Invisalign – Billerica, MA
Correct Your Misaligned Teeth
Many teeth and adults out there aren’t happy with the alignment of their teeth. However, not everyone wants to spend the duration of their orthodontic treatment with obvious metal brackets and wires. The good news is that there is another option out there to correct your misaligned teeth. At Grateful Dentists, we offer Invisalign in Billerica to get you on a path towards a straighter smile. To find out if this is an ideal solution for you, give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Grateful Dentists for Invisalign?
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- Saturday Appointments Available
- Flexible Financing Options
How Invisalign Works
Instead of using metal brackets and wires to move your teeth, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to slowly shift your teeth into their new locations. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving to the next set. Over time, your teeth will gradually move to their new, rightful locations. Unlike traditional braces, you don’t need to get anything tightened throughout your treatment, but you will still need to come to the practice from time to time to make sure everything is going according to plan.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Good news: Invisalign can correct a variety of different alignment issues, from minor gaps to more moderate bite problems. Of course, the only way we’ll know for sure if you’re a candidate is by conducting a thorough oral exam to assess the complexity and severity of your case. In the meantime, here are some of the most common orthodontic issues we encounter:
Crowded Teeth
For teeth that have become crowded and are overlapping, Invisalign is a great solution. Clear aligners apply gentle pressure to different parts of the teeth to shift them to a more aligned position. This helps to prevent problems, like tooth decay and gum disease, that are more common among people with overcrowded teeth.
Gaps Between Teeth
When teeth are too far apart, gaps become apparent. They also put you at higher risk for oral health issues and tooth damage due to food debris and plaque easily becoming trapped and more difficult to remove. Invisalign can move your teeth to be the perfect distance apart – all with clear, comfortable, and metal-free aligners.
Overbite
An overbite is when your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower teeth significantly, creating a considerable gap. Unfortunately, this bite problem can lead to other problems, like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding). Luckily, clear aligners and other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, can be used to move your bite into proper alignment.
Underbite
An underbite, on the other hand, is when your lower teeth jut out beyond your upper teeth. Not only are there aesthetic drawbacks to this orthodontic issue, but it can negatively impact the function of your smile. That’s why we recommend coming in for a consultation sooner rather than later. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will discreetly improve your bite – no brackets and wires necessary.
Crossbite
But what if you have a mixture of an overbite and an underbite? Well, you may have a crossbite! One of the biggest issues this bite problem poses is premature wear and tear of certain teeth, which can negatively impact both the look and health of your smile. The good news is that Invisalign is often a solution with the help of buttons, rubber bands, and other orthodontic accessories.
Open Bite
An open bite is when your teeth don’t come together evenly in the front or back. This is often the result of a childhood habit, like thumb-sucking, or genetics. Either way, it’s important to get it fixed before the consequences surface, like chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction. The first step is simple: schedule a consultation with us so we can determine if you’re a candidate!
The Benefits of Invisalign
If it’s determined that you make a good candidate for the procedure, here are some of the many benefits that you can expect to experience:
- Comfort: No brackets and wires mean no soft tissue irritation. Occasional discomfort is normal, but it is short-lived and easy to manage. You can even start a new set of aligners before bed so you can sleep through the initial soreness.
- Discreet: Clear aligners are practically Invisalign, so no one will be able to tell that you’re wearing them.
- No Eating Restrictions: As long as you take your aligners out before eating and brush and floss before putting them back in, you can eat pretty much anything you’d like!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign in Billerica varies from patient to patient and depends on a few different factors. Our team at Grateful Dentists will be able to provide you with an accurate cost estimate during an initial consultation. We offer various payment options to ensure you can achieve the straight smile of your dreams without busting your budget.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign is typically influenced by the following factors:
- One Arch or Two – Most patients straighten both their upper and lower teeth at the same time. Straightening both dental arches costs more than straightening one row of teeth.
- Complexity – Closing a single gap between your front teeth will likely cost less than straightening several severely crooked teeth.
- Length of Treatment – A longer treatment plan requires more aligners and thus costs more.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
You may have heard that Smile Direct Club is a cheaper alternative to Invisalign in Billerica. If you are only looking for a “quick fix” to straighten your teeth at the lowest cost, then Smile Direct Club is the winner. Invisalign typically costs anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000, while Smile Direct Club is a little under $2,000.
However, there are important differences between these two orthodontic treatment options. Unlike Invisalign, Smile Direct Club is a “do it yourself” clear aligner kit. This means that you will receive little to NO oversight from a dental professional. Plenty could go wrong, from having to make impressions yourself to not correctly following the treatment process. Any trouble along the way could lead to serious issues for your smile that will need to be corrected by a professional anyway.
With Invisalign, one of our experienced dentists will oversee the entire treatment process from start to finish. If you want to ensure a smoother, more successful cosmetic service, opt for Invisalign.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Many dental insurance plans do not include coverage for traditional orthodontic treatment or Invisalign in Billerica. However, every insurance plan is different. If you are considering straightening your teeth, be sure to check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through your work, you can likely use those funds to help cover the cost of Invisalign. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to help you understand the details of your dental insurance plan and maximize your benefits.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Even without insurance, there are various ways to ensure Invisalign will fit within your budget. For example, you could take advantage of the in-house dental membership plan at Grateful Dentists! For a set monthly or annual payment, you’ll get all of your basic preventive needs taken care of and unlock a sizable discount on other treatments. Best of all, you won’t have to deal with any insurance agents, deductibles, or co-payments.
We also offer flexible monthly financing through CareCredit, a trusted third-party financer. CareCredit offers convenient payment plans at little to no interest to accommodate virtually any budget.
Schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced Invisalign dentists in Billerica to learn more about clear braces and affordable payment options to straighten your smile.
Invisalign FAQs
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The length of your Invisalign treatment can vary depending on:
- How severe your misalignment is: The more severe the issue, the longer it will take to correct.
- Your age: Invisalign treatments for teens tend to be shorter compared to ones for adults.
- Your compliance with the treatment plan: You need to wear your aligners for the required amount of time each day and switch them out at the proper intervals to make sure your Invisalign treatment remains on schedule.
The average treatment time for Invisalign is between 12 and 18 months; however, some patients only need to wear Invisalign for as little as 6 months for mild misalignment.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Invisalign is actually quite a bit more comfortable than traditional types of orthodontic treatment thanks to the smooth surface of the plastic aligners. Some soreness is to be expected (especially when you first start wearing a new aligner), but it should go away after your mouth has had time to adjust.
If you do experience some discomfort during your Invisalign treatment, taking over-the-counter pain medication or using a cold compress may help you find relief. Remember that you can always call us if you have concerns.
What Happens After Invisalign?
First, you’ll return to our office so that we can make sure that your teeth are all in the right position. Then, we will explain how you can take care of your smile after your treatment.
Left on their own, your teeth will start to shift back to where they were before. Thus, you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain your straightened smile. In most cases, you’ll start by wearing it full-time; eventually, though, you’ll only need to put it in your mouth at night.
What if My Invisalign Broke?
Inform us right away if one of your Invisalign aligners breaks or is otherwise damaged. Our recommendation will depend on the circumstances. If you were about to start wearing a new aligner in less than three days, you may be able to simply make the switch early. In other situations, you might have to go back to wearing a previous aligner until a replacement can be made.
An aligner with a hairline crack can usually still be worn. However, you will need to exercise caution when placing it in your mouth or removing it; you’ll want to avoid making the already existing damage worse.