Invisalign® - Collegeville, PA

Crowded Teeth

Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, ask us about Invisalign! After all, overcrowding doesn’t just take a toll on your self-esteem; it can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If we determine that you’re a candidate, then we can gently guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions with a series of clear, comfortable aligners.

Gaps Between Teeth

It may surprise you to learn that having gaps in your smile can increase your chances of developing cavities and gum infections. That’s mainly because food particles can more easily get trapped in the gaps between your teeth, causing decay and bad breath. Fortunately, Invisalign can gradually move your teeth into a healthier, aligned position, giving you the straight and seamless smile you’ve always wanted!

Overbite

Patients sometimes assume that overbites aren’t a huge deal, especially if theirs is relatively minor. However, this bite problem can negatively impact your life in more ways than one – from chronic jaw pain and trouble chewing properly to difficulty enunciating clearly. The good news is that Invisalign can straighten your teeth and align your bite – all with comfortable, barely noticeable aligners.

Underbite

A misaligned bite can place unnecessary pressure on your temporomandibular joint, leading to problems like chronic jaw pain as well as teeth grinding and clenching. While traditional braces were once the only solution, that’s no longer the case. At your consultation, we will determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and, if you are, if any orthodontic accessories are needed, like buttons or rubber bands.

Crossbite

Unfortunately, even mild crossbites can lower your self-esteem and increase your risk of serious dental damage. For this reason, we strongly recommend coming to our office to explore your treatment options. If we decide together that Invisalign is the ideal solution, then we will get to work creating your custom treatment plan and series of aligners.

Open Bite

When you bite down, is there a space between your upper and lower teeth? If so, you may have an open bite. One of our biggest concerns with this orthodontic problem is that it places immense pressure on certain teeth, which increases the chances of dental damage. Fortunately, Invisalign has proven to be an effective solution, so your journey to a healthier and even more beautiful smile may not involve metal brackets or noticeable wires.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Greater flexibility because you can remove your aligners to eat and drink the foods and beverages you love.
• Discreet aligners that are virtually invisible to others, so you don’t feel self-conscious about your appearance while undergoing treatment.
• Greater confidence because you’re not worrying about others seeing your braces.
• Have greater control over your treatment plan because you swap out your own trays instead of visiting a dentist each time.

Oral Health Benefits

• An easier way to keep teeth clean because you can remove your aligners to care for your smile like normal. All you need is your regular oral hygiene instruments.
• Easy-to-clean aligners that only require a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water.
• Reduced risk of tooth decay and gum disease as your teeth shift over time. If gaps exist, Invisalign will help to close these areas to prevent food particles from becoming trapped. If overcrowding exists, Invisalign will work to create space to allow for more thorough cleaning in between teeth to remove harmful bacteria.

Long-Term Benefits

• Quicker results, on average, for most individuals. Results typically form between 12-18 months as opposed to 2-3 years for those wearing traditional metal braces.
• Healthier teeth, gums, and jaw alignment as you get older. This can have a dramatically positive effect in reducing the potential for serious oral health problems as well as minimizing the potential for chronic jaw pain as a result of bite misalignment.
• A cost-effective solution that can have you seeing results quicker, so you avoid repeated dental visits throughout 2-3 years.
• Minimized risk of developing overall health problems commonly associated with the mouth (i.e., temporomandibular joint disorder, bruxism, dental decay, gum disease, etc.).

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Collegeville, there are several factors you must take into consideration. Some of those include:

• The number of aligners you need. This often depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
• Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth costs more than straightening just one or the other.
• Your treatment compliance. Losing an aligner or failing to stay on top of your treatment plan can add to your overall cost.
• Whether you need additional accessories. Depending on your situation, you may need small rubber bands or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

If you’re on a budget, you may be thinking about choosing a do-it-yourself clear aligner treatment like SmileDirectClub™.  They usually cost around $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere between $3,000 to $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you paid for.

For instance, DIY aligners are often made of a cheap plastic that tends to break easily and will require replacement much sooner than anticipated. Meanwhile, Invisalign uses a patented material designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements.

There have also been reports of DIY aligners being ineffective. Some users claim that it worsened their dental misalignment, causing issues that need to be addressed by a professional anyways. With Invisalign, you can enjoy the personalized support of our team every step of the way. We’ll make sure your treatment is efficient, smooth sailing, and comfortable!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. If your policy applies, you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more. Of course, every plan is unique, which is why you should confirm the details with your insurance provider beforehand. Our team is more than happy to help with that step if needed!

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

We understand that not everyone has dental insurance. Fortunately, we’re here to help make your care as affordable as possible. At The Dental Spot of Collegeville, some of our additional financing options include:

• In-House Membership Plan – For one low annual fee, you can get the preventive dental care you need and enjoy sizable discounts on many other services, including Invisalign.
• CareCredit Financing – With this option, you don’t have to worry about paying for your entire treatment upfront. You can split up the total cost of your care into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. It helps make even the most expensive treatments fit any budget!
• Special Offers – We are currently offering a free Invisalign consultation for patients who are interested in getting a straighter smile! You can check our website monthly to view our current specials.

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

Invisalign is a reliable system that works for the vast majority of patients. While we typically won’t recommend Invisalign for children, it’s an excellent choice for teens and adults of all ages! As long as you are in good oral health, there’s a great chance that Invisalign could help you overcome your orthodontic issues. That being said, Invisalign is not right for everyone. Traditional braces are often a better, more effective choice for patients with more severe or complicated cases. The only way to know for sure if Invisalign is right for you is to come see us for a consultation!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on many important factors, including your age and the severity of your orthodontic problems. Additionally, how well you adhere to your treatment plan will influence how quickly you achieve results. If you don’t wear your aligners often enough or lose/break them frequently, you could add extra time (and money) to your treatment. During your routine Invisalign checkups, we’ll take a close look at the position of your teeth to ensure your plan is staying on track and your smile is shifting as anticipated. If needed, we may make minor adjustments to your treatment plan to help you achieve the best results. In general, most patients complete their Invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months.

Are Invisalign Results Permanent?

The idea is for your Invisalign results to be permanent; however, if you do not follow the instructions provided by your dentist, there is a chance that your teeth could shift out of alignment again. This is why wearing a retainer is necessary. It takes time for teeth to remain in their new location, so if you don’t have something to help with this process, they can easily move back and undo all your hard work.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Overall, numerous surveys show that the vast majority of patients consider Invisalign to be a more comfortable orthodontic treatment than metal braces. Traditional metal braces are notorious for their sharp and intrusive wires and brackets, which cause painful sores on the soft tissues in the mouth. Alternatively, Invisalign is crafted from a single piece of smooth, biocompatible plastic designed to glide comfortably past your cheeks, lips, and tongue.

What Should I Do If I Lose My Invisalign Trays?

It is always important to keep your previous set of aligners just in case you lose or damage one. Should you find yourself in this situation, make sure to call our office right away and alert us. After a quick review of your smile, we can determine if you should move forward to the next set in the series or if a new aligner needs to be created. By quickly reinserting your previous set of aligners, you can avoid more extensive delays in your treatment.

Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign?

Just like with any other orthodontic treatment, you will need to wear a retainer once you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment. These small appliances are key to ensuring your teeth don’t shift back out of place once you stop wearing your aligners. At first, you’ll likely wear your custom retainer every evening. Once we see that your teeth are becoming more stable in their new positions, we’ll guide you through a modified wear time, often 3-5 nights a week. Wearing your retainer faithfully after your treatment is the only way to ensure your newly straightened smile lasts as long as possible!

Can I Be Treated With Invisalign If I’ve Worn Braces in the Past?

This answer is different for each person. In most cases, yes, a person can wear Invisalign even if they previously wore metal braces. However, it ultimately depends on the state of your smile and if Invisalign is enough to fix the problem of overcrowding, gaps, or bite misalignment. Only a thorough consultation with our team at The Dental Spot will determine if you can expect great results with clear aligners, or if you require metal braces to once again fix the problem.