Invisalign – West Mobile, AL
Discreetly & Conveniently Straighten Your Smile
Many people dread the thought of orthodontic treatment because they do not want traditional braces, which are quite noticeable. Thanks to Invisalign, however, more and more people are achieving healthier, straighter teeth without the use of brackets and wires. At Parker Dental and Orthodontics, we are proud to be a certified Invisalign provider. We can help you discreetly and conveniently straighten your smile with this modern orthodontic solution. Give us a call today to see if Invisalign is right for you.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign uses a series of clear thermoplastic aligners to apply gentle pressure to the teeth. Over time, you’ll work through a series of aligners, with each one moving the teeth incrementally. This continuous pressure causes the teeth to gradually move into their ideal positions.
Your journey begins with a consultation. We’ll analyze your orthodontic issues and talk to you about the pros and cons of Invisalign so we can determine whether it is right for you. If it seems like Invisalign would be a fit for your circumstances, we’ll take detailed images and impressions of your teeth. Invisalign will then use that data to create your custom aligners.
Once you begin wearing the aligners, you’ll keep each one in your mouth for 20 – 22 hours each day for two weeks. Throughout your treatment, you’ll visit us for periodic checkups so we can make sure that everything is going according to the plan. After you work your way through all of the aligners, we’ll provide you with a retainer. The retainer will ensure that your teeth do not drift back out of place.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Most adults and teenagers are candidates for Invisalign. It can correct a number of orthodontic issues, including bite issues, overcrowding, gaps between teeth and more. However, if your teeth or jaws are severely misaligned, traditional orthodontics might be a better option for you.
Candidates for Invisalign also need to have a measure of self-discipline. You’ll need to be confident that you’ll wear your aligners as much as you should and that you’ll pay extra attention to oral hygiene throughout your treatment period.
If you have any of the following issues, Invisalign may be able to help you get the straighter, healthier smile you deserve:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth are unsightly and create spaces that trap food particles and bacteria, raising your risk of oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. Invisalign can gently shift teeth away from each other and into a more even smile.
Gaps Between Teeth
Are you embarrassed by one or more gaps between your teeth? Spaced out teeth are more likely to chip, break, and wear down. Thankfully, Invisalign can eliminate these gaps and bring the teeth closer together for a uniform set of pearly whites.
Bite Alignment
Bite alignments issues like overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite can distract from your appearance and lead to serious jaw problems like TMJ. Thankfully, we can design a custom Invisalign treatment plan that can help you achieve a healthier, more comfortable bite.
Benefits of Invisalign
You may have heard of Invisalign from friends, family, or your dentist. But what makes this clear aligner system so great? There are many benefits to choosing Invisalign as your orthodontic treatment, it’s not just a brand—it's a promise of quality. At Parker Dental & Orthodontics, our team can help you achieve a straightened smile comfortably and discreetly so you can keep living life without the hassle of traditional metal braces. If you’re curious about the multiple ways Invisalign works for you, read more below. And if you decide to try it for yourself, contact us to schedule your appointment.
Discretion is Number One
One of the main advantages of Invisalign is its virtually invisible appearance. The clear aligners are designed to be discreet, allowing you to straighten your teeth without drawing attention to your treatment. This makes Invisalign an ideal choice for those who want to maintain a natural look while undergoing orthodontics.
Designed for Comfort
Invisalign aligners are made of smooth, medical-grade plastic, which is gentle on your gums and cheeks. Unlike traditional braces, there are no metal brackets or wires to contend with or cause irritation. Best of all, each set of aligners is custom-made to fit your teeth, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout your treatment. The only time you may feel some discomfort is between aligner sets when your teeth are shifting. However, this is easily managed with generic pain relievers and cold compresses.
No Disruptions to Daily Life
Invisalign requires fewer and shorter follow-up visits compared to traditional braces, saving you time, and making it easier to fit treatment into your busy schedule. In addition, you won’t need to modify your diet or lifestyle to accommodate your aligners. This means you can eat all your favorite foods and enjoy your life without worrying about the effects it’ll have on your treatment.
Enhanced Confidence
Invisalign can significantly boost your self-confidence by giving you a uniform and attractive smile. The discreet nature of the aligners allows you to smile freely without feeling self-conscious. As your teeth gradually align, you'll notice an improvement in your overall appearance and self-esteem. With Invisalign, you’ll feel more at ease with your smile and less overwhelmed by your treatment.
Enjoy Enhanced Dental Hygiene
Do you want to straighten your teeth without an extra investment of time for oral hygiene? Invisalign trays are removable! This allows you to keep your regular oral hygiene routine without spending extra time and money on specialty tools. You can easily brush and floss your teeth without obstruction, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Less Intrusive Adjustments
One of the most time-consuming parts of traditional orthodontic treatment is regular adjustment visits. With braces, your brackets and wires need to be tightened to continue your treatment. However, Invisalign appointments are as easy as a quick exam and receiving your next set of aligners every six to eight weeks. These short 15-to-30-minute appointments are necessary to ensure your treatment is on track.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
One of the best things about Invisalign is how convenient it is. These clear, removable trays allow you to go about your daily life with minimal hassle while straightening your smile. With Invisalign, you can enjoy the benefits of a gorgeous grin without the discomfort or appearance of metal brackets. If you’re considering Invisalign as your orthodontic solution, read more below. You’ll see how easy it is to achieve a straightened smile with us at Parker Dental & Orthodontics.
Wearing Your Trays
Invisalign trays need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day for best results. You'll switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, depending on your personalized treatment plan. The only times you should remove the trays are for eating, drinking (except water), and brushing or flossing your teeth. Consistently wearing your aligners is the secret to success as they gently push your teeth in the right direction.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Cleaning your Invisalign aligners is the best way to maintain their clarity and effectiveness. All you need to do throughout the day is rinse the trays with warm water after meals before putting them back in your mouth. To keep your aligners looking pristine every day use a soft-bristled toothbrush with clear hand soap to brush them during your regular oral hygiene routine.
Eating & Drinking
With Invisalign, there are no food restrictions like with traditional braces! However, you must remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Even though your trays are durable, biting down on food can scratch or damage them. Eating or drinking with your aligners also carries the risk of staining which can make them stand out against your teeth. Just remember to always take them out and store them in a protective case for every meal and they’ll stay discreet and effective.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you lose or damage an Invisalign tray, don't worry! Simply contact our team as soon as possible. Depending on where you are in your treatment, we may recommend moving on to the next set of trays or falling back to the previous one while your lost aligner is replaced. Either way, to prevent misplacement, always store your aligners in a protective case when they’re not in use and keep them away from curious children and pets!
Routine Check-Ins
Routine check-ins with our team are a breeze and happen every four to eight weeks, depending on your treatment plan. These visits typically last about 15 minutes and allow us to monitor your progress, provide your next set of aligners and ensure your treatment is on track. The ease of progress and monitoring is yet another excellent advantage Invisalign has over traditional braces!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
After learning more about Invisalign treatment, you’re probably more excited than ever to get started on your journey towards a straighter smile. But before committing to anything, you likely want to know how much your treatment will cost. Until you come in for a consultation, it’s hard to say with certainty what you can expect to pay since the answer truly varies from patient to patient. When you visit us, we’ll be more than happy to provide you with an accurate estimate and discuss your financing options to help you manage the cost of Invisalign in Mobile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Several factors influence the cost of getting Invisalign in Mobile, including:
- The length of treatment. Depending on the extent and type of your dental misalignment, you may require more aligners, which means a longer treatment time and higher cost.
- Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Straightening both the upper and lower teeth often costs more than straightening just one or the other.
- Your compliance with treatment. If you misplace an aligner, you’ll have to pay for a replacement.
- Whether you require additional accessories. Some patients may need extra accessories like small elastics for successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
While researching solutions for misaligned teeth, you likely came across DIY clear aligner treatments like SmileDirectClub™. They’ve become increasingly popular in recent years because they usually cost around $2,000, while Invisalign can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Even though the low price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
With SmileDirectClub™, you get little to no supervision from a dental professional. Many things can go wrong throughout the process, resulting in issues that will need to be fixed by a professional and cost you thousands of dollars. In some cases, do-it-yourself clear aligners have been known to worsen misalignment!
Meanwhile, you can enjoy personalized support and guidance from our dental team during your Invisalign treatment. We’ll be there every step of the way, monitoring your progress to ensure you’re on track with your plan. Additionally, Invisalign’s clear aligners are made using patented material that’s designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements. By choosing Invisalign, you can expect to enjoy a smoother and more successful treatment overall. When it comes to your oral health, quality should always be of utmost importance, regardless of cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance plans do offer coverage for orthodontic treatment. However, Invisalign is usually left out in those policies. Of course, every plan is unique, which is why it’s best to check with your dental insurance company to understand what’s covered. At your consultation, we’ll be more than happy to explain your coverage and help you use it to your greatest advantage. If your insurance doesn’t cover Invisalign, you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for your treatment instead.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem. We offer additional financing options to help make your dental bills a bit easier to manage. Here’s what’s available to you:
- In-House Membership Plan – This simple, comprehensive, affordable dental care plan allows you to get the care you need at a low annual fee. Not only will you receive all your necessary preventive dental care, but you get discounted rates on treatments like Invisalign.
- CareCredit Financing – With this plan, you can split up the cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. This makes even the most expensive dental treatments affordable!
Are you ready to start your journey towards a straighter smile? Contact our team and schedule a consultation. We’ll explain your options and help you achieve your desired goals in a way that fits your budget perfectly!
Invisalign FAQs
If you’re ready to invest in a straight, healthy smile, Invisalign in Mobile may be the solution for you. Although you’d like to enjoy the benefits of clear aligners for yourself, they are a big commitment. It’s normal to have a few concerns, but there’s no reason to worry. We’ll explain everything during your consultation for Invisalign. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.
What does Invisalign look like?
Invisalign differs from traditional braces because you won’t need any brackets or wires. Instead, clear plastic aligners are worn over your teeth. Although they’ll be visible when they aren’t in your mouth, they are very difficult to detect while you’re wearing them. Your aligners will remain transparent with the right maintenance, so you don’t have to compromise your appearance to achieve the smile you want. Some patients may require attachments, elastics, or buttons to promote the movement of their teeth, which can be easier to detect than your aligners.
What can you eat with Invisalign?
Anything! However, you’ll need to take your aligners out first. Unlike metal braces, you won’t have any dietary restrictions because the aligners are removable. It’s important to never have anything except water while wearing them. If you don’t take them out when eating, they can crack or stain, and you’ll put unnecessary pressure on your teeth. When your aligners aren’t in your mouth, store them in a safe place to avoid losing them.
How do I clean my aligners?
You can purchase cleaning systems designed for Invisalign, which use special crystals to loosen food debris and plaque. There is also a cleaning solution, Steraligner, which is effective and easy to use. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your aligners. Your cosmetic dentist in Mobile will recommend rinsing them throughout the day; however, never use hot water because heat can warp them. Besides cleaning your aligners, don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth. Keeping your smile clean is essential to ensure food particles and plaque aren’t trapped between the aligners and your teeth.
What happens after Invisalign?
Invisalign is a big investment, a retainer will ensure your teeth stay in their new positions. You’ll be advised to wear it all the time, initially. As your bone heals around your teeth, you’ll gradually reduce how often you need to wear it until your retainer is only required at night. We offer several types of retainers to find the one that meets your needs and preferences. By committing to your aftercare plan, your straight smile can last for a lifetime.
How long does Invisalign take?
No two cases are the same, but the average treatment takes about 12 to 18 months. Various factors influence the duration of your treatment, like the complexity of your case and patient compliance. You can ensure delays aren’t added to your plan by wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours per day, switching to a new one on time, and maintaining your dental appointments.