Invisalign – Rocky Mount, NC
Fixing Orthodontic Problems the Hassle-Free Way
Many people choose not to fix orthodontic problems such as misalignment, crowding, and bite issues because they think their only treatment option is traditional metal braces. Not only is this solution highly noticeable, but it can make you feel self-conscious in professional and social settings, which can encourage you to avoid doing activities that you love, like hanging out with friends and family. Fortunately, Drs. Belton, & Schrimper DDS PA offers modern and discreet aligner treatment, using Invisalign in Rocky Mount, NC. To learn more about this advanced oral appliance solution and find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure, contact our dental office to schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Drs. Belton, & Schrimper DDS PA for Invisalign?
- Dental Treatment That Straightens Teeth Without Metal Braces
- Custom-Designed Treatment Plans for Each Patient
- Virtually Invisible Orthodontic Care
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that’s very popular among patients. It can fix a variety of orthodontic problems, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, misalignment, and crowding. Depending on the severity of your issues, the average treatment time is between six and 12 months, which is significantly shorter than traditional metal braces.
The system utilizes custom-fitted trays that are made of clear, smooth plastic to gently and strategically place pressure on your teeth to shift them into their ideal positions. By wearing the aligners for 22 hours a day, you’ll be able to address your orthodontic issues and improve your oral health.
Benefits of Invisalign
There’s a reason why Invisalign orthodontic treatment comes so highly recommended by professionals and patients alike, and it’s because it offers a variety of unique advantages that are unmatched. Some benefits you’ll be able to enjoy while undergoing treatment include:
- Discreet aligners don’t make your orthodontic appliance the focus of your smile.
- Convenient removable trays mean you don’t have to cut certain foods out of your diet to avoid breaking a bracket or wire.
- Easy to maintain trays help reduce your risk of developing oral health problems over the course of your treatment.
- Faster average treatment time allows for fewer sacrifices to be made.
- Shorter visits with your dentist means you can conveniently fit them into a lunch break.
How Does the Process Work?
The first step of the Invisalign process is to visit our dental office for a consultation. During this appointment, we’ll take images of your mouth, assess the severity of your orthodontic issues, and develop a treatment plan to fix them. Patients with more complicated cases may require intensive intervention such as surgery, in which case, our team will refer you to a specialist.
We’ll take impressions of your mouth and send them to a laboratory to craft your customized clear aligners. When they arrive at our dental office, we’ll call you in to discuss daily maintenance and how your treatment will work. Every six to eight weeks, we’ll conduct a quick progress check to make sure the trays are working as they’re meant to, and give you your next series of aligners.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Pinpointing the cost of Invisalign online is difficult. That’s because there are several factors that play a role in the final number, including how many aligners are needed to straighten your teeth. In other words, if you want to get an estimate of the cost, don’t look online, schedule a consultation with us! We’d be happy to determine if you’re a candidate, create your custom treatment plan, and provide you with an answer.
The Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
We mentioned above that the number of aligners needed to straighten your teeth would impact the cost. That’s just one of many! In order to give you an estimate of the cost of Invisalign, we also need to consider if other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, should be added to your treatment plan and the type of retainer you need.
Note: It’s also possible for there to be additional costs down the line, including if you lose or break one of your aligners. Don’t worry – we will share all of our tips to avoid situations like these.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
It’s a safe bet that mail-in aligners will cost more. That said, they aren’t worth your valuable time and money. After all, patients who have opted for orthodontic alternatives like these in the past have experienced worsened misalignment and even dental emergencies. That’s because mail-order options often don’t conduct an initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and aren’t supervised by licensed dental professionals.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Dental insurance providers do sometimes cover a portion of the cost. If you aren’t sure whether or not your plan includes orthodontic benefits, then don’t hesitate to read through the fine print, call the helpline on your paperwork, or reach out to us! Although we aren’t in-network, we do accept PPO dental insurance plans. So, we can provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, help with the paperwork, and answer any questions you have along the way.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance at the moment, that’s okay – that’s where third-party financiers like SunBit and CareCredit come in. They offer multiple payment plans so patients don’t have to pay for the cost of Invisalign all at once. Instead, they can space out their payments into more manageable chunks over the course of several months. If you want to learn more or you’re interested in signing up, then take the next step: get in touch with our dental team near Rocky Mount.
Invisalign FAQs
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The Invisalign process from start to finish can often be completed in 12 to 18 months. However, your treatment may not be the exact length as someone else’s because it can vary based on your unique circumstances. For example, patients with severe misalignments may require longer treatment timelines than those with milder issues. Meanwhile, some lucky individuals with minor concerns only need to wear their clear aligners for 6 months.
Though that may seem like a long time initially, it’s shorter than the several years it often takes traditional braces to do the same work.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Generally, Invisalign is not considered a painful treatment. That said, anything that exerts enough pressure over your teeth to move them has the potential to cause some discomfort. It’s normal to have some slight soreness and sensitivity for a couple of days when you first insert a new set of trays, but it usually fades quickly. It’s usually safe to address any aches with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Many patients prefer the smooth plastic material of Invisalign over the sharp metal wires and brackets of braces. With this clear alternative, there’s no need to worry about rubbing raw spots in the tender tissues inside your mouth.
How is Invisalign Made?
The process begins at your dentist’s office. First, you’ll have a consultation to ensure that you don’t have any cavities or gum disease that could interfere with treatment. If you do, our team will work with you to clear it up so you can proceed with your elected orthodontics.
Then, we’ll take digital images and impressions of your mouth that are loaded into a specific computer program and sent to the manufacturer. They’ll use the data that was gathered to virtually create your entire treatment timeline and design your customized trays. It can take about 3 to 4 weeks before they’re sent back to your dentist’s location for you to pick them up.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Bacteria and leftover food particles can form a cloudy residue on your Invisalign that defeats the purpose of having clear orthodontics. Fortunately, cleaning them is relatively simple. You can keep them from getting clouded by rinsing them periodically throughout the day to ensure that nothing sticks to them. Remember not to use hot water, as it can warp the material so that your trays no longer fit correctly.
You should also remove them twice daily to gently brush away any plaque buildup with a soft-bristled brush that won’t abrade the plastic. Then, let them soak in a special cleaning solution (like Invisalign Cleaning Crystals) to eradicate up to 99% of unwanted germs. Remember to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth, too, so you’re putting your aligners back into a clean mouth once they’re sparkling fresh.