Cost of Invisalign

How much does Invisalign or clear aligner cost?

Invisalign is a wonderful new technology that allows an orthodontist to straighten your teeth without traditional braces.

Most people have probably heard the word, “Invisalign,” seen advertisements, or know someone who has had Invisalign. So, I’ll highlight what it is, how it works, how you can wear it, and how to know if you’re a candidate for the treatment.

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What is Invisalign? How does it Work?

Invisalign is a clear plastic tray that molds to your teeth. Typically, an impression is taken and sent to Invisalign headquarters, where a computer model of your teeth is generated. Then, based on our prescription, Invisalign generates a finished model of the teeth and shows how the teeth will progress each week toward the final treatment stage. We make tweaks to ensure the teeth move exactly how they’re prescribed. Then, Invisalign fabricates a series of clear aligners to incrementally move your teeth. This could range from five to 50 aligners, depending on the complexity of the case.

Each aligner moves your teeth about .3 millimeters, which isn’t much when you think about it. But, when you’re dealing with teeth, .3 millimeters is significant. You wear each aligner for about two weeks, 20-22 hours per day. You take them out to brush, eat, and for special occasions and functions.

How to Properly Care for your Invisalign Trays?

*  Don’t eat anything with your Invisalign trays in because they can crack and break if you put a lot of force and pressure on them.

*  Only drink clear liquids while wearing Invisalign trays. If you’re constantly sipping on a drink, use a straw to avoid taking your trays in and out and avoid strains.

*  Avoid eating and snacking on sugary foods and putting the Invisalign trays back in your mouth, because the food, plaque and sugary substance can get trapped between the trays and the teeth.

Invisalign’s Technological Advances

Invisalign has come a long way in the last five to 10 years. Initially, it was more a treatment for correcting minor conditions that might have relapsed. This appealed to people who had prior treatment, didn’t wear their retainers, and needed minor tweaks. This also included people who just had one tooth bothering them. Treatment was 50 percent to twice as long with the Invisalign trays. Now the material has changed so treatment is as fast with Invisalign as braces. Invisalign is pre-fabricated, so you know exactly what you’re going to get and how long you’ll wear them. Also, due to technological advances, Invisalign is used to treat almost any case that braces can treat.

A Patient’s Experience with Invisalign

A teacher came in who had wanted to fix her teeth for a long time. She’d seen dentists over the years, who said she was a candidate for Invisalign but others said she wasnt’. She didn’t want normal braces, especially since she taught middle-school students. Unfortunately, one of her students actually made fun of her teeth one day. So, she came in to see if there was something she could do about her teeth, hoping she could get Invisalign. I assured her Invisalign would be a great option for her. She opted for the Invisalign treatment and is progressing wonderfully. She’s already talking about how her smile has changed and how she looks forward to showing her students the Invisalign trays.

Invisalign is truly a great alternative for people like the teachers who want their teeth straightened, but don’t want metal braces. If you want Invisalign to straighten your teeth, then call Beecroft Orthodontics today.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr Fredericksburg , Virginia Phone: 540-898-2200

Cost of Invisalign 

Hidden Braces - A More Aesthetic & Convenient Alternative

How much will behind-the-teeth braces cost the average patient?

When two people meet for the first time, what’s the first thing they notice about each other?

According to a study by “USA Today,” the number one response was, “their teeth.”

This may catch you by surprise but teeth even came before eyes, hair and other features you would think people would notice right away.

I think a lot of people are conscious about their teeth and their smiles. And, a lot of people want to do something to correct their teeth, but may not want traditional braces. They may have looked into clear aligners, like Invisalign and may have been told by a dentist or orthodontist they aren't perfect candidates for them. There could be some other reasons that they might not want Invisalign. One good alternative may be lingual braces or braces behind the teeth.

This technology has been around for many years, but just recently started to improve to the point where it can produce same results as the braces on the front of the teeth can produce.

So, let’s look at five things you may or may not know about lingual braces or braces that go behind the teeth.

Five things to know about braces that go behind the teeth or lingual braces

1.) They’re completely invisible. Nobody will have any idea you are wearing them. Even Invisalign, which is aesthetic, has a glassy shine. Moreover, if you are wearing Invisalign and speaking to someone in an one-to-one conversation, he or she is probably going to notice transparent teeth tray in your mouth. But with lingual braces, no one will know about them unless you show them.

2.) They’re custom made. Each individual brace that goes on each individual tooth is made to fit that specific tooth. They are made to fit your teeth and tend to get great results. They are individually crafted for your mouth and your smile.

3.) The wires used with lingual braces are robotically made. They’re custom made for your mouth and your specific treatment. With braces in front of the teeth, the wires are generic and there may be some bending and adjustments by the orthodontist near the end of treatment. This is not necessary with lingual braces because the treatment has been pre-planned and the wires have been pre-made by robots at a factory.

4.) There’s an adjustment period. Now, if you can imagine what braces look like and imagine having them on the inside of your teeth, it does beat your tongue up a little bit. For two weeks, it’s going to be really bad. You've just got to expect that and want them enough to go through that adjustment period. They will also affect your speech much more than traditional braces and Invisalign. But, we found within that timeframe, speech goes back to normal. After you get through those two weeks, they’re the same as normal braces. Your body just reacts to them, adjusts to them, and then they feel normal.

5.) They don’t cost much more than traditional aesthetic braces or the Invisalign treatment. They’re custom made, robotically bent and fantastic, but do they cost much more? Interestingly, they don’t.

So, are these braces for you? One of our patients, a junior in high school, was looking for an aesthetic solution to his crooked teeth but didn't want metal braces. When he saw lingual braces on working models in the office, he was convinced they were for him. He knew there would be an adjustment period and he was okay with it. He’s about three months into treatment and absolutely loves them. The funny thing is that even though he didn't want anyone to notice he had braces initially, he tells everyone he sees.

So, if you've been thinking about braces but wanted the most aesthetic solution possible, lingual braces may also be for you. Meet Dr. Matt Beecroft to discuss your case today.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg , Virginia Phone: 540-898-2200

 Hidden Braces - A More Aesthetic & Convenient Alternative  

No Pain, No Gain

How much do braces hurt?

If you've ever thought about getting braces, one of the first questions that probably popped into your mind was: How much would it hurt?

Without a doubt and without fail, that question is always on patients’ minds. So, let’s look at what you can expect and how to deal with any potential soreness or discomfort that may come along.

The actual placement of braces and appliances shouldn't hurt. Now, you've probably been to the dentist, and know it’s not always comfortable having him work in your mouth. At the orthodontist, you’re mouth will be open with some cotton rolls in it, which may be a little uncomfortable but shouldn't be painful. We don’t work with needles or drills. Rest assured, we shy away from anything that will hurt during the procedure.

However, after getting the braces, you may experience some soreness and discomfort. Your lips will feel the little bumps on your teeth and your cheeks will get beat up a bit, too. This is all normal. Usually the adjustment period is five to seven days for the lips and cheeks to toughen up and get used to the braces. We recommend balling up a little piece of wax and placing it on the individual braces poking you. This often alleviates the pain. We have a video on our website to show you how to use the wax:

Note: You can also experience tooth soreness in the evening and into the next morning. This may be the biggest hurdle.

Typically, tooth soreness lasts longer after the first appointment than it will for any other appointment. Three to seven days of tooth soreness is normal after getting braces, according to patients.  But, you can minimize the tooth soreness with over-the-counter pain medication, whether it’s Ibuprofen or Tylenol. We often advise patients to take the medicine before the soreness sets in, so it will be in their systems.

Studies have also shown that pressure on the teeth helps alleviate soreness. We have little bite wafers you can use to alleviate the soreness. Interestingly, a recent study cites chewing sugarless gum after you get braces can also help alleviate soreness. Talk to your orthodontist to see what he recommends you. Some orthodontists advise staying away from chewing gum when you have braces.

So, how much do braces hurt? You can expect some soreness at first, but it’s really all about getting adjusted to them. Call Beecroft Orthodontics for first consultation today.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr Fredericksburg , VirginiaPhone: 540-898-2200

No Pain, No Gain