Clear Aligners Slidell
The Metal-Free Teeth-Straightening Solution
For a long time, traditional braces were the only orthodontic treatment available. In fact, that may have been the case the last time you explored your teeth-straightening options! Fortunately, there’s now a different option: clear aligner treatment. If you want to find out if you’re a candidate, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen Tomaszewski so he can learn about your dental history and any existing orthodontic problems. You can also read on to learn how clear aligners in Slidell work, the benefits of this approach, and more!
Why Choose Camellia City Family Dentistry for Clear Aligners?
- Skilled Cosmetic Dentist with More Than 15 Years of Experience
- See Results Beforehand with Digital Dental Imaging
- Several Financial Solutions, Including Flexible Financing
How Clear Aligners Work
With traditional braces, metal brackets and wires are routinely adjusted to incrementally move teeth closer and closer to their ideal positions. With us, the same outcome is accomplished with a series of custom-made aligners! You’ll wear each one for 20-22 hours a day, and you’ll progress to the new set in the series every week or two weeks (depending on the specifics of your treatment plan). Since the aligners are see-through and removable, you’ll see your teeth get straighter and straighter before your eyes!
Who Clear Aligners Can Help
If you’re interested in clear aligner treatment, you’ll be pleased to hear that it can correct mild and moderate cases of malocclusion. Here are a few examples:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth don’t just come with aesthetic drawbacks; they can negatively impact your oral health as well. In that sense, clear aligner treatment can improve the look, health, and function of your smile! Simply put, it’s worth scheduling a consultation with us to find out if you’re a candidate.
Gaps Between Teeth
Of course, if your teeth are spread apart, you could experience similar problems, including an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why we recommend coming in for an appointment sooner rather than later. That way, we can give you a smile that is as healthy as it is beautiful!
Bite Alignment
Remember, if your bite isn’t aligned properly, numerous consequences can arise, including chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction. The good news is that clear aligner treatment can correct mild and moderate bite problems, including overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Over the years, clear aligner treatment has skyrocketed in popularity. If you’re considering this cosmetic dental service as well, then keep reading to learn a few of the many benefits you’ll enjoy on your journey to a straighter smile.
There Aren’t Any Metal Components
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of clear aligners is that there aren’t any metal components. Not only does this mean that no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile, but it also means that your teeth-straightening journey will be considerably more comfortable. Plus, any discomfort that does arise from the movement of your teeth can easily be alleviated with dental wax, cold compresses, and over-the-counter pain medication.
There Aren’t Any Dietary Restrictions
In an effort to prevent common orthodontic problems, like a broken bracket, patients with traditional braces are given a list of foods they need to avoid. With clear aligners, that isn’t necessary. In fact, as long as you take them off before eating or drinking anything (with the exception of water), you can enjoy all of your favorites!
Taking Care of Your Smile Is Easy
To clean around the brackets and between the wires, patients with traditional braces typically need special dental care products, like interproximal toothbrushes and pre-threaded floss. Since clear aligners are removable, maintaining a healthy smile is significantly easier; just take your aligners off, place them in their case, and proceed with your usual oral hygiene regimen!
Important reminder: You will need to take care of your aligners, too! The good news is that this won’t take up too much of your time, and you likely already have everything you need, including a soft-bristled toothbrush.
The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter
Typically, it takes patients 2-3 years to achieve the desired results with traditional braces. Clear aligner treatment, on the other hand, has an average treatment timeline of only 12-18 months. So, if you want a straight smile by this time next year, there’s a good chance we can accomplish that if you begin the treatment process now!
There Aren’t Monthly Adjustment Appointments
To ensure continuous pressure is placed on the teeth, patients with traditional braces need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. However, addressing common orthodontic problems looks much different with clear aligners. You’ll be given several sets at a time so you can progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Then, you’ll come to our office every 6-8 weeks so our Slidell dental team can monitor the movement of your teeth and make sure they are tracking as anticipated.
Understanding the Cost of Clear Aligners
It’s very common for patients to have questions about the cost, like “Are clear aligners cheaper than braces?” Rest assured, we will take the time to answer any questions you have during your consultation. Not only that, but we will provide you with an estimate of the cost of clear aligner treatment as well as review all of the financial solutions that are available to ensure that it stays within your budget. In the meantime, you can read on to learn a little more on the topic.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners
Patients often want an estimate of the price before they arrive at our office. However, we can’t provide you with an accurate number until we complete a comprehensive oral exam. In the process, we will determine:
- If any preliminary services are needed, like a tooth-colored filling
- If single-arch treatment is possible
- How many aligners must be made
- The type of retainer that’s needed to preserve your results
Once we have all of this information, we can solidify the details of your treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of the cost. We will also share what you can do to avoid additional fees, like placing your aligners in their designated case instead of wrapping them in a napkin, leaving them on your plate, or putting them on the counter (all of which can lead to them being accidentally thrown away).
Clear Aligners vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Mail-in aligners are advertised as a cheaper alternative to professional orthodontic treatments. While they often do come with a lower upfront cost, it’s usually because the initial exam is skipped, patients are asked to take their own impressions, and there aren’t licensed dental professionals overseeing the teeth-straightening process. So, while they are cheaper, they certainly aren’t better.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
Although dental insurance providers don’t typically cover the cost of cosmetic dentistry treatments, it’s always worth taking the time to read through the fine print on your plan. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to let us know! Although we are a fee-for-service practice, our team at Camellia City Family Dentistry is happy to file insurance claims to help patients get the maximum reimbursement.
Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable
What if you don’t have dental insurance? Does that mean that your only choice is to pay for the entire cost of your orthodontic treatment in one lump sum? Fortunately, the answer is “no.” We’re proud to offer an in-house savings plan, which comes with a discount on several treatments that we offer. Plus, we work with trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit. That way, you can break up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, monthly chunks that fit within your budget.
