Invisalign – Belchertown, MA
Transform Your Smile Without the Metal
Many patients are concerned about the alignment of their teeth. It can make them feel self-conscious, have trouble chewing properly, and even cause considerable discomfort. A typical solution to this problem over the years has been metal braces. However, many patients are averse to the idea of wearing the brackets and wires due to their overwhelming appearance. Thankfully, Dr. Mark Medaugh offers an alternative: Invisalign in Belchertown.
Why Choose Valley Dentists of Belchertown for Invisalign?
- Friendly, Experienced Dentist & Team
- Budget-Friendly Financing Available
- Convenient Appointment Times
How Invisalign Works
The first step is to visit Dr. Medaugh so he can conduct a thorough exam. This will allow him to determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you, as well as allow you to ask any questions you might have. Should you both decide to move forward, the process will start with our team taking a series of X-rays and photos of your mouth. These will be used to make your trays and ensure they are perfectly fitted to your particular teeth. Once you have started wearing your trays, you will need to visit the office about every 6-8 weeks so your progress can be monitored.
Who Invisalign Can Help
Are you interested in getting Invisalign? Good news: you’re probably a candidate for clear aligners! If you’re ready to schedule a consultation to find out, please call your dentist in Belchertown today. Otherwise, you can read on to learn more about the orthodontic problems Invisalign can correct.
Crowded Teeth
If your case of overcrowding isn’t too severe, then we can likely move your teeth into proper alignment with Invisalign! To accomplish this, we will use a custom series of trays to gradually shift your teeth. They are meant to be worn up to 22 hours a day for about 2 weeks each before moving onto the next one.
Gaps Between Teeth
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that can help patients with small gaps throughout their smile, a large gap between their two front teeth, and just about everything in between. Since the aligners are clear and removable, you’ll have a front-row seat to watch your smile transform before your eyes too!
Bite Alignment
Orthodontic treatment can take anywhere from 8-18 months depending on your degree of misalignment. Fortunately, Invisalign has advanced over the years to be able to address more and more complicated orthodontic issues, like crossbites. So, don’t just assume you’ll have to wear metal braces!
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign has a number of advantages when compared to traditional orthodontics. That’s why millions and millions of patients have chosen to straighten their teeth with clear aligners over the last 20+ years! If you are currently deciding which orthodontic treatment is right for you, and you want to learn the benefits that come with metal-free braces, read on!
The Aligners Are See-Through
It’s no secret that traditional braces are a bit of an eyesore (hence the name “metal mouth”). Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t have any metal components. Instead, the aligners are crafted from clear, see-through plastic, which makes them much less noticeable. In fact, unless they know what to look for, even your closest friends and family members likely won’t be able to tell when you’re wearing them!
It’s Easy to Maintain a Healthy Smile
Another noteworthy benefit of Invisalign: you don’t need to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen. Just remove your aligners, rinse them with clean water, and place them in their designated case. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual! When you’re done, clean the surface of your aligners with a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush to help them stay stain and odor-free as well.
There Aren’t Metal Components
As we mentioned above, Invisalign aligners are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic. As a result, they are much less irritating to the soft tissue in your mouth. Plus, if there is a rough edge on one of your trays, we can file it down at our office. In the meantime, you can cover it with some dental wax to protect your tongue, lips, and gums.
The Average Treatment Time Is Shorter
It’s true; Invisalign often works faster to correct issues than traditional braces. So, if you have an important event coming up that you want a straight smile for, you should schedule a consultation with our talented cosmetic dentist at Valley Dentists of Belchertown! If we determine that you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, then we can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline.
There Are Fewer Progress Visits
If you have a demanding work schedule, you’re a busy parent, or you’re about to start a new semester at school, you might assume that you simply don’t have time to straighten your teeth. However, there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments with Invisalign. Instead, the progress visits are usually every 6-8 weeks (and often less than 30 minutes each time!).
You Can Eat Your Favorite Foods
With traditional braces, patients are asked to eliminate certain foods from their diet, like hard pretzels, raw carrots, whole apples, and tortilla chips. With Invisalign, there aren’t the same dietary restrictions because the aligners are removable! So, as long as you take them off before enjoying any meals or snacks, you won’t have to give up any of your favorites.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a more comfortable, discreet alternative to more traditional orthodontic services. But many patients want to know how much they will have to pay to straighten their smiles before committing to this treatment.
However, the cost of your transparent trays can depend significantly on your unique circumstances, so our team can’t provide an accurate estimate until after your initial consultation and examination with Dr. M. Continue reading to learn more about factors that can influence pricing and how our practice helps make services affordable!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign uses transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your arches to help shift your teeth into their ideal positions, but the total cost can vary based on your individual situation. Some factors that can affect the total amount due include:
- The number of arches treated. Though uncommon, there are some cases in which it’s possible to straighten just the top or bottom row of teeth, which reduces the number of trays required, lowering the overall rate.
- Severity of your condition. Teeth that have farther to travel or turn often take longer to shift to their ideal places, which usually requires more trays, increasing the final invoice.
- The length of treatment. The longer your anticipated timeline, the more trays, follow-up visits, and other expenses you must pay for.
Are Mail-Order Aligners More Cost-Effective?
Some patients wanting to lower their out-of-pocket expenses are tempted to purchase online or mail-order aligners instead of visiting a professional for treatment. This might seem more cost-effective initially, but unfortunately, these services usually don’t include examinations or professional oversight throughout their duration. You might accidentally worsen your condition or develop cavities or gum disease as a result. Then, you’ll have to pay a professional to help correct the damage done.
Meanwhile, Dr. M will examine your mouth and treat any pre-existing concerns before making impressions for your trays to help protect your dental health and your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Many insurance policies categorize these clear trays as a cosmetic service intended to improve your appearance more than your oral health, and therefore, do not cover the cost. But there may be exceptions, such as if this treatment is deemed medically necessary to preserve your teeth, so it’s worth checking the details of your plan.
If you’re unsure what’s included in your insurance or need help with claims or paperwork, please contact our office and let us know. Our compassionate staff are familiar with the process and are happy to help you maximize any available benefits.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Dr. M and the rest of our team understand that not all patients have insurance or can afford dental services outright, but we also believe everyone deserves a healthy, beautifully straight smile that boosts their confidence. If you’re concerned about the cost of Invisalign, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- Dental membership. We have established in-house memberships that provide greater access to quality services at a more affordable price. Please contact us for more details!
- Flexible financing. We also happily accept flexible payment packages through CareCredit, which allows you to divide your total invoice into more manageable installments that are paid over a designated period if your application is approved.
Invisalign FAQs
Will I Need Invisalign Attachments?
Invisalign attachments are sometimes recommended when more than your clear aligners are necessary to straighten your teeth effectively. While not every patient will need attachments, they can often be very helpful with more complex cases. Dr. Medaugh will determine whether you need attachments based on your individual level of misalignment and the complexity of tooth movement required to complete your treatment.
The number of attachments you may require also varies depending on your case and may need to be changed mid-treatment. This is because your teeth can sometimes make unexpected shifts or fall short of projected outcomes. When these situations arise, attachments may be taken off certain teeth and moved onto others.
Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?
When determining if you are a good candidate for Invisalign, Dr. Medaugh will consider several factors. Most teenagers (age 13 and older) and adults are good candidates, provided they have received all their adult (permanent) teeth.
Patients must be willing to commit fully to treatment, including wearing their aligners at least 20 to 22 hours each day. Patients who are younger or less responsible may be better suited to traditional braces, as they are fixed to your smile and thus lower maintenance in many regards.
Invisalign can fix issues ranging from a crooked teeth, gaps, crowding, and poor alignment. When performed in conjunction with interproximal reduction and Invisalign attachments, Invisalign can help correct more complex cases, however some problems may be too complex and better suited to braces.
Can You Eat with Invisalign Trays In?
One of the best things about Invisalign treatment is that you can completely remove your aligners when it’s time to eat. This allows you to eat a wide variety of foods with no restrictions.
Eating with your aligners in will not only cause damage to them, but it can also cause undue pressure on your teeth. Therefore, the only item you should consume with aligners in is room temperature water. Otherwise, be sure to remove your aligners each time you eat or drink.
Remember, unlike braces, Invisalign aligners allow you to eat whatever you want, but do be sure to store your aligners in a safe place when they’re not in your mouth!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Because Invisalign is made of smooth plastic, its design is one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatments available.
When you get your first set of aligners, you may experience a brief adjustment period. This can include some soreness or discomfort that may be considered painful. Thankfully, this will subside as you adjust to the treatment.
Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth into proper alignment with clear trays. Each time you advance to a new set of trays, you may experience some slight pressure, however this is how you know your treatment is working.
Most discomfort can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain reliever and/or a cold compress or icepack. You can also drink ice cold water for the same effect.
