore your orthodontic treatment options as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be difficult to brush and floss, which increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It’s also worth noting that crowded teeth can get worse over time, so you should schedule an appointment with us sooner rather than later.

Gaps Between Teeth

Having gaps between your teeth doesn’t just affect your appearance – it has an impact on your oral health as well. After all, gaps allow for food and bacteria to become trapped between the teeth which can increase your risk of common oral health problems, like cavities. Luckily, Invisalign can gently bring your teeth closer together in the dental arch and minimize the open space – without any metal too!

Overbite

Although your upper teeth should sit in front of your lower ones, they shouldn’t protrude far beyond them. If they do, then numerous complications can arise – from trouble enunciating clearly and chewing properly to chronic jaw pain. Over the years, Invisalign has helped countless patients with this orthodontic problem. So, if you have an overbite, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us!

Underbite

Your bottom teeth sitting in front of your top teeth might not seem like much of an issue. However, it can cause speech issues or tooth damage due to uneven pressure. Plus, your temporomandibular joints will feel strained over time as well. This can be painful to the point that it significantly impacts your quality of life, which is why we recommend contacting us ASAP to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

Crossbite

If some of your top teeth sit in front of your bottom teeth, and some of your bottom teeth sit in front of your top teeth, then you likely have a crossbite. The uneven pressure can lead to several problems, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth and jaw pain. Fortunately, Invisalign can address common bite problems like these if they aren’t too severe.

Open Bite

If your upper and lower teeth don’t come together because there is space in the front or back of your mouth, then you might have an open bite. This bite problem is often the result of genetics or a childhood habit, like sucking your thumb. Fortunately, orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, can be used in tandem with clear aligners, allowing patients with even more moderate cases to get Invisalign.

No Soft Tissue Irritation

As you know, there aren’t any metal brackets and wires with Invisalign. Instead, clear aligners are used to guide your teeth into their proper positions, which are made from smooth, low-profile plastic. As a result, they are one of the most comfortable orthodontic options available. Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, the only soreness you’ll experience is from the movement of your teeth, and that’s temporary!

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

If you’ve had braces in the past, or you know someone who did, then you know that it typically takes two or three years to get the desired results. Conversely, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is just 12-18 months. If your case of malocclusion is mild, you may even work through your series of trays in just six or eight months! If you want to get an idea of the time you would need to invest in the teeth-straightening process, give us a call!

Virtually Undetectable Aligners

Of course, one of the most well-known benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are virtually invisible. In fact, even the people you see every day, like your coworkers or family members, won’t notice you’re wearing an orthodontic appliance unless they know what to look for. So, if you are a teenager, you’re in a career where your smile is front-and-center, or you’re simply a parent who doesn’t want to wear metal braces, ask us about Invisalign!

Hassle-Free Dental Hygiene

One downside of traditional braces that patients often don’t consider initially is that it’s difficult to clean around the brackets and wires. That’s not the case with Invisalign! The aligners are removable, so you don’t have to adopt a time-consuming dental care regimen or buy special oral hygiene tools with Invisalign. Simply take your aligners out first – that will be the only change to your routine (outside of brushing your teeth after lunch and any snacks you have, of course).

Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods

If you love to snack on apples, popcorn, celery, and other crunchy foods, then getting traditional braces can be a bit of an adjustment. After all, you can’t eat any sticky, crunchy, or hard snacks; this helps prevent a bracket or wire from breaking. The good news is that Invisalign aligners are removable, so you don’t have to eliminate any foods from your diet! Just do your best to focus on adding lots of nutrient-dense meals to your plate and keeping sugary and starchy foods to a minimum.

Wearing Your Trays

Let’s start with one of the most important aspects of living with Invisalign: the daily wear time. Basically, you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan. If you’re having trouble, that’s okay – it’s very common, especially when patients first get their aligners. We recommend finding a routine that works for you with the help of your stopwatch. That way, wearing them for the recommended amount of time is second-nature.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Something that you will need to do each day – from the first day you get your aligners to your final Invisalign appointment – is clean your aligners. The good news is that this only takes a few minutes, and there’s a good chance that you already have everything you need, including a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean water. That said, some patients find it helpful to use a clear aligner cleaner as well. If you need some recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Raleigh dental team!

Eating & Drinking

Something else you need to adjust to is taking your aligners out before eating or drinking anything (with the exception of water). This is important because – if you don’t – your trays will quickly discolor, and it’s only a matter of time until they crack or break into multiple pieces. So, always remove them first. Then, rinse them with clean, cool water, place them in their designated case, and enjoy your meal!

Damaging a Tray

If you accidentally break one of your trays, don’t worry – we aren’t here to judge you. Quite the opposite; we want to help! Over the phone, we’ll ask you a few questions to get a better idea of how severe the damage is and where you are in the teeth-straightening process. If there is a small, hairline crack and you only have a day or two left before moving onto the next set, then we may recommend continuing to wear it with the utmost care. If, on the other hand, it has split into multiple pieces, then we will need to start the process of having a replacement made.

Routine Check-Ins

Although it won’t happen daily, there is something else you need to incorporate into your routine with Invisalign: the check-in visits. These appointments allow your Raleigh dentist to take new scans, compare them to your treatment plan, and ensure everything is progressing as anticipated. If something is wrong, like one of your teeth isn’t moving, then it can quickly be addressed, reducing the chances of treatment plan delays in the process.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Raleigh, many factors can affect the final price. Some of those include:

• Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. This often depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
• The number of aligners you need. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
• Your treatment compliance. You may have to pay more than expected if you lose an aligner or fail to stick to your treatment plan.
• Whether you need additional accessories. Depending on your case, you may need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.

Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub™: Which Costs More?

Patients on a budget may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner therapy like SmileDirectClub™ to cut back on expenses. It typically costs around $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.

DIY clear aligners like SmileDirectClub™ often come with little-to-no dental supervision. Because of that, plenty of things can go wrong, resulting in issues that will need to be addressed by a professional anyway. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the trusted oversight of our experienced team throughout your entire Invisalign journey. Plus, Invisalign clear aligners are made from a patented material designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements, which means you can enjoy a smoother, more successful treatment process!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. If your policy applies, it can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! Of course, every plan is unique which is why you should confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with this step if needed!

What’s holding you back from getting a straighter smile? Give us a call today and schedule your consultation to meet with your Invisalign dentist in Raleigh!

What Do Invisalign Aligners Look Like?

Invisalign aligners are made of a clear, sleek plastic that makes them remarkably hard to detect when they’re actually worn. While you may have heard that before, it can be hard to believe just how discreet they really are until you see them.

Some patients need attachments that can be a little bit more visible, but even these are typically tooth-colored and blend in well with the smile.

What Do I Do If My Invisalign is Broken?

Invisalign aligners are durable, but they can break in certain circumstances. If it’s a very tiny fracture we might like to hear about it, but you could still be able to wear your aligner so long as you’re careful when putting it on.

In the case of more severe damage, we may have you either move back to your previous set while we order you a replacement, or move you up to the next set prematurely. In either case, you should tell us immediately if your Invisalign aligners is broken—never try to fix your aligner on your own.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

You shouldn’t eat or drink anything other than water while wearing your aligners. This can lead to damage or discoloration of your trays.

One of the nice things about Invisalign aligners is that they’re removable, meaning that so long as you take them out beforehand, you can eat just about anything you want. Just be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly before putting them back on.

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

When they first get their trays, it’s common for patients to have a little bit of trouble speaking comfortably while wearing them. This is usually because the aligners affect the ability for the tongue to move freely within the mouth.

Thankfully, the lisp should be minor and you should be able to adapt to it easily. You might want to set aside a little bit of time to practice speaking or reading aloud. So long as you’re patient, you should be able to talk normally pretty quickly.

Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

Actually, yes! There’s just one important “but:” you need to remove your aligners first. If you don’t, then they will quickly discolor, making your teeth look yellow and drawing unwanted attention to your smile. Plus, hot coffee can cause them to warp, which can lead to significant treatment plan delays. In short, it’s crucial that you take them off and store them properly before enjoying your cup of coffee.

Tip: Drink your coffee with your breakfast or lunch instead of separately. It’s a small habit that will make it significantly easier to meet the 20+ hour-a-day wear time.

Why Do I Need to Wear My Aligners for 20+ Hours a Day?

The simple answer is that you need to wear them for 20+ hours a day in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan. Since that only leaves you with a few hours of aligner-free time, it’s important to be strategic. It’s also helpful to multi-task when you can. For example, you should soak your aligners in a dentist-recommended cleaner while you eat instead of while you catch up on e-mails. Many patients also find it helpful to set a reminder on their phone so they remember to put their aligners back on ASAP (this also reduces the risk of you accidentally misplacing them!).

How Do I Clean My Aligners?

Fortunately, you can keep your aligners clean with a few simple steps and products. The first step we recommend taking is using clean, cool water to rinse them each time you take them out. This will prevent saliva and other debris from hardening on the surface. The second step is cleaning them after each meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and some clean, cool water (or mild, clear dishwashing liquid, if you have it). You can also soak them for about 15 minutes each day to ensure they get an even deeper clean.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Typically, patients finish Invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months. That said, it’s possible for your treatment plan to be shorter or longer than that – it largely depends on the complexity of your case. At your consultation, we will review your dental history and conduct a comprehensive exam before creating your custom treatment plan. Then, we will provide you with an estimate of your teeth-straightening journey and share exactly what to do to avoid treatment plan delays.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After Invisalign, it’s time for the retention phase. This is important because, without it, your teeth would start to move back into their previously misaligned positions, wasting all of the valuable time and money you invested in the process. Fortunately, you don’t have to compromise appearance with your retainer either; they look very similar to clear aligners! Plus, patients typically only have to wear theirs at night.