Invisalign – San Juan Capistrano, CA

Crowded Teeth

If it feels like you have too many teeth in your mouth, you may have crowding. You must seek treatment as soon as possible because it increases your risk of decay and gum disease. Invisalign clear aligners will apply gentle pressure to different parts of your smile throughout treatment, carefully moving your teeth into a properly aligned position.

Gaps Between Teeth

Having gaps in your smile can be unsightly, but it also puts you at risk of cavities and infection. That’s mainly because food particles can easily get trapped in the spaces between your teeth, causing decay and bad breath. Luckily, Invisalign can gently push your teeth into a healthier, more aesthetically pleasing position.

Overbite

A slight overbite (when your top teeth sit in front of your bottom teeth) is normal. If it’s more prominent, however, then there’s the risk of chronic jaw pain, premature wear on certain teeth, and even difficulty chewing properly. That’s why exploring your orthodontic treatment options, like Invisalign, is recommended. If you’re a candidate, then we can align your bite with clear, comfortable aligners.

Underbite

Do your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? This is known as an underbite, and it can place unnecessary pressure on your temporomandibular joint, causing problems like TMJ disorder as well as teeth grinding and clenching. The good news is that Invisalign can correct this bite problem with the help of other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands.  

Crossbite

If you read through the previous sections on overbites and underbites but it sounds like you have a mixture of the two, then you may have a crossbite. A prominent concern with this orthodontic issue is chronic jaw pain, which can negatively impact your quality of life in more ways than one. Fortunately, Invisalign has helped countless patients with this over the years, improving the look, health, and function of their smile in the process.

Open Bite

An open bite is when your teeth don’t come together evenly in the front or the back. Whether yours is the result of sucking your thumb as a child or simply genetics, it’s important that you have it corrected before it leads to complications like premature wear and jaw pain. The first step is scheduling a consultation with us so we can determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

Metal-Free Orthodontic Treatment

Although traditional orthodontics are reliable, effective, and versatile, the metal brackets and wires leave much to be desired in terms of comfort. Fortunately, Invisalign is completely metal-free! Furthermore, the aligners are crafted from smooth, low-profile plastic and are custom-made to fit you perfectly, making the chances of soft tissue irritation practically zero.

The Trays Are Practically Invisible

We mentioned above that Invisalign aligners are crafted from smooth, low-profile plastic. Although that’s a benefit on its own, it’s important that we mention that they are also clear! That means that no one will know you’re undergoing treatment. Simply put, Invisalign is a great way to discreetly straighten your teeth and give yourself the smile you’ve always wanted.

Hassle-Free Oral Hygiene

Patients with traditional braces often end up needing to adopt an entirely new dental hygiene regimen in order to thoroughly clean their brackets and wires as well as their teeth and gums. That’s not the case with Invisalign because the aligners are removable! In other words, you can take them off and complete your oral hygiene routine as usual. (As an added perk, the trays are easy to clean too; all you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean, cool water).

Quick Follow-Up Appointments

Not only are the follow-up appointments spaced-out to every six to eight weeks instead of every four, but the visits themselves are usually less than 20 minutes. So, if you are a busy student, parent, or professional with a jam-packed calendar, you don’t have to worry – your Invisalign treatment won’t get in your way.

You Can Eat Whatever You Want

Did you know that whole apples, cashews, celery, popcorn, and tortilla chips are all on the list of dietary restrictions for patients with traditional braces? If these are some of your favorites, there’s good news: you don’t need to cut out any foods from your diet with Invisalign. All you need to do is try to keep added sugar to a minimum and exercise caution with extremely crunchy foods.

The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter

One of the biggest factors that will impact the length of your treatment plan is the complexity of your case. With that said, Invisalign does deliver results in an average of just 12-18 months while traditional braces can take 24 months or more. So, if you don’t want to wait 2+ years for straight teeth, consider Invisalign!

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

The cost of your Invisalign treatments will vary depending on a few different factors. Here are the most apparent ones:

• Number of Arches: Most people who get Invisalign will have both their upper and lower jaw addressed. However, in some cases, only one arch needs to be corrected. In this situation, the cost is lower.
• Complexity of Treatment: If you have severe alignment issues, your treatment is likely to cost more. Closing a few small gaps is cheaper than correcting a significant bite problem.
• Length of Treatment: A longer treatment time ultimately means additional aligners and a higher cost.

Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

For patients who are looking for a “quick fix,” lower budget options, like Smile Direct Club™, may seem tempting, but a lower cost doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best choice for you. While the price is generally lower than Invisalign, Smile Direct Club™ has a do-it-yourself approach with little to no oversight from a dental professional. This means additional room for error, and you could end up with serious issues that will need to be treated by a professional anyway.

When you opt for Invisalign, you have the trusted oversight of our dentist for every step along the way. Invisalign is professionally made, uses highly accurate impressions, and results in a more successful treatment overall. The difference in cost is worth it for a smooth, stress-free orthodontic treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Only some dental insurance plans include coverage for orthodontic treatment, so you should check with your insurance provider to see if this is the case for you. If you have any questions regarding your dental insurance, talk to one of our friendly team members. Our team is happy to file all the necessary paperwork and claims to make the process easier and less stressful for you.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be completely out of luck. At our practice, you can get Invisalign for as low as $99 a month. We also have an in-house membership plan that includes discounts on all treatments. In addition to those options, we work with both CareCredit and Lending Club – third-party financing companies that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. During your consultation, we can discuss your financial options to come up with a plan that’s right for you.

To find out exactly how much you can expect your Invisalign to cost, schedule a consultation with us. We’re looking forward to helping you achieve a straighter smile!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

It depends! Several factors contribute to the time it takes to complete Invisalign, like the severity of your dental misalignment and your commitment to the treatment plan. The average patient can expect to finish their Invisalign in San Juan Capistrano within 12 to 18 months. While that may sound like a long time, it’s still four months shorter than the average treatment with traditional braces. You can speed up the process by diligently following your treatment instructions and staying on top of your routine checkups.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Because of its smooth plastic design, Invisalign is one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment options. When you first get the clear aligners, you may experience mild soreness or sensitivity that some patients may characterize as pain. However, the discomfort should go away as you get used to your treatment. Since the plastic trays gradually move your teeth into proper alignment, you may experience a small amount of pressure each time you advance to a new set. Fortunately, it’s easily manageable by taking over-the-counter pain medication and drinking ice-cold water.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

One of the most significant benefits of Invisalign in San Juan Capistrano is that it’s completely removable. As a result, there are no dietary restrictions while you undergo treatment! All you have to do is take out your aligners before eating or drinking anything that’s not water. Otherwise, eating with the trays in your mouth can damage them and put unnecessary pressure on your teeth. Whenever the aligners aren’t in your mouth, make sure you store them in a safe place to avoid losing them.

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

Initially, you may develop a lisp or another speech impediment because the tongue is not used to speaking with the clear aligners. The good news is any changes are typically minor and will go away shortly after starting treatment, usually within a few weeks. Even patients with an extreme lisp will resume their normal speech after adjusting to Invisalign. You can speed up the adjustment process by having more conversations with loved ones, reading aloud, and repeating difficult-to-pronounce words. Practice makes perfect, which means the more you talk, the quicker you’ll adjust.