Invisalign – Fort Mill, SC

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth overlap, then food particles, plaque, and other debris can easily get trapped in the spaces between your teeth. That’s one of the many reasons patients with this orthodontic problem are encouraged to explore their treatment options, like Invisalign. If you’re a candidate for clear aligners, then we can create a custom plan designed to gently guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions.

Gaps Between Teeth

For other patients, there’s too much space in their mouth, which results in a noticeable gap between their two front teeth or several small gaps throughout their smile. If this sounds all too familiar, then you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will use the clear aligners to gently bring your teeth closer together, improving the look, function, and health of your smile simultaneously.

Overbite

Although you want your top teeth to sit in front of your bottom teeth, problems can occur if there is a significant gap. In fact, patients with overbites can experience everything from trouble enunciating clearly and premature wear to chronic jaw pain. Fortunately, orthodontic accessories like attachments and rubber bands can be added to your Invisalign treatment plan to improve the position of your bite as well as the position of your teeth.

Underbite

An underbite is when your bottom teeth sit in front of your top teeth. Even minor cases of this orthodontic problem can lead to consequences like low self-esteem and chronic jaw pain, which is why patients are encouraged to get braces. If Invisalign is a solution for you, then we can use the clear aligners in combination with other orthodontic accessories, like attachments, to guide your bite into proper alignment.

Crossbite

If it sounds like you have a mixture of an upper bite and lower bite, then you may have a crossbite. In this case, some of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth and vice versa. In addition to the aesthetic drawbacks of this orthodontic problem, the uneven pressure can result in premature wear. That’s why it’s best to get the necessary care sooner rather than later.

Open Bite

An open bite can develop for several reasons, including sucking your thumb as a child or genetics. In any case, the upper and lower teeth don’t meet together in the front or back. Again, this can lead to consequences like premature wear, trouble chewing properly, and difficulty enunciating clearly. So, if you think you have an open bite, it’s best to come in for a consultation to find out if Invisalign is right for you.

Improved Comfort

Unlike metal braces, Invisalign doesn’t force you to endure irritating brackets and wires. The procedure offers a much comfier alignment experience instead.

Note that Invisalign’s trays use clear and smooth plastic. For this reason, treatment has a very low risk of upsetting your gums, lips, or the insides of your cheeks. Most patients only feel a slight soreness from switching trays (at most); those aches also fade within a day.

Discreet Trays

Invisalign won’t give you a case of “metal mouth” like traditional braces would. On the contrary, its aligners are highly discreet and blend with your smile.

You see, Invisalign trays use transparent, near-invisible plastic as their material. That means the aligners don’t stand out or draw attention from onlookers. Since they lack the shininess of metal, you can wear them without friends, family, or peers noticing a thing. The people around you will only see a smile that’s slowly (but surely) coming into alignment.

Better Dental Hygiene

While normal braces can make dental hygiene hard, the same isn’t true for Invisalign. The latter treatment’s trays don’t interfere with oral care.

It comes down to how Invisalign aligners are removable. Because they aren’t cemented to your teeth, you can take them off before brushing or flossing. You’d then be able to clean your smile without disruption from any brackets or wires. To that extent, Invisalign makes cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues less likely than metal braces do.

Non-Invasive Care

Compared to metal braces, Invisalign is far less invasive. You can trust its trays won’t cause major issues with your everyday life.

Indeed, Invisalign shouldn’t force you to change any daily routines. Its trays are removable and thus let you brush, floss, eat, and grin as usual. At the same time, aligners have shorter check-in visits than metal braces; they also have a flexible wear time. These and similar traits ensure patients with hectic schedules can maintain their treatment progress.

Boosted Confidence

Invisalign shouldn’t make you feel awkward about your grin. More specifically, its trays should leave you assured and confident during and after treatment.

Don’t forget that Invisalign’s main material is clear plastic. Its aligners are almost fully transparent, so treatment won’t affect how your smile looks to others. That reality is great for teen and young adult patients who like to mingle and socialize.

Quick Follow-Ups

The follow-up visits during Invisalign treatment are pretty quick. They don’t take as long as those for metal braces, and they involve less discomfort.

In fact, the average Invisalign check-in is done every 6-8 weeks. These visits don’t involve many steps and only last about 15-30 minutes or so. After all, a dentist doesn’t need much time to confirm your treatment is on track and moving your smile as it should.

Wearing Your Trays

You should keep your Invisalign aligner trays in your mouth for 20 – 22 hours each day (the closer to 22 hours, the better). This is because they only work when they are on your teeth, and they need a lot of time in order to gently shift your smile. Ideally, you should only remove them when you eat, drink anything other than plain water, or take care of your oral hygiene.

Cleaning Your Aligners

You should thoroughly clean your aligners at least once a day. Remove dirt and debris with a soft brush and mild, unpigmented soap. You should also soak them regularly for deeper cleaning; some patients purchase Invisalign cleaning crystals for this.

Throughout each day, you should periodically rinse your aligners. Try doing this before you place them back in your mouth after meals.

Eating & Drinking

Invisalign does not come with any real dietary restrictions; you can feel free to eat all of your favorite snacks and meals. That is, as long as you are not wearing your aligners. If you eat while Invisalign is in your mouth, you could easily break, stain, or warp your trays. Also, keep in mind that you should not consume any hot beverages while wearing them; the high temperature could cause the plastic to warp.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Mishaps can happen to anyone. There might come a point in your treatment where you accidentally lose or damage one of your aligners. If that occurs, give us a call. We might need to order a replacement for the one that is no longer usable. In the meantime, you may have to go back to wearing a previous aligner. There is also a chance that we will advise you to move on to your next aligner a few days earlier than originally planned.

Routine Check-Ins

Every 4 – 8 weeks, you should visit our team for a check-in. These appointments tend to be brief, often lasting just 15 minutes or so. We will check on your progress and answer any questions that may have arisen since your last visit. We can also provide tips and motivation to help you continue with your treatment. If we ever find that you need some adjustments to your Invisalign plan, we may need to schedule a longer appointment to make the necessary changes.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

The cost of your Invisalign treatment will vary depending on a few factors. Here are some of the most prominent:

• Number of Arches: Most people who undergo Invisalign treatment will have both their upper and lower teeth straightened. However, in some cases, only one arch needs to be addressed. In this situation, the cost is lower.
• Complexity: If you have severe alignment issues, your treatment is likely to cost more. Closing a few small gaps is much easier and cheaper than correcting a significant bite problem.
• Length of Treatment: A longer treatment time means more aligners and a higher cost.

Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

When a patient is looking for a quick fix or lower budget options, like Smile Direct Club™, may seem tempting, but a lower cost doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best option. While the price is generally lower than Invisalign, Smile Direct Club™ has a do-it-yourself approach with little to no oversight from a dental professional. This means additional room for error, and you could even end up with serious issues that will need to be treated by a professional anyway.

With Invisalign, you have the trusted oversight of our dentists for each step along the way. Invisalign is professionally made, uses highly accurate impressions, and results in a more successful treatment overall. The cost difference is worth it for a smooth, stress-free orthodontic treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance plans include coverage for orthodontic treatment, so you should check with your insurance provider to see if this is the case for you. At Southlake Family Dentistry, we’re in-network with Delta Dental Premier but we are also happy to accept and file claims for many other providers.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you will be left completely in the dust. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options, talk to one of our friendly team members.

To find out exactly how much your treatment will cost, see us for a consultation. We’re eager to help you get on a path towards a straighter smile!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Since every case is unique, the exact amount of time it’ll take to complete Invisalign will vary significantly from person to person. Many factors influence the overall time, including the severity of your dental misalignment and your treatment compliance. On average, it takes most patients about 12 to 18 months to finish treatment. While that may sound like a long time, it’s important to remember that it’s still four months shorter than the average treatment with traditional metal braces.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After you’ve completed Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer to preserve your hard-earned results. It’ll ensure your teeth stay in their desired, straight position for as long as possible. The amount of time you’ll be required to wear your retainer depends on your specific case. Most people are asked to wear it full time for a few months before gradually decreasing to only wearing it at night. 

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

Initially, you may have a hard time saying certain words or making specific sounds because you’re not used to talking with the clear aligners. Any lisp you develop is temporary and is caused by improper tongue placement inside the mouth when speaking. At most, it takes a few weeks for the lisp to fully resolve. The quickest way to get rid of it is simply by talking. With practice, your tongue will eventually adjust and you’ll learn how to speak more easily with the aligners in your mouth.

What If My Invisalign Broke?

Even though Invisalign clear aligners are durable, they can still crack, break, or get damaged. If you notice a minor crack, be extra careful when taking the trays out and putting them back in your mouth. You should avoid repairing the damaged aligner on your own. The best course of action would be to contact our office and ask for advice. Depending on your situation, you may be asked to go back to your previous aligner or advanced to the next one.