Invisalign – Tysons, VA

Crowded Teeth

Apart from the embarrassment you might feel because of the overlapping of your teeth, overcrowding can lead to a wide array of problems that can result in costly and timely treatments in an attempt to save your natural teeth. Some of these include:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Cavities
• A misaligned bite

Teeth that overlap or appear too close to each other make it difficult to brush and floss. Because good oral hygiene habits are necessary to maintain good oral and overall health, overcrowding can make your morning and nighttime rituals extremely hard and nearly impossible.

Crowded teeth  are a common occurrence, but they must be treated if you want to avoid problems with tooth decay and gum disease. At our office,  Dr. Naini  and her team are pleased to provide patients with an alternative solution to traditional braces – Invisalign. These clear aligners can shift your teeth to create the necessary space, allowing you to enjoy a more pleasing aesthetic and healthier smile.

Gaps Between Teeth

Wondering why your teeth are gapped in the first place? You’re not alone. Many individuals suffer from the same fate, uncertain as to why their smile looks the way it does. The reasons for this type of development are usually the cause of:

• Enlarge frenulum behind the upper lip (lip-tie)
• Missing teeth
• Non-nutritive habits as a child (i.e., thumb-sucking or pacifier use)
• Gum disease
• Tongue thrust

Many individuals transition from childhood to adolescents with “cute” gaps between their teeth before reaching adulthood and realizing these “adorable” spaces in-between teeth are causing more harm than good. Fortunately, our team can provide you with a solution that is not only clear but will have you saying goodbye to your gaps much sooner than if you were wearing traditional braces. With Invisalign, you can watch as these clear aligners shift your teeth closer together, giving you a chance for better oral health as well as greater confidence for a more pleasing aesthetic.

Overbite

Overbite is when the top row of teeth sticks too far out from the lower arch. This can cause a variety of issues, including jaw pain, speech problems, uneven wear on the teeth, and even make it harder to chew food. Invisalign aligners, oftentimes paired with elastics, can help shift your top arch backward, helping it align more evenly with the bottom and relieving pressure from your jaw joints.

Underbite

Another common concern for patients is underbite, which is basically the reverse of overbite, meaning that the bottom row of teeth juts out too far, causing the top arch to sit farther backwards. Underbites are often a result of genetics, trauma (like a past jaw injury), tumors, or childhood habits like thumb and pacifier-sucking. Patients with an underbite often experience sleep apnea, chronic bad breath, mouth breathing, and like those with an overbite, have difficulty chewing food. When paired with elastics, Invisalign aligners can shift the bottom arch of teeth backwards, allowing them to align with the top.

Crossbite

Crossbite is caused when your bottom teeth sit in front of the upper arch. Some people have front crossbite, while others have back crossbite. In many cases, this type of bite misalignment is a result of genetics, but it can be addressed with clear aligners and elastics to improve dental hygiene and jaw joint comfort.

Open Bite

Lastly, patients with open bite often suffer from speech impediments as well as a higher risk of broken and chipped teeth, affecting oral and overall health. Open bite is characterized by the bottom and top teeth not overlapping or touching when your mouth is closed. Invisalign aligners can help close the bite, allowing your teeth to evenly come together to make it easier to pronounce certain words and chew food.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Invisalign

You may be under the common misconception that orthodontics cannot be customized. Although you may see individuals wearing what appears to be a mouth full of braces, in reality, they may only have brackets and wires on the teeth that are visible. The same can be said for Invisalign clear aligners. It is easy to assume that if you require this method of treatment, you will need them for both your top and bottom teeth, but that is not true at all.

Dr. Naini will examine your oral cavity and determine the type of care you need. This will give her a better idea of how best to treat you to achieve the desired results. This also helps to identify various factors that will contribute to your overall cost.

Some of these include:

• How many clear aligners you will need throughout your treatment
• How severe your orthodontic problem is at the start of treatment
• Whether you will need a top or bottom aligner or both
• If you require any pre-orthodontic dental work (i.e. tooth extraction)
• Your retainer after Invisalign treatment is complete

Is Invisalign Worth the Investment?

If you take our advice, yes, the investment you make to receive Invisalign aligners will most certainly be worth it in the long run. But ultimately, it is up to you. Numerous patients have found great success with this clear orthodontic choice. Its many benefits make it a reliable and popular option for individuals with various issues (i.e. overcrowding, gapped teeth, bite alignment). If you are wondering what makes Invisalign such a great alternative to traditional metal braces, consider the following:

• You’ll be working toward a healthier smile without having to compromise your daily appearance
• Invisalign aligners make it easier to maintain good oral health without having to maneuver around brackets or wires
• Your aligners are easy to clean. A toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water is all you need to remove dried saliva and harmful bacteria
• Invisalign produces faster results than regular braces
• You’ll have a boost in confidence and feel better about the way you look in less time

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Every dental insurance plan differs, which means that while some may cover the cost of Invisalign, others may not. The best way to learn whether your benefits extend to orthodontic procedures is to contact your provider directly. Our team is happy to help you maximize your benefits by filing your claims and handling any paperwork that your insurance plan may require.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

In addition to accepting dental insurance, our practice is happy to work with third-party financers like CareCredit and Lending Club to offer you low-to-no interest payment plans upon approval. This makes fitting the cost of your treatment into your monthly budget much more manageable. Plus, in many cases, by the time you get your final results, you’ll already be finished paying it off!