Invisalign – Tysons, VA
The Discreet Alternative to Metal Braces
Dr. Alex Naini is proud to offer her patients one of the most modern orthodontic treatments, Invisalign clear braces. If you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks because your teeth are crooked or misaligned, this treatment can gently and strategically straighten them, improving your oral health and revitalizing your grin. Whether you’re an adult or a teenager, with clear aligners, you won’t have to worry about sacrificing your professional image or comfort. Instead of having a mouth full of brackets and wires, you’ll get to use a smooth, plastic oral appliance that’s hardly noticeable. To learn more about Invisalign treatment and whether or not it’s a good choice for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Naini today!
Why Choose Aesthetic Dental Spa for Invisalign?
- Great for Teens & Adults Alike
- Highly Experienced Dentist & Team
- Financing Available Through CareCredit
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign braces are customized, nearly invisible aligners that straighten your teeth millimeter by millimeter to achieve a more dazzling smile. The aligners are an easy and comfortable way to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth that have made it difficult to chew, brush, and floss over the years.
Using a combination of advanced technology and skills acquired through years of experience, Dr. Naini will design a set of Invisalign braces that are perfect for you. They are crafted to be worn for 22 hours each day and only be taken out while you’re eating, brushing, or flossing. Every two weeks, you’ll receive a new set of trays. The average treatment time for patients is typically between eight and 15 months depending on the severity of your misalignment or bite problems. Over the course of your treatment, Dr. Naini will monitor your progress regularly to ensure that your treatment is going as planned.
Who Invisalign Can Help
Invisalign can be used to treat a variety of common orthodontic issues. However, depending on the severity of these problems, you may need more advanced treatments. The best way to find out if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a consultation. Patients who get the treatment are typically looking to fix some of the following issues.
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 Aesthetic Dental Spa, 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, at Aesthetic Dental Spa, 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.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Patients are attracted to Invisalign treatment because it offers a variety of benefits that traditional braces can’t. Some of these advantages include:
- Faster treatment time. With traditional metal braces, the average treatment time can be anywhere from 24 to 36 months. That also requires frequent visits to your orthodontist for uncomfortable adjustments. The average Invisalign treatment lasts between eight and 15 months, including short appointments every six weeks.
- More comfortable system. Metal brackets and wires can scrape against your oral tissues and lips, leaving cuts and causing irritation. Invisalign aligners are made from a smooth, FDA-approved plastic that reduces discomfort while gently shifting your teeth into alignment.
- Improved oral health. Because your clear braces are removable, you won’t have to worry about maneuvering between wires and brackets to brush and floss your teeth. That means that it’ll be easier to remove food debris and plaque, reducing your risk of developing oral health problems.
- Virtually unnoticeable. Invisalign trays are clear, allowing you to continue showing off your natural smile while you’re undergoing treatment.
After your initial consultation, Dr. Naini can craft you custom Invisalign trays to straighten your teeth and help you achieve your dream grin. You deserve a smile that you’re proud to show off, and our team of dental professionals is more than happy to help!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Just because your friend or colleague spent a certain amount on their Invisalign treatment, it doesn’t mean you will spend the same. Invisalign is not only versatile, but it is customized based on your individual needs. While another person may need an aligner for both the top and bottom rows, you may only need one for your bottom row of teeth. To decide if Invisalign will be an affordable option for you, it is necessary that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Naini. Only then will you know and fully understand just how affordable Invisalign clear aligners can be to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
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 in Vienna, 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!
Invisalign FAQs
How often will I need to visit my dentist while undergoing treatment?
While you’re straightening your smile, you’ll need to come into our office every six to eight weeks. During your appointment, we’ll conduct a quick examination and progress check to make sure that you’re on-track with your treatment timeline. Then, we’ll provide you with your next pairs of Invisalign trays in your treatment. These visits are usually short and sweet, lasting between 15 and 30 minutes.
If I’ve had braces before but forgot to wear my retainer, can I get Invisalign now?
Many of our patients have previously gone through orthodontic treatment but didn’t end up wearing their retainer for long enough to maintain their straightened smile. In certain cases, Invisalign is an effective treatment for these patients to re-align their grin. However, the only way to find out if this is a good solution for you is to schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist, Dr. Nani.
What should I do if I lose an Invisalign aligner?
If you lose your Invisalign tray, immediately contact our office to let us know. Depending on how long you’ve been wearing them for, we’ll either order you a new pair or instruct you to move to your next series of aligners. It’s vital that you don’t try to fix this problem yourself, because it could set back your treatment.
Will my Invisalign trays impact my speech?
When you first begin to get used to wearing your aligners, you may notice that they affect your speech. However, this is completely natural as you get used to the way they fit in your mouth. The best way to overcome this is to sing in the shower and read out loud. Otherwise, your speech should return to normal after a week or two of wearing the trays.
Will wearing trays be uncomfortable?
Many patients report that they experience some tenderness or discomfort when they advance to their next sets of trays. The best way to stay comfortable is to switch the aligners at night so you sleep through the majority of the adjustment period. You can also take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen to help.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
You may have heard that the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months. That’s true! Of course, it is possible for your teeth-straightening journey to fall outside that timeframe. At your consultation, we will consider your dental history, the severity of your case, and how many aligners are needed to provide you with an estimate. We will also share what you should and shouldn’t do to stay on-track with your treatment plan.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Invisalign?
Technically, there aren’t any foods that are completely off-limits. That said, there are a few that we recommend avoiding. Gummy candies are a great example because, in addition to being packed with sugar, their sticky consistency can tug on your attachments. For similar reasons, we recommend avoiding extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, and keeping soda to a minimum.
How Long Do I Need to Wear My Invisalign Aligners Each Day?
Patients with Invisalign are instructed to wear their aligners for 22 hours a day. That only leaves two hours for all of your meals and snacks as well as your oral hygiene regimen. So, it’s important to make a plan and stick to it! Using the stopwatch on your phone will be helpful, especially toward the beginning of your orthodontic treatment. You can also use the reminders app on your phone to avoid accidentally forgetting to put your aligners back on.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
You can drink coffee during your Invisalign treatment. You cannot drink coffee with your aligners in, however. That’s because, if you do, there’s a good chance that they will stain. There’s also a chance that they will warp if you drink hot coffee, which can lead to significant treatment plan delays.
Tip: Enjoy this caffeinated beverage alongside your breakfast or afternoon snack since your aligners will already be out!
How Do I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?
There are basically three habits you need to adopt in order to keep your Invisalign aligners clean. The first is rinsing them with clean, cool water each time you take them out. The second is cleaning them after each meal with mild, clear dishwashing liquid and a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush. The third is soaking them daily in a dentist-recommended clear aligner cleaner.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once your teeth are in their perfectly aligned positions and you’re happy with your results, we will move onto the retention phase of your orthodontic treatment. This involves creating a retainer from impressions of your teeth. We’ll show you how to take care of it and give you specific instructions on when to wear it (usually every night while you sleep). It’s important that you do so because, if you don’t, there’s a chance that your teeth will move back into their previously misaligned positions.