Invisalign – Dublin, OH

A Clear Path Toward Straight Teeth

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the development of alternative braces systems like lingual braces, tooth-colored braces, and clear alignment tray systems has dramatically increased the number of adult dental patients seeking orthodontic care. Invisalign from the Dublin, OH cosmetic dentist and dental team at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin is one of the most popular, effective orthodontic treatment options for adults and teens. If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, call to schedule your consultation today.

Why Choose Distinctive Smiles of Dublin for Invisalign?

  • 100% Customized Treatment Plans
  • Great Choice for Teens & Adults
  • No Diet Restrictions

How Invisalign Works

Closeup of person placing an Invisalign tray

A straighter smile without the hassle or embarrassment of traditional braces is available. For patients who decide Invisalign is the right treatment option for their smile, the process is simple:

  • X-rays, impressions, and digital images are taken of your current smile.
  • Using the information about your alignment, we develop a plan to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment.
  • You’ll be able to view digital mock ups of your potential smile, and make changes in real time so you feel confident about the outcome of treatment.
  • Once we have accurate plans for shifting your current bite to a transformed smile, we send the images, impressions, and plans to our Invisalign lab. There, your alignment trays will be crafted to fit your unique plan. Each set of aligners represents a stage in your smile slightly closer to the finished product.
  • Once your trays are ready, you return to Distinctive Smiles of Dublin. We make sure your first set of alignment trays fit comfortably, and discuss the treatment plan moving forward.
  • By wearing the aligners for at least 20 hours a day, a consistent pressure is placed on teeth slowly shifting them into place
  • Once teeth have moved into alignment with one set of trays, you’ll switch to a new set. Typically, this occurs every two weeks.
  • Every treatment plan is unique, but most patients complete the Invisalign system within a year.

Benefits of Invisalign

Smiling woman holding an Invisalign tray

In addition to making smiles look great, Invisalign clear braces systems have numerous health, comfort, and convenience benefits including:

  • Prevent oral health issues – Crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth make consistent brushing and flossing more difficult. Straighter teeth are easier to care for, and patients with properly aligned teeth are less likely to experience tooth decay or gum disease.
  • Comfortable – Compared with standard, metal braces, patients report experiencing much less discomfort while using Invisalign alignment trays.
  • Minimal lifestyle change – Because alignment trays are removable, there’s no need to make changes to diet or oral hygiene routines. Simply remove aligners during meals or while brushing and flossing.
  • Look great – While you straighten your teeth, the clear plastic aligners ensure your smile looks great from start to finish. No need to hide your smile, cover your mouth while talking, or feel that others are perceiving you differently because of your braces. All anyone will see is beautiful results.

Living with Invisalign Aligners

a couple holding their Invisalign aligners

While Invisalign treatment can effectively straighten your teeth while allowing you to still show off your smile, you might wonder what your life will be like undergoing the process. That’s why our team has included a brief look at what you can expect throughout the process of improving your bite alignment. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, but otherwise, here’s what you should know about living with Invisalign aligners.

Wearing Your Trays

a person wearing Invisalign aligners

To progress through the treatment plan, you’ll need to wear your Invisalign trays for 20-22 hours every day. You might assume that two hours can allow plenty of “free time,” but the minutes will add up, especially when you account for eating your meals and cleaning your aligners and teeth afterward. For this reason, we’ll encourage you to use the Invisalign app, which has a built-in timer to help you track your time most efficiently.

Cleaning Your Aligners

a person rinsing off Invisalign aligners

One of the best things about Invisalign aligners is that they’re practically invisible, so long as you keep them clean. At first glance, others may not even notice you’re undergoing treatment. However, they may start to see some yellow in the aligners if you forget to clean them. Remember to rinse your trays with clean water after removing them and before putting them back on. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub every surface of the aligners after every meal. You can also place your trays in a glass of water with cleaning crystals for whenever you’re eating, that way they remain clean and bacteria-free.

Eating & Drinking

a woman enjoying a smoothie

Perhaps the major rule of Invisalign is to never eat or drink anything (except for pure water) while wearing your Invisalign. This can end up staining or damaging your trays, which can then delay your progress and cost more money. So, after removing them before enjoying your meal, store them in a protective case instead of wrapping them with a napkin. This will ensure that they’re safe while you fill up on nutritious foods.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

woman putting her hands up out of guilt

Remembering to store your Invisalign aligners in a protective and visible case will help you avoid potentially damaging or losing them. Still, accidents aren’t always avoidable. Should you end up losing or damaging your clear trays, it isn’t the end of the world. Simply give our office a call so that we can help determine your next best steps.

Routine Check-Ins

a dentist and patient giving thumbs up

During your treatment, you’ll need to visit our team every six weeks or so for check-in appointments. This will allow us to monitor your orthodontic process as well as make any necessary adjustments to your plan to ensure you’re on the right track to a straighter smile. We’ll also provide you with your next set of aligners as well as answer any questions or concerns you might have before sending you on your way to keep up the good work.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

a person in Dublin taking money out of their wallet

Knowing the overall cost of Invisalign before undergoing the process is important for both your time and your wallet. Every smile is unique, so you won’t be able to determine the exact price of the treatment until you’ve seen us for an initial consultation. At that time, we’ll evaluate your oral situation and give you a more accurate estimate of how much you’ll pay to straighten your smile. Until then, here are several things to consider for the cost of Invisalign in Dublin.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

a woman smiling after undergoing Invisalign in Dublin

The price for Invisalign treatment will depend on each patient and various factors, such as:

  • If you’re straightening one or both arches – Having to address both upper and lower teeth will cost more than treating only one of them.
  • The number of aligners necessary – This can be influenced by the type and severity of your dental misalignment.
  • If you require additional accessories – Needing elastics or other accessories for your process can raise the price.
  • Your treatment compliance – Neglecting to keep track of your treatment plan and taking care of your aligners can cost you more.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

a person in Dublin holding clear aligners

Those who are on a budget might be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligners like Smile Direct Club™. In many cases, this orthodontic treatment can go for around $2,000 whereas Invisalign can go between $3,000 and $8,000. Still, while the former seems more affordable, you’ll want to keep the quality in mind before jumping on board.

DIY clear aligners are typically made of cheaper plastic material, which can easily break and become warped, making them ineffective or even leading to complications. In some instances, people have experienced worsened dental misalignment by using these products and required professional help anyway. On the other hand, your dentist will work with you every step of the way with Invisalign. These clear trays are also custom-designed, durable, and comfortable for your smile. With this option, you won’t have to worry about a lack of quality or unnecessary issues while straightening your pearly whites.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

wooden blocks representing dental insurance for Invisalign

Certain dental insurance companies can provide coverage for orthodontic processes, including Invisalign. If your policy covers clear aligner treatment, you might be able to lower your out-of-pocket fees by $1,000 or more. Since every plan is different, you should consult your provider before committing to anything. Our team will also be happy to help you navigate your benefits and make this process easier for you.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

a woman smiling with straight teeth after undergoing Invisalign

If you’re without dental insurance, you can always explore alternative financing options. Our practice has an in-house membership plan that can give you significant discounts on multiple services with a low monthly fee, such as Invisalign. We’re also partnered with CareCredit—a third-party financier that can cut the overall cost of your treatment into low-to-no-interest monthly installments. This means you can work within your budget while achieving the straight smile you’ve always wanted!

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

woman smiling holding invisalign

Everyone has seen those awkward high school pictures of teenagers wearing metal braces that protrude from their mouths screaming, “Look at me!” With this image floating in your mind, the last thing you want to think about is wearing traditional braces. Thankfully, there is now an alternative that provides the same amazing benefits – just in a more desirable manner. The Invisalign process of fixing crooked, gapped, misaligned, or crowded teeth has revolutionized orthodontic care, but what are the important details you need to know about the procedure? As you continue reading, you’ll discover the answers to five of the leading questions about Invisalign. Therefore, you can feel comfortable about contacting us at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin to achieve a more aesthetic and functional set of teeth with the expert care of Dr. Buck!

What is Invisalign?

To replace the metal brackets, elastic bands, and wires that traditional braces are known for, the Invisalign process utilizes a series of clear, plastic trays to precisely and carefully adjust your teeth until they are properly aligned. To continue to see progress, you’ll wear each set of trays for two-week increments and then exchange them for the next set in the series until your teeth are straightened sufficiently.

Will I have to wear a retainer?

No matter what type of orthodontic treatment you undergo, you’ll need to wear a retainer after it’s completed. This is because the bone that lies beneath the gum line has to form around the new position of the tooth roots. Until this is accomplished, your teeth can easily regress. So to prevent this from happening, it’s a requirement to wear a retainer after your Invisalign treatment concludes. By complying, you won’t have to worry about losing your results.

How long is Invisalign treatment?

For an accurate forecast of how long it will take to complete treatment with Invisalign, you’ll need to visit Dr. Buck for a consultation. At that time, he’ll determine the severity and type of malocclusion (poor bite) you have, so he can map out the perfect plan to meet your needs.

On average, though, Invisalign is a faster method of bite correction than the traditional braces route. In some cases, treatment can be completed in 12-18 months.

How do I clean my Invisalign trays?

Once you’re on the path to having your bite corrected with Invisalign, the last thing you want to do is compromise your efforts. Thus, it’s important to keep your trays clean to prevent the growth of bacteria.

When you remove the trays, always be sure to rinse, gently brush and soak them, and store them in the case that is provided in a moderate-temperature environment. This will help to prevent any warping or cracks.

How much does Invisalign cost?

The first thing to take into account when considering the cost of Invisalign is that it’s a highly customized procedure. Thus, the number of trays needed, the amount of treatment time, and any other tweaks that need to be made will factor into the final cost.

When you visit for a consultation, we’ll provide a detailed cost estimate for your orthodontic care. Therefore, you can plan accordingly.

Does Invisalign hurt?

One of the biggest advantages of undergoing Invisalign is that you won’t have to worry about discomfort during the process. Your custom trays will be constructed out of smooth dental plastic that will be designed to fit perfectly in your smile at every stage of your treatment. This means you shouldn’t experience irritation in your soft oral tissues while wearing them. Of course, it’s normal to feel some soreness while straightening your smile, but some painkillers and time can help alleviate it. Consider drinking ice-cold water whenever you feel mild discomfort from the pressure of gradually shifting your teeth into their perfect positions.

What happens after Invisalign?

After you’ve undergone Invisalign and achieved your dream smile, you’ll need to wear retainers to maintain your results. The good news is that these trays will only be meant to keep your teeth where they are, not to move them any further. In many cases, you’ll be able to choose between wire retainers or clear plastic ones—both of which will feel comfortable. Depending on your situation, your dentist will recommend that you wear them all day every day for a while before decreasing it to only needing to wear them overnight.

What if my Invisalign broke?

Although Invisalign aligners are durable, they can still become damaged or compromised. Even if you notice a hairline crack in one of your trays, you’ll want to notify our team for help. The last thing we’d want is for you to try fixing it on your own with household items, such as glue, which is highly NOT recommended. Instead of accidentally ingesting hazardous materials to fix your Invisalign, call your dentist so they can determine the proper approach. To avoid damaging your trays in the future, be sure to take them out before meals or drinks, keep them safe in a protective case, and be gentle when putting them back on.

Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?

Since every patient’s smile is unique, the price of either Invisalign or traditional braces will depend on various factors, including the severity of misalignment issues. In some cases, Invisalign trays will cost virtually the same as braces, the higher values being around $5,000. This can be affected by aspects such as your oral health, your misalignment situation, and your commitment to your treatment plan. Some dental insurance companies won’t offer coverage for Invisalign, which can make this option appear more costly compared to traditional braces. Still, be sure to consult your provider to see if you can receive at least some assistance to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. You can also consult our team to explore alternative financing solutions to further reduce the upfront cost!

Now that you’ve learned more about Invisalign in Dublin, the next step is to give us a call at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin to schedule an initial visit with Dr. Buck. The smile of your dreams awaits you!