Invisalign – Billerica, MA

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!

Discreet Trays

Traditional braces give patients a “metal mouth,” but that isn’t the case with Invisalign. The latter is very discreet and tends to blend in with your smile.

You see, Invisalign’s trays use transparent, nearly invisible plastic. This material ensures they don’t stand out and draw unwanted attention from onlookers. Instead, most people (including friends and family) won’t even notice you have the aligners on your teeth. They’ll just see a smile on its way to looking straight!

Improved Comfort

Maybe you’ve heard how metal braces cause aches with brackets and wires. Well, rest assured - Invisalign trays offer a much comfier orthodontic experience.

Rather than sharp metal, Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic. That means they have little risk of irritating your gums, lips, or the insides of your cheeks. At most, patients will only feel a slight soreness from switching trays; such aches should also fade quickly in a day or so.

Better Dental Hygiene

While metal braces often make smile care tricky, Invisalign is different. Its aligners shouldn’t interfere with your everyday oral hygiene habits.

Don’t forget that Invisalign trays (unlike metal braces) are removable. When you need to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth, you can take them off before you start. You can then clean your smile as you normally would, without any brackets or wires getting in the way. That means Invisalign makes cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues less likely than metal braces do.

Non-Invasive Care

All in all, Invisalign is less invasive than a traditional braces treatment. Its clear trays shouldn’t disrupt your everyday life as much as brackets and wires would.

The reality is that Invisalign doesn’t require many changes to daily routines. Since its aligners are removable, the treatment lets you brush, floss, eat, and smile as usual. The Invisalign process also has shorter check-in visits than metal braces and a flexible wear time. Those traits allow patients with busy work or school schedules to manage.

Boosted Confidence

Metal braces can leave a patient anxious or stressed, but Invisalign avoids that issue. Wearing its trays should leave you confident during and after treatment.

Remember, Invisalign uses clear plastic as its main material. Wearing its trays shouldn’t affect your smile’s good looks in the eyes of others. To that extent, Invisalign is a great option for teens and young adults who want to mingle and socialize.

Quick Follow-Ups

Do you know how metal braces involve a lot of follow-up visits? As it turns out, Invisalign appointments are different; they’re less uncomfortable and extensive.

On average, you only need to attend Invisalign check-ins every six to eight weeks. These visits are also pretty brief – they only last about 15-30 minutes. In that short time, your dentist can see whether your treatment is on track and moving your teeth as it should.

Wearing Your Aligners

The main thing to remember about Invisalign aligners is that they need to stay in your mouth the vast majority of the time. You will have to wear them for a minimum of 20 to 22 hours every day, only removing them for meals and oral hygiene purposes. Failing to wear your aligners often enough could end up significantly slowing down the treatment process, so be sure not to remove them any more than absolutely necessary.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Clear aligners spend a lot of time inside your mouth, so they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Whenever you’re about to wear your aligners, first rinse them off with room-temperature water. (Don’t use hot water, as the heat might change the shape of the plastic and cause the aligner to no longer fit correctly.)

You can give your aligners a more thorough cleaning on a daily basis with a soft-bristled toothbrush and hand soap. Additionally, during a period when your aligners would normally be outside of your mouth (such as when you’re eating), you can soak them using Invisalign cleaning crystals for about 15 to 30 minutes.

Eating & Drinking

Invisalign does not come with any of the dietary restrictions associated with traditional braces. That said, it’s important to remember that the aligners were not designed to stand up to the pressures of biting and chewing, and they can easily become stained. You therefore shouldn’t eat or drink anything while your aligners are still in your mouth; always take them out and put them in their case first.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Even if you’re as careful as possible, it’s important to be prepared to take action if an Invisalign tray is ever broken or lost. Your best option is to call our office immediately to see what we suggest. In some cases, you may need to go back to wearing the previous set of aligners until replacements can be made. However, if you were almost done with your current aligners anyway, you might be able to move on to the next set early.

Routine Check-Ins

Routine check-ins are an important part of the Invisalign process. Not only do they give you the opportunity to pick up your next set of aligners, but they also allow us to examine your mouth to make sure that everything is going as planned. If there’s anything you’ve been wanting to ask about the Invisalign process, these visits can be an excellent opportunity.

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.