Clear Aligners Centennial
Straighter Teeth Without Metal Mouth
You can get straighter teeth without bulky brackets and wires with Invisalign clear aligners (and other brands like Smilers) in Centennial. By wearing these trays, your teeth and jaws can become aligned in relatively little time. Find out more by reading below or attending a consultation at our office.
Why Choose Shroff Dental Arts for Clear Aligners?
- A Clear, Discreet Alternative to Metal Braces
- PrimeScan Digital Impression System
- Great Orthodontic Option for Teens & Adults
How Clear Aligners Work
Invisalign (and similar brands like Smilers) doesn’t rely on any brackets or wires. It consists of a series of custom, clear aligners. Wearing these trays for a set time will move your teeth into the right positions.
The clear aligner process only has a few crucial rules. Firstly, you must wear any given aligner for one to two weeks. (This tray is exchanged for a new one afterward.) Rule two is to wear your trays for 20-22 hours daily. If you stick to these guidelines, you should finish your aligner journey in roughly a year or so.
Who Can Clear Aligners Help?
Invisalign (and similar brands like Smilers) isn’t just clear, convenient, and comfortable; it can also help patients with overcrowding, open bites, and other common orthodontic problems. So, if you thought your only path to a straight smile was metal braces, think again! In this next section, we’re covering some of the many uses of this smile-enhancing treatment, but don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re ready to schedule your consultation.
Crowded Teeth
Unfortunately, crooked teeth can negatively impact your self-esteem as well as your oral health. That’s why it’s so important to get the orthodontic treatment you need sooner rather than later! If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we can gently guide your teeth into their ideal positions with clear, custom-made, and completely metal-free aligners.
Gaps Between Teeth
Do you have a noticeable gap between your two front teeth? Maybe there are several smaller spaces throughout your smile. In both cases, Invisalign may be the answer! If we decide together that this is the best orthodontic treatment for you, then we can close the gaps without drawing any unwanted attention to your smile in the process.
Overbite
Although a slight overbite is normal, several problems can arise if it’s more significant. In fact, if your upper teeth extend beyond your lower ones more than they should, chewing properly, enunciating clearly, and smiling confidently can be extremely difficult. If this sounds all too familiar and you’ve been wondering if Invisalign can fix overbites, we have good news: the answer is “yes!”
Underbite
When you bite down, do your lower teeth extend beyond your upper ones? If so, you likely have an underbite, which is an orthodontic problem that can have a negative effect on everything from your confidence to your chewing patterns. Fortunately, Invisalign is often an option for patients with mild to moderate cases.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when some, but not all, of the upper teeth sit behind the lower ones when biting down. Unfortunately, even relatively mild cases can lead to serious issues, including premature wear and tear and TMJ dysfunction. So, don’t wait to explore your treatment options; you may be surprised to learn that Invisalign is one of them!
Open Bite
When you bite down, your upper and lower teeth should meet evenly. If they can’t because there is a space between the two that’s preventing that from happening, then you likely have an open bite. The good news is that clear aligners can usually be used in tandem with other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, to create a healthier bite.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners continue to gain popularity as more comfortable and discreet alternatives to traditional orthodontics. Instead of relying on metal brackets and wires to straighten your teeth, these services use transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth and exert gentle but consistent pressure to move them into their ideal positions.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your smile with clear aligners, and please contact our Centennial office to schedule an appointment!
Less Invasive Option
Braces are attached to your enamel throughout the duration of your treatment, which can affect your daily habits and routines. For instance, you might require special interproximal brushes to clean your teeth, and typically must also adhere to specific dietary restrictions to avoid harming the brittle metal brackets.
Meanwhile, clear aligners are completely removable and, therefore, are usually considered a less invasive option.
More Comfortable Treatment
Standard orthodontics are notorious for cutting the tender tissues inside your mouth or causing intense aches, especially after the arch wire has been adjusted. Thankfully, clear aligners are made from smooth, transparent plastic that won’t cut your gums, tongue, or the insides of your lips and cheeks.
It’s normal to feel sore when you first start wearing new trays, but this typically fades as your mouth adjusts to their updated dimensions, and can often be safely addressed with over-the-counter medications.
Discreet Aligners
The transparent material these trays are made from is also considered more discreet than traditional braces because it’s completely ‘invisible’. It allows your natural enamel to shine through, and because your teeth start to shift within just a couple of weeks, you’ll be showing off an already straighter smile throughout your treatment timeline.
Improved Dental Hygiene
You must wear clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their starting positions, which gives bacteria in your mouth plenty of time to thrive and contribute to oral issues, like cavities or gum disease. Thankfully, the removable trays make it easier to maintain your twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine than braces do.
Keeping your mouth clean is as easy as removing the trays, thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth, then scrubbing the surfaces of your aligners and rinsing before reinserting them.
Boosted Confidence
Many patients who want a straighter smile already feel self-conscious about their dental condition, and bulky metal brackets and wires do nothing to improve their self-esteem. If this sounds familiar, you might opt for clear aligners so you can smile authentically in photos or spend time with friends and family without worrying as much about being judged for your appearance.
Faster Follow-Up Appointments
You’ll be expected to attend routine check-ins with Dr. Shroff every four to eight weeks, depending on your circumstances, to ensure that your teeth are moving at the anticipated rate. This also allows our team to monitor your oral health, prevent potential issues, and provide the next aligners in your series to maintain treatment progress. These visits can sometimes be as brief as 15 to 30 minutes, unlike the adjustment appointments required with braces.
Understanding the Cost of Clear Aligners
Given its perks, clear aligners tend to get pegged as more costly than metal braces. However, the price is impacted more by the severity of the issues and how long the alignment takes, not the benefits. As a result, the two options usually require a similar investment. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us if you are interested in straightening your teeth without the metal! In the meantime, you can read on for some helpful information about the cost.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners
There are several factors that impact the cost of clear aligners in Centennial, including if any preliminary treatments are necessary, how many aligners need to be made, and if single-arch treatment is possible. It’s also possible for additional fees to come up if you fall off track with your treatment plan. To prevent that from happening, we will share helpful instructions, like wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day and always putting them in their designated case when you do take them off.
Our Clear Aligners vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Mail-order alternatives are almost always cheaper. However, they aren’t better. We can say this with confidence for a few reasons, including that they usually bypass the initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t hire licensed dental professionals to oversee the treatment process. For all of those reasons, we recommend investing in a reputable and reliable clear aligner system instead, even if the upfront cost is a bit higher.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
Good news: dental insurance can apply to clear aligner treatment. So, don’t hesitate to take a look at the fine print on your plan to see if you have any available orthodontic benefits. If you need any assistance understanding or utilizing your coverage, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’re proud to welcome several providers, including Ameritas, Anthem BC/BS, Careington, and Dentemax.
Important reminder: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) funds can be used in conjunction with your dental policy.
Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t let that stop you from scheduling an appointment with our team at Shroff Dental Arts! Once we’ve determined you’re a good candidate for clear aligners and created your custom treatment plan, we can provide you with an estimate of the cost and discuss the other financial solutions that are available, like flexible financing. We’re proud to accept both Cherry and CareCredit so you can break up the total cost of your orthodontic treatment into smaller, more manageable chunks that work for you.
Invisalign TEEN
Invisalign TEEN (per its name) has all of the upsides of regular Invisalign with minor adjustments made for younger patients. The first is a small dot on the back of each tray, which helps teens and parents monitor treatment. Also, every Invisalign TEEN system comes with up to six replacement aligners. Your child can then stay on track even if they damage or “lose” trays.
Smilers Clear Aligners are Also Available
While Smilers aligners are similar to Invisalign trays, they have distinct advantages. Dr. Shroff works directly with an orthodontist to ensure that your Smilers treatment plan is custom made for your smile. They are unlikely to get stained or clouded over time. Lastly, all Smilers aligners are custom made in France.
Living with Clear Aligners
Are you curious what (if anything) about your life will change if you choose to straighten your teeth with clear aligners? If so, we have good news: you’re in the right place! Below, you will find helpful information on how to keep your aligners clean, what to do if you accidentally lose them, and more.
Wearing Your Trays
Of course, one of the biggest changes to your life will be wearing your aligners. In order to stay on track with your treatment plan, you need to wear them for a minimum of 20 hours a day. Although that might sound easy, the four hours of aligner-free time go faster than you think! That’s why we recommend using the stopwatch on your phone, especially towards the beginning of your orthodontic treatment.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Like many other patients, you may be drawn to Invisalign because of how discreet the aligners are. The key to keeping them clear is proper care and maintenance. That starts with rinsing them with clean, cool water when you take them off and extends to gently scrubbing them with a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal. If needed, you can soak them in a clear aligner cleaning solution, too!
Eating & Drinking
When it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign, there’s one main rule: you need to take your aligners off first (unless it’s water). Outside of that, just do your best not to overindulge on sugary sweets and to fill your plate with lots of nutrient-dense foods. That way, you’re less likely to develop tooth decay, gum disease, or another oral health problem during your teeth-straightening journey.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Since losing or damaging a tray can quickly cause you to fall off-track with your treatment plan, it’s important that you act fast. By that, we mean calling us right away. From there, we can determine if it’s safe for you to progress to the next set in the series a bit early. If it isn’t, then we will ask you to wear your previous aligners while we have a replacement made.
Attending Progress Visits
Another important component of living with Invisalign is attending the progress visits. These usually happen every 6-8 weeks, and they give Dr. Shroff insight into the movement of your teeth. If something unexpected happens, like one of your teeth isn’t moving as anticipated, then we can determine why that is before making the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan to get you back on track.
Do you have any lingering questions about life with Invisalign? If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a friendly member of our team!
Clear Aligner FAQs
How Long Does Clear Aligner Treatment Take?
The length of your treatment depends on the complexity of your case and your level of adherence to the plan. On average, most patients complete their treatment in 12 to 18 months, but minor alignment issues may be corrected in as little as six months, as long as you’re diligent.
Of course, more complex cases can take a little longer. Dr. Shroff will evaluate your smile during your consultation and create a personalized plan, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. With consistent wear—20 to 22 hours per day—your aligners will gradually move your teeth into their final positions. You’ll get there before you know it.
Do Clear Aligners Hurt?
One of the biggest benefits of clear aligners in Centennial is comfort. While you may feel mild pressure or soreness each time you switch to a new set of aligners, this is usually temporary and a sign your teeth are moving.
Most patients describe the sensation as far less painful than braces with brackets and wires. However, it can still be a little disruptive if you’re unprepared. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cold water are usually enough to ease any discomfort in the first few days of a new tray.
To make it even more manageable, try eating soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, pudding, mashed potatoes, and soup for those days. This will help get you the nutrition you need without triggering soreness in your teeth.
What Happens After Clear Aligner Treatment?
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, you’ll want to make sure your results last. Like braces, clear aligners require wearing a retainer after treatment to keep your teeth from shifting back into their old positions.
Dr. Shroff will fit you for a custom retainer and give you clear instructions on how often to wear it. In most cases, patients wear retainers full-time, as if they were wearing another set of aligners, and then transition to nighttime use. With consistent use and good oral hygiene, you can enjoy a straighter smile that lasts for a lifetime.
Are Clear Aligners Cheaper than Braces?
The cost of clear aligners in Centennial is generally comparable to that of traditional braces, but the exact price depends on factors such as complexity and the duration of your treatment. Some insurance plans cover Invisalign just like braces, but even if you know you have orthodontic coverage, it’s always best to check.
Our team at Shroff Dental Arts will gladly go over your benefits with you to help you find what you need to make an informed decision.
Regardless of cost, many patients find clear aligners are worth the investment because of its comfort, convenience, and nearly invisible appearance. If you need help to make clear aligners fit into your budget, we have flexible financing with CareCredit. We also have an in-house savings plan that works a lot like dental insurance without all the red tape.