Invisalign – Chevy Chase, MD

Improved Comfort

Many of our patients report that Invisalign is a remarkably comfortable orthodontic treatment. The aligner trays are completely smooth, meaning that you won’t have to worry about pointy metal parts poking into your cheeks, lips, and tongue as might frequently happen with traditional metal braces. If you experience discomfort while wearing them, it is usually a sense of tightness or soreness around the teeth when you switch to a new set of aligners. This issue will resolve itself in a day or two, and many patients find that they can sleep through the worst of it by switching to their new tray before bed and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Discreet Trays

Many patients are excited about Invisalign because the aligner trays it uses to straighten teeth are virtually invisible when worn. This makes them especially excellent for people who are looking forward to a big event such as a wedding or graduation in the near future or those who work as media personalities.

Better Dental Hygiene

Traditional braces require patients to invest in a range of specialized tools to ensure they can clean around these irremovable dental appliances. Invisalign clear aligners, on the other hand, can be easily removed so you can practice oral hygiene normally. However, you’ll also need to brush and floss after each meal and any other time before you put your aligners back in. It’s also important to clean and soak your aligners every day to prevent plaque accumulation and dental stains.

Quick Follow-Ups

Invisalign requires patients to attend check-in appointments every six to eight weeks so Dr. Freyne can make sure their teeth are moving appropriately and on schedule, and each of these sessions usually lasts between fifteen and thirty minutes. These appointments are much briefer, less extensive, and less uncomfortable than those required of traditional braces patients.

Non-Invasive Treatment

Invisalign is considered a less invasive orthodontic treatment than traditional braces because it requires fewer changes to the patient’s daily routine.  They can continue brushing and flossing as they normally would while eating their favorite foods and smiling without worrying about other people noticing their orthodontic appliances. The flexibility and shorter check-in appointments involved with the Invisalign process can also make it great for patients with tight work or school schedules.

Boosted Confidence

Since Invisalign trays are virtually invisible when worn, they can make it much easier to maintain a professional appearance at work or a fashionable appearance at social events. This can be especially beneficial for image-conscious teens by helping them feel confident while hanging out with peers.

Wearing Your Trays

If you don’t wear your aligners, they won’t work – it’s as simple as that! That’s why it’s so important that you consistently wear them for 20+ hours a day. If you’re finding that eating three meals, enjoying your morning cup of coffee, and brushing your teeth throughout the day is difficult to fit into your aligner-free time, then try creating a schedule with the help of the stopwatch on your phone. It’s also important to multi-task where you can, like drinking coffee with your breakfast.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Luckily, keeping your aligners clean and clear is pretty easy because you only need three things: clean water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and clear, mild dishwashing liquid. Make sure that you’re removing saliva, food particles, and other debris from the surface at least twice a day and that you never use hot water in the process. If you find that your aligners are still turning a bit yellow, then try soaking them for 15 minutes in a dentist-recommended cleaner daily.

Eating & Drinking

Another perk of Invisalign: you don’t need to change your diet! That’s because the aligners are removable, so there isn’t the same risk for an orthodontic emergency like there is with traditional braces. That said, we do encourage our patients to steer clear of extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, and to keep their consumption of added sugar to a minimum. That way, the chances of an attachment breaking, a tooth chipping, or a cavity developing are significantly less.

Losing a Tray

What happens if your aligners aren’t where you thought they were? To start, don’t panic; this will only make it harder to find them. Instead, take a few deep breaths, try to remember the last place you know you had them, and retrace your steps from there. Since the aligners are clear, you need to be thorough in your search, and you should look in unexpected places, like the trash can, in the process. If you can’t find them, give us a call – we want to determine the next best steps as soon as possible!

Attending Routine Check-In Visits

Throughout your Invisalign treatment, you’ll come to our office to meet with Dr. Freyne. That way, he can monitor the movement of your teeth in comparison to your treatment plan. If everything is on-track, then your appointment should be pretty quick. Plus, they are usually every six or eight weeks instead of every four, which is the case with traditional braces. So, you’ll spend less time in the treatment chair overall!

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

No two Invisalign treatments are the same. This is why there is no set price for these clear aligners. Each individual who arrives in our office will receive a personalized treatment plan that uses various factors to determine the overall cost. When arriving for your initial consultation with Dr. Freyne, he will consider the following when creating your cost estimate:

• Do you need clear aligners for your top or bottom teeth or both?
• How long will your treatment last? It may be necessary to wear additional aligners if your teeth do not move as they should, which can add to the overall cost.
• How severe is your case? Fixing a slight gap between your teeth will cost much less than working to realign your current overbite.

Invisalign vs. DIY Aligners: Which Costs More?

You’ve likely seen advertisements for mail-in aligners. This do-it-yourself (DIY) clear aligner system is appealing because of its convenience and affordability; however, just because you might pay $2,000 instead of $3,000-$8,000 with Invisalign doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the same, great results.

Yes, it’s a popular option for people who want a straighter smile, but if you want to be confident in how you’re spending your money, here are a few reasons why you may want to rethink your decision and instead, see us for Invisalign treatment:

• With DIY Aligners, you will have to capture impressions yourself. This cold, messy dental putty may not leave an accurate impression, which can produce ill-fitting aligners that do more damage to your smile than you might think.
• You will not have a designated dentist or orthodontist you can see regularly to ensure everything is moving along smoothly. You will essentially be in charge of your own treatment.
• Also, because there is no actual orthodontist or dentist for you to see, should you experience problems along the way, you’ll have to pay to see a local Invisalign dentist in Chevy Chase who can help.

By choosing to see Dr. Freyne for Invisalign, you can rest easier knowing that your smile is in the best hands. His experience, knowledge, and training make him qualified to provide this method of orthodontic treatment in a way that produces long-lasting results. And the best part is that he will remain with you throughout treatment to ensure your teeth and bite are shifting accordingly.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Depending on your dental insurance coverage, you may receive up to 50% off orthodontics; however, many companies have exclusions and stipulations that you’ll need to review before agreeing to start treatment. If you need help to review your policy or better understand what you are eligible to receive, our dental team will be happy to work on your behalf to go over the information and discuss with your insurance company how much your out-of-pocket expenses will be. We can then file any necessary paperwork and claims for you.

If you have a Flexible Savings Account (FSA), you should know that you can use these funds to help pay for your Invisalign in Chevy Chase.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you are uninsured or need help to pay any remaining costs that dental insurance doesn’t cover, Dr. Freyne is pleased to provide in-house financing. Through this process, you can apply for one of the few options allowing you to pay off your Invisalign treatment over several months. With interest-free payments, you can choose between a 3, 6, or 12-month plan.