Invisalign – Fairfax, VA

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to gradually reposition the teeth over a period of 12 to 18 months, on average. The Invisalign aligners are removable and practically invisible when worn. This option is suitable for older teens and adults alike -- and it can treat the most common orthodontic issues, including overbite, underbite, gaps between teeth, and tooth crowding.

How Do Clear Braces Work?

Invisalign functions using the same orthodontic principles as conventional braces, except without all the visible metal hardware. A series of clear braces will be created according to the specific dentition of the teeth at every stage of the treatment. Each aligner set should be worn for 20 to 22 hours every day and removed only before eating, drinking, and for special occasions. You will be able to advance to the next set after one to two weeks, depending on our recommendation.

Learn More About The Invisalign Process

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign offers a number of benefits for patients who need orthodontic treatment but do not want to wear metal braces for a year or more. Some of the most significant advantages of Invisalign include:

• Thanks to clear aligners, you will be able to speak and smile with confidence even as you undergo orthodontic treatment.
• Removability makes it easy for you to eat what you like throughout the treatment, without fear of popping off a bracket or wire.
• You can feel free to slip the aligners out before special occasions or big events, as long as you put them back in soon after.
• Because there are no obstacles to brushing and flossing, your oral health stays strong throughout your time with Invisalign.
• Fewer visits to the dentist’s office are required with Invisalign compared to conventional braces.
• You can enjoy all the benefits of straight teeth and a beautiful smile after the treatment is complete!

iTero Element: 3D Digital Scanning

With the precise information captured by iTero, we are able to create aligners that fit, feel, and function perfectly -- for far better results overall. Plus, this tool also provides an outcome simulator to let you see what your smile will look like once the treatment is complete. Invisalign is more comfortable, efficient, and successful overall thanks to the iTero Element -- and this wonderful tool is right here in our dental office!

What is a Malocclusion?

“Malocclusion” simply means that there is a misalignment of the teeth. It may be as simple as a gap between your two front teeth or as complex as a cross bite between your upper and lower jaws. Most people have a malocclusion to some extent. If you do, too, then finding a solution is important.

Learn More About Malocclusion

Who Can Invisalign Help?

Those who don’t have straight teeth or are experiencing bite misalignment issues might be eligible for Invisalign. Instead of needing metal brackets and wires, you can achieve your dream look by wearing a series of custom clear aligners. Invisalign can help address a wide variety of orthodontic problems so that you can enjoy showing off a straighter set of pearly whites in the long run.

Crowded Teeth

Oftentimes teeth can become too crowded in the mouth. Not only will this negatively impact your look, but it can also put your smile at risk of oral health issues, including:

• Gum disease
• Difficulty biting down
• Tooth decay
• Jaw pain or discomfort

With Invisalign, we can help you gradually shift your teeth so that they’re perfectly aligned and supporting each other. In addition to straightening your grin, it’ll also make it easier for you to maintain them with daily oral hygiene.

Gaps Between Teeth

While gapped teeth may not have a high chance of damaging each other, the space between them can become potential areas where bacteria, debris, and plaque can accumulate. Since this makes it easier for germs to settle and grow, your smile can end up with an increased chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay. By bringing your teeth closer together, you can minimize this risk while also improving your appearance.

Overbite

An overbite is when the upper teeth protrude far in front of the lower ones, creating a slightly uneven bite. Oftentimes, this can develop into issues with speech difficulties, jaw discomfort, uneven dental wear, and trouble with opening and closing the mouth. The upper teeth also won’t have much support, leaving them vulnerable to damage and injury. Invisalign, along with other appliances like rubber bands, can retrain the lower jaw so it sits properly under your upper jaw.

Underbite

This is the opposite situation of an overbite, as your bottom pearly whites might jut out further away from the top ones. This alignment issue can be caused by several factors, such as jaw injury, genetics, and non-nutritive habits (like thumb sucking after a certain age). On top of jaw discomfort, an underbite can increase your chance of experiencing complications like difficulty chewing/speaking, mouth breathing, and a higher risk of sleep apnea. By using elastic bands and Invisalign aligners, you can effectively move the lower jaw back and slightly behind your upper teeth.

Crossbite

In some cases, a patient might have some lower teeth in front of their upper ones and vice versa, creating a crossbite. Whether caused by genetics or poor oral habits, this alignment issue can lead to other problems like a higher risk of gum disease, teeth grinding, headaches, facial asymmetry, decay, and trouble speaking. Invisalign can help realign your bite, but if the root cause is problems with jaw development, you might also need to use elastic bands and other accessories.

Open Bite

If you close your mouth completely and there’s still a space between your upper and lower teeth, then you might have an open bite. Not only can this make it difficult to eat certain foods, but you’ll also be at a higher risk of uneven dental wear and speech difficulty. Invisalign can help bring both arches together, improving your bite pattern and minimizing your chance of dental injury.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Invisalign is a highly personalized treatment plan, which means the costs of your smile realignment can widely vary depending on a few unique factors. These will be discussed in more detail during your consultation at our office. In the meantime, you can start learning about the cost factors of this incredibly popular treatment today on our website!

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

The cost of completing Invisalign treatment will be determined during your consultation. However, the most important factors to keep in mind include the following:

• The number of arches you need to have straightened (it’s more common to have both the top and bottom arch treated, but this is not always the case)
• The overall complexity of your treatment (i.e. addressing a single gap in between your two front teeth is less expensive than addressing multiple severely crooked teeth or an uneven bite)
• The length of your treatment (the more aligners you need, the longer it will take to complete your realignment)

Which Costs More: Invisalign or Smile Direct Club™?

Those who only want a quick fix for their mildly misaligned teeth may find Smile Direct Club to be a better option. This is mainly because the treatment is not meant for more complex cases and is therefore cheaper on average (i.e. about $2,000 for Smile Direct Club compared to $3,000 - $8,000 for Invisalign).

With that said, Smile Direct Club forces people to manage their treatment on their own. This includes the process of creating their own impressions, which are then used to create the aligners. There is zero oversight from an actual dental professional. As a result, it’s possible for things to go wrong, resulting in needing professional care from a dentist anyway.

In contrast, Invisalign ensures you have dedicated oversight and review from our dentists Dr. Ayati and Dr. Young. They’ll be reviewing your progress every step of the way and prepared to offer recommendations in case things aren’t going as planned. This gives many patients peace of mind that their treatment is progressing smoothly.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

There are dental insurance plans that offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, but Invisalign is commonly left out of these benefits. However, you should always check your plan in advance before you assume that they don’t. Our team members are happy to help you navigate your insurance plan and confirm if you get coverage. If you have an FSA account, it can also help you cover your dental care costs.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Even if you don’t have a dental insurance plan, there are other options available to you to make your Invisalign treatment more affordable. For example, our in-house Wellness Plan can help you save on other services, making it easier to cover the costs of Invisalign.

Additionally, we offer third-party financing solutions like CareCredit. Payment plans from this financier not only make it possible to pay for treatments on a monthly basis, but you can often expect little to no interest attached to these installments!

Fairfax Dental Group is happy to help patients achieve a straighter smile and educate them on the treatment process. If you’d like to learn more about the financial details associated with Invisalign, give our office a call!

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

Is Invisalign in Fairfax right for you? Dr. Ayati is here to answer any questions you might have about this orthodontic treatment. When making a long-term plan to straighten your smile, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the treatment you receive before committing to anything. Here are some questions that many patients have asked during their initial Invisalign consultation; feel free to bring up any concerns of your own to ensure that you have a clear picture!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The length of Invisalign treatment largely depends on the severity of your case. On average, it can take 12 to 18 months for Invisalign to straighten your teeth; however, a simple treatment could be as short as six months while more complex cases might require 24 months or slightly longer. Since everyone’s teeth are slightly different, no two patients will have the same treatment requirements even if they’re suffering from a similar issue. Still, as long as you wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, Invisalign treatment is typically shorter than traditional orthodontics, which can take about two to three years.

Can I Get Invisalign Even If I’ve Already Had Braces or Other Dental Work?

Many patients who wear braces during childhood find that their teeth have shifted years later. In these cases, Invisalign can be an excellent option to shift your teeth back without other people noticing. Also, it might be possible to switch to Invisalign even if you’re currently wearing braces; we can examine your teeth to figure out whether this is the best approach. 

It’s sometimes possible to get Invisalign to straighten teeth in Fairfax after you’ve gotten a veneer, crown, or dental bridge. It largely depends on if your restoration allows the aligners to move each tooth individually. Talk to us about the state of your oral health so that we can create an appropriate treatment plan.

Can Invisalign Aligners Become Stained?

Some dark-colored foods, such as blueberries or tomato sauce, may remain on your teeth after you’re done eating. If you put your aligners back in your mouth without removing this food residue, the plastic can become stained. To avoid this, brush your teeth after every meal before wearing your aligners again. Also, you should clean your aligners on a regular basis; you can brush them with a soft toothbrush and rinse them with lukewarm water. (Never use hot water; the plastic could become warped if it gets too hot.)

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign usually has a cost similar to that of traditional braces, although the exact price will vary depending on how many aligners you get and whether you comply with the treatment. If you have dental insurance, check to see if Invisalign is covered; usually, any plan that will help pay for braces will also provide coverage for Invisalign. If you don’t have insurance, feel free to ask us about financing through CareCredit. We’ll do everything we can to make paying for your Invisalign treatment as painless as possible.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Are you interested in improving the alignment of your bite with Invisalign aligners? The benefits of straight teeth are endless -- and you deserve to enjoy them. Many people are eligible candidates for Invisalign. Go ahead and contact your dentist in Fairfax to get started on your orthodontic treatment today.