Invisalign Clear Aligners – Lincoln, NE

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that can help patients with an overbite, underbite, or generally misaligned teeth bring them into a straighter, more comfortable orientation. It accomplishes this by using clear plastic aligner trays that fit onto the teeth.

A series of trays are meant to be worn in a specific order, with each one having a different shape that gradually changes as the teeth move into alignment. The individual trays are meant to be worn up to 22 hours a day for about 2 weeks each before moving onto the next one. Treatment can take anywhere from 8-18 months depending on the degree of misalignment. Invisalign has progressed over the years to be able to address more complicated orthodontic issues, so most patients who are considering orthodontic treatment should be able to benefit from it.

Better Than Invisalign? Why You Should Consider SureSmile

Contrary to popular belief, Invisalign is no longer the only clear aligner system available for teens and adults who want a straighter smile without a mouthful of metal. At Pioneer Greens, we now also offer SureSmile. Both Invisalign and SureSmile produce the same results, but SureSmile tends to work faster on average and require fewer adjustments over the course of treatment. Every patient’s goals and orthodontic needs are different, so be sure to ask our dentists about both clear aligner systems. They’d love to help you determine which option best fits your smile and get you started on a fully custom treatment plan!

The Invisalign Process

The first step in the process is that Dr. Shirk, Dr. Claire, or Dr. Chris will need to give your teeth a thorough examination. This will allow them to see if Invisalign is the right treatment for you as well as allow you to ask any questions you might have. Should you both decide to go forward, they will start by taking a series of X-rays and scans of your mouth. These will be used to make your trays and ensure they are perfectly fitted to your particular teeth. Once you have started wearing your trays, you will need to visit our dental office about every 6-8 weeks so your progress can be monitored.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Invisalign offers a number of benefits when compared to traditional braces, such as:

• The clear plastic makes Invisalign much less noticeable on the teeth compared to the brackets of traditional braces.
• The trays are removable, which allows a patient to eat and care for their teeth as they would normally.
• The smooth plastic tends to be much less irritating for the surrounding soft tissue of the lips and gums as opposed to braces.
• The trays often work faster at correcting issues than traditional braces.
• Invisalign requires fewer visits to the dentist’s office during treatment, saving valuable time.

Invisalign helps patients undergo orthodontic treatment without having to alter their habits like they would with traditional braces. The discreet appearance allows someone to keep their treatment private, and many people forget they are wearing their trays throughout the day until it is time to eat or brush their teeth.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

At first glance, straightening your teeth may seem like a big financial commitment; however, we like to see it as an investment in your long-term oral health and self-confidence. Our patients find that the final results are worth every penny so that they can feel proud of their smile and have a healthy bite. Still, we acknowledge that the cost of Invisalign is an important part of your decision, and our team is here to guide you through the whole process and give you an estimate during your consultation in Lincoln.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

No two Invisalign patients pay the exact same amount because each smile is different. When calculating the cost of treatment, we consider the severity of misalignment in the teeth, how long treatment is likely to take, how many aligners are needed, and how often we need to check on your progress.

While many of these factors are out of your control, part of the cost of Invisalign will also depend on your compliance with our instructions. If you do not consistently wear your aligners or lose them, you can experience delays or complications that prolong the process and add to the overall cost.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

You have likely seen the commercials on TV or on your phone about mail-in aligners. They may be a fraction of the cost of Invisalign; however, there are some serious risks that they do not mention. Impressions can be tricky to take by yourself. Little false moves could leave you with aligners that do not fit properly. In addition, although the initial treatment plan is designed by a dental professional, no one supervises your treatment, which means that no one will be there to make any necessary adjustments.

In the end, this lack of supervision and inaccurate impressions could result in a smile that isn’t perfectly straight or that has other problems that you will have to pay to get resolved. In other words, it may end up saving you money to do it right the first time—Invisalign with Pioneer Greens Dentistry.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance plans include orthodontic care, specifically Invisalign; however, others exclude Invisalign. We are happy to review your policy to see if we can lower your out-of-pocket costs with the help of insurance. Our team has years of experience working with these companies and will look for ways to save you as much money as possible.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Regardless of whether you have dental insurance benefits, we do not want the cost of treatment to hold you back from the smile you deserve, which is why we accept financing through CareCredit. When you apply, you have the chance to get low or even no interest financing, which slices the overall price into easier monthly payments you can manage over time. That way, you do not have to be overwhelmed with the total all at the beginning. If you are interested in learning more about CareCredit, feel free to ask us at your consultation.

Invisalign FAQs

Deciding to correct misalignment in your smile may be simple, but we know that you probably have questions about the process, what treatment is like, and more. We want you to have all the information you need to move forward with confidence. Below you will find our answers to questions that patients have commonly asked us in the past. Please take a look at them, and jot down any additional questions you have about Invisalign in Lincoln. We would be happy to talk about your concerns in person at your consultation. Just give our office a call!