Invisalign® – Ellicott City, MD

Improved Comfort

Unlike traditional orthodontics, Invisalign® aligners don’t have any sharp metal wires or brackets. Instead, each tray is custom-made from smooth plastic, preventing uncomfortable soft tissue irritation in the process. In short, you can expect a much more comfortable straightening experience when you choose clear aligners.

Nearly Invisible Appearance

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t touch on how discreet Invisalign® is. Since the aligners are see-through, you’ll be able to smile confidently knowing your aligners are practically invisible all throughout your treatment. Just make sure to prioritize cleaning your teeth and your trays to keep it that way!

Hassle-Free Dental Hygiene

Interproximal toothbrushes and pre-threaded floss are just two of the many oral hygiene products patients with traditional braces need to buy in order to keep their teeth and their brackets free of debris. Not with Invisalign®! Since the aligners are removable, all you need to do is take them out before brushing and flossing as usual.

Saves Time

When compared to traditional braces, you’ll spend less time visiting us for checkups and adjustments when straightening your smile with Invisalign®. That’s because the check-in visits are every six to eight weeks instead of every four weeks. Plus, each appointment only takes about 15 minutes (as long as your teeth are moving as anticipated).

Boosted Confidence

Sometimes, patients with metal brackets and wires feel like they can’t smile confidently until the very end of their orthodontic treatment. With Invisalign®, patients can enjoy improved self-esteem because their braces are virtually undetectable. You’ll also have a front-row seat for watching your teeth move, making you more confident by the day.

More Freedom

One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign® is that it’s designed to blend in with your lifestyle. As a result, you don’t need to completely eliminate any foods or drinks from your diet! All you need to do is take your trays out before eating or drinking anything other than water and, of course, do your best to eat a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

Wearing Your Trays

The first thing many patients want to know is what it’s like to wear the trays. At first, there might be a little sensitivity as your teeth adjust to the gentle pressure on them. However, this is temporary and should pass within the first few days.

From day one, you’ll be wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, only taking them off to eat and do your oral hygiene routine. Every two weeks, you’ll switch to the next aligner in the set and the process will continue until you’re finished. When that is depends on your treatment plan and how closely you follow it!

Cleaning Your Aligners

Oral hygiene becomes even more important while you’re going through Invisalign treatment. This is because anything that is left on your teeth after meals will be trapped against them because of your aligners. It’s very important to always clean the trays and your teeth after every meal and snack to prevent issues that could set your treatment back.

To clean your trays properly, use lukewarm water and a clear scentless hand soap to brush away debris. If something is stuck on them and doesn’t seem to come off, you can also use a solution of Invisalign cleaning crystals to soak them.

Eating & Drinking

One of the best things about orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is the ability to eat anything you want! Because the aligners are removable, you don’t have to worry about restrictive diets that will damage your trays. However, removing your aligners before eating anything or drinking any fluid except water is important. Failure to follow this rule may crack or discolor the aligners, making them more visible or, worse, cause them not to work properly!

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Losing small, loose items is common and Invisalign trays are no exception. However, even if you do lose one of your aligners, there’s no need to panic! Still, you should reach out to Dr. Aziz as soon as possible. Depending on where you are in your treatment, he may ask you to go back to a previous aligner until a new one can be made or to move to the next one in the series.

Routine Check-Ins

With Invisalign, you’ll need to see Dr. Aziz every four to eight weeks for regular check-ins. These appointments are important to see how far along you are in your treatment and whether any adjustments or refinements need to be made. If you’re doing well, you’ll get your next set of aligners and continue moving toward your final results!

Hopefully, this information paints a better picture of what it’s like to live with Invisalign! If you have more questions, give us a call! We’ll be happy to address any concerns you may have and put you on the fastest track to beautiful straight teeth!

How is Invisalign Teen Different?

There are two main differences between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. The first is that the Invisalign Teen aligners have a series of blue dots that act as a compliance indicator. Basically, the hue will gradually fade away if the aligners are worn for the recommended amount of time. If they aren’t, then the blue dots will still be visible, letting us know that your child isn’t wearing them as often as they should.

The second key difference is that Invisalign Teen treatment plans come with a few replacement trays. That way, if your child accidentally loses theirs at practice or while traveling on summer break, you won’t need to pay extra. Of course, if this becomes routine, then there’s a chance that added costs will come up. That’s why it’s so important to emphasize how much of a responsibility clear aligner treatment is to your child!

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

It’s possible! The easiest way to find out is to schedule a consultation for your teen at our Ellicott City dental office. From there, we can complete a comprehensive oral exam, ensure that their teeth and gums are healthy, and assess the complexity of their case. If it’s mild or moderate, there’s a good chance that Invisalign is an option.

As we mentioned in the previous section, Invisalign Teen comes with some responsibilities, including wearing the aligners for 20+ hours a day, keeping track of the trays at all times, and maintaining a solid oral hygiene regimen. If you feel like your child would benefit from having traditional braces that cannot be removed (and, therefore, lost), then that’s something to consider when deciding which orthodontic treatment is best for them.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Invisalign continues to be a popular orthodontic treatment among teens for many reasons, including:

• Virtually undetectable aligners
• Shorter average treatment timelines
• Quick check-in visits
• No dietary restrictions
• Easy oral hygiene
• No interference with sports
• Comfortable trays

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign 

It’s worth noting that there are several factors that can influence the cost of Invisalign treatment. The first thing to consider is how severe your misalignment is, as this will affect both the amount of time it takes for the treatment to be completed and the attachments you might need to get the results you’re looking for.

The other factor that contributes to the length of treatment has to do with how well you stick to your treatment plan. The longer you wear your aligners each day, the faster they will work.

Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

The popularity of clear aligner treatments has spawned a market for DIY aligner kits, like those from Smile Direct Club™. These claim to offer the same results at a much cheaper price point.

However, the fact is that DIY aligner kits don’t involve any professional oversight, meaning that there isn’t anyone who can catch problems before they arise, or who can check you for oral health problems before beginning treatment. As a result, there is a much higher chance of encountering serious problems without you knowing.

On the other hand, Dr. Aziz and Dr. Haque will be able to work with you in person, ensuring that you’re getting the highest level of orthodontic care possible. Moreover, they can work with you personally to ensure that all of your needs are met.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

It’s never a sure thing that dental insurance plans will cover Invisalign treatment, and it’s still less common that Invisalign will be included in those orthodontic funds. However, it’s still worth checking whether your particular plan is okay with that.

You can also make use of an FSA account if you have one, so check with your employer to see if you have that option.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Even if your insurance isn’t going to cover Invisalign treatment, we have options available to you that can help to make care considerably more affordable. For one, we’re currently offering a special—$500 off your Invisalign treatment! You can ask us about this promotion at your consultation.

We also offer financing through CareCredit, a health and wellness lending firm. You’ll be able to break your dental fees into more manageable monthly payments, often without any additional interest.

Even if you don’t have insurance, there are plenty of ways that you can get the straighter smile you’ve always looked for.

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth overlap, then your toothbrush and floss have a harder time removing food particles, plaque, and other debris. As a result, patients with crowded teeth are typically more vulnerable to oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. The good news is that we can use Invisalign clear aligners to gently guide your teeth from their current positions to their ideal ones – all without the metal brackets and wires.

Gaps Between Teeth

In addition to creating more space, Invisalign can align your teeth if there is extra space. Similar to overcrowded teeth, it’s a good idea to address gapped teeth since food particles and plaque can get trapped in the unique crevices or along your gumline, negatively impacting your oral health in the process. As a result, clear aligner treatment has the potential to improve the look, health, and function of your smile!

Overbite

An overbite is when your upper row of teeth sticks out far beyond the lower set. Initially, this may not seem like much of an issue. However, too large of a space can lead to several complications, including jaw discomfort, premature wear, and even speech issues. The good news is that Invisalign can address bite problems like this with the help of orthodontic accessories, like attachments, rubber bands, and buttons.

Underbite

An underbite, on the other hand, is when your lower set of teeth protrudes beyond the upper row. Whether yours is the result of a childhood habit, like thumb-sucking, or genetics, it’s important to explore your treatment options. Otherwise, it could result in chronic bad breath, mouth breathing, and difficulty chewing. When you come in for your exam, we’ll assess the severity of your malocclusion to determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

Crossbite

A crossbite is a mixture of an overbite and underbite (some of the bottom teeth sit in front of the top teeth and vice versa). This is a more complicated orthodontic issue to correct, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not a candidate for Invisalign. At your consultation, we’ll take X-rays and examine your bite to determine if the clear aligners combined with rubber bands and buttons can improve the alignment of your bite.

Open Bite

If your upper and lower teeth don’t come together when biting down, then you likely have an open bite. Similar to the previously mentioned issues, an open bite can negatively impact your oral health, your confidence, and your speaking patterns. To prevent that from happening, we can often use Invisalign clear aligners to move both arches of teeth into proper alignment.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?

When you get your trays, they will be perfectly clear and see-through. However, it takes some work to keep them that way! One of the best habits you can adopt is rinsing your aligners thoroughly with clean water each time you remove them. This will help remove food particles, bacteria, and other debris from clinging to their surface. It’s also important that you clean your teeth and your aligners after each meal. You can use the same soft-bristled toothbrush for both. However, it’s not typically recommended to use toothpaste on your aligners – clean water should suffice.

Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Invisalign?

One of the most important “rules” is that you cannot eat anything with your aligners in. Once you remove them, however, you are free to eat almost anything you want! We use “almost” because there are some foods that aren’t quite smile-friendly, like gummy candies, so we don’t recommend eating them in general. Similarly, we recommend eating crunchy and hard foods, such as raw nuts, with caution.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12 to 18 months, which is considerably quicker than traditional braces. Of course, there are several factors that need to be considered, including how complex your case is. It’s also important to remember that how well you follow all of the guidelines will matter too. For example, if you don’t wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day, it’s likely that your teeth won’t track properly.

What Should I Do If I Lose One of My Invisalign Aligners?

As we mentioned above, meeting the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time is very important. Since the clock starts ticking the moment you misplace them, it’s important to act fast! Do your best to re-trace your steps, looking at small crevices and unique spaces along the way (like the center console in your car). If they are really missing, then call our Ellicott City dental team ASAP.

Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

Although you can drink coffee throughout your teeth-straightening journey, you can’t drink coffee with your aligners in, even if you use a straw. Remember, this is one of the easiest ways for your trays to turn from clear to yellow, which can cause your teeth to look brittle and discolored in the process. So, enjoy this caffeinated beverage when your aligners are already out, like while you’re eating breakfast.