Invisalign® Clear Aligners – Pacoima, CA

Crowded Teeth

Overcrowded teeth are one of the most common orthodontic issues. The good news is that Invisalign® can address even more moderate cases, so don’t automatically assume that traditional braces are your only option! Oftentimes, with the help of attachments and interproximal reduction, the process of moving your teeth into their properly aligned positions doesn’t require any metal at all.

Gaps Between Teeth

Whether there are small gaps between all of your teeth or a large gap between your two front teeth, don’t worry – Invisalign® can move your teeth closer and closer together. The first step is scheduling a consultation with us so we can learn more about your dental history and oral health as well as the severity of your case. The good news is that the average treatment timeline with clear aligners is only 12-18 months, so it won’t be long until you have your dream smile if you’re a candidate for Invisalign®!

Overbite

Another common orthodontic problem is an overbite, which is when the upper teeth jut out beyond the lower ones. If you think you have this bite issue, then don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign®. That way, we can bring your teeth and your bite into proper alignment before you experience trouble chewing, chronic jaw pain, and the like.

Underbite

What if your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? Since the jaw is in an unnatural position, many patients with this orthodontic problem (known as an “underbite”) experience chronic pain, low self-esteem, and several other complications. Fortunately, cases that aren’t too severe can be fixed with clear aligners, which means you won’t have to wear metal brackets or wires to achieve your dream smile.

Crossbite

In addition to making it difficult to smile with confidence, crossbites can make it difficult to chew and speak properly. Plus, there is always the risk of chronic jaw pain, TMJ dysfunction, and premature wear and tear. So, don’t wait to explore your treatment options! You might be surprised to learn that you’re a candidate for Invisalign®!

Open Bite

Is there space in the front or back of your mouth when you bite down? If so, come in to see if we can bring your bite into proper alignment with Invisalign®! At your consultation, we’ll see if clear aligners (combined with buttons or any other orthodontic accessories) are the solution.

Wearing Your Trays

Although each Invisalign treatment plan is unique, there is a commonality: they all require patients to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day. As you can see, that doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room. For that reason, we recommend using the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time so you know how close or far you are from the mark. Then, make the necessary adjustments! It may take some work, but it’s crucial when it comes to avoiding treatment plan delays.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Good news: cleaning your Invisalign aligners won’t take a lot of time or require a lot of products. In fact, there’s a good chance that you already have everything you need: a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean, cool water, and mild, clear dishwashing liquid. In addition to getting in the habit of rinsing your trays with clean, cool water each time you take them out, start cleaning them with the previously mentioned items each morning when you wake up and each evening before you go to bed.

Eating & Drinking

Many patients are thrilled to hear that they don’t need to completely eliminate any foods from their diet with Invisalign. While that’s true, there are some that we recommend steering clear of, or, at the very least, exercising caution with, like hard pretzels and popcorn. Ideally, your breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be filled with smile-friendly foods, like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and plain yogurt. That way, your teeth and gums stay healthy, and any attachments you have stay in place!

Losing or Damaging a Tray

DIY solutions, like using superglue to piece your aligner back together or moving onto the next set of aligners in the series without telling us, are not recommended. Instead, you should contact us ASAP to share what happened. From there, we can look at your treatment plan and determine if it’s safe to continue wearing your aligners, if a replacement needs to be made, or if you can move onto the next set a bit early.

Routine Check-Ins

Every six or eight weeks, you’ll come to our office so we can monitor the movement of your teeth. We do this by taking new scans, which only takes a few minutes. If you are on-track with your treatment plan, then we will provide you with the next set in the series and see you at your next visit. If you aren’t on-track, then we will need to come up with a game plan, like having you wear your current aligners for a bit longer.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

At the consultation visit, you’ll have an oral exam. This process lets us confirm the factors that impact your treatment cost. Among these, the most notable ones are:

• Arch Number – While Invisalign often treats both arches, it doesn’t always. You can get it for just one arch at a cheaper price.
• Treatment Complexity – When Invisalign involves complex tooth movements, it gets more expensive.
• Treatment Timeline – As treatment time increases, the number of aligners you need will also rise. That’ll eventually lead to a pricier procedure.
• Patient Compliance – If you neglect Invisalign best practices, your treatment results will be delayed. Said delay will then lead to a higher expense.

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

Really, Invisalign has a higher upfront price than Smile Direct Club™. The first option charges $3,000 to $8,000, while the second costs under $2,000. Given that fact, you could easily view Smile Direct Club™ as the cost-effective choice.

All that said, don’t forget: Smile Direct Club™ is a DIY aligner kit. It doesn't enjoy oversight from a qualified dental team. As such, using it can lead to mistakes – poorly-made dental impressions, bad aligner habits, etc. Your smile would need professional help if such errors occurred.

In contrast, Invisalign lacks the oversight problem. It benefits from our dentists’ constant input and feedback. Therefore, choosing it will lead to high-grade impressions and more successful care. The procedure’s cost is justified in that case.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Dental insurance usually won’t cover Invisalign. In fact, it often won’t apply to orthodontics at all. Even plans that make room for alignment work will exclude Invisalign.

Of course, there are exceptions. Plans exist that can cover up to 50% of Invisalign’s cost. So, confirm your benefits before deciding anything. Our team can help you do so by reaching your plan provider.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Luckily, insurance isn’t the only way to make Invisalign affordable. Other good ones are a dental practice’s various payment options. For example, A New Smile offers:

• Special Offers – If you see us for Invisalign, our team will give you a free oral exam and dental X-rays.
• Flexible Financing – As it happens, our office works with CareCredit. This financier would let you pay for Invisalign in monthly installments. By doing so, you could cover the aligners’ cost gradually instead of all at once.

Our team wants your Invisalign journey to be budget-friendly. Therefore, book a visit with our office to learn more about financing it.