Clear Aligners for a Straight Smile
The word orthodontics typically calls to mind an image of an adolescent with metal brackets and wires on their teeth. Today, Invisalign is changing the way that people think about orthodontic treatment. Using clear, comfortable alignment trays, the Invisalign system makes it easy for patients of all ages to achieve their ideal smiles. The Dental Center of Jacksonville team is proud to be a trusted Invisalign orthodontic treatment provider. If you want to learn more about Invisalign or find out whether or not you’re a candidate, contact our team to schedule your orthodontic consultation with a dentist in Jacksonville today.
Who Should Consider Invisalign?
Any teen or adult who wants to straighten their teeth without metal brackets and wires should consider Invisalign. Innovations in the technology and treatment planning mean we can now use Invisalign for even advanced alignment concerns like over, under, and crossbite. Some patients who could benefit from Invisalign orthodontics include:
- Busy patients who can’t fit frequent trips to the orthodontist into their schedules
- Patients with allergies or sensitivities to metal
- Adults who want to maintain a professional image
- Adults who previously had orthodontic treatment as teens and need retreatment due to teeth shifting over time
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic alignment trays to shift teeth into their ideal alignment over the course of about twelve months of treatment. Each set of alignment trays represents the smile one step closer to the desired end result. Patients wear their aligners for about two weeks at a time. Then, they switch to the next set in the series. Every six weeks to two months, patients will visit our office, so we can check the progress of their smiles to ensure they are in line with their treatment plan. During these visits, we can adjust the plan to help patients get their flawless smiles quickly.
Benefits of Invisalign Orthodontics
Patients who choose to proceed with Invisalign orthodontic treatment can expect to experience a number of benefits including:
- Saved time – with a shorter overall treatment time and fewer office appointment, Invisalign saves patients countless hours compared with traditional orthodontics
- Cosmetic appearance – you will look and feel your best throughout the course of treatment
- No hassle – you can remove your aligners during meals and while cleaning teeth, so there’s no need to worry about changing your diet or oral hygiene routine
- Comfortable – patients report experiencing significantly less discomfort with Invisalign compared with traditional braces
Call to schedule a consult to find out if Invisalign is right for you.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Many older teens and adults are hesitant to undergo orthodontic treatment because they don’t want to deal with a mouth full of metal wires and brackets. Well, the good news is that those days are far in the past. Invisalign is a discreet and comfortable way to achieve a straighter, healthier smile in record time. Before committing to treatment, you likely want to know what your overall cost will be. Since every smile is unique, the total cost of Invisalign in Jacksonville will vary from patient to patient. During your consultation, our team at Dental Center of Jacksonville will be more than happy to provide you with an accurate estimate based on your unique case!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Several factors can influence the total price of Invisalign in Jacksonville, including:
- Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than just straightening one the other.
- The number of aligners needed to straighten your teeth. This will depend on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
- Your treatment compliance. You’ll need to pay for a replacement aligner if you lose one.
- Whether or not you require additional accessories. You might need elastics (small rubber bands) or other accessories for successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Patients who are on a budget may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner treatments like SmileDirectClub™. They’ve become increasingly popular in recent years because they claim to be an affordable way to correct misaligned teeth. SmileDirectClub™ usually runs around $2,000 while Invisalign may cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you paid for.
With SmileDirectClub™, you’ll have little to no supervision from a dental professional. That means plenty of things can go wrong throughout the process, resulting in issues that will need to be corrected by a professional anyways.
On the other hand, you can enjoy the trusted oversight of our team at Dental Center of Jacksonville when you choose to undergo Invisalign treatment. Best of all, we provide professionally made and highly accurate impressions for a smoother, more successful treatment process overall. Many people find that the total cost of Invisalign is worth every penny!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
It depends! Some dental insurance plans do offer coverage for Invisalign, but there are a few that don’t. That’s why you should always confirm the details of your policy with an insurance provider before committing to a treatment plan. If needed, our team will be more than happy to help you understand your coverage and use it to your greatest advantage.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
We understand that not everyone has dental insurance, which is why we offer additional financing options to help make your bills much easier to manage. That includes:
- CareCredit Financing – This option allows you to split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. There are several low-to-no interest plans to choose from, meaning you’re guaranteed to find something that works best with your budget!
- In-Office Payment Plan – Patients can spread the cost of their treatment over four months with no interest payments.
Are you ready to start your Invisalign journey? Give our office a call today! We’ll explain your financing options and do everything possible to keep your total expenses as low as possible.
Invisalign FAQs
Understanding how Invisalign in Jacksonville works and the benefits this treatment comes with is an important first step in determining whether this smile-transforming option is right for you. After all, doing your research before committing to treatment can help you have a smooth, enjoyable experience from start to finish. With this in mind, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions below. If you would prefer to speak directly with our team or are ready to schedule your initial consultation, then don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Although Invisalign’s approach is innovative in a number of ways, it is similar to traditional braces in one aspect: the trays are designed to exert enough pressure on your teeth to gradually move them into an entirely new position. So, you can expect some soreness and discomfort throughout treatment, particularly in the hours after transitioning to a new set of aligners. With that being said, Invisalign trays are designed with comfort in mind and don’t use any metal brackets and wires, making them much more preferable than the alternatives.
What’s the Difference Between Invisalign and Mail-Order Braces?
The social media ads and commercials put forth by mail-order braces companies would have you believe their product is safe, effective, and an obvious choice for your wallet. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is the treatment they provide not monitored by a licensed professional, but the impressions and treatment leave a lot of room for error. Ultimately, the damage it can wreak on your smile can cost you more, emotionally and financially, in the short and long term. Simply put, trust your smile to the professionals the first time.
How Should I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?
To keep your aligners clear and intact, it is important to prioritize their care. To start, make sure to always remove them before eating or drinking anything (with the exception of water). Next, rinse them thoroughly when taking them out or before putting them back in place. You should also clean the trays daily with an Invisalign-friendly cleaner, which will help keep them free of plaque, food particles, and debris. Finally, place them in a durable case anytime you remove them. This will prevent them from being misplaced or breaking altogether.
Will I Need a Retainer After Invisalign Treatment?
Yes! To preserve your hard-earned results and lock your new and improved smile in place, it is essential that you wear a retainer following your treatment. Neglecting to do so can cause your teeth to shift back into their previous position, rendering the time and money spent on Invisalign useless. Therefore, make sure to wear them as instructed and get in touch with our team right away if they sustain damage or get misplaced. From there, we can take the appropriate next steps to have it repaired or replaced.