Invisalign® Clear Braces – Farmington, MI
Clear Aligners Straighten Smiles
Would you be amazed to learn that now, it’s possible to straighten your teeth in just months instead of years? The latest trend in orthodontics today is Invisalign, and it can give patients beautifully straight teeth in an average of 9-15 months instead of the 2-4 years traditional braces can often require. There are no metal wires or brackets required with Invisalign either – instead, your teeth are comfortably straightened with a set of customized, practically invisible, and removable plastic aligners.
In the past, the only option for orthodontic treatment was those bulky braces made of metal. But as more and more adults began to opt to have their teeth straightened, the need for a more mature choice became clear. Now, with Invisalign, Farmington adults and teenagers can choose to realign their smiles with clear braces.
How Invisalign Works
Like traditional braces, Invisalign can correct many cosmetic imperfections. For some of our patients, the problem may be crooked or crowded teeth. Others may be bothered by an overbite or teeth that have wide gaps between them. Whatever orthodontic concerns you have regarding your smile, Invisalign may be the right solution for you.
Benefits of Invisalign
The benefits of Invisalign extend far beyond the fact that the aligners are clear. So, if you are on the fence about whether or not clear aligner treatment is right for you, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us to find out if you’re a candidate and all of the perks of this popular orthodontic treatment. You can also read on to learn more about why more than 18 million people around the world have straightened their teeth with Invisalign!
Improved Comfort
Although effective, metal brackets and wires aren’t the most comfortable. In fact, many patients with traditional braces experience soft tissue irritation and mouth sores, which, although normal, can be quite a nuisance. The good news is that Invisalign moves your teeth and bite into proper alignment with custom-made, low-profile, and completely metal-free trays. So, your orthodontic treatment will be considerably more comfortable.
Virtually Invisible Aligners
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without touching on how discreet Invisalign aligners are. This is largely due to the fact that they are crafted from a completely see-through plastic material. They are also custom-made from impressions of your teeth, which ensures that they don’t look bulky, protrude unnaturally, or draw any unwanted attention to your smile. Plus, they are removable, so you’ll have an unobstructed view of your progress too!
Easy Dental Care
Oftentimes, patients with traditional braces have a difficult time brushing and flossing around the brackets and wires. This results in lengthy oral hygiene regimens and the need for special products, like interproximal toothbrushes. That’s not the case with Invisalign because the aligners are removable. So, outside of brushing your teeth after each meal and snack, your dental care routine won’t change.
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
There are lots of factors that impact the length of a patient’s treatment timeline, including how many aligners they need and how well they follow the guidelines provided. With that said, patients with Invisalign typically achieve the results they desire in just 12-18 months. This is a considerable improvement from traditional braces, which can take two years or more.
No Dietary Restrictions
Do you love a satisfying crunch? With traditional braces, patients have to completely eliminate crunchy foods from their diet, including whole apples, raw almonds, and uncooked celery. With Invisalign, however, you don’t need to steer clear of your favorite foods. Simply exercise caution with harder, acidic, and sticky ones, and do your best to keep your intake of added sugar to a minimum.
Quick Follow-Up Appointments
Finally, you don’t have to worry about time-consuming follow-up appointments with Invisalign. They are usually every six or eight weeks (instead of every four) and take about 20 minutes. Of course, there are some exceptions. If, for example, your teeth aren’t moving as anticipated, then we will need to figure out why that is and make the necessary changes to your treatment plan.
Invisalign for Farmington & the Surrounding Areas
Before a patient can begin any kind of orthodontic treatment, Dr. Metzger always schedules a dental checkup to ensure your oral health. Any problems, such as cavities or periodontal disease, should be taken care of before you start wearing your Invisalign aligners.
Then, Dr. Metzger works hand-in-hand with an Invisalign lab to develop a treatment plan that will address your unique orthodontic needs. Using X-rays, photographs, and impressions, the lab creates 3D images of your teeth. With this, Dr. Metzger can visualize exactly how your teeth need to move. And Plus, with the 3D image and treatment plan, she can even show you her visualization so you’ll be able to see exactly what your smile will look like once you’ve completed treatment.
Wearing Invisalign Aligners & Average Treatment Time
The aligners are organized in a sequential series of sets that you’ll wear for about two weeks each. At the end of those two weeks, simply throw away the set you’ve been wearing and move on to the next. Although Dr. Metzger will want you to wear your aligners for most of the hours in a day, you will be able to remove them at mealtime and when you need to brush and floss your teeth.
The length of treatment depends on your specific case. For most of our Invisalign patients, the time spent wearing their aligners is usually no longer than what would be required for traditional braces, and in fact is often much shorter. As you progress from month to month, you’ll see your teeth begin to realign beautifully, and your smile will become the straight one you’ve always wanted.
Not sure if Invisalign is the right choice for you? Contact our dental office to schedule a FREE consultation. Dr. Metzger and her team look forward to welcoming you!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Even if you want Invisalign aligners, you may think they’d be too expensive. After all, orthodontic care can get pricey at times. In truth, though, the cost of Invisalign varies by patient. Thus, you’d need to consult Dr. Metzger for an exact treatment estimate. That said, you can trust Monet Aesthetic Dentistry to help you navigate the financing process. To learn more about how that would work, keep reading or book a visit to our practice.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
After performing an oral exam, Dr. Metzger will assess the factors impacting your Invisalign price. These usually include the following:
- The Treated Arch Number – Invisalign usually treats the top and bottom arches. Even so, you can get it for one or the other. So, whether you get aligners for one or both will influence your expense.
- Treatment Complexity – More severe alignment problems cost more to fix. For example, a gap between front teeth is cheaper to treat than several crooked chompers.
- Length of Treatment – The longer your treatment lasts, the more aligners you’ll need. Those extra trays, in turn, will raise the procedure’s price.
- Patient Compliance – If you don’t wear your aligners for 22 hours daily, your treatment will be delayed. Should that happen, Invisalign will involve higher costs.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which is Cheaper?
Smile Direct Club™ is the choice with the lower upfront cost. It only costs a bit under $2,000. On the other hand, Invisalign charges anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. You may feel tempted, then, to choose the seemingly-cheaper service.
However, remember that Smile Direct Club™ is a “do it yourself” aligner kit. It doesn’t offer any real professional oversight, so it leaves a lot to chance. In fact, plenty can go wrong with this option – improperly-made impressions, bungled wear time, etc. If such things were to happen, you’d need professional help anyway.
Thankfully, Invisalign provides trusted oversight from Dr. Metzger at all times. Therefore, you’d surely receive professional, high-grade impressions and successful treatment. With such peace of mind in hand, these aligners are worth the extra charge.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Dental plans don’t often cover orthodontic work. Furthermore, those that do tend to leave out Invisalign and other clear aligner treatments.
Still, there are occasional exceptions. Your policy may offer partial coverage. To be safe, you should thus confirm the matter with your insurance provider. If you’d like, our practice can even help you do so.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Of course, dental insurance isn’t the only way to make Invisalign affordable. Other ones exist as well! For instance, Monet Aesthetic Dentistry offers:
- Dental Savings Plans – For a moderate annual fee, our office will give you (among other things) 20% off non-preventive care. We’ll also throw in a further 15% off your final payment if you pay with a credit card.
- Flexible Financing – By working with CareCredit, our practice lets patients pay for services in monthly installments. The result is that you could cover the cost of Invisalign gradually, not all at once.
As you can see, Monet Aesthetic Dentistry could straighten your smile in a budget-friendly way. That being the case, consult us to learn more about the financial details.
Invisalign FAQs
Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?
While you may experience some soreness when you start wearing a new set of aligners, any discomfort should be mild and disappear within a few days. As your teeth adjust to the new aligners, you will likely not notice any pressure at all!
In addition, Invisalign aligners are significantly less likely to irritate your gums or the inside of your cheeks compared to traditional metal braces. The plastic trays are custom-designed to fit comfortably around your teeth. You will never have to worry about broken metal wires scratching the inside of your mouth!
Is Invisalign Safe to Wear?
Yes! Invisalign from a dentist in Farmington is a perfectly safe way to achieve a beautiful, straight smile. Invisalign aligners are crafted from a medical-grade polyurethane plastic that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for long-term use in the body. Moreover, according to the manufacturer, the aligners are free from Bisphenol A (BPA), parabens, latex, phthalates, glutaraldehyde and epoxy.
How Do I Clean My Aligners?
Without proper care and maintenance, bacteria and plaque can build up on the inside of your aligners and damage your teeth. Fortunately, caring for your smile while undergoing Invisalign treatment is easy!
A good rule of thumb is to brush both your teeth and your aligners after every meal or at least twice a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste when cleaning your aligners. Before putting them back in your mouth, rinse your aligners with lukewarm water. Avoid placing them under hot water, and this may warp the plastic and delay your treatment plan.
Do I Have to Give Up My Favorite Foods?
No! One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign over traditional orthodontic treatment is the fact that you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite foods. Invisalign trays are easily removable, so you can take them out whenever you sit down for a meal. However, as we mentioned above, just make sure that you diligently brush your teeth after eating before you put your aligners back in. Otherwise, tiny bits of food between stuck your teeth may get trapped inside your aligners.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Because every smile is unique, the cost of Invisalign treatment can often vary from patient to patient. In general, the following factors contribute to the final cost of treatment:
- The overall complexity of the case
- The number of aligners needed to straighten teeth
- The patient's commitment to wearing aligners as directed by their dentist
- The patient’s dental insurance plan
In general, most insurance plans that cover traditional orthodontic treatment like metal braces also cover Invisalign. However, every insurance plan is slightly different. Be sure to read the details of your policy when considering whether Invisalign is right for you.