It’s an all-too-common scenario: You’re unhappy with your crooked or crowded teeth, but you simply can’t bring yourself to wear braces for the next several months. At Carlson Dental Group in Jacksonville, we have another way to help you overcome your orthodontic challenges without compromising your appearance. Invisalign is the perfect cosmetic-friendly solution for discreetly straightening your smile — no unsightly brackets or wires required! Call us today to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Carlson Dental Group for Invisalign?
Advanced Dental Technology
Team of Caring Dental Experts
Emphasis on Patient Comfort
How Invisalign Works
The treatment involves a series of thin, custom-made aligners made out of a patented plastic material. When worn, they slowly push the teeth toward their desired positions, with each set of aligners moving them ever closer to the goal.
You will wear each aligner for about two weeks before you transition to the next. You will visit us periodically throughout your treatment so we can monitor your progress. After you finish using all of your aligners, you should be the proud owner of a straighter, healthier smile.
Indications for Invisalign
Invisalign is able to correct most mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Here are some examples of problems that it is commonly used to address:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded, overlapping teeth can trap food between them, increasing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Fortunately, Invisalign (along with possible extractions) can shift your teeth so each one has the space it needs to function optimally.
Gaps Between Teeth
Extra space between the teeth might seem harmless or even cute. The reality, though, is that those gaps can leave your gums vulnerable to damage. Invisalign may be able to shift your teeth in a way that reduces the extra space, enabling you to enjoy a lower-risk, more attractive smile.
Bite Alignment
Overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite are a few types of malocclusion (bad bite) that can afflict patients. Your dentist might recommend Invisalign, along with special accessories, to adjust your bite. Treatment may result in an improved facial profile, a lower risk of TMD, and other oral health benefits.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Some noteworthy benefits of Invisalign include:
The aligners blend in so well in your mouth that they practically disappear, making it easy to smile confidently.
The smooth plastic aligners are much more comfortable and less prone to irritating the cheeks and gums than traditional braces.
Your aligners won’t get in the way of your favorite meals because they can be removed easily. You’ll also be able to brush and floss normally.
There are fewer appointments required for Invisalign since we don’t have to adjust any brackets or wires. We just need to check in with you every 4 to 6 weeks to confirm everything is going according to our plan.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Are you tired of hiding your misaligned teeth every time you speak, smile, or laugh? You may be thinking about getting Invisalign, especially after learning about its incredible benefits. However, you probably want to know how much your treatment will cost before committing to it. Since every patient is unique, it’s impossible to provide an accurate estimate until you come in for an exam. During your consultation, our team at Carlson Dental Group will explain which factors influence the total price so you know exactly what to expect.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Many factors influence the total cost of Invisalign in Jacksonville, such as:
The number of aligners needed to straighten your teeth. It depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Logically speaking, straightening both arches will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
Your treatment compliance. You’ll have to pay extra to replace an aligner you’ve lost.
Whether you need additional accessories. Some patients need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
If you’re on a budget, you may be eyeballing do-it-yourself aligner treatments like SmileDirectClub™. They usually cost about $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Of course, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
Let’s take a look at some notable differences between the two:
Material – The clear aligners from SmileDirectClub™ are typically made out of cheap plastic, while Invisalign uses a patented material designed for utmost comfort and efficient tooth movements.
Effectiveness – Some users claim that DIY clear aligners worsened their dental misalignment, causing issues that will need to be fixed by a professional anyway. Meanwhile, Invisalign has proven to be consistently successful.
Dental Supervision – DIY clear aligner therapy comes with little to no oversight from a dental professional, meaning plenty of things can go wrong throughout the treatment process. On the other hand, you can enjoy personalized support from our team when you choose Invisalign.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
The good news is that some dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. Using your benefits can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! Of course, it’s always a good idea to confirm the details of your policy with your insurance provider before moving forward with anything. Our team at Carlson Dental Group will be more than happy to help with that step if needed.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! We offer additional financing options to help make the total cost of Invisalign treatment much easier to cover. Some of those include:
CareCredit Financing – This option allows you to split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments. With flexible schedules and multiple low-to-no interest plans to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something that works best with your budget!
In-House Dental Membership Plan – For just one low flat fee, you can receive coverage for preventive dental care for the entire year and get a sizeable discount on other services like Invisalign.
Are you ready to begin your smile transformation? Give our office a call and schedule a consultation today! We’ll create a treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results in record time while keeping your expenses as low as possible.
Invisalign FAQs
Do you want to learn more about Invisalign before scheduling your first consultation or signing on the dotted line? Good news: our Jacksonville dental team is here to help! Below, we’ve responded to common questions about clear aligner treatment. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Then give us a call!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Hands down, one of the biggest concerns patients have is if the clear aligners will hurt. If you’ve been wondering the same thing, there’s good news: Invisalign is considerably more comfortable than traditional braces. In other words, while some soreness from the movement of your teeth is to be expected with any orthodontic treatment, clear trays are preferred by patients since they are custom made from smooth, high-quality materials – not metal brackets and wires.
It's also worth mentioning here that there are several ways you can address any soreness that does arise immediately following your transition to a new set of aligners. That includes avoiding hot foods, sipping on cool water, and taking an OTC pain reliever.
Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?
Over the years, you may have heard the rumor that Invisalign will give you a lisp. However, clear aligners wouldn’t be anywhere near as popular as they are today if they resulted in a permanent change to your speech. Furthermore, the large majority of patients surveyed shared that they didn’t experience an adjustment period at all! If you do find that your speaking patterns are slightly different, then it’s likely because your tongue needs some time to adjust to the presence of your aligners. To speed up the process, try practicing by reading out loud. Before you know it, the adjustment period will be over.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
If you eat with your aligners in, they will warp, discolor, and crack. That’s why it’s so important that you take them out before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, you don’t have to worry about any dietary restrictions! You can eat carrots, celery, apples, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables without worry.
Can You Still Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
Just like your teeth, your trays can discolor. For that reason, you need to remove your aligners before drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee, wine, and soda. This may seem like an inconvenience at first, but the last thing you want is for your once-clear aligners to turn yellow or brown.
Tip: drink your coffee with your breakfast or lunch to help meet the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The average Invisalign treatment timeline is 12-18 months. Of course, yours could be shorter or longer – it really depends on your unique smile. During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough oral exam to determine the complexity of your case and how many aligners you’ll need so we can provide you with a more precise estimate.
