Invisalign – Indian Land, SC
Get Gorgeous Results Without the Metal
Although metal braces continue to be reliable, safe, and effective, they leave a bit to be desired in terms of appearance. In fact, many image-conscious teens and adults didn’t pursue orthodontic treatment for that exact reason! If that’s the case for you, then you’ll be happy to hear that there’s a way to achieve the same beautiful results without the noticeable brackets and wires: Invisalign. To read more about it, read on or get in touch with us to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose BridgeMill Dental Care for Invisalign?
- Top-Rated Dental Team on Google
- Affordable Payment Options
- Appointments as Early as 7 AM
How Invisalign Works
Instead of guiding your teeth into proper alignment with metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of custom-made trays. Each one should be worn for 20-22 hours a day and for 1-2 weeks at a time. Periodically throughout your treatment, you’ll come to our office so we can make sure your teeth are moving as anticipated. Since the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months, it won’t take long for you to start to see improvements!
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Patients are often surprised to hear this, but Invisalign can correct several common orthodontic problems, including overbites. So, don’t just assume that traditional braces are your only path to a straight smile! At your consultation, we can determine if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, but you can also read on to learn more about who Invisalign can help.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth don’t just take a toll on your self-esteem; they take a toll on your oral health. For that reason, we recommend exploring your treatment options, like Invisalign. If you’re a good candidate, then we can shift your teeth into their ideal positions with a custom series of aligners. Since they are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile in the process!
Gaps Between Teeth
If you have a noticeable gap between your two front teeth, we have good news: Invisalign can help! If we determine that you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, then we can gently bring your teeth back together, creating a healthier and even more beautiful smile. Usually, the entire process only takes 12-18 months (while traditional braces can take 2+ years).
Overbite
Several problems can arise if your upper teeth jut out beyond your lower ones more than they should, including trouble enunciating clearly. If you’ve been struggling with this bite problem and wondering if Invisalign can fix overbites, we have good news: the answer is “yes!” The easiest way to find out if you’re a candidate is by scheduling a consultation at our Indian Land dental office.
Underbite
Another common bite problem is an underbite, which is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper ones. Unfortunately, even relatively mild cases can lead to trouble smiling confidently, chewing properly, and enunciating clearly, which is why we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our dedicated cosmetic dentists sooner rather than later.
Crossbite
Are you struggling with a mild to moderate crossbite? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that, in addition to improving the alignment of your teeth, Invisalign can improve the alignment of your bite! So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us. The sooner you do, the sooner we can find out if you’re a good candidate for clear aligner treatment.
Open Bite
When you bite down, are your upper and lower teeth able to meet evenly? If they can’t because there is a space between them, then you likely have an open bite. Invisalign clear aligners have proven to be an effective solution with the help of other orthodontic accessories, like buttons and rubber bands. That means there’s a good chance your orthodontic treatment won’t involve any metal at all.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a clear alternative to standard orthodontics, as more people learn about its various advantages. Continue reading to learn more about the many benefits of straightening your smile with this cosmetic service to help decide if it’s the right treatment to meet your unique needs!
Improved Comfort
The brackets and wires of traditional braces are notorious for causing aches, especially after archwires are adjusted or tightened. Not only that, but the sharp corners of the metallic components can easily cut the tender tissues inside your mouth, which might become infected by bacteria in your mouth.
Meanwhile, the smooth plastic trays of Invisalign are considered much more comfortable and won’t lacerate the insides of your lips, cheeks, or gums.
Discreet Trays
Another reason so many patients choose this service is that it’s much more aesthetically pleasing than traditional orthodontics. The aligners are made from a completely transparent material that fits snugly over your arches, which allows your natural enamel to show through.
As a result, Invisalign is considered a more discreet alternative to the standard method of straightening smiles.
Better Dental Hygiene
It’s common for people with braces to struggle with dental hygiene because it can be challenging to clean around and between the brackets and wires. Unfortunately, this increases the likelihood of developing oral issues, such as cavities or gum disease, during treatment.
Meanwhile, Invisalign is completely removable so you can more easily brush and floss your teeth twice daily to protect and preserve your oral health.
Quick Follow-Ups
Although you will be expected to schedule periodic follow-up visits with our team throughout your Invisalign treatment, these appointments tend to be much briefer than those required for the traditional method. This is partly because there’s no need to make careful adjustments to an archwire.
Instead, our team will examine your mouth to ensure you’re on track with your treatment timeline and that no issues have developed. Then we’ll provide the next trays you’ll need to wear before sending you on your way.
Boosted Confidence
If you’re already feeling self-conscious about your smile, you might choose these clear aligners to improve your self-esteem. They are completely clear, so that your natural smile shines through, meaning that you’ll be showing off the results as they occur.
You can enjoy peace of mind and boosted confidence knowing that others are unlikely to judge how your smile looks throughout your treatment.
Non-Invasive Treatment
If you’re seeking a more convenient alternative to standard braces, you might be an excellent candidate for Invisalign. Unlike the traditional treatment, these trays are completely removable. That means they don’t impact your daily habits and routines as intensely and are considered less invasive.
For instance, there are no dietary restrictions to worry about because they’re intended to be taken out for meals, so you can enjoy all your favorite foods. You’re also less likely to develop cavities or gum disease because it’s easier to keep your mouth clean!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Reading through the above information gives you helpful insight into how Invisalign in Torrance works and the orthodontic problems the clear aligners can correct, but what will life look like if you choose to move forward? If this is something you’ve been wondering, we have good news: we’re covering helpful information on the topic in this next section!
Wearing Your Trays
When it comes to wearing your trays, there is one main rule: you need to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours a day. When it does come time to take them off, it’s important that you rinse them with clean, cool water so saliva and other debris are removed from the surface. Then, place them in their designated case (this will reduce the chances of them accidentally getting lost or damaged).
Cleaning Your Aligners
It’s important to take good care of your aligners, especially if you don’t want them to develop unsightly stains or smells. The first step is rinsing them with clean, cool water when you take them off. Then, use a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing soap to gently clean the surface.
Tip: If you need to wear your trays longer than anticipated, you can soak them for 15 minutes or so each day in a dentist-approved clear aligner cleaner as well.
Eating & Drinking
Since wearing your aligners while eating or drinking anything other than water can cause the plastic to warp or stain, it’s crucial that you take them off first. Outside of that, there aren’t any strict rules. Just do your best to limit your intake of sugary and starchy foods since the development of a cavity can bring your treatment plan to a temporary stop.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you lose or damage one of your aligners, you might assume that you should just move on to the next set in the series. However, we don’t recommend doing so without consulting with us. So, call us first! That way, we can take a look at where you are in the teeth-straightening process. If it’s safe to progress to the next set, then we will give you the green light to do so. Otherwise, we will ask you to wear the previous set while we have a replacement made.
Scheduling Progress Visits
Another important part of life with Invisalign is scheduling (and attending!) progress visits at our Indian Land dental office. Each one is crucial because it allows us to monitor the movement of your teeth to make sure you’re on track with your treatment plan. If you aren’t, then your dentist can determine why that is and what adjustments need to be made. If you are, then we will provide you with the next several sets of aligners in the series and see you at your next appointment!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Plenty of patients want to know how much their Invisalign treatment might cost before scheduling an appointment, but the truth is that pricing can vary based on your unique circumstances.
Our team is happy to provide a detailed estimate after we’ve examined your current dental condition and know more about what’s needed to straighten your smile. Continue reading to learn about how the cost is determined and how our practice helps make treatments more affordable!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
There are a few different factors unique to your circumstances that can potentially affect how much your treatment will cost overall, including:
- The length of treatment. Each pair of transparent trays in your series is only intended to be worn for about a week or two, and the longer your total timeline, the more aligners you will pay for.
- The number of arches requiring treatment. Although rare, there may be circumstances in which only a single arch is straightened, requiring fewer trays and potentially reducing the total amount due.
- Severity of your misalignments. Teeth that have farther to travel may take longer, increasing the number of trays required to achieve the desired changes.
Does Invisalign Cost More Than Mail-Order Aligners?
If you’re eager to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, you might feel tempted to purchase clear aligners online at a lower rate and have them mailed to you. While this might seem like a simple and effective way to save money, the truth is that you may end up paying more in the long run.
For instance, mail-order trays typically don’t involve a pre-treatment examination or professional oversight throughout the service. They can sometimes worsen misalignments or allow pre-existing concerns, like cavities or gum disease, to progress. Then, you’ll have to pay for the required services to fix the damage. Meanwhile, our providers will address any issues before proceeding with Invisalign and monitor your progress throughout your treatment to help you stay on track with your timeline and protect your results and budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Most dental insurance policies don’t cover the cost of this service because it’s often categorized as a cosmetic option meant to improve your looks more than your dental health. But there may be exceptions, or your plan might cover different aspects of your treatment, such as the initial exams and imaging.
If you’re unsure what’s included in your insurance or would like help with claims or paperwork, please contact our office. Our friendly staff are familiar with the process and would be happy to help you maximize any available benefits.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Our compassionate team in Indian Land understands that not all patients carry insurance or can afford to pay for dental services outright, and we also believe that everyone deserves to have a beautiful, healthy smile, despite their current financial circumstances.
If you’re concerned about affording Invisalign, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- In-House Membership. For a flat annual fee, patients receive twice-annual cleanings, fluoride treatments, exams, and necessary X-rays, plus an additional 20% discount on other services, with some exclusions.
- Flexible Financing. We also gladly accept flexible payment plans through third-party financers, Cherry and CareCredit. These low- to no-interest payment plans allow you to divide your total invoice into more manageable installments, which can be easier on your budget.