Invisalign Clear Braces – Virginia Beach, VA
The Flexible, More Discreet Way to Straighten Teeth
If you’ve always wanted to do something about your crooked teeth or bite alignment but don’t want the hassle of dealing with metal braces, you’re in luck. Forget the embarrassment traditional braces can cause, and don’t worry about giving up your favorite foods because of the possibility it’ll get stuck between wires. Invisalign in Virginia Beach is an alternative solution that allows you to straighten your teeth discreetly and with more flexibility than traditional braces. At Smile Care Family Dentistry, Dr. Asra Javeed can create a customized treatment plan that will have you seeing a new and improved smile in less time than it takes with metal braces. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your smile alignment options, using Invisalign clear braces in Virginia Beach, VA.
Why Choose Smile Care Family Dentistry
for Invisalign Clear Braces?
- Certified Invisalign Provider with 20+ Years of Experience
- Patients of All Ages Welcome
- Customized, Relationship-Based Care
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign consists of clear, plastic aligners that are customized to your individual needs. When sitting for your consultation, Dr. Javeed will examine your teeth and determine if you are a qualified candidate for Invisalign. If so, she will take impressions and send them to the lab to have your aligners created. Each set of aligner trays are designed to represent your teeth at each stage of their progression.
Every two weeks, unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Javeed, you’ll change your aligner set for the next one in the series. Each time you do this, your teeth will gently shift in the desired direction, putting you closer and closer to the smile you want and deserve. You can expect, on average, for your treatment to last between 12 and 18 months, but each case is different, so treatment times may vary.
Benefits of Invisalign
If you haven’t yet discussed or researched Invisalign, you’ll be surprised to know there are many benefits to this method of treatment, including:
- Aligners are removable. If you want to continue eating the foods you love, Invisalign is a great solution because you’re instructed to remove your trays while eating and drinking. The aligners cannot withstand the bite pressure and wear and tear. It’s important to remember, however, that because they’re removable, you must be committed to wearing them 20-22 hours each day and only removing them while eating, drinking, and cleaning your trays.
- The trays are unnoticeable. Made of clear plastic, no one will ever know you’re being treated unless you tell them.
- No Irritation. If you prefer that your mouth’s soft tissue remain unscathed, Invisalign clear aligners are the better alternative to metal braces. Brackets and wires can snag or rub against your gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue, whereas Invisalign is smooth.
Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign is typically geared for adults who are committed to wearing the aligners according to Dr. Javeed’s instructions. The reason it is not a suggested treatment method for children or young teenagers is because their teeth have not finished growing. If you have any of the following, you may be eligible for Invisalign clear braces:
- Crooked teeth
- Overcrowding
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open Bite
- Gaps between teeth
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
The only way to determine how much your Invisalign treatment will cost is to schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Virginia Beach. After all, each case is different! The good news is that we can provide you with an estimate at that appointment, and you can learn more about the price of Invisalign right here.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
There are several factors that are considered when factoring cost, including:
- The complexity of your case
- How many sets of aligners you’ll need
- If one or both arches of teeth need to be straightened
- How long is the treatment going to take
- If rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories are needed
Important note: It’s also possible for there to be additional costs after you begin your clear aligner treatment. One example is if a new treatment plan needs to be made because multiple trays were misplaced. Of course, we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to stay on-track with your treatment to prevent that from happening.
Invisalign vs. Mail-Order Clear Aligners: Which Costs More?
If you’ve seen the commercials or social media ads for mail-order clear aligners, then you know that they often focus their marketing on the lower upfront cost. Although these alternatives are certainly cheaper than Invisalign, they aren’t better. In fact, they skip the initial exam, they aren’t supervised by a licensed dental professional, they rely on DIY impressions, and they don’t have support from professional organizations like the American Dental Association. In short, if you want to straighten your teeth while preserving the health and function of your smile, it’s best to invest in Invisalign.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
There are some dental plans that include a once-in-a-lifetime orthodontic benefit that can be used toward Invisalign. So, it’s worth calling your provider or reading through the fine print on your plan to see if clear aligner treatment is partly covered. Of course, you can also give our Virginia Beach dental team a call too! We’re proud to work with many popular providers, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Principal, and Cigna. As a result, we can help you understand the factors that impact your coverage (like annual maximums), provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, and handle the paperwork for you.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry! At Smile Care Family Dentistry, we offer our patients two additional ways to save. The first is CareCredit flexible financing, which allows you to space out your payments into small chunks instead of paying for the entire cost of Invisalign at once. The second is our periodic specials, which help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses and make any of our popular treatments more affordable. If you want to learn more about either of these options, get in touch with our Virginia Beach dental team.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re looking for the flexible, more discreet way to straighten teeth, look no further than Invisalign in Virginia Beach! This unique orthodontic treatment is very different than traditional metal braces, so it’s natural to have some questions about how it works. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some common Invisalign FAQs below so you can learn more. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help!
Does wearing aligners hurt?
Invisalign aligners don’t have any protruding metal wires or brackets to irritate your soft tissues, so patients can generally expect a more comfortable straightening experience than that of traditional braces. However, Invisalign isn’t completely without occasional discomfort. It’s normal to feel some soreness in your teeth and jaw after starting a new set of aligners.
Thankfully, any discomfort your experience should be mild, easily managed, and fade within a few days. To help manage your symptoms, try numbing your mouth by drinking ice water, eating cold foods, and applying an ice pack or cold compress for 10 minutes at a time. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed to ease inflammation. Many patients report that starting a new set of aligners right before going to bed helps them sleep through any initial soreness.
What foods should I avoid with Invisalign?
Traditional braces can be damaged by foods and beverages, so they require you to adhere to certain dietary restrictions. While Invisalign aligners are essentially more fragile than metal braces, you can continue to enjoy all your favorite foods and drinks during your Invisalign treatment!
Simply remove your aligners before your meal, snack, or beverage, then give your teeth a quick brush before popping the aligners back into place. Remember, your aligners are made of plastic. Exposing them to foods and drinks can bend, warp, or break them. As long as you take your aligners out while enjoying anything that isn’t water, you can continue to eat and drink what you like.
How do I keep my Invisalign trays clean?
During your consultation and following appointment, we’ll go over everything you need to know about caring for your aligners in detail. A few basic rules we’ll touch on include:
- Don’t use regular toothpaste to clean your aligners. These products are often too abrasive and may damage them. Instead, wash them off with water, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and use an approved cleaning solution.
- Every time you take your aligners out, rinse them off to prevent saliva, plaque, and bacteria from drying out and hardening on them.
- Brushing your teeth before putting your aligners in after eating or drinking is essential for protecting your aligners from discoloration and keeping them practically invisible.
Does Invisalign offer permanent results?
The straighter, healthier smile you achieve with Invisalign has the potential to last you a lifetime! However, the longevity of your results depends heavily on how well you care for your smile after your treatment. Just like with any orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer for a little while afterwards. If you don’t wear it often enough, your teeth may shift out of place again later. As long as you follow our directions and come visit us for checkups regularly, you can expect to enjoy the results of your Invisalign treatment for life!