Invisalign

Invisalign Overview

Everyone wants straighter teeth, but few people look forward to wearing traditional braces—with that eye-catching metal and the wires and brackets that can sometimes be annoying or even painful.

But traditional braces aren’t your only option anymore! Invisalign clear aligners can offer you the same teeth-straightening advantages of metal braces, but without the drawbacks of the metal itself!

If you or a loved one are interested in straightening your teeth, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Are you a good candidate for teeth straightening? Where should you go? Is the Invisalign straightening process right for you?

As your Invisalign dentist at Arlington Dentistry by Design, we look forward to answering all of your questions about Invisalign aligners and helping you get the straighter smile you want.

What Are Invisalign Invisible Braces?

When you’re used to standard metal braces, it can be hard to believe that there’s a dependable alternative that’s so different from the wires and brackets of traditional braces. Invisalign braces work differently from traditional braces, but they have the same long-lasting benefits and stunning results!

Invisalign aligners are smooth, transparent trays that won’t irritate your gums, tongue, or insides of your cheeks as you use them. These trays fit closely over your teeth and gradually shift them into place for a straighter smile, similar to the way metal braces gently pressure your teeth into a new position.

However, while you’ll probably need to have metal brackets loosened or tightened during your treatment, you won’t need to worry about making these uncomfortable adjustments with Invisalign aligners.

When you use Invisalign trays, instead of tweaking metal braces to get the fit you need, every once in a while you will receive a new Invisalign aligner that’s a better fit for your teeth as they shift. As you cycle through these aligners, your teeth will gradually straighten until you have exactly the smile you want.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Aligners?

Invisalign aligners come with many benefits for their treatment, such as the following:

Effective Teeth Straightening | The most obvious benefit of Invisalign aligners is that you can easily and effectively straighten your teeth for a perfect smile. Straighter teeth can mean a more beautiful smile and a more confident you in all aspects of your life!

Discreet Treatment | Traditional braces are often eye-catching, and their metal pieces tend to catch the light in photos. Invisalign aligners are transparent, which means no one needs to know you’re straightening your teeth at all.

If you’re trying to decide between clear braces vs. metal braces, ask yourself whether people looking at your braces would make you feel self-conscious. If you would prefer the subtlety of clear braces, Invisalign aligners could be a great fit for you!

Easy Maintenance | It can be difficult to brush and floss effectively when you’re wearing fixed metal braces. Invisalign invisible braces are easy to pop in and out of your mouth, making it easy to brush and floss like normal and keep your dental hygiene on track.

How Much Is Invisalign Treatment?

While you’re deciding between Invisalign aligners vs. braces, you’ll naturally be interested in the Invisalign aligners vs. braces cost. You’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign clear braces are competitively priced, and the average cost of Invisalign aligners is designed to roughly match the cost of traditional braces.

Understanding your insurance is also a key part of paying for dental work. We are often asked the question: does insurance cover Invisalign aligners? The answer depends on your insurance and individual situation.

If your insurance covers the cost of traditional braces, it’s likely that your insurance will also partially cover Invisalign clear braces. However, we always recommend double checking with your provider and making sure you fully understand the terms and payment plan that’s available to you.

Here at Arlington Dentistry by Design, we want you to be able to get the beautiful smile you deserve—including figuring out how you can afford this treatment. Call us today!

Are There Invisalign Aligner Alternatives?

Along with traditional braces, you may have heard of Smile Direct Club or other forms of clear braces. Deciding what clear braces are right for you is a big decision, which is why we offer a FREE Invisalign consultation to help you make this decision.

When you come to Arlington Dentistry by Design for your treatment, your Invisalign dentist Dr. Khalil will have your dental health in mind with anything they recommend, unlike mail-order aligner companies. You can also look up Invisalign aligner reviews to see what kind of experience others have had with the product.

We’re Excited to Give You the Smile You Deserve

If you’re ready to improve your teeth and straighten your smile, contact us today! We’re happy to schedule an appointment or to answer any questions you might have.

We’re Excited to Give You the Smile You Deserve

If you’re ready to improve your teeth and straighten your smile, contact us today! We’re happy to schedule an appointment or to answer any questions you might have.

How Invisalign Clear Aligners Work

At face value, Invisalign clear braces seem almost too simple. How can smooth, transparent trays achieve the same results as complicated traditional braces? Invisalign invisible braces can provide you with the same beautiful, long-lasting smile as traditional braces by using effective modern dental technology.


We’ll answer the basic questions about Invisalign clear braces right here on this page. If you have any other questions, we encourage you to reach out to your Invisalign dentist at Arlington Dentistry by Design today to learn more about what Invisalign aligners can do for you specifically!

How Does the Invisalign Process Start?

The first step is to come to Arlington Dentistry by Design for your FREE Invisalign consultation! Let us know that you are interested in clear braces, and we will sit down with you and make sure Invisalign aligners are a good fit for your needs.

At your consultation, we will check your teeth and ask what changes you’d like to make to your smile. Invisalign clear aligners can treat most causes of misaligned teeth, but they aren’t right for all smiles. If Invisalign clear aligners will work well with your teeth and can help you reach your dental goals, we’ll get you started!

We’ll start your Invisalign treatment by taking digital scans of your current teeth and mapping out your straightening plan. We will use these scans to design your clear aligners to fit your teeth exactly. Throughout the Invisalign process you will cycle through multiple clear aligners, and each of them will be fitted to work with your teeth specifically.

Once these molds have been taken and delivered to you, you can start on your Invisalign process! All it takes is a commitment to wearing Invisalign aligners regularly and keeping those invisible braces clean and well-cared for—and you’re ready for a straighter smile.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The Invisalign treatment works by using a series of Invisalign trays that gradually and gently shift your teeth into a better position. Your first Invisalign aligner will be just different enough from your current bite that your teeth will move incrementally towards a straighter smile.

Once this small difference has taken effect and your teeth have made those tiny shifts, you’re ready for your next Invisalign aligner. Just like the first tray, all your following Invisalign trays will have been made in order to make slight adjustments to your bite, and each tray will be very slightly different from the previous one.

As you gradually cycle through these Invisalign trays, these little changes will add up. Once your Invisalign treatment is over, your teeth will have straightened into a healthier bite and a more beautiful smile! Few things are as satisfying as being able to look at your Invisalign before and after pictures to see the difference for yourself.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Using Invisalign aligners is a commitment, so it’s a good idea to understand exactly how long you’ll need to wear your invisible braces for them to take effect. First, it’s important to understand that every set of teeth is a little bit different, so your treatment time might not be the same as your friend’s.

That said, you can expect your Invisalign braces to take anywhere from 6–18 months depending on your case. This timeframe is comparable to traditional braces, and is often even shorter!

Remember, in order to adhere to your timeframe and get the smile you want in the time you expect, you’ll need to wear your Invisalign invisible braces as frequently as possible. Your Invisalign dentist will recommend that you wear your clear braces for around 22–24 hours a day.

Because Invisalign clear aligners are so easy to remove and replace, it can be tempting to take them out frequently. In order for them to work as intended, they need to be worn almost constantly.

Unless you’re eating, drinking something other than water, cleaning your teeth, or cleaning the Invisalign aligners themselves, you should be wearing your invisible braces! Every minute that you’re wearing your Invisalign braces, you’re a minute closer to getting the smile you’ve been waiting for.

Invisalign Invisible Braces are an Effective, Gentle Way to Straighten Your Teeth.
If you have any other questions about how Invisalign braces work, contact us at Arlington Dentistry by Design today! We’re happy to answer your questions or to help you schedule an appointment if Invisalign treatment is right for you.

Why You Probably Should Not Use Mail-Order Aligners


If you’ve been doing research into invisible braces, you’ve probably heard about mail-order aligners like Smile Direct Club, Candid, and others. The idea behind these companies is that all you have to do is mail away an imprint of your bite and the company will send you a set of clear aligners in return that will straighten your teeth just like Invisalign aligners would.

At face value, mail-order aligners might seem too good to be true. In many ways, they are! While mail-order aligners are easy to access, they can’t provide the level of care or attention to individual needs that you’ll get from working with an Invisalign dentist, such as Dr. Khalil.

If you’re considering using mail-order aligners, make sure to do your research first, and consider the following points:

Taking Accurate Teeth Impressions Is Essential to Treatment
When you use an Invisalign dentist to have your clear aligners made, you know that you’re going to have your dental impressions taken by a trained professional. You can expect your clear braces to fit exactly how they should, because your dental impressions will be accurate.

With Smile Direct Club or Candid clear aligners, you are responsible for taking your own dental impressions. Most people have never taken their own dental impressions before, and it’s easy to make small mistakes or forget important steps that can derail your entire straightening process.

Even a very minor mistake in the impression process can affect how your clear braces turn out; you might not get the smile you want as a result. If you aren’t a trained professional, it’s very difficult to know whether you’ve taken your dental impressions exactly right or not.

While mail-order clear aligners can be affected by a faulty impression, you won’t have that problem when you meet with your dentist in person at Arlington Dentistry by Design. Our Invisalign dentist who has years of experience in taking dental impressions will be able to manage your treatment and identify and correct any problems with the impression before taking the process further.

It can be a big relief to know that there’s a professional handling your teeth, and that they’ll know what to do if any problems arise!

Clear Braces Aren’t a Good Fit for Everyone
There are no limits on who can use and access mail-order clear aligners; however, there are limits to what smile problems can be fixed with clear braces.

It’s important to remember that clear braces aren’t just something to buy on a whim; they’re part of a medical procedure. Just like not all medical procedures are right for everyone, there are some cases where clear aligners aren’t a good choice—whether those clear aligners are Smile Direct Club, Candid, or even professional Invisalign aligners.

If your teeth aren’t well-suited for invisible braces, using them could exaggerate any dental problems you have and cause even more expenses down the road when you have to fix the extra damage done.

If you choose to use mail-order clear aligners, you won’t be able to tell in advance whether those aligners will work properly for you. If you expect results that mail-order aligners can’t deliver, you’ll be disappointed.

When you meet with an Invisalign dentist like Dr. Khalil, however, we will be able to look at your teeth to determine whether invisible braces are right for your case specifically. A dental professional will be able to help you make the right decision for your teeth from the beginning, and if clear braces aren’t the best thing for you, we’ll help you find a solution that works!

The Cost of Mail-Order Aligners Can Add Up
Some mail-order aligners may advertise themselves as an affordable alternative to Invisalign braces. But when you’re considering this, it’s important to remember that the Invisalign cost includes x-rays, scans, and impressions, as well as the advice and expertise of a professional who knows you and your smile personally.

Most mail-order companies will ask you to supply your own x-rays and scans, which you will have to pay for and provide (and if a mail-order company doesn’t ask for x-rays, that’s another problem altogether!).

There’s also a risk that something could go wrong with your aligners, and fixing your aligners—or a smile you’re unhappy with after your treatment—can be expensive. When you’re regularly visiting an Invisalign dentist in person, they will be able to contain and fix any problems before they have time to develop.

It’s no secret that these mail-order companies have their problems. You can learn more in the following articles:
https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/smiledirectclub-promises-easy-teeth-straightening-some-patients-report-painful-problems-78711877966
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/technology/smiledirectclub-smile-nda.html
https://thehill.com/changing-america/opinion/483523-direct-to-you-tooth-alignment-poses-serious-risks
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/smiledirectclub-dentist-risks-losing-license

Make the smart choice, and call our office for a FREE professional Invisalign consultation today!



In-Person Treatment Provides Service and Results That Mail-Order Aligners Can’t
Mail-order aligners may be convenient, but they can’t compare to the personalized experience and results you’ll get from working with your Invisalign dentist. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about the difference your dentist can make!

Invisalign Clear Braces for Teens

Teenage years are a great time to focus on straightening teeth and developing a beautiful smile. Not only do teenagers have all their permanent teeth in place, but getting a smile to be proud of can make a huge difference in a teen’s life. Straight teeth can give a huge boost to the self-confidence that’s so important in a young person’s life—from meeting new people to first job interviews and more.

If your teenage loved one is interested in a straighter smile but isn’t looking forward to the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces, Invisalign invisible braces could be a great solution. Invisalign aligners are easy to use, effective, and subtle. All of these factors combine to make Invisalign braces a great fit for teenagers of all kinds!

Invisalign Aligners Work With Any Schedule

Whether your teenager has a relaxed schedule or a hectic one, Invisalign invisible braces can work for them. These invisible braces are so smooth and easy to use that it’s easy to forget they’re there at all!

These clear aligners are a great fit for teenage athletes, as they won’t have to worry about the aligners hurting their cheeks or lips during practice the way traditional braces might. Invisalign aligners are also such a close, precise fit that they won’t fall out mid-exercise.

Invisalign aligners are easy to remove and replace, which means your teenager won’t have to worry about limiting themselves to certain foods while they’re busy studying or working. Traditional braces can be difficult to floss or brush around, but Invisalign braces are quick and easy to clean, so you can expect even your busiest high schooler to take good care of their Invisalign aligners!

Invisalign Aligners Work Quickly

If your teenager doesn’t want to be wearing braces (even invisible braces) for long, they aren’t alone. Invisalign braces work well for people of all ages because the entire treatment takes only 12–18 months on average, and often even less!

So whether your teenager wants to have a straight smile by graduation, their first day on the job, or they just want the process to be over quickly, Invisalign treatment can get the job done.

While Invisalign braces work just as well and can get results even faster than traditional braces, those results do depend on the person wearing them. Your teen will be responsible for wearing their invisible braces as frequently as possible; try for around 22 hours a day.

Wearing Invisalign aligners is easy once it becomes part of your teenager’s routine—all it takes is remembering to put those clear aligners back in after eating, brushing, and flossing. If your teenager is willing to take this responsibility for their teeth, they will be even more satisfied with the straight smile at the end of their treatment!

Invisalign Invisible Braces are Discreet

Teenage years can be awkward, and while every teenager is different, not many young people are excited to smile with a mouth full of wires and brackets. If your teenager tends to feel self-conscious in a crowd, traditional braces that catch the light and make teeth stand out can make the problem worse.

Invisalign invisible braces live up to their name. Because Invisalign aligners are so clear, they will never be the first thing someone notices in a picture, and can give your teenager peace of mind if they’re worried about how they’ll look with standard metal braces.

With Invisalign braces, your teenager will be able to straighten their smile subtly. They won’t have to worry about the eye-catching metal of traditional braces, but they’ll have straighter teeth and a brighter smile to look forward to anyway!

Invisalign Clear Aligners Can Make Teenage Years Easier.
If your teenager could benefit from straightening their teeth but is dreading standard braces, the benefits of Invisalign braces may be just right for them. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about what Invisalign clear braces can do for you or your teen!

Invisalign Clear Braces Cost

Invisible braces are a commitment of time as well as money, and it’s important to know exactly what’s ahead before you begin with your Invisalign braces. At our office, we do everything in our power to make sure Invisalign clear braces are affordable for you and your loved ones!

Invisalign Clear Braces Cost

Invisible braces are a commitment of time as well as money, and it’s important to know exactly what’s ahead before you begin with your Invisalign braces. At our office, we do everything in our power to make sure Invisalign clear braces are affordable for you and your loved ones!

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Like any medical or dental procedure, the cost of Invisalign clear aligners will vary person to person. Depending on your teeth, your insurance, and your payment method, your total cost might be different from your friend’s or neighbor’s, which makes it difficult to give a precise estimate.


But while your cost might differ slightly, the average cost of Invisalign braces is roughly equivalent to the cost of traditional braces. If you’ve been debating between traditional braces and Invisalign invisible braces, cost doesn’t need to be a factor!

Is Invisalign Worth the Cost?

We know that Invisalign braces can seem expensive at face value. However, we are confident you’ll find that what you pay for Invisalign aligners now will easily pay itself off in the future.

Invisalign invisible braces can effectively and permanently straighten your teeth and improve your smile. Having a smile you’re proud of can make a huge difference in your self-confidence and quality of life, and it’s hard to put a price on that!

Straightening your teeth with Invisalign braces can also improve your bite and potentially prevent future dental problems. This means the money you spend for Invisalign braces now might prevent you from having to spend much more in the future!

What Does the Invisalign Cost Cover?

When you pay for Invisalign treatment, that cost includes several different medical elements. High quality x-rays and dental scans are critical to the Invisalign process, and these technical aspects will already be covered in your Invisalign cost.

Your payment will naturally cover the cost of your Invisalign aligners, and will also cover the professional advice and care you’ll receive from a qualified Invisalign dentist. Receiving medical advice from a professional with years of experience can be invaluable towards having a positive Invisalign experience and a beautiful smile when the Invisalign process is over!

Our Payment Options

Cash, check, or credit card are always acceptable, easy ways to cover your Invisalign cost. However, we have other payment methods and payment plans available, so you can still get clear braces and a straight smile even if you aren’t ready to pay the entire Invisalign cost outright.

We offer multiple different payment methods, all geared towards the convenience of our patients. We are confident that one of our payment methods will work for you. Even if none of them seem feasible at face value, contact us! We want to make Invisalign invisible braces work for you.

In-Office Payment Plans
Our in-office payment plans are customizable, so no matter what your budget is or what kind of monthly payments you’re able to make, we can come up with a plan that works for you. Your Invisalign dentist is always willing to work with you and make the experience easier!

Our in-office payment plans are interest free, so you won’t have to worry about unforeseen expenses piling up. We want our payment system to be easy and straightforward to use, with no strings attached.

CareCredit
CareCredit is a non-expiring healthcare credit card that’s designed to help users cover the cost of health and wellness treatments. This handy credit card is accepted at hundreds of thousands of different healthcare locations, including your local Invisalign dentist at Arlington Dentistry by Design!

With CareCredit, you can pay for multiple procedures—including your Invisalign braces—on the same card. You’re also welcome to pay a portion of the treatment cost out of pocket and use CareCredit for the remainder. Just remember to keep track of your interest rates!

You Can Get the Benefits of Invisalign Braces With Any Budget
​​​​​​​As an Invisalign dentist, our goal is to make Invisalign invisible braces accessible for everyone. Don’t let your budget stand in the way of getting a beautiful smile—contact us at Arlington Dentistry by Design today to create a payment plan that works for you!

Get Your FREE Invisalign Consultation

If you are interested in Invisalign braces, having a FREE Invisalign consultation is the best way to learn more! This consultation is designed to introduce you to your Invisalign dentist, answer your questions, and help you feel fully comfortable with the Invisalign process.

What Happens at an Invisalign Consultation?

There are several different steps in an Invisalign consultation, and each of them is planned with our patients in mind.

Evaluation

The first step in your Invisalign consultation is the most important. Are Invisalign braces right for you? Depending on your teeth and your bite, Invisalign aligners might be a great fit for you, or you might be better off with a different teeth-straightening option.

At your consultation, your Invisalign dentist will be able to tell you what teeth straightening treatment is best for you. Whether that treatment is Invisalign braces or a different method altogether, your dentist will be able to guide you!

Records
Your Invisalign dentist will need to have a complete understanding of your teeth before they begin any Invisalign treatment. This means taking x-rays, impressions, photos, as well as your bite registration.

With these records, you can expect your Invisalign aligners to fit just the way they need to. Based on this complete description of your teeth, you’ll have invisible braces that are not only functional but completely comfortable to wear.

Prescription

If Invisalign treatment is right for you, the next step is for your Invisalign dentist to fill out your prescription for your invisible braces. Based on your dental records, professional Invisalign technicians will create customized Invisalign aligners just for you.

Once your prescription has been sent out, you can expect to receive your clear aligners soon, and then the straightening process can start. We can’t wait to help you get a straighter, more beautiful smile!

Other Advantages of a FREE Invisalign Consultation

An Invisalign consultation isn’t just another visit to the dentist. Along with taking records and placing prescriptions, this is a great time for you to ask your Invisalign dentist any questions you might have!

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions at an Invisalign consultation. If your question isn’t on this list, or if you want more detail on any of these subjects, an Invisalign consultation could be a great opportunity for you to get the answers you’re looking for!

Why Should I Use Invisalign Braces Rather Than Traditional Braces?
Clear braces, like Invisalign braces, and traditional metal braces are both great resources for getting straighter teeth and a healthier bite. However, there are a few key differences in the treatment style that might make Invisalign aligners more appealing than traditional braces.

Invisalign braces are transparent, which means they’re much less noticeable than traditional braces. If you or a loved one feels self-conscious in standard metal braces, invisible braces are a great resource.

These Invisalign aligners are also easy to remove and clean. If the idea of trying to floss and brush around metal braces is painful, you’ll be able to keep your teeth and your braces clean much more easily with Invisalign braces.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Invisalign aligners are designed to cost roughly the same as traditional braces, so cost doesn’t need to be the deciding factor between metal and Invisalign braces. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are several factors that can slightly increase or decrease this cost.

First is your teeth and your bite. Just like every person’s different, so are their teeth. Some teeth will take a little more care to straighten, which might influence the cost of their treatment.

It’s also important to look into your insurance. Different insurance plans will cover different amounts of Invisalign treatment, which will leave a different amount left for you to pay.

Keep all these factors in mind when you’re arranging your budget, and don’t forget to speak with your Invisalign dentist about your payment options! We’ll always do everything we can to make Invisalign braces affordable for you.

Call Arlington Dentistry by Design for Your FREE Invisalign Consultation Today!
A FREE Invisalign consultation will answer your questions and get you on track for a straighter smile.If you are ready to start your Invisalign treatment, contact us today! We’re excited to schedule your free Invisalign consultation and make your dream smile a reality