Orthodontics – Leesburg, VA

Crowded Teeth

When teeth are crowded and overlapping, they can negatively impact the appearance and health of your smile. Overcrowded teeth can also increase your risk of developing cavities or grinding your teeth, therefore resulting in premature wear and tear. The good news is that Invisalign can gently guide your teeth into the proper position and effectively correct crowding.

Gaps Between Teeth

If teeth are spaced too far apart, they can have a negative impact on your oral health, making it difficult to floss and brush thoroughly. It can also affect your bite and speech patterns. Invisalign can be used to correct gapped teeth.

Overbite

An overbite is when the top teeth come too far out from the lower arch of teeth. Overbites can cause you to experience jaw pain, speech problems, uneven dental wear, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. This issue can also result in the top teeth being exposed, increasing your chances of injuring them.

Underbite

An underbite describes when the bottom teeth go slightly passed or match with the top row of teeth when you close your mouth. This can result from multiple different factors, including genetics, jaw injury, and non-nutritive habits, like thumb sucking and pacifier use too late into childhood. A lot of the time, patients with underbites need to use rubber bandings and other attachments in addition to their clear aligners. This helps to address the bite and shift the lower arch into the proper position.

Crossbite

When the bottom teeth are slightly in front of the upper arch, this is called a “crossbite.” It is usually a result of genetics or premature loss of baby teeth. When left untreated, crossbites can result in a variety of issues, like increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, speech difficulties, headaches, teeth grinding, and facial asymmetry. Invisalign can correct this issue in most circumstances.

Open Bite

When the top teeth and bottom teeth aren’t overlapping or touching at all when you close your mouth, this is known as an “open bite.” Most of the time, this is due to poor bone development or nonnutritive habits, like prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use. An open bite can also lead to difficulty pronouncing certain sounds and words. It can also result in excessive enamel wear on the back teeth. Invisalign can bring the top and bottom teeth together, correcting the bite patterns and reducing additional damage.

No Soft Tissue Irritation

While traditional braces have brackets and wires that can protrude from teeth and rub against soft oral tissues, Invisalign does not! Instead, the aligners are custom-made from smooth materials that pose no threat to your cheeks, lips, gums, or tongue. In other words, your teeth-straightening journey will be considerably more comfortable if you choose Invisalign clear aligners.

Faster Results

Although not always the case, Invisalign can often be completed in just 12-18 months. In fact, there are some patients who work through their series of aligners in as little as six months, which isn’t long at all. This is much quicker than with traditional braces, which can take 2-3 years to complete. So, if you want a straight smile for an upcoming event, like your wedding, Invisalign is the way to go!

No Dietary Restrictions

One downside of traditional braces is that you can’t eat whole apples, popcorn, or any other crunchy foods since there’s a good chance it will cause a bracket or wire to break. In contrast, there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign because you can remove your trays before eating or drinking (unless it is water). In other words, you can enjoy all the foods you love during your orthodontic treatment!

Fewer Check-In Visits

Monthly adjustment appointments are quite common with Invisalign. Naturally, this isn’t ideal for busy students, parents, and professionals, which is why so many of them don’t pursue orthodontic treatment, even if they want to. The good news is that Invisalign works a bit differently and, as a result, there are fewer check-in visits. In fact, most patients only come in every six or eight weeks!

Hassle-Free Oral Hygiene

Trouble brushing and flossing with traditional braces is quite common. That’s why special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes, were created. Don’t worry – you don’t need to buy any fancy dental care products with Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, all you have to do is take them off first! Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like you normally do.

Virtually Invisible Trays

Of course, Invisalign is widely loved for another reason: the aligners are virtually invisible. So, you don’t have to deal with “metal mouth” during your orthodontic treatment. Many patients share that even those closest to them – from their long-time friends to the co-workers they see every day – don’t notice the trays, which is a testament to just how discreet they really are!

Wearing Your Trays

To ensure your Invisalign treatment stays on track, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 20–22 hours each day. While this leaves a couple of hours for meals, cleaning, and other activities, that time can go by quickly. Using tools like the Invisalign app with a built-in timer can help you stay mindful of your wear time and maintain consistent progress throughout your treatment.

Cleaning Your Aligners

One of Invisalign’s greatest advantages is its discreetness, but that means keeping your aligners clean is essential. After removing your trays, rinse them with water before putting them back in to avoid buildup. Additionally, clean them thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush after every meal. For an extra boost of cleanliness, soak your trays in a glass of water with cleaning crystals. This routine will ensure your aligners stay clear, hygienic, and comfortable to wear.

Eating & Drinking

One major perk of Invisalign is that you don’t have to give up your favorite foods or drinks. Simply remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. This prevents staining or damaging the trays and helps you maintain good oral hygiene. Always store your aligners in a protective case while eating to keep them safe from accidental loss or damage. To preserve their discreet appearance, consider limiting highly pigmented beverages like coffee or red wine.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

While losing or damaging an aligner can be frustrating, it’s not a disaster. If this happens, contact our office right away. Depending on your situation, we may order a replacement or advise you to move to the next aligner in your set. Being proactive and addressing the issue quickly will minimize any disruption to your treatment plan.

Routine Check-Ins

Invisalign treatment requires periodic visits to our office, typically every 4–8 weeks, depending on your plan. These check-ins are brief (usually around 15 minutes) and allow us to monitor your progress, provide your next set of aligners, and make any necessary adjustments. These appointments are crucial for ensuring your treatment stays on track and that you’re making steady progress toward your ideal smile.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

As mentioned above, Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment tailored completely to your unique dental needs and smile goals. So, the cost of Invisalign in Leesburg will depend largely on how many clear aligners are needed, if any preliminary treatments are necessary beforehand, and how well you follow all of the “rules,” like wearing your trays for 20-22 hours each day.

Invisalign vs. DIY Aligners: Which Costs More?

Upfront, the cost of DIY aligners is lower, coming in at around $2,000. While that may initially seem like a perk, it’s important to remember that there is no room for error when it comes to your smile. Plus, DIY aligners are often comprised of cheap plastic, sometimes lead to unwanted movement, and don’t include supervision from a trained professional. So, you may end up spending more money in the long run trying to get the results you truly desire. In short, Invisalign often comes with a higher price tag, but it’s well worth it.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

In some cases, yes! While some plans don’t include any orthodontic coverage, others include a once-in-a-lifetime provision. As a result, you might end up lowering your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more by utilizing your dental insurance benefits! Don’t worry – our team will help you along the way to ensure understanding the cost is straightforward.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Uninsured? That’s okay! Dental insurance isn’t the only way to make Invisalign in Leesburg more affordable. We’re happy to welcome CareCredit and Sunbit financing. These third-party lender allow patients to break up the cost of their treatment into monthly chunks. Plus, there is often little-to-no interest attached! In fact, Sunbit has an over 90% approval rate! Otherwise, we have an in-house membership plan that allows you to enjoy significant savings without the red tape, annual maximums, and deductibles. If either of these options sounds like a good fit, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team so we can help you get started.