Invisalign – Mount Pleasant, SC
Straighten Teeth Without Brackets or Braces
A straighter smile looks good and feels great, and itis also healthier. However, many dental patients shy away from getting the beautiful, perfectly functioning smiles they deserve because they do not want to spend months or years with metal bracket and wire braces. At Smile Carolina Dental Group, we offer a more cosmetically pleasing alternative – Invisalign® in Mount Pleasant, SC. These clear alignment tray orthodontic systems deliver perfectly aligned smiles, but they are so subtle you will be the only one who knows you are completing orthodontic treatment. If you want to find out more, contact our dental team to schedule an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Virginia Gregory, our experienced cosmetic dentist. We look forward to helping you achieve all of your smile alignment goals!
Why Choose Smile Carolina Dental Group for Invisalign?
- Fully Digital iTero Dental Impressions
- See Your Future Smile with Digital Imaging Software
- Cosmetic Dentist with 30+ Years of Experience
What Are Invisalign® Clear Braces?
Invisalign® Clear Braces is an orthodontic system that uses clear alignment trays to shift teeth into their ideal position. Because the trays are see-through, your treatment plan will be subtle, and the removable aligners allow you to continue your regular diet and oral hygiene routine. Invisalign® Clear Braces is truly a no-hassle, cosmetic orthodontic system.
How Do Invisalign® Clear Braces Work?
Traditional braces use wires that place pressure on brackets attached to teeth to move smiles into their ideal position. Invisalign® Clear Braces accomplishes the same results using a series of clear, plastic alignment trays. Each set of aligners is crafted to represent your smile that is one step closer to the desired result. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks. Then, exchange your current aligners for the next set in the series. Throughout treatment, you will need to visit us for short checkup visits every six to eight weeks. This allows our team to adjust your treatment plan to ensure you achieve your desired result.
How Long Will Invisalign® Treatment Take?
Every patient is different, and you will receive a treatment plan that is unique to your smile. In most cases, patients can complete Invisalign® treatment in eight to eighteen months. The length of treatment time depends on your smile alignment goals. Patients who simply need to make minor changes to tooth position or spacing can typically finish treatment within eight months. Those who need to address more complex alignment issues like an over, under, and crossbite will likely need longer treatment plans. The vast majority of patients fall between the two, and the average patient completes treatment in about a year.
Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign?
Yes, you will still need to use a retainer. These oral appliances are necessary because they hold teeth in their new positions while the tooth roots fuse with the underlying bone and gum tissue. Luckily, we are often able to use clear plastic retainers rather than the bulky metal appliances you may be imagining.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign treatment is an investment that will pay off for many years to come. Because every smile is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all cost of Invisalign in Mount Pleasant. When you visit Smile Carolina Dental Group for an initial consultation, your dentist will be able to give you an idea of how much your treatment will cost after examining your teeth. They will also discuss different payments options to ensure that Invisalign clear aligners fit within your personal budget.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign can vary depending on a few different factors, such as:
- One arch or both – Straightening a single row of teeth obviously costs less than straightening both upper and lower teeth. However, most people straighten both dental arches at the same time.
- Number of aligners – Depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may need a greater number of aligners, which will increase your final costs.
- Your commitment – If you frequently take your aligners out your results will be delayed.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Many patients want to know if Smile Direct Club is a good alternative to Invisalign. If you’re only looking for a “quick fix” at the lowest possible cost, then the answer is “yes”. Invisalign typically costs anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000, while Smile Direct Club is a little under $2,000.
However, there are key differences between Invisalign and Smile Direct Club that you need to take into account. Smile Direct Club is a “do-it-yourself” clear aligner kit. This means it comes with little to NO oversight from a dental professional. If you make a mistake along the way, you could end up with serious issues that will require professional attention anyway.
At Smile Carolina Dental Group, our experienced Invisalign dentists in Mount Pleasant will oversee your Invisalign treatment every step of the way. You can count on accurate impressions and a smooth treatment process overall. If you want the peace of mind of a quality orthodontic service, the cost of Invisalign is worth it.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Many dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign in Mount Pleasant. However, every insurance plan is slightly different. Contact your dental insurance company to confirm your coverage before deciding whether to start Invisalign treatment. If you have a Flexible Spending Account through your job, you can likely use those funds to help cover the cost of Invisalign. Our team will be happy to review your insurance policy and help you understand – and maximize – your benefits.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
We know that affordability is very important when it comes to your dental care. That is why we are happy to help patients access flexible financing from our trusted partners at CareCredit. CareCredit is a third-party financier organization that has helped millions of people easily afford their dental care.
With CareCredit, you can break down the cost of Invisalign in Mount Pleasant into manageable monthly payments. They offer a variety of plans that range from six to 60 months, so you will always be able to find one that works for you. In addition, most CareCredit plans involve little or no interest!
If you want to learn more about affordable Invisalign financing and payment options, just let us know! Our team will be happy to work with you to achieve a straight smile without breaking the bank.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Virginia Gregory and our team love seeing how Invisalign changes our patients’ lives. While we have seen the many benefits of this outstanding alternative to metal braces, we also know that it is still a big decision! Keep reading below for answers to several frequently asked questions, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions about Invisalign in Mount Pleasant, or if you simply want to schedule a consultation.
How Will Invisalign Affect My Everyday Life?
Invisalign will affect your everyday life much less than traditional braces would. Since the trays are removable, you will not have to change your diet, and brushing and flossing will be just as easy as before.
However, you will have to maintain your trays by keeping them clean and storing them in their protective case during meals to minimize the chance of losing them. Snacking is also discouraged because you will want to maximize the time your trays are in your mouth to get your results on schedule. And while many people do not have any issues with speaking clearly, others will have a mild lisp for a few days to a week after starting treatment until they have adjusted.
Can I Be Sure That Invisalign Will Work?
Absolutely. Invisalign was first developed more than 20 years ago, and since then, it has helped over eight million adults and teens achieve outstanding results. In fact, it was given a 96% satisfaction rating in a large survey, with 90% of patients saying they would recommend it to others.
If you would like to know if Invisalign will work for you specifically, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory. Fortunately, it is a great option for many patients and works on most of the same issues as traditional braces (although she may recommend that type of orthodontic treatment for severe cases).
What If I Lose My Invisalign Trays?
It is not uncommon to lose your trays once or twice during treatment but, as mentioned above, it is helpful to put them in their case instead of a napkin during meals to avoid accidentally throwing them away. But if you lose them for any reason, call us immediately so we can get in touch with the Invisalign lab and have them start making new trays. This process typically takes two to three weeks.
We also recommend hanging onto your previous set of trays so that, if necessary, you can wear them as “retainers” until your replacement set is made. While your final results will be slightly delayed, you can maintain the progress you have made so far without your teeth moving back toward their initial positions.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Invisalign is an outstanding investment that will pay off for a lifetime, and the good news is that many plans that already cover orthodontic treatment cover both Invisalign and traditional braces. With that said, it is important to remember that each plan is different. Give us a call and we will be happy to look at your coverage and explain your benefits. We also accept CareCredit which is a great way to finance your treatment and make monthly payments with little to no interest.
