Insights on Invisalign®

Invisalign® From Long Beach Dental Health

Braces can feel like a bit of a contradiction. You want a clean, straight smile, but you first have to wear a highly visible device on your teeth for months on end. You want a well-aligned bite, but for a while braces make some day-to-day tasks, such as brushing teeth and eating some foods, more difficult. Fortunately, for those who want to show off their pretty pearly whites as they go AND show off the results of their realignment as soon as possible, one option is Invisalign®.

The Benefits of Invisalign®

Invisalign® clear aligners are clear plastic devices intended to straighten your teeth over time. They are nearly undetectable by observers. Not only are they more difficult to see (getting you closer to being able to show off that perfect smile), but they can be taken out temporarily when needed, allowing you to brush your teeth or eat without distraction.

The Invisalign® Fitting Process

For most Invisalign® cases, Dr. Saad will take a mold of your teeth and send it in. From there, orthodontic experts will determine the difference in positions between where your teeth are and where you want them to be and will create several stages of aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. You’ll have to wear the aligners most of the time—about 22 hours a day. At certain points in the process as your teeth change position, you’ll move on to the next device, switching them out until your teeth are right where you want them to be.

Alternatively, there are kits you can order to take a mold of your teeth at home. This is an overall less expensive process, but you aren’t likely to achieve the same results and you lose the benefit of your dentist’s expertise. Invisalign® may not be the best solution for you, so it’s best to consult your dentist beforehand even if you decide to go this route.

How to Pay for Invisalign®

Depending on the degree of work your teeth need, a clear aligner treatment can cost between $3,000 and $7,000. Your insurance may be able to cover some of the cost. For the amount your insurance doesn’t cover, you have some options.
Long Beach Dental Health offers a dental savings plan as well as external payment plans, which allows you to split a large bill into smaller payments over time. This makes payment much more manageable for some people and can be useful in emergency situations when you don’t have time to save money for the treatment before you begin.

Of course, if you can save the money ahead of time, that’s probably the better option. If you’re planning to save up for clear aligner treatment or something similar, you may want to consider opening a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). Accounts such as these allow you to take a certain amount of money out of your paycheck, pretax, to pay for some expenses—including, in some cases, clear aligners. The types of accounts you’re allowed to open and the amount of money you can put into them will vary depending on your situation, so talk to your bank or another financial professional about your options.

For those who can use them, clear aligner systems can be the least intrusive solution for straightening teeth. It’s nice not to have to worry about the looks and inconveniences of traditional braces! The initial cost of clear aligners may seem daunting, but options are available to help pay for them. If you have any questions about clear aligners or other methods of straightening your teeth, please contact us. Long Beach Dental Health in Long Beach, CA will be happy to walk you through your options and help you find the best possible solution for your smile.
 

Learn More About Invisalign at Long Beach Dental Health

Long Beach Dental Health

1777 Bellflower Blvd. Suite 213
Long Beach, CA 90815
View Map

Hours

Monday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday - Sunday: Closed

Phone

562-580-0597