Invisalign® Clear Braces – Castle Rock, WA
Straighten Your Teeth the Clear Way
For many, the idea of traditional orthodontics just isn’t attractive. Metal braces can be uncomfortable, unappealing, and interruptive, and even if your smile’s crookedness is impacting your appearance or oral health, you might hesitate to opt for orthodontic treatment. With Invisalign in Castle Rock, though, you can reconsider. Invisalign clear braces offer a completely different way to straighten your smile – nearly invisible, smooth, removable, and comfortable. If you’ve always believed that the smile of your dreams was out of reach, think again; consider Invisalign from Cowlitz River Dental and contact us today.
How Does Invisalign Work?
We’ll assess your smile and plan out your treatment using advanced technology that can then design the series of clear braces that you’ll wear throughout the process. You begin with one aligner, and a few weeks later, you change to the next one in the series. This is how Invisalign gradually changes the shape of your smile. For those who like things to be simple, Invisalign is a good choice for orthodontic treatment – it really is that easy!
Invisalign clear aligners are removable, which gives this orthodontic treatment certain advantages. It’s easier to clean your teeth; you can simply take out your aligner and brush and floss as you always have. Removable aligners also make it easy to look your best for big events – even though they’re nearly invisible, there may be times when you simply do not want to wear the aligners. While you should wear them most of the time (20-22 hours a day), you can remove them for a first date or a big work event with no problems.
Indications for Invisalign
As one of the most versatile forms of orthodontic treatment available, Invisalign is capable of treating all types of dental problems, including:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth can be a bothersome and problematic issue. When teeth appear too close together, brushing and flossing can feel defeating. You know you cannot adequately clean the crevices of your smile, which allows bacteria to burrow and eventually cause tooth decay. However, with Invisalign, you can work toward shifting your teeth into proper alignment while creating the necessary space that allows for improved oral health.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gapped teeth may appear to only cause aesthetic issues, but the truth is that this problem can lead to serious gum disease and tooth decay. When bacteria and plaque become trapped in these excess spaces, the risk increases. But with clear aligners, Dr. Kennington can help to bridge these gaps for good, reducing the potential for further problems and creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Bite Alignment
If you’re suffering from debilitating jaw pain or worn tooth enamel that is causing sensitivity, it may be that you have a bite alignment issue. Even the slightest overbite, crossbite, open bite, or underbite can result in pain and discomfort. Invisalign clear braces, however, can change all that by moving your teeth in a way that creates a more perfectly aligned smile and minimizes the negative effects on your pearly whites and jaw joints.
The Benefits of Invisalign
When comparing Invisalign to traditional metal braces, it’s hard not to see the many advantages that come with choosing this clear aligner system, some of which include:
- Quicker results in usually 12-18 months as opposed to traditional braces that can take anywhere from 1.5-3 years.
- Minimal irritation because no metal brackets and wires are protruding and rubbing against your gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue.
- A more flexible orthodontic solution that allows you to remove your trays for easier cleaning.
- The ability to consume all your favorite foods because you must remove your aligners before eating or drinking.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign clear braces are a customized form of treatment that requires an initial consultation with your dentist in Castle Rock to determine the overall cost of care. Because there are many factors involved that can lead to a higher or lower price tag, Dr. Kennington must thoroughly evaluate your smile before establishing a clear estimate. With Invisalign, however, there is a chance your dental insurance company may agree to pay a portion of the bill. You’ll need to review your policy to understand the terms, or you can have a member of our team do it for you. We also offer financing through CareCredit should you need additional financial assistance.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
No two patients are alike, which means that although our team will evaluate the same factors in each person, the results will likely be different. From the severity of your orthodontic issue (i.e., overcrowding, gaps, misalignment) to how many aligners you will need and if they are required for both the upper and lower arches and even the timeframe you can expect for treatment are all factors that must be considered before creating a cost estimate for care.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
When choosing between professional orthodontic solutions or do-it-yourself (DIY) options like Smile Direct Club™, you may be tempted by the low cost and at-home convenience of the latter. However, saving a few thousand dollars may not be worth it if you don’t receive the results you desire.
Seeing Dr. Kennington for Invisalign treatment will ensure that your teeth move into proper alignment without damaging your smile. Products like Smile Direct Club™ require you to take your own impressions, monitor your progress, check in with a professional virtually only a few times, and do not offer emergency assistance should a problem occur. Because not all patients are qualified for clear aligner treatment, you may pursue a solution that can actually do more harm to your smile than good.
While undergoing Invisalign with a skilled dentist might require more of your time and money, you’ll be pleased by the straighter, healthier smile you’ll achieve in the end.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Many patients want to straighten their smile with Invisalign as opposed to traditional braces, but will dental insurance help to cover the cost? As you review your plan, you’ll find that most insurers do provide up to 50% coverage for clear aligners. Of course, you’ll need to look for any exclusions that can be part of any orthodontic plan, such as age limits. If you need help identifying how much our insurance company will pay, do not hesitate to ask a member of our team for help.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
To ensure that Invisalign treatment remains affordable for our patients, Dr. Kennington is pleased to provide a $25 in-office credit to all new patients. This same credit can be applied to any existing patients who refer someone to our office.
Apart from this special discount, we also partner with CareCredit. This third-party company makes it easy to enroll and save. With no surprise fees, no prepayment penalties, and low-to-no-interest financing, you can sign up for a payment plan that keeps more money in your pocket as you pay for your treatment over time.
Invisalign FAQs
CAN ADULTS WEAR INVISALIGN?
Yes, in fact, Invisalign is perhaps best suited for adults as they may be those most reluctant to wear visible metal braces. In any case, most patients who could benefit from traditional orthodontia are eligible for Invisalign regardless of age.
HOW LONG DOES THE INVISALIGN TREATMENT TAKE?
The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on your specific case. The more significant your misalignment is, the longer it will take to straighten out your teeth. Most Invisalign cases are completed in 18 to 24 months, but yours could be shorter or longer depending on your unique needs. We will give you a time estimate during an initial Invisalign consultation so you know what to expect.
HOW OFTEN WILL I VISIT THE DENTIST DURING MY TREATMENT?
Invisalign does not require as many visits to the dentist throughout the treatment as conventional braces, but you will still need to check in with your dental team periodically so we can make sure everything is proceeding correctly. Usually, these appointments will be scheduled every six weeks, but that may depend on your unique treatment plan.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY INVISALIGN ALIGNERS?
It is very important to keep your Invisalign aligners clean; doing so properly will help to prevent accelerated tooth decay and also keep your breath smelling fresh. Rinse your aligners when you take them out in the morning and before and after meals. Then brush them gently with a small amount of toothpaste or hand soap before reinserting them. Take care not to brush too hard, as you could scratch the surface of the aligners. You should also soak the aligners periodically in a denture cleanser or the special Invisalign cleanser for a deeper clean.
WILL I WEAR A RETAINER AFTER INVISALIGN TREATMENT?
Just like with conventional braces, you will need to wear a retainer after your treatment. This device helps to keep the teeth in place for years to come. Of course, with Invisalign, the retainer that you will wear is just as clear and subtle as the aligners worn throughout the treatment. You will need to use the retainer almost constantly right at first, but most patients are reduced to wearing it at night only after 6 months or so.