Invisalign Clear Braces - Louisville, KY
Straight Teeth. No Metal.
When it comes to straightening teeth, many patients still think that traditional bracket and wire braces are their only option. This means many patients avoid getting the orthodontic care they need to look and feel their best. Luckily, the Bell Dental team offers Louisville dentistry patients a cosmetic alternative to traditional orthodontics – Invisalign clear braces. To ensure your smile stays whole, healthy, and functional for life, our team will create a custom Invisalign orthodontic plan. If you’re ready to get started, give our Louisville dental office a call to schedule your orthodontic consultation today.
Who Should Consider Invisalign?
There is no such thing as “one size fits all” when it comes to dental care. Before we recommend treatment, our team will sit down with you one on one to discuss the advantages and disadvantages and help you make an informed decision about whether or not this treatment is right for you. Some of the patients who benefit most from Invisalign treatment include:
- Patients who can’t fit regular bracket and wire adjustments into their schedules
- Those patients with allergies or sensitivities to metal
- Patients who want to maintain a professional image throughout treatment
- Those who have difficulties caring for their teeth
Invisalign VS Traditional Braces
If you’re trying to decide between treatment with Invisalign clear braces and traditional bracket and wire braces, it’s important to take the time to visit with our team to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both options. In the past, Invisalign couldn’t treat more advanced alignment issues, but today, we can correct even those advanced concerns like over, under, and crossbite. Invisalign does usually cost slightly more than traditional braces, but dental insurance plans now typically provide the same coverage for alignment tray orthodontics that they do for traditional braces.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic alignment trays to gently shift teeth into their ideal alignment over the course of eight to eighteen months. Each aligner represents the alignment of your teeth one step closer to your desired end result. You’ll wear the aligners for about two weeks at a time. Then, exchange the current set of aligner trays for the next set in the series. You’ll visit our office every six to eight weeks for short checkups. We examine your smile to ensure teeth are moving according to plan. This allows us to make changes when necessary to keep your treatment plan on track.
Benefits of Invisalign
Are you still in the process of deciding whether or not Invisalign is the right orthodontic treatment for you? If so, then you might find it helpful to learn why millions of other patients have chosen to straighten their teeth with clear aligners! With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few of the many advantages of Invisalign.
Clear Aligners Are Custom-Made for Comfort
It’s no secret that traditional braces can irritate soft tissue, especially for patients with sensitivities or allergies to metal. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners are custom-made for each patient, crafted from smooth plastic and are completely metal-free. As a result, patients experience significantly less pain or discomfort throughout the course of their teeth-straightening treatment!
There Are Fewer Check-In Visits
For the busy patient, Invisalign is ideal. Why? To start, there are fewer checkups throughout the course of your Invisalign plan, so you won’t have to worry about keeping up with frequent trips to the orthodontist. Additionally, these progress appointments are usually less than 20 minutes, and the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months!
You Can Eat All of Your Favorite Foods
Apples, celery, and carrots aren’t the only foods that are off the table with traditional braces. Patients need to steer clear of popcorn, tortilla chips, and pretzels. The good news is that Invisalign doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions! All you need to do is keep your consumption of added sugar to a minimum, exercise caution with foods that could break one of your attachments, and, of course, remove your aligners beforehand.
You’ll Be Able to Brush and Floss Without Any Trouble
One downside of traditional braces is that the metal brackets and wires make it difficult to brush and floss. While tools like interproximal toothbrushes and pre-threaded floss make oral care easier, there is another option: Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, you will be able to complete your dental care regimen like usual throughout the course of your orthodontic treatment.
No Unwanted Attention Will Be Drawn to Your Smile
Of course, you don’t want to wait until the very end of your treatment to smile. Don’t worry – you won’t have to try to hide your braces with Invisalign. Since the aligners are completely see-through, they are practically invisible. In fact, patients often report that even the people who see them every day, like their coworkers, have a hard time telling when they are wearing their aligners!
Bonus: Not only are the aligners virtually undetectable, but they are also removable! So, you can take them off when needed, like before a big presentation or important date.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
We understand that a major concern for many patients is the pricing of Invisalign treatment. Unfortunately, we can’t provide a general quote because we need to examine your teeth in order to estimate the cost of Invisalign in Louisville. The good news is that although clear aligners are newer technology than brackets and wires, in some cases, Invisalign costs about the same as traditional braces! In addition, when you factor in treatment time saved, clear aligners can become even more cost efficient. Plus, with all the other many advantages that come along with this revolutionary treatment, you’re sure to find that Invisalign is well worth the investment.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Like all our treatments at Bell Dental, Invisalign is catered to your unique needs, which means that the pricing is going to vary on a case-by-case basis. The severity of your teeth’s misalignment and your timeline in the aligners will determine how much treatment will cost. Also, your compliance plays an important part. In other words, if you don’t follow instructions or stay on track with your treatment plan, you could end up paying more overall.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
You’ve probably seen commercials or ads for mail-in aligners that promise to save you a ton of money. What they don’t tell you is that you’re basically on your own. You’re responsible for taking your impressions and sending them in, hoping that the impressions are accurate. After the initial treatment plan, there is no supervision by a licensed professional. This means that if you encounter a problem, such as a lost aligner or another complication, you can’t work directly with a dentist to change your treatment plan. In the end, mail-in aligners could end up costing you much more, making Invisalign the safer bet.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
It depends on your insurance. Some plans include Invisalign treatment in their orthodontic benefits while others do not. For those fortunate enough to have insurance that covers it, the potential savings are significant. We know that insurance phrasing can be tricky to understand, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how it works. Therefore, if you are considering Invisalign, our team can take a close look at your policy with you and try to find ways to save you as much as possible.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Regardless of whether your insurance applies to Invisalign, you may wish to pay for treatment over time, not all at once. That’s why we accept payment through CareCredit. This trusted financier allows you to divide the cost into more budget-friendly monthly payments. And the best part is that you may qualify for a low interest rate or even no interest at all! You can apply for preapproval online or in our office, and we can walk you through the application process if you need help.
Invisalign FAQ’s
If you’re still curious about Invisalign treatment, you’re not alone. Many patients wonder whether they’re a good candidate for clear braces versus traditional ones. At Bell Dental, we want you to be confident in your treatment choice, which is why we’ve provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Invisalign clear aligners. Keep reading to satisfy your curiosity!
Is Invisalign Appropriate for Kids and Teens?
For most cases, we only use Invisalign to treat adults and older teens. This is because children tend to lack the responsibility and care that is required during treatment. Traditional braces are often better for children because they can not only adjust bite, but they are also fixed onto the smile. With Invisalign, it can be hard for children to remember to take out and replace their aligners. Additionally, because Invisalign aligners require some care and cleaning, we often find that the best candidates for treatment are those who are old enough to commit to our instructions.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
It’s hard to give patients a specific cost before seeing their smile because of the many variables that can influence the price of your treatment. In some cases, preexisting dental issues must be treated before receiving Invisalign. Plus, during treatment, patients can break or lose their aligners, adding to their total cost. The best way to get a precise cost estimate is to visit our office for a consultation. Dr. Bell will carefully check your smile before developing a personalized treatment plan that includes price.
How Long is Treatment with Invisalign?
The length of your treatment will vary, which is why it’s hard to give a precise estimate. The condition of your oral health, the severity of your misalignment, and the commitment to your Invisalign schedule are a few of the main factors that can influence treatment time. Typically, treatment will last between 10 and 18 months. However, patients will be recommended to wear a retainer after they’ve reached their desired results.
When is Invisalign Not an Option?
Thanks to modern technology, Invisalign can now be used to treat many orthodontic problems. However, serious bite issues like overbites, underbites, and crossbites still may need to be treated with traditional orthodontics. The only way to know with certainty is to visit our office for a consultation. After, we’ll be able to recommend the best treatment for your needs.
What are the Expected Results?
After completing Invisalign in Louisville, patients can enjoy a beautifully straight set of teeth. To ensure that your results last, we will recommend a retainer once your treatment is done. Depending on your smile, the use of your retainer can be slowly but surely limited in the months after your treatment. Invisalign allows patients a confident way to straighten teeth, but it also provides consistent results.