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Invisalign – Millersville, MD

Straighter Smiles – No Metal Braces

If you opted out of braces as a teen, you may think that means you’re stuck with an uneven smile unless you want to deal with the hassles of traditional braces as an adult. Luckily, McCarl Dental Group of Millersville offers an alternative – Invisalign clear braces. Whether you’re an adult who doesn’t want to spend years with metal braces or a busy teen who can’t keep up with all the orthodontist appointments, Invisalign alignment tray orthodontics may be a better solution. Keep reading to learn more about the clear braces orthodontic process or call the McCarl Dental Group team to schedule a consultation to discuss Invisalign in Millersville.

Why Choose McCarl Dental Group for Invisalign Clear Braces?

  • Invisalign Certified Dentist
  • Fast, Convenient Smile Alignment Solution
  • Share Camera-Ready Smiles Throughout Treatment

What are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Still not sure Invisalign is a great solution for you? Explore some of the benefits of this orthodontic treatment option, including:

  • Share a beautiful smile throughout your treatment with nearly invisible aligners
  • Minimal hassle to clean, store, and switch aligner sets
  • Fewer trips to the dental office than are necessary for traditional braces
  • Reduced discomfort, especially for those with sensitivities to metal
  • Most treatment plans are completed within a year
  • No need to change your diet or oral hygiene routine

How does Invisalign Work?

Traditional braces adjust smile alignment by using brackets and wires to place pressure on individual teeth. Over time as the wires are adjusted to increase pressure, the top portion of the tooth shifts followed by the supportive tooth root structure. Once the tooth is adjusted, it is held in place by the braces and then the retainer as the supportive bone and soft tissue reattach and anchor the tooth in its ideal position. Invisalign trays move teeth in much the same way. Each set of alignment trays represents the position of the bite one step closer to the desired end result. As the patient wears the aligner, pressure is placed on teeth gently shifting them to their new position without the need for complicated, uncomfortable brackets and wires.

Types of Invisalign Treatment

The Invisalign company offers two treatment options – traditional Invisalign for adults and Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign for Adults

The traditional Invisalign system shifts smiles into alignment over the course of twelve months of treatment or less. Depending on the individual case, most people complete treatment with 20 to 30 sets of alignment trays (one every week on average). Depending on the individual circumstances, patients will only need to come into our office about every six to eight weeks for a quick checkup to ensure their smile is moving according to plan.

Invisalign Teen

For teens, Invisalign has a unique system that offers the same treatment technique with a few added features that help younger patients stay on track with their Invisalign treatment. Some of the added elements of Invisalign Teen include a few free replacement aligners and built-in tracking technology that allows dentists and parents to determine whether or not teens are wearing their aligners as directed.

How do I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?

With Invisalign, there’s no need to give up your favorite foods or change the way you brush and floss your teeth. Caring for your alignment trays only requires a few extra minutes during your daily oral hygiene routine and between meals. When you brush and floss your teeth, take a few minutes to brush your aligners as well. Whenever possible after a meal, we recommend taking the time to brush your teeth and the aligners. If you don’t have time to brush between meals, at least take a few minutes to rinse out your mouth and clean off your aligner trays with water after you eat. When you don’t have the alignment trays in your mouth, you should make sure to store the aligners in their carrying case to prevent them from being warped or broken. You should always use cool water when cleaning the alignment trays as warm water can cause the alignment tray to warp.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

It’s natural to look forward to the results you’ll achieve with Invisalign. These clear aligners offer a way to straighten your teeth without impacting your day-to-day appearance. It also makes daily life easier to manage because of its flexibility. But how much can you expect Invisalign to cost? Will it be covered by dental insurance, or should you expect to pay out of pocket for treatment? Find out more about the details associated with the financial side of Invisalign or call our office to learn more.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

There are several factors that must be considered when formulating an estimate for Invisalign:

  • One Arch or Both: The most common form of treatment is to wear aligners on both the upper and lower arches, but this is not always the case. It may be that you only need your top or bottom teeth fixed. Depending on how many you will need, you can expect the cost to be higher or lower.
  • Severity of Misalignment: Whether it is crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth that are causing the problem, the cost will also be based on how severe it is, as there may be additional orthodontic components needed to ensure positive results.
  • Treatment Timeframe: If your treatment takes longer than usual (i.e., 12-18 months), you can expect the cost will increase because you’ll need additional aligners.

Invisalign vs. Unsupervised Mail Order Liners: Which Costs More?

The idea of spending less on orthodontic treatment might sound appealing, but if you want to avoid causing additional problems and worsening symptoms, you’ll think twice before opting for a do-it-yourself solution.

Companies that do not provide supervision by a dental professional may offer a significantly lower price, but you will not receive any help when it comes to taking your impressions, scans and monitoring your progress. There are no orthodontists to go and see but instead a few virtual appointments.

With Invisalign, though, you can entrust your smile to professionals who are well-versed in administering this type of treatment and who can ensure that your results will be predictable. We’ll also monitor your progress so that if there are any changes required along the way, we address them before it has the chance to ruin your smile.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance companies will agree to pay for this type of orthodontic coverage, but that is not always the case. You should check with your company to find out if you’re covered. If not, you’ll need to see if you can apply for a separate plan that includes orthodontics. No matter the result, you can count on our team to help you navigate the financial side of Invisalign so that you get the most out of your benefits.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If private dental insurance is not something that you have, you can apply for interest-free financing through CareCredit. This makes it easy to pay off your treatment over time instead of paying the entire bill upfront. As a third-party financier, they offer no surprise fees and low-interest or no-interest payment plans based on your needs and eligibility.

Invisalign FAQs

If you’re ready to do something about your misaligned smile, you won’t regret choosing Invisalign in Millersville. Our team at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice understands that although you may be eager to start the process, you likely have many questions about Invisalign and what life will be like throughout treatment. Fortunately, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions that you can review before meeting with our team. Feel free to take a look and if you don’t see yours listed, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Does Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?

If you’ve worn metal braces before, or you know someone who has undergone orthodontic treatment, you may be worried that your Invisalign aligners will hurt. Unlike metal brackets and wires that are forcibly tightened, Invisalign causes minimal discomfort. First, there are no protruding pieces of metal to rub against your soft tissues because Invisalign is made of smooth plastic. Second, while there will be some soreness because of your tooth movement, this can be remedied with an over-the-counter pain reliever and should dissipate in a few days.

Are There Certain Foods I Can Eat During Treatment?

One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign is that you can eat all your favorite foods! There are virtually no food restrictions when choosing this type of orthodontic treatment. Metal braces can make it difficult to eat some of the foods you love because of how easy it is for small pieces to get stuck in your brackets and wires; however, with Invisalign, you’re required to remove your trays before eating. This makes it easy to enjoy meals and worry less about the impact it has on your braces.

Can I Expect Invisalign to Change the Way I Talk?

You will notice that initially, your voice will sound a bit different. You’ll likely develop a slight lisp, but this will quickly go away the more you practice talking. Remember, the oral structures inside your mouth (i.e., your tongue, cheeks, lips, and teeth) must adjust to these new objects (your trays). As you begin to speak or even read aloud, you’ll find that it becomes easier to say certain words, syllables, or phrases. In just a few weeks, you can expect that you’ll sound more like your normal self.

Can I Wear Invisalign if I’ve Had Metal Braces Before?

In most cases, patients who previously wore metal braces can undergo Invisalign treatment. The choice, however, is up to our team at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice. We will need to evaluate your current oral health to determine if the shift in your teeth and/or bite is significant enough. If we find that Invisalign will not produce the kind of results you need, you’ll likely be required to return to metal braces. However, if your teeth or bite have shifted only slightly, there is a good chance that you’ll be cleared to receive clear aligners.

Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

In the early days of Invisalign treatment, it was only recommended for mild orthodontic treatment like correcting slightly uneven tooth spacing, but as the materials and techniques have been improved over the years, Invisalign clear braces can treat almost any case, including over, under, and crossbite. During your consultation visit, we will examine your smile and help you determine whether or not Invisalign is the right option for your smile.