Invisalign – Millersville, MD
A Transparent Alternative at Transcendent Smiles
Compared to traditional orthodontics that have been around for centuries, Invisalign is relatively new. These clear braces were introduced in the late 1990s and have made a big difference in many patients’ smiles and quality of life. With Invisalign, you won’t be self-conscious about having metal braces. Would you like to know if Invisalign in Millersville, MD is right for you? Then, schedule a consultation today at Transcendent Smiles.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Your well-aligned smile begins with a diagnosis to determine why your teeth are crooked and what the best course of treatment will be to straighten them. Then, with the aid of photographs, X-rays and an impression of your teeth, the dentist in Millersville develops a treatment plan.
At Invisalign, this plan is used to guide the design of your Invisalign orthodontic package. A virtual representation of how your teeth will move is created. You can even see this video at the start of treatment so you’ll know how your smile will look at the end. Finally, your aligners are manufactured in the Invisalign lab and sent to our dental office.
The aligners are arranged in sequential order. All you have to do is wear each pair—one for the teeth along your top arch and one for the bottom arch—for approximately 22 hours a day for two weeks. Then, move on to the next pair. Worn consistently, you should be able to finish your Invisalign treatment in one to two years.
Invisalign Teen
Is your teen adamantly opposed to getting traditional metal braces because of how it will impact their social life and confidence? At Transcendent Smiles, we offer a discreet, virtually unnoticeable orthodontic solution to help your teen get the straighter smile they want and deserve without having to compromise their expression. Invisalign Teen is specially designed with younger patients in mind, allowing them to keep on track with their treatment timeline, build a sense of responsibility, and reap the rewards of doing so!
How is Invisalign Teen Different?
Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, undergoing treatment requires diligence and a commitment to wearing the trays for at least 20 hours a day in order to stay on track with the treatment timeline. Invisalign Teen is designed to help engage and remind patients to meet their daily wear time.
There are a couple of key differences when comparing regular Invisalign treatment to Invisalign Teen. These are:
- Compliance Indicators: Each of your teen’s trays will have blue dots on the backs of them, by the molar-area. When it’s time for your teen to switch to the next series of aligners in their treatment, these dots will disappear, gradually fading the longer they wear them. This can help keep them on track throughout their journey.
- Included Replacement Trays: Invisalign Teen also includes replacement trays. It’s understood that accidents happen, so whether they accidentally throw away their trays or leave them at a friend’s house or school, the cost of the replacement aligner will be covered.
Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?
Just like with adults, Invisalign Teen isn’t right for everyone. The best way to learn whether your child qualifies is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tran. As a member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners, Dr. Tran has years of experience helping patients of all ages straighten their smiles with this modern orthodontic solution. After evaluating your child’s dental alignment and smile, she can help walk you through all of your teen’s options.
The Benefits of Invisalign Teen
There are countless benefits that make Invisalign a top choice for teenagers in Millersville. Some of these advantages include:
- Virtually invisible clear aligners for boosted confidence.
- Shorter check-in appointments.
- No food restrictions.
- Easier to maintain good dental hygiene.
- No interference with sports or band.
- More comfortable than metal braces.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
If you’re interested in Invisalign, we invite you to come see us for a consultation to discover if it’s right for you. We don’t usually recommend Invisalign for children who don’t have all their permanent teeth, but Invisalign can be an excellent choice for teens and adults who want a straighter, healthier smile. If needed, we can help you overcome oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, or bruxism before creating your custom Invisalign treatment plan.
Not only is Invisalign in Millersville the easiest and most convenient way to get a straighter smile, but this state-of-the-art treatment is a great choice for practically anyone facing mild to moderate orthodontic issues! While traditional metal braces are typically more effective for severe orthodontic problems, Invisalign can help you overcome crowded teeth, gapped teeth, bite alignment issues, and more.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded, crooked teeth that overlap are a problem for much more than just your appearance. Without enough space, the pressure caused by your crowded teeth will wear down their enamel. Over time, you’ll be far more likely to experience tooth sensitivity, dental discoloration, and enamel damage. Thankfully, Invisalign can quickly and effectively straighten your teeth out to give you an even smile that’s just as strong and healthy as it is beautiful.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between teeth can often cause feelings of self-consciousness in teens and adults. What’s more, these empty spaces can collect food debris, bacteria, and plaque, which dramatically increases your risk of problems like cavities, gum infections, and more. Invisalign can gently shift your teeth together to eliminate these spaces. You’ll be able to achieve a uniform set of pearly whites that’s easy to keep sparkling and cavity-free.
Overbite
Moderate and severe overbites can wreak havoc on the look, health, and function of your smile. That’s why it’s so important to explore your orthodontic treatment options early on! Over the last two decades, Invisalign has helped countless patients with this bite problem with the use of clear aligners and other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us to see if you’re a candidate!
Underbite
If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, then it’s likely that you have an underbite. Since your jaw naturally sits in an uncomfortable position, chronic pain, difficulty chewing, and even trouble enunciating clearly are quite common. The good news is that clear aligners, rubber bands, buttons, and other orthodontic accessories can be used in milder cases to bring your teeth and bite into proper alignment.
Crossbite
If you seem to have a combination of an overbite and an underbite, then it’s likely that you have a crossbite. Like the other bite problems on this list, chronic jaw pain is a concern. There’s also the risk of premature wear and difficulty chewing properly, which shouldn’t be ignored either. Simply put, if you are struggling with a crossbite, take the next step toward a more aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and functional smile by scheduling a consultation.
Open Bite
Open bites are problematic in more ways than one. In addition to distracting from your appearance, this bite issue can cause stiffness in your jaw, which can lead to discomfort, bruxism, or even TMJ dysfunction. Fortunately, we can craft a precise Invisalign treatment to address this common orthodontic problem, giving you the comfortable and even bite you deserve.
Benefits of Invisalign
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest draws of Invisalign is the clear aligners. However, this popular orthodontic treatment offers more than just see-through trays. If you’re considering taking the next step toward a straighter smile, but you haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, then keep reading to learn the other important advantages that make it very different from metal braces.
No Dietary Restrictions
In short, adults and teens with metal brackets and wires must be careful about what they eat. That’s because some foods, such as popcorn, hard candy, carrot sticks, and hard pretzels, can dislodge or even break a bracket. Repair or replacement means scheduling an unplanned trip to the orthodontist and possibly an additional charge. Don’t worry – that won’t happen with Invisalign aligners. Since they are removable, all you need to do is take them out before enjoying all of your favorite foods as usual.
The Trays Are Comfortable
Another drawback of traditional braces is that the brackets and wires aren’t comfortable. If that’s a concern of yours, then you’ll be happy to know that Invisalign is metal-free! Furthermore, the trays are custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly, and the material they are crafted from is smooth, high-quality, and low-profile. Simply put, you won’t have to worry about uncomfortable and persistent irritation with Invisalign either!
No Disruptions to Your Dental Care Regimen
Because your aligners are removable, you’ll be able to brush and floss without any metal brackets and wires getting in your way. Not only does this make completing your oral hygiene regimen easier, but it also allows you to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly. What a difference this can make in your oral health while you wear braces; the risk of tooth decay and gum disease is dramatically reduced when you can perform good oral hygiene at home!
Quick Follow-Up Visits
Our patients today are busier than ever. Whether you’re a full-time student, a busy parent, or simply have a demanding career, you’ll be happy to know that your schedule won’t be bogged down with check-in visits. In fact, they are usually only every 6-8 weeks. Plus, if you’ve been diligently following all of the treatment guidelines, like wearing your trays for 20-22 hours a day, then there’s a good chance that your teeth will be moving as anticipated, and your appointment will be less than 20 minutes.
Shorter Average Treatment Timelines
Another advantage that Invisalign has over traditional braces is that the average treatment timeline is shorter. In fact, it usually only takes 12-18 months for patients to straighten their teeth! Of course, it’s possible for your treatment plan to be shorter or longer than that; it really depends on factors specific to your case, including the orthodontic problems we need to address.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Of course, researching what Invisalign is like and actually living with clear aligners are two different things. That’s why we do our best to provide our patients with all of our tips and tricks; we want the transition to life with braces to be as smooth and seamless as possible. In fact, we’ve dedicated this next section to covering everything you need to know, including how to meet the 20+ hour-a-day wear time and what to do if you accidentally break one of your trays. So, read on!
Wearing Your Trays
There’s basically one rule when it comes to wearing your aligners: you need to do so for at least 20 hours a day. If you don’t, then your risk of falling off-track with your treatment plan skyrockets. That’s why we strongly recommend finding a schedule that works for you and only removing your trays when absolutely necessary. It’s also a good idea to use the stopwatch on your phone as a guide, especially at the beginning of your orthodontic treatment.
Cleaning Your Aligners
The good news is that you don’t need any special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes, since the aligners are removable. You do, however, need to get in the habit of cleaning them with clean, cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush each morning and evening. It’s also important to rinse them with clean, cool water each time you take them out and to start brushing your teeth after each meal and snack (if you aren’t already).
Eating & Drinking
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t need to abide by any dietary restrictions. Instead, we ask our patients to simply do their best to eat a well-balanced diet that’s filled with nutrient-dense, smile-friendly foods, like oatmeal, bananas, and plain yogurt. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your intake of added sugar as well since this sweetener is one of the leading causes of tooth decay.
Tip: Make water your go-to beverage! It will keep you hydrated, it will reduce your risk of dry mouth, and it will prevent food particles and other debris from lingering on your teeth.
Damaging a Tray
A broken aligner is an orthodontic emergency, so it’s important that you get in touch with our Millersville dental team ASAP. Over the phone, we can determine what the next best steps are depending on the severity of the damage – whether that’s starting the process of having a replacement made or having you move onto the next set of trays in the series a bit early.
Note: Do NOT use super glue or any other household adhesives to try and repair your aligners; they contain toxins that are not safe to ingest.
Routine Check-Ins
Another important component of life with Invisalign is the check-in visits. These periodic appointments are crucial because they allow us to monitor the movement of your teeth. If for any reason they aren’t moving as anticipated, then we can make the necessary tweaks to your treatment plan right away.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
The benefits of Invisalign speak for themselves, but of course you still have the cost to think about. How much will you need to pay for an Invisalign treatment? The answer won’t be the same for everyone, but fortunately we’ll be here to help you explore the options for making your treatment as affordable as possible. During your initial consultation, we’ll go over the factors that affect the final cost of dentures and provide you with an estimate that will let you know how much you can ultimately expect to pay.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Every smile has different needs, and Invisalign treatment will need to be personalized accordingly. As such, the price of Invisalign is not set in stone, as there are multiple factors that will end up affecting the final amount you pay. These factors include:
- The Number of Arches Being Corrected: Do you only need Invisalign for one row of teeth, or do both your upper and lower teeth need to be corrected? Treatment for both arches is naturally more costly than treatment for a single arch.
- Complexity: A treatment to close a single gap won’t cost as much as a treatment that is meant to straighten crooked teeth throughout your smile.
- Treatment Length: The longer Invisalign treatment lasts, the more aligners you’ll need to pay for.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
The simple answer is that Invisalign tends to be the more costly option compared to the Smile Direct Club. However, the extra cost of Invisalign is generally balanced out with the advantage of being overseen by an experienced dentist. A “do-it-yourself” solution like Smile Direct Club leaves the responsibility of making accurate impressions and following the treatment entirely in your hands, and as a result you may not realize that there’s a problem with the process until you end up with a severe oral health issue that requires a dentist’s attention. But with Invisalign, you’ll have the benefit of having a progress check every six weeks so that we can make sure that everything is going according to plan.
Will My Dental Insurance Pay for Invisalign?
Some insurance plans pay for orthodontic treatments including Invisalign while others do not. You should check with your insurance provider first to confirm the kind of coverage you have. Our staff can review your benefits with you to make sure that you fully understand the savings that you’re entitled to.
How to Make Invisalign More Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, or you find that Invisalign is not covered under your current plan, you can still use in-house financing to reduce the strain that paying for Invisalign can put on your wallet. We offer different plans that can be tailored to your exact budget so that you can always afford the treatment you need. Call us today to learn more about financing and how you can make it work for you.
Invisalign Provider in Millersville, MD
Dr. Vy Tran is a certified Invisalign provider. If you would like to know if Invisalign is right for your orthodontic needs, schedule a consultation today with Dr. Tran.
Still not sure whether Invisalign is the best solution for correcting your smile? It’s important to have all the facts before getting any sort of orthodontic treatment. Here are the answers to some common questions that our patients often ask regarding Invisalign. Remember: you can always voice any other concerns your might have during your consultation!
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign in Millersville is a popular orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages. Whether you’re an adult that can’t sacrifice your professional image or a teenager that doesn’t want to deal with uncomfortable metal in your mouth, Invisalign can help. If you’re considering using clear aligners to straighten your teeth, you may have some questions you’d like answered before scheduling your consultation. Here are some common concerns we receive from patients.
Does wearing Invisalign aligners hurt?
You’ve probably heard people talk about how sore their mouth is after getting their braces tightened and wonder if that’s how it’s going to be with Invisalign trays too. As with any oral appliance, when you first put it in your mouth, it feels like a foreign object that’ll take some adjusting to. Fortunately, you’ll get used to the feeling of your aligners within the first week or two.
After that, whenever you switch to your new series of trays, you may experience some slight soreness since they’ll be slightly tighter than your last set. To combat this discomfort, you can make the switch at night so you sleep through most of the day-long adjustment period. Invisalign treatment is virtually pain-free though.
Will my dental insurance cover Invisalign treatment?
Depending on what your dental benefits are, they may cover Invisalign treatment. The only way to know for sure is to contact your insurance provider directly. Many plans include assistance for orthodontic treatments if it’s vital to maintaining your oral health and doesn’t just offer cosmetic results. Plus, at Transcendent Smiles, we offer in-house financing plans to help break up the cost of the treatment into monthly installments. This allows our patients to get the care they need without breaking their monthly budgets.
How often will I need to visit my dentist during treatment?
One great benefit of Invisalign treatment is that patients will only need to visit their dentist in Millersville every six weeks or so. These appointments are quick, 15-minute checkups to make sure you’re on the right track and so we can give you your next set of aligners. Because they’re so short, we can fit you in during your lunch break, or whenever is most convenient for you.
Are the aligners difficult to take care of?
Your Invisalign aligners will be relatively easy to care for. You just have to remember to take them out every time you eat and each time you drink anything other than water. Keeping them clean, clear, and germ-free from day-to-day involves soaking them in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. You can also use a denture cleaner or special Invisalign cleaning crystals to do this.
In addition to soaking them, be sure to gently scrub them with clear antibacterial soap and a soft-bristled brush regularly to prevent food debris and plaque from transferring to your mouth. Remember that chewing gum or eating with your aligners could damage them and set you back in your treatment, so be sure not to do this.