Request Request Appointment Like Us Like us on Facebook Reviews Read Our Reviews Call Give us a Call Map View our Map

Invisalign® Clear Braces – Farmington, MI

Clear Aligners Straighten Smiles

Would you be amazed to learn that now, it’s possible to straighten your teeth in just months instead of years? The latest trend in orthodontics today is Invisalign, and it can give patients beautifully straight teeth in an average of 9-15 months instead of the 2-4 years traditional braces can often require. There are no metal wires or brackets required with Invisalign either – instead, your teeth are comfortably straightened with a set of customized, practically invisible, and removable plastic aligners.

In the past, the only option for orthodontic treatment was those bulky braces made of metal. But as more and more adults began to opt to have their teeth straightened, the need for a more mature choice became clear. Now, with Invisalign, Farmington adults and teenagers can choose to realign their smiles with clear braces.

How Invisalign Works

Clear alignment tray

Like traditional braces, Invisalign can correct many cosmetic imperfections. For some of our patients, the problem may be crooked or crowded teeth. Others may be bothered by an overbite or teeth that have wide gaps between them. Whatever orthodontic concerns you have regarding your smile, Invisalign may be the right solution for you.

Invisalign for Farmington & the Surrounding Areas

Invisalign logo

Before a patient can begin any kind of orthodontic treatment, Dr. Metzger always schedules a dental checkup to ensure your oral health. Any problems, such as cavities or periodontal disease, should be taken care of before you start wearing your Invisalign aligners.

Then, Dr. Metzger works hand-in-hand with an Invisalign lab to develop a treatment plan that will address your unique orthodontic needs. Using X-rays, photographs, and impressions, the lab creates 3D images of your teeth. With this, Dr. Metzger can visualize exactly how your teeth need to move. And Plus, with the 3D image and treatment plan, she can even show you her visualization so you’ll be able to see exactly what your smile will look like once you’ve completed treatment.

Wearing Invisalign Aligners & Average Treatment Time

Closeup of person placing Invisalign tray

The aligners are organized in a sequential series of sets that you’ll wear for about two weeks each. At the end of those two weeks, simply throw away the set you’ve been wearing and move on to the next. Although Dr. Metzger will want you to wear your aligners for most of the hours in a day, you will be able to remove them at mealtime and when you need to brush and floss your teeth.

The length of treatment depends on your specific case. For most of our Invisalign patients, the time spent wearing their aligners is usually no longer than what would be required for traditional braces, and in fact is often much shorter. As you progress from month to month, you’ll see your teeth begin to realign beautifully, and your smile will become the straight one you’ve always wanted.

Not sure if Invisalign is the right choice for you? Contact our dental office to schedule a FREE consultation. Dr. Metzger and her team look forward to welcoming you!

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

A jaw mockup holding dollar bills next to dental tools

Even if you want Invisalign aligners, you may think they’d be too expensive. After all, orthodontic care can get pricey at times. In truth, though, the cost of Invisalign varies by patient. Thus, you’d need to consult Dr. Metzger for an exact treatment estimate. That said, you can trust Monet Aesthetic Dentistry to help you navigate the financing process. To learn more about how that would work, keep reading or book a visit to our practice.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

A woman placing her Invisalign aligners

After performing an oral exam, Dr. Metzger will assess the factors impacting your Invisalign price. These usually include the following:

  • The Treated Arch Number – Invisalign usually treats the top and bottom arches. Even so, you can get it for one or the other. So, whether you get aligners for one or both will influence your expense.
  • Treatment Complexity – More severe alignment problems cost more to fix. For example, a gap between front teeth is cheaper to treat than several crooked chompers.
  • Length of Treatment – The longer your treatment lasts, the more aligners you’ll need. Those extra trays, in turn, will raise the procedure’s price.
  • Patient Compliance – If you don’t wear your aligners for 22 hours daily, your treatment will be delayed. Should that happen, Invisalign will involve higher costs.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which is Cheaper?

Invisalign aligners in a case surrounded by other aligners on a black background

Smile Direct Club™ is the choice with the lower upfront cost. It only costs a bit under $2,000. On the other hand, Invisalign charges anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. You may feel tempted, then, to choose the seemingly-cheaper service.

However, remember that Smile Direct Club™  is a “do it yourself” aligner kit. It doesn’t offer any real professional oversight, so it leaves a lot to chance. In fact, plenty can go wrong with this option – improperly-made impressions, bungled wear time, etc. If such things were to happen, you’d need professional help anyway.

Thankfully, Invisalign provides trusted oversight from Dr. Metzger at all times. Therefore, you’d surely receive professional, high-grade impressions and successful treatment. With such peace of mind in hand, these aligners are worth the extra charge.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

An insurance agent working on a dental insurance form

Dental plans don’t often cover orthodontic work. Furthermore, those that do tend to leave out Invisalign and other clear aligner treatments.

Still, there are occasional exceptions. Your policy may offer partial coverage. To be safe, you should thus confirm the matter with your insurance provider. If you’d like, our practice can even help you do so.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

A woman paying the cost of Invisalign

Of course, dental insurance isn’t the only way to make Invisalign affordable. Other ones exist as well! For instance,  Monet Aesthetic Dentistry offers:

  • Dental Savings Plans – For a moderate annual fee, our office will give you (among other things) 20% off non-preventive care. We’ll also throw in a further 15% off your final payment if you pay with a credit card.
  • Flexible Financing –  By working with CareCredit, our practice lets patients pay for services in monthly installments. The result is that you could cover the cost of Invisalign gradually, not all at once.  

As you can see, Monet Aesthetic Dentistry could straighten your smile in a budget-friendly way. That being the case, consult us to learn more about the financial details.

Invisalign FAQs

FAQ word bubble on yellow background

Do you want to know more about Invisalign in Farmington? If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Our team at Monet Aesthetic Dentistry as gathered key information about Invisalign treatment in this handy FAQ section. Choosing an orthodontic treatment plan is an important decision, so you should take the time to consider all the pros and cons of your various options. If you have additional questions about Invisalign clear braces after reading the information below, do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Metzger!

Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?

While you may experience some soreness when you start wearing a new set of aligners, any discomfort should be mild and disappear within a few days. As your teeth adjust to the new aligners, you will likely not notice any pressure at all!

In addition, Invisalign aligners are significantly less likely to irritate your gums or the inside of your cheeks compared to traditional metal braces. The plastic trays are custom-designed to fit comfortably around your teeth. You will never have to worry about broken metal wires scratching the inside of your mouth!

Is Invisalign Safe to Wear?

Yes! Invisalign from a dentist in Farmington is a perfectly safe way to achieve a beautiful, straight smile. Invisalign aligners are crafted from a medical-grade polyurethane plastic that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for long-term use in the body. Moreover, according to the manufacturer, the aligners are free from Bisphenol A (BPA), parabens, latex, phthalates, glutaraldehyde and epoxy.

How Do I Clean My Aligners?

Without proper care and maintenance, bacteria and plaque can build up on the inside of your aligners and damage your teeth. Fortunately, caring for your smile while undergoing Invisalign treatment is easy!

A good rule of thumb is to brush both your teeth and your aligners after every meal or at least twice a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste when cleaning your aligners. Before putting them back in your mouth, rinse your aligners with lukewarm water. Avoid placing them under hot water, and this may warp the plastic and delay your treatment plan. 

Do I Have to Give Up My Favorite Foods?

No! One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign over traditional orthodontic treatment is the fact that you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite foods. Invisalign trays are easily removable, so you can take them out whenever you sit down for a meal. However, as we mentioned above, just make sure that you diligently brush your teeth after eating before you put your aligners back in. Otherwise, tiny bits of food between stuck your teeth may get trapped inside your aligners.  

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Because every smile is unique, the cost of Invisalign treatment can often vary from patient to patient. In general, the following factors contribute to the final cost of treatment:

 

In general, most insurance plans that cover traditional orthodontic treatment like metal braces also cover Invisalign. However, every insurance plan is slightly different. Be sure to read the details of your policy when considering whether Invisalign is right for you.