Invisalign – Fairfax, VA

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign in Fairfax is designed to correct teeth and bite misalignment issues as comfortably, conveniently, and discreetly as possible. Instead of semi-permanent wires and brackets bonded to your teeth, these custom-made clear aligners fits snugly over your pearly whites to gently push them into place. They’re nearly invisible when worn, and you can remove them to brush, floss, and eat. An Invisalign treatment gives you the freedom to smile confidently and keep living your busy lifestyle while achieving a straighter, healthier smile. 

Am I A Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Nearly anyone who wants a straighter smile can benefit from Invisalign. However, there are some exceptions. We don’t recommend Invisalign for children because all of their permanent teeth haven’t come in yet and they’re more likely to accidentally lose their aligners. Additionally, more severe orthodontic issues may need to be treated with traditional braces. During your consultation, we’ll carefully inspect your teeth, jaw, and bite to determine if Invisalign is the most effective way for you to achieve the results you’re looking for.  

What Is the Invisalign Process Like?

Once we’ve decided that Invisalign is right for you, we’ll take impressions of your mouth and use them to create a series of clear aligners. You’ll wear each set for at least 20-22 hours every day for two weeks before moving on to the next one. The aligners apply certain amounts of pressure in specific areas of your mouth to gently push your teeth into their ideal positions. Every four to six weeks, you’ll come see us for a quick and easy checkup so we can ensure your treatment is on track. In most cases, you’ll have the straighter smile of your dreams in just 12-18 months!

Indications for Invisalign

Depending on the severity, Invisalign can be used in mild or moderate cases of the following scenarios.

Crowded Teeth

When teeth are too close together and tightly packed within an arch, it can be difficult to keep them all perfectly clean. Bacteria and plaque can gather in nooks that are hard to reach with your toothbrush, potentially leading to more cavities or the development of gum disease. Our clear aligners can shift your teeth to get rid of these problem areas.

Gaps Between Teeth

Just as you don’t want teeth to be overly crowded, large gaps between your teeth can be just as undesirable. Bigger bits of food can become stuck, allowing bacteria to grow and spread inside your mouth. Invisalign can close the gaps and make sure your teeth are evenly spaced.

Bite Alignment

If you have a crossbite, open bite, underbite, or overbite, you can have more problems than just with your appearance. For instance, eating can become a challenge, to say the least. In addition, having upper and lower teeth that don’t match up properly can put extra strain on your jaw joint and wear down certain teeth faster than the rest. By correcting a misaligned bite, you can have an easier time eating and help your teeth stay strong for as long as possible.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

At MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand that each patient’s smile is unique and requires customized attention. That’s why it’s difficult to estimate the cost of treatment for the general public. First, we need to examine your teeth to get an idea of how long you’ll wear Invisalign before we can give you a price quote. Keep in mind that our team can also take a deep look at your insurance coverage—some plans cover part of the cost of Invisalign. In addition, we offer affordable financing, which divides the total into monthly payments.

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What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign clear aligners offer a host of advantages over traditional metal braces, such as:

• Discreet appearance: Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible when worn, so your friend’s and family will only see your beautiful smile all throughout your treatment.
• Improved comfort: Without any sharp or poking metal wires or brackets, Invisalign offers a much more comfortable straightening experience than metal braces.
• More freedom: Thanks to their unique removable nature, you can continue to participate in sports, easily brush and floss your teeth, and eat all your favorite foods without restrictions.
• Saves time: Not only are your periodic checkups quick, but an Invisalign treatment has the potential to help you achieve the results you want in half the time that braces can.

It’s never been easier to correct crooked teeth! Schedule your Invisalign consultation today and start your journey towards the smile you’ve always wanted!

Invisalign FAQs

With completely removable, virtually undetectable, and incredibly effective aligners, Invisalign is the obvious choice for achieving your smile goals. With that being said, it’s natural for patients to have questions before committing to treatment. To make the process of researching everything about Invisalign in Fairfax easier, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to contact our office so our knowledgeable staff can help!

How Do I Take Care of My Aligners?

To preserve their shape and prevent them from staining, there are a few best practices you should follow regarding caring for your aligners. First is to brush them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste at the end of each day. This will keep them free of food particles and plaque that can discolor them. Next, always place them in a designated case during meals, so they don’t get accidentally thrown away or misplaced while they are out of your mouth.

What Can I Eat While Wearing Invisalign?

If you are a self-proclaimed foodie, you may be wondering whether Invisalign will get in the way of enjoying your favorite foods. The answer? Absolutely not! Since they are completely removable, they don’t require you to follow an extensive list of food restrictions. That being said, there are some foods you should avoid simply because they pose a risk to your oral health. Therefore, it’s best to stay away from sugary, sticky, acidic, and hard foods.

Will Invisalign Affect My Speech?

To properly enunciate words, your tongue makes a series of distinct movements against your teeth. So, naturally, it may take a few days or weeks for your tongue to adapt to the aligners when you first begin treatment. However, many patients don’t experience any difficulty, and those that do can quickly adjust by repeating the difficult words over and over again. In short, the small period of time you may have a slight lisp shouldn’t stand in your way of achieving a straight, beautiful smile with Invisalign.

Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After the Invisalign Treatment Is Finished?

Yes! After you have completed your final set of trays, our dentist in Fairfax will provide you with a custom-made retainer. Neglecting to wear it will cause your hard-earned results to fade before your eyes as your teeth shift back into their previous position. So, make sure to be diligent about wearing them and bring them with you to your six-month appointments to ensure they are in good condition.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Since Invisalign doesn’t rely on clunky metal brackets or pesky wires, patients find their clear aligners to be much more comfortable. After all, they are custom-made to fit your unique smile, limiting the potential of the trays rubbing up incessantly against the inside of your cheeks. Therefore, while you can expect some soreness from the aligners guiding your teeth into the desired position, the overall consensus is that Invisalign doesn’t hurt.