Invisalign – Carlsbad, CA
Straighten Teeth with
Confidence & Beauty
Have you been wanting a straight set of teeth but haven’t been willing to commit to uncomfortable and noticeable traditional braces? Thankfully, Dr. Megan A. Shelton offers an alternative! Invisalign clear aligners allow us to align your smile without the hassle and appearance of metal brackets and wires. The best part is that you won’t even have to change your diet! If it sounds like Invisalign in Carlsbad, CA could be right for you, keep reading to learn more.
Why Choose Polished General Dentistry for Invisalign?
- Aligners That Blend Right In
- iTero Scans for Designing Aligners
- Creating a Balanced Bite & Longevity
How Invisalign® Works
Invisalign utilizes a series of clear plastic aligners that are designed to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. We will take impressions of your smile, which we use to develop your series of aligners. These are made with clear, smooth plastic, which leads to a comfortable wearing experience. You’ll wear each aligner for about 2 weeks, before switching them out for the next in the series.
While Invisalign is completely removable, it’s vital for the treatment process to wear your trays for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. You’ll come back into our dental office every 6 to 8 weeks, where we will ensure that your treatment is going smoothly. After, you can enjoy a beautifully straight smile!
The Benefits of Invisalign®
We offer Invisalign because of the many benefits our patients can enjoy when they choose this treatment, including:
- Comfort: Unlike traditional braces that can cut and catch the inside of your mouth, Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic, making them comfortable and easy to wear.
- Appearance: As the name may suggest, Invisalign is incredibly hard to notice when the aligners are being worn.
- Confidence: Without metal brackets and wires in your mouth, you can feel confident to flash your grin in your social and professional lives.
- Diet: Completely removable, Invisalign doesn’t require you to alter your diet during treatment. Just be sure to clean your mouth before putting your aligners back in.
- Speed: Typically, treatment time will take around a year, which tends to be shorter than traditional braces.
Candidates for Invisalign®
If you’re wondering whether or not you’re a candidate for clear aligners, call our dental office today! The best way to find out is to book a consultation with Dr. Shelton. She will carefully examine your smile, it’s alignment, and your bite before developing your personalized treatment plan. Patients who could benefit from Invisalign will typically have mild to moderate misalignment. Some orthodontic issues may be too severe for Dr. Shelton to treat with Invisalign, which is why the initial consultation is so important.
Does it sound like Invisalign is right for you? If you have any questions, or if you want to schedule your initial consultation, call our dental office to get started!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Whether you’re struggling with a few minorly crooked teeth or complex orthodontic issues, Invisalign in Carlsbad is a great way to help you achieve your smile goals without drawing attention to the fact that you’re undergoing treatment. But how much does Invisalign cost? While the only way to find out for sure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shelton, we understand that many patients like to do some research online first. Below, we break down some important things to consider when it comes to how much you’ll pay for Invisalign.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Because these clear aligners are not a one-size-fits-all treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all cost of Invisalign in Carlsbad. Instead, several factors will determine the end price, such as:
- Whether you’re straightening both your top and bottom teeth or just one arch
- The complexity of the movements your teeth need to make
- The proposed length of your treatment
Invisalign vs. DIY Aligners: Which Costs More?
Invisalign took the orthodontic world by storm when it introduced clear aligner technology in the late 1990s. Over the last two decades, multiple companies have tried to replicate this innovative system. As a result, many patients wonder which is truly the best way to straighten their teeth.
One thing to consider is that with Invisalign, every step of your treatment is monitored by Dr. Shelton (an Invisalign Premier Provider), while DIY Clear Aligner kits come with almost no professional supervision. Their lower initial cost may seem enticing, but when you’re responsible for the entire treatment, there’s plenty of room for things to go wrong. For example, you might take impressions incorrectly, which can lead to tooth movements that later have to be corrected by an Invisalign dentist in Carlsbad. You would end up not saving any money at all!
The better solution for your smile as well as your wallet is to stick to professional orthodontic treatment from the start.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Invisalign is not commonly covered by dental insurance providers – at least, not to the same extent that traditional braces are. That being said, every plan differs, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the details of yours! Our team would be more than happy to help you with this process. All you have to do is bring copies of the necessary documents to your appointment. Then, we can take care of the paperwork on your behalf.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Even if you’re uninsured, or if your plan doesn’t provide enough coverage for Invisalign, there are still ways of making your treatment affordable. One of these is through CareCredit, a third-party financing company that provides payments plans with low (or even zero) interest for dental treatments. We also have an in-house membership plan as an alternative to insurance. For a small annual fee, the Polished Dental Savings Plan gives you complimentary preventive care as well as discounts on most of our other services.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign can give you a clear path to a straighter smile, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a few questions along the way. Dr. Shelton is more than happy to take any questions you have about your clear aligners and encourages you to voice your concerns during your initial consultation; you can also call us any time if you have questions. Take the time to review the frequently asked questions below to see if we’ve already provided the answers you need.
Can I only get Invisalign® on the top?
If you only need Invisalign for one row of teeth – be it the top or bottom row – you can undergo what is known as a single arch treatment. It’s typically more suitable for situations where you only have a few crooked or misaligned teeth to worry about, or when the treatment is more for cosmetic reasons that a serious orthodontic issue.
How long does the treatment take?
You may start to see improvements after just a few weeks, but generally it takes about 12 to 18 months to complete Invisalign treatment. More complex orthodontic issues are obviously more likely to require longer treatment time. Also, the process might be extended if you don’t wear your aligners for the required 20 to 22 hours each day.
Will I need a retainer?
Yes, a retainer is necessary after you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment. Just like with braces, there’s a risk that the teeth will shift back to their original positions. In order to stop the teeth from moving and keep your new smile intact, we’ll provide you with a specially made retainer, which you’ll wear for about 9 to 12 months while your mouth builds up the bone to stabilize the teeth.
How much does Invisalign® cost?
The cost of Invisalign is more or less in line with the cost of traditional metal braces. The amount you end up paying in the end depends on how long the treatment ends up being and how many clear aligners you use. You’ll be given an estimate of how much you can expect Invisalign to cost in your particular case during the first visit.
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