If you’re self-conscious about crowded teeth, a crooked smile, or a bite problem like an underbite or an overbite, Invisalign from Dr. Pappas and the team at Washington Court House Dental may be just what you need. In as little as 12 months, you can completely transform your teeth!
But you’ve got questions before you get started. Of course you do! Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is a big commitment. And in this guide, we’re going to do our best to answer all of your big questions. How expensive is Invisalign? Why choose Invisalign instead of braces? And how long will treatment really take? Get answers to all of these questions (and more) below.
Many patients wonder if Invisalign is cheaper than braces. And the answer is “sometimes!” The exact cost for both braces and Invisalign depends entirely on each patient’s orthodontic needs. Generally, though, Invisalign in Ohio costs somewhere between $3500 and $8000, with most patients landing somewhere in the middle. This is about the same cost as braces.
There are a few different things that can affect the cost of Invisalign. But the biggest one is the complexity of your case. The more your dentist needs to move your teeth, the more aligners you’ll need. In turn, this means more checkups and a longer overall treatment process, leading to higher costs. If you have dental insurance coverage, your policy may cover your Invisalign treatment up to the “Lifetime Orthodontic Cap,” which is usually between $1500 and $3000. Any costs beyond this cap will be paid out of pocket.
At Washington Court House Dental, we know that costs are always a concern for our patients. That’s why we do our best to offer transparent pricing. We also offer patient financing through CareCredit, which lets you split your treatment costs into affordable monthly installments.
Although it’s sometimes a bit more expensive than braces, choosing Invisalign has some incredible benefits that you won’t get if you choose traditional orthodontic treatment:
Is Invisalign really faster than braces? The answer is yes, at least for most patients. Braces typically require at least 18 months, while Invisalign typically takes 12-18 months for most patients. Wondering what happens during this time? Let’s break it down and discuss what you can expect if you get Invisalign treatment from Dr. Pappas and the team at Washington Court House Dental.
First, you’ll meet with a dentist at our office. They will assess your smile and bite, take X-rays, and determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Usually, you will qualify as long as your mouth is healthy and you have minor to moderate orthodontic issues.
However, if you have more severe problems with the alignment of your teeth and your bite, you may not qualify. Traditional braces are typically a better choice for patients with more complex orthodontic needs.
Once you’re approved for Invisalign, you’ll come in for your next visit with your dentist at Washington Court House Dental. During this visit, your dentist will take a 3D scan of your teeth. Then, they will upload this to a computer and work with Invisalign to design your treatment plan.
Once your dentist has finalized your plan, Invisalign will make your first set of aligners. Once they're done, they will be sent to our office. It usually takes a few weeks for your first Invisalign trays to arrive. But once they do, your treatment can begin!
When your first sets of Invisalign aligners arrive at Washington Court House Dental, you’ll come into our office to pick them up. Your dentist will give you a treatment plan to follow, instructions on how to wear your new aligners, and some more information about what to expect.
Then, you’ll pop in your first set of aligners and head home to begin treatment. From now on, you will need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day. Ideally, you should only take them out to eat and drink and to brush and floss.
As you wear your aligners, your teeth will begin to move, usually by about 0.1 to 0.2 mm per set. You will switch to a new set of aligners every 1-2 weeks as instructed by your dentist. As you continue to switch through aligners, you’ll begin to see a noticeable change in your smile and bite alignment.
You will usually need to come and see your dentist at Washington Court House Dental every 6-8 weeks for a checkup. This usually only takes 15-30 minutes. Your dentist will check your progress, make sure everything looks right, and give you a few more sets of Invisalign to wear.
And that’s pretty much it! You’ll keep wearing Invisalign and coming in for checkups until your dentist has determined that your teeth have reached the ideal positions in your mouth. Then, you’ll be all done! Well, almost.
Once your Invisalign treatment is over, you’ll need to get a set of Invisalign retainers. These don’t move your teeth. Instead, they help them stay in position. Without a set of retainers, your teeth may shift back toward their original position, running your results.
At first, you’ll wear your retainers for 20-22 hours per day, just like Invisalign. But after 3-6 months, you can start wearing them just at night, which makes things much more convenient. You may also have the option of getting a permanent retainer, which is a wire that’s attached to your upper, lower, or both sets of teeth.
Once you start Invisalign treatment at Washington Court House Dental, there are a few things you should do to avoid delays and make sure your treatment stays on track:
If you’re interested in Invisalign in Washington Court House, OH, Dr. Pappas and our team are here to help. We offer transparent pricing, flexible financing options, and personalized care throughout the entire Invisalign process. Contact us online or give us a call at (740) 333-7290 to book your orthodontic consultation and learn more about how Invisalign can transform your teeth and your life, too!
Call 740-333-7290 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
