Invisalign Braces near Portland, ME
A Subtle Way to Straighten Smiles
If you have misaligned teeth, you may have been putting off correcting your smile because of noticeable and uncomfortable traditional braces. This lengthy process is not only permanent, but its brackets and wires are simply unattractive. Thankfully, at Casco bay Smiles, Dr. Rob McVety offers Invisalign clear braces as a way to get the smile of your dreams in comfort and confidence. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Invisalign treatment and how you can benefit from it.
Why Choose Casco Bay Smiles for Invisalign Clear Braces?
- Personalized and professional treatment plan
- State-of-the-art digital impressions
- Dramatic, lasting, and life-changing results
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign treatment involves the use of a series of clear plastic aligning trays to gradually shift your teeth into position. Dr. McVety will take special impressions and images of your mouth to develop your personalized treatment plan. Once your aligners are fabricated, you’ll wear each tray for about 2 weeks. Then, you’ll switch out your aligners for the next trays in the series. This gradual process creates beautiful and lasting results.
You will wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours a day to keep your treatment on schedule, so you should only remove your Invisalign to eat and perform oral healthcare. On average, this process lasts between 10 and 18 months, but the length of time will vary based on the severity of your misalignment and how committed you are to your treatment plan.
Invisalign Teen
Teens are more concerned about their appearance than anyone, so when it comes time to straighten out their smile, they’re often drawn to Invisalign treatment. That’s why there’s Invisalign Teen, a clear aligner treatment that’s designed with the needs of adolescents in mind.
We’ll be able to tell you more whether this treatment is right for your teen when we meet you in person, but here’s what you should know in the meantime about this treatment.
How is Invisalign Teen Different?
One of the main benefits of Invisalign is the freedom that its removability affords you. However, teens in particular often have a problem with wearing their aligners often enough to get the most out of them.
Invisalign Teen features small blue “compliance” dots on the aligners that slowly fade away over time as they’re worn. If these dots are present, it’s a way for your teenager to know that they ought to wear their clear aligners more often.
Otherwise, Invisalign teen is similar to traditional Invisalign. Your teen will wear a series of progressively tighter aligners in order to slowly move the teeth into place.
Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?
Even with the help of compliance dots, it’s still ultimately up to your teen whether they wear their Invisalign as often as they need to. This means that the treatment is ideal for patients who are responsible enough to adhere to the necessary guidelines.
Invisalign is also much more subtle than traditional braces, making them an excellent option for more image-conscious patients. They also tend to be more comfortable to wear and allow for greater liberty in what you’re able to eat.
It’s important to note that Invisalign can’t solve every issue, so we’ll be able to tell your child whether clear aligners can help them when we meet you in person.
The Benefits of Invisalign Teen
Teens in particular can benefit a lot from what Invisalign has to offer. They tend to be especially image-conscious, which makes the subtle nature of clear aligners incredibly appealing.
The removability of Invisalign can also be beneficial for young athletes or musicians who might otherwise have problems with their orthodontics. Invisalign is easy to clean and also requires fewer checkups, which means that your busy teen won’t have to take time out of their day to care for their orthodontics.
If you want to know more about whether this treatment is right for your teen, feel free to make an appointment for a consultation with us today!
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
The main benefit of Invisalign is the discreetness it provides while straightening your teeth. This allows you to navigate through your personal and professional lives without the self-consciousness of noticeable braces in your mouth. Additionally, Invisalign fits snugly and comfortably in your mouth. The trays are made out of smooth plastic, so you won’t have to worry about brackets and wires cutting and catching the inside of your mouth.
Another advantage that Invisalign treatment has is that the aligners are completely removeable. This allows you to eat all of your favorite foods without having to deal with debris caught in your braces. Also, you won’t have to change your oral healthcare routine to maneuver around permanent brackets and wires.
Lastly, Invisalign typically takes a shorter amount of time to complete than braces and it requires less trips to our dental office. Traditional braces take between 2 and 3 years to complete with monthly orthodontic visits for adjustments.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
No matter where you are in the Invisalign decision-making process, it can be helpful to know more about what life will be like once you begin to wear Invisalign (should you choose it). Our team at Casco Bay Smiles wants you to be well-informed, which is why we’ve compiled a few beneficial facts you can review below. Once you finish reading through the information, you’re welcome to call us with any additional questions you might have.
Wearing Your Trays
Invisalign is a flexible orthodontic solution, which means that the aligners are not bonded to your teeth like metal brackets and wires. As a result, you must be committed to wearing your trays 20-22 hours each day, only removing them to eat, drink, or clean them. This will ensure that your teeth move according to projections and keep you moving closer toward a straighter smile.
Cleaning Your Aligners
There is no need to purchase expensive cleaning solutions to keep your aligners clean. Instead, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush, lukewarm water, and clear hand soap. If you prefer, you can opt for Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, which your dentist can discuss with you. The good news is that no matter what you choose, you can expect maintaining your aligners to be easy and less time-consuming.
Eating & Drinking
When it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign, there are few if any restrictions. The only thing you have to remember is to remove your trays before indulging in your favorite snack or meal. The only time you can keep your aligners in is when you are drinking water. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove them and place them in a protective case to avoid possible damage or loss.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Anytime you are not wearing your aligners (and they’re not soaking), you should keep them in a protective case. Since the majority of the time they will be in your mouth, you want to make sure that when you remove them, you do not accidentally lose or damage them. Instead of wrapping them up in a napkin at dinnertime, place them in a protective case, as this will not only reduce the risk of damage but also minimize harmful particles from coming into contact with your trays.
Routine Check-Ins
Regular follow-up appointments are essential while wearing Invisalign. Your dentist will need to make sure that everything is moving smoothly. By attending these visits, you can stay on track with your treatment and make sure that no issues are developing along the way. Also, you and your dentist can discuss the next steps once treatment is complete, which will likely be entering into a retention phase to keep your new smile firmly in place.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
If you want a straighter smile in the subtlest way possible, you could be a candidate for Invisalign. This treatment is right for patients with mild to moderate misalignment who are committed to daily use of their aligners. Unfortunately, we can’t use Invisalign to treat patients with more severe bite issues, which is why we recommend visiting our office for a consultation. The only way to know with certainty if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule an appointment with Dr. McVety. He will carefully examine your mouth to determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.
Crowded Teeth
Are one or more of your teeth tilted out of alignment? Do your teeth crowd together to the point where they overlap? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then you should schedule a consultation with us to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign! The good news is that many patients with mild to moderate cases of this orthodontic issue are, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to achieve your dream smile without metal brackets and wires.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gapped teeth come with aesthetic drawbacks, but we’re more concerned about the impact of this orthodontic problem on the health and function of your smile. After all, spaced-out teeth can dramatically increase your risk of oral health problems, like gum disease, tooth decay, and premature wear and tear. That’s why we recommend coming to our dental office near Portland to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign!
Overbite
Having your top teeth sit in front of your bottom teeth is normal. Having your top teeth sit considerably in front of your bottom teeth is not. Usually, this orthodontic problem leads to several issues, including trouble enunciating clearly, difficulty chewing properly, and even low self-esteem. Fortunately, Invisalign has proven to be effective at correcting overbites with the help of other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, attachments, and buttons.
Underbite
Do your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? If so, you have an underbite, and you already know how difficult this orthodontic problem can make it to chew, smile, and talk with ease. Chronic jaw pain is also quite common since this bite issue places your jaw in an unnatural position, causing strain and tension. The best thing to do is schedule a consultation with us – even if your case is more mild. That way, we can bring your teeth and bite into proper alignment.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when some – but not all – of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth. Naturally, premature wear and tear on your teeth is a prevalent concern, as is chronic jaw pain and dental damage, like cracks and fractures. Luckily, Invisalign can often bring your bite into proper alignment with the help of rubber bands and other orthodontic accessories. Then, we can preserve your results with a custom-made retainer so you can enjoy a healthy bite and a beautiful smile for life!
Open Bite
For some patients, there is a space in the front or back of their mouth when they bite down. If that’s the case for you, then you might have an open bite. We recommend scheduling a consultation with us so we can determine if that’s the case and, if it is, see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign is one of the most popular treatments we have to offer, which is why patients often wonder about the price. For a specific estimate, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. Dr. McVety will carefully examine your smile before providing you with a personalized treatment plan. Until then, we’ve included some important information about the cost of your Invisalign to make the information you need easy to access. Read on to learn more!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of your Invisalign will vary based on numerous factors. No two smiles are the same, which is why the price can range. Primarily, the cost of your Invisalign will be influenced by:
- Weather you are straightening your entire smile or just a single arch
- The overall complexity of the alignment needed (someone with a variety of crooked, gapped, or spaced-out teeth will have a more expensive treatment than a patient with a single gap in their smile)
- The treatment time, which will depend on the degree of misalignment you have
Keep in mind that any untreated dental issues you have, such as cavities or gum disease, must be treated before you can start Invisalign.
Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
If your goal is to get a quick fix with the most affordable treatment, Smile Direct Club is an obvious winner. It costs just under $2,000 while Invisalign’s price is anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. However, you must remember that Smile Direct Club is a mail order aligner service that comes with absolutely no supervision throughout the entire process. That means untreated oral health issues or complications can’t be corrected, which will put you at risk for more costly and serious problems in the future. However, Invisalign comes with the expertise of Dr. McVety, who will ensure that the treatment goes smoothly throughout the entire process. That said, if you’re looking for ultimate piece of mind and professional results, Invisalign is the best option for you!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Only some dental insurance providers cover orthodontic treatment, however Invisalign is usually left out because it’s seen as elective. This is not always the case, so it’s best to check with your plan. Our friendly front desk staff is always ready to help you with any questions, and they can also deal with your provider directly to maximize any possible benefits. If you have an FSA, you may also be able to use that money to help cover some of the cost.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, there’s no need to worry! At Casco Bay Smiles, we are committed to making our treatments as cost-effective as possible for all budgets. That’s why we offer low-to-no interest financing through CareCredit. You can even choose the billing period that works best for you – we will work with our patients to make Invisalign affordable. We are ready to help you achieve a beautifully straight smile. Contact our office to schedule your consultation with our dentist in Falmouth and discuss finances.
Invisalign FAQs
If you are thinking about Invisalign in Falmouth, congratulations! Not only can you expect a treatment that delivers faster results than traditional metal braces, but you can also prepare to enjoy a more discreet and flexible way to straighten your smile. But before you move forward with treatment, Dr. McVety wants you to be confident in your decision to choose Invisalign, which is why he has compiled some of the most common questions regarding these clear aligners. If you need further assistance or are looking for a “dentist near me” who is the best when it comes to providing Invisalign, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
What is the average timeline for Invisalign treatment?
Every patient is different, but on average, you can expect Invisalign treatment to take an estimated 12-18 months. Some cases may be more severe, requiring patients to spend more time wearing clear aligners. However, unlike traditional braces that can take 2-3 years to achieve desired results, Invisalign offers a much shorter timeline, allowing you to start enjoying a healthier, more beautiful smile.
Will Invisalign affect how I speak?
In the beginning, you can expect your speech to be slightly altered. The reason is that your aligners are considered foreign objects in your mouth, and your tongue, gums, teeth, and bone will need time to adjust to your aligners. You may develop a lisp, but don’t worry, you won’t have to live with it long, as it will likely go away quickly. It helps if you perform a few speaking exercises to help you become more accustomed to your trays.
What should I do if I accidentally damage an aligner?
When not wearing your clear aligners, it is best if you keep them stored in a protective case. However, should you accidentally damage or lose an aligner, make sure to keep your previous set. This will prevent your teeth from shifting back and causing a delay in treatment. You’ll also need to contact our office as soon as possible. We’ll need to determine if you need a replacement aligner or if you can go ahead and move on to the next set in the series.
Will I be required to keep regular follow-up appointments?
Yes! Throughout treatment, you will need to keep any follow-up appointments with Dr. McVety. These may occur every 4-6 weeks, but it is ultimately up to our team to determine how often you’ll need to come in for a check-up. Fortunately, these visits only last a short time, as there are no metal wires to adjust or replace. Instead, we’ll simply review your progress to make sure everything is moving along properly.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign is a customizable treatment that requires your dentist in Falmouth to consider various factors before creating a formal estimate. From any pre-Invisalign dental work you might need (i.e., periodontal therapy, tooth extraction) to the number of clear aligners you will need to the retainer you’ll be required to wear after completing treatment, your out-of-pocket expenses will be vastly different than another patient. It will also vary depending on whether you choose to file on your insurance (they may offer available coverage) or apply for flexible financing.