Invisalign – Raleigh, NC
A Metal-Free Smile-Straightening Solution
Do you get frustrated when you see your smile in the mirror? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans are unhappy with their teeth and in many cases, it’s because they’re crowded or misaligned. Fortunately, you no longer have to deal with metal wires and brackets to get the straight grin you’ve always wanted from your dentist in Raleigh . With Invisalign, you can discreetly and comfortably move your teeth into proper alignment. If you’d like to find out whether a metal-free smile-straightening solution is right for you, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Why Choose Barker, Rohner and Hunt DMD For Invisalign?
- Insurance Accepted & In-House Dental Plan
- Count On A Talented Trio Of Dentists
- Advanced Technology For Precise Results
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired positions. Each set of trays is worn for a predetermined amount of time, usually about two weeks. One significant advantage of Invisalign is that you don’t need to visit our office as often as you would with traditional braces. You just need to come to see us every six weeks or so to pick up your new aligners and ensure everything is going according to plan.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Conversations around Invisalign often center on how discreet the aligners are. However, that’s not the only reason they are so popular; they can also correct multiple orthodontic issues! At your consultation, we will conduct a comprehensive exam, learn about your dental history, and ask you a few questions about your smile goals to determine if Invisalign is right for you. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic of who clear aligners can help.
Crowded Teeth
Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, it’s important that you explore your orthodontic treatment options as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be difficult to brush and floss, which increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It’s also worth noting that crowded teeth can get worse over time, so you should schedule an appointment with us sooner rather than later.
Gaps Between Teeth
Having gaps between your teeth doesn’t just affect your appearance – it has an impact on your oral health as well. After all, gaps allow for food and bacteria to become trapped between the teeth which can increase your risk of common oral health problems, like cavities. Luckily, Invisalign can gently bring your teeth closer together in the dental arch and minimize the open space – without any metal too!
Overbite
Although your upper teeth should sit in front of your lower ones, they shouldn’t protrude far beyond them. If they do, then numerous complications can arise – from trouble enunciating clearly and chewing properly to chronic jaw pain. Over the years, Invisalign has helped countless patients with this orthodontic problem. So, if you have an overbite, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us!
Underbite
Your bottom teeth sitting in front of your top teeth might not seem like much of an issue. However, it can cause speech issues or tooth damage due to uneven pressure. Plus, your temporomandibular joints will feel strained over time as well. This can be painful to the point that it significantly impacts your quality of life, which is why we recommend contacting us ASAP to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.
Crossbite
If some of your top teeth sit in front of your bottom teeth, and some of your bottom teeth sit in front of your top teeth, then you likely have a crossbite. The uneven pressure can lead to several problems, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth and jaw pain. Fortunately, Invisalign can address common bite problems like these if they aren’t too severe.
Open Bite
If your upper and lower teeth don’t come together because there is space in the front or back of your mouth, then you might have an open bite. This bite problem is often the result of genetics or a childhood habit, like sucking your thumb. Fortunately, orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, can be used in tandem with clear aligners, allowing patients with even more moderate cases to get Invisalign.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Are you interested in learning why more than 18 million people have chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign? If so, this next section is for you! Below, we’re covering a few of the many benefits of this discreet orthodontic treatment, starting with the fact that the aligners are considerably more comfortable than traditional metal braces.
No Soft Tissue Irritation
As you know, there aren’t any metal brackets and wires with Invisalign. Instead, clear aligners are used to guide your teeth into their proper positions, which are made from smooth, low-profile plastic. As a result, they are one of the most comfortable orthodontic options available. Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, the only soreness you’ll experience is from the movement of your teeth, and that’s temporary!
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
If you’ve had braces in the past, or you know someone who did, then you know that it typically takes two or three years to get the desired results. Conversely, the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is just 12-18 months. If your case of malocclusion is mild, you may even work through your series of trays in just six or eight months! If you want to get an idea of the time you would need to invest in the teeth-straightening process, give us a call!
Virtually Undetectable Aligners
Of course, one of the most well-known benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are virtually invisible. In fact, even the people you see every day, like your coworkers or family members, won’t notice you’re wearing an orthodontic appliance unless they know what to look for. So, if you are a teenager, you’re in a career where your smile is front-and-center, or you’re simply a parent who doesn’t want to wear metal braces, ask us about Invisalign!
Hassle-Free Dental Hygiene
One downside of traditional braces that patients often don’t consider initially is that it’s difficult to clean around the brackets and wires. That’s not the case with Invisalign! The aligners are removable, so you don’t have to adopt a time-consuming dental care regimen or buy special oral hygiene tools with Invisalign. Simply take your aligners out first – that will be the only change to your routine (outside of brushing your teeth after lunch and any snacks you have, of course).
Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods
If you love to snack on apples, popcorn, celery, and other crunchy foods, then getting traditional braces can be a bit of an adjustment. After all, you can’t eat any sticky, crunchy, or hard snacks; this helps prevent a bracket or wire from breaking. The good news is that Invisalign aligners are removable, so you don’t have to eliminate any foods from your diet! Just do your best to focus on adding lots of nutrient-dense meals to your plate and keeping sugary and starchy foods to a minimum.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Since no two smiles are exactly alike, there isn’t a set price for Invisalign in Raleigh. Your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your orthodontic issues and whether you wear your aligners often enough. During your initial consultation with our dentist, he will be able to give you a better idea of how much your treatment will cost. We will also review all your payment options and discuss which dental insurance we accept to help make achieving your new smile as affordable as possible.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Raleigh, many factors can affect the final price. Some of those include:
- Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. This often depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
- The number of aligners you need. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
- Your treatment compliance. You may have to pay more than expected if you lose an aligner or fail to stick to your treatment plan.
- Whether you need additional accessories. Depending on your case, you may need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub™: Which Costs More?
Patients on a budget may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner therapy like SmileDirectClub™ to cut back on expenses. It typically costs around $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
DIY clear aligners like SmileDirectClub™ often come with little-to-no dental supervision. Because of that, plenty of things can go wrong, resulting in issues that will need to be addressed by a professional anyway. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the trusted oversight of our experienced team throughout your entire Invisalign journey. Plus, Invisalign clear aligners are made from a patented material designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements, which means you can enjoy a smoother, more successful treatment process!
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, it 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 of your coverage with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with this step if needed!
What’s holding you back from getting a straighter smile? Give us a call today and schedule your consultation to meet with your Invisalign dentist in Raleigh!
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign aligners have been straightening people’s smiles for around two decades at this point, but they’re still a relatively new orthodontic treatment. Given that most people don’t spend their time keeping up with the latest developments in dentistry, you’d be forgiven for not knowing much about Invisalign aligners.
If you want to learn more, here are answers to some common questions we get about this treatment.
What Do Invisalign Aligners Look Like?
Invisalign aligners are made of a clear, sleek plastic that makes them remarkably hard to detect when they’re actually worn. While you may have heard that before, it can be hard to believe just how discreet they really are until you see them.
Some patients need attachments that can be a little bit more visible, but even these are typically tooth-colored and blend in well with the smile.
What Do I Do If My Invisalign is Broken?
Invisalign aligners are durable, but they can break in certain circumstances. If it’s a very tiny fracture we might like to hear about it, but you could still be able to wear your aligner so long as you’re careful when putting it on.
In the case of more severe damage, we may have you either move back to your previous set while we order you a replacement, or move you up to the next set prematurely. In either case, you should tell us immediately if your Invisalign aligners is broken—never try to fix your aligner on your own.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
You shouldn’t eat or drink anything other than water while wearing your aligners. This can lead to damage or discoloration of your trays.
One of the nice things about Invisalign aligners is that they’re removable, meaning that so long as you take them out beforehand, you can eat just about anything you want. Just be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly before putting them back on.
Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?
When they first get their trays, it’s common for patients to have a little bit of trouble speaking comfortably while wearing them. This is usually because the aligners affect the ability for the tongue to move freely within the mouth.
Thankfully, the lisp should be minor and you should be able to adapt to it easily. You might want to set aside a little bit of time to practice speaking or reading aloud. So long as you’re patient, you should be able to talk normally pretty quickly.
