Invisalign® Clear Braces – Las Cruces, NM

Low-Profile, Smooth Aligners

Metal braces may be effective, reliable, and versatile, but they are also quite uncomfortable, especially when you first get them. The good news is that Invisalign doesn’t use brackets and wires; they use low-profile, smooth aligners that are custom-made to fit the unique contours of your mouth. As a result, they are considerably more comfortable than traditional orthodontics.

See-Through Trays

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without discussing how discreet Invisalign aligners are. Since they are see-through and made to fit your teeth perfectly, they are virtually undetectable when worn. Fortunately, keeping them clean and clear doesn’t require too much work either; simply clean them after each meal with some cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush!

Easy Dental Care

We mentioned in the previous section that taking care of your aligners is easy. So is taking care of your teeth! All you have to do is take your trays off before proceeding with your oral hygiene regimen as usual. Of course, if you don’t currently brush and floss your teeth after lunch, then that will be a slight adjustment. Even then, you can make this task easier by simply keeping a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss with you.

Shorter Average Treatment Timelines

Ultimately, your treatment timeline will depend on factors unique to your case, including how many aligners are needed and how often you progress to the next set in the series. With that said, there is an average: 12-18 months. Conversely, the average with traditional braces is around 2-3 years. So, even if your case of malocclusion is more moderate, there’s a good chance that you’ll see results faster with Invisalign.

Versatile

Over the years, Invisalign has helped patients with all sorts of orthodontic problems – from overcrowding to open bites. Sometimes, this requires the use of other orthodontic accessories, like attachments. However, these are still considerably more discreet than traditional braces. Simply put, clear aligner treatment isn’t just aesthetically-pleasing, it’s also versatile!

No Dietary Restrictions

Popcorn, tortilla chips, whole apples, cashews, and raw celery are just a few foods that need to be avoided with traditional braces. Invisalign, on the other hand, doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions. So, you can continue to eat all of your favorites on your journey to a straighter smile!

Wearing Your Trays

Wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day isn’t an arbitrary guideline; it’s crucial to stay on-track with your treatment plan. So, get in the habit of only removing your aligners when needed, like to eat a meal or snack. When you do take them out, use the stopwatch on your phone or create a reminder so you don’t forget to put them back on as soon as you can. Before long, you’ll find a schedule that works for you.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Cleaning your Invisalign aligners consistently is crucial. Otherwise, they will start to stain and smell, taking away from their discreet appearance. The good news is that you can keep them in pristine condition with three simple practices: taking them out before eating or drinking anything (other than water), rinsing them with clean, cool water when you take them off, and using a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them after each meal.

Eating & Drinking

As we mentioned above, you need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. If you don’t, then it will only be a matter of time until your trays stain or warp, drawing unwanted attention to your smile and negatively impacting the teeth-straightening process.

Tip: If you enjoy drinking coffee, soda, and other dark-colored beverages, do so with your meals instead of separately. That way, you can cut down on the amount of time you aren’t wearing your aligners.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

As you know, wearing your aligners for 20+ hours a day is essential. This is a difficult goal to meet if you can’t find them or they are badly damaged, which is why it’s important that you call us ASAP if this happens. Over the phone, we will ask you a few questions to learn a little more about your situation, take a look at your treatment plan, and determine if it’s okay to move onto the next set of aligners a bit early.

Routine Check-Ins

If you get traditional braces, then you need to schedule adjustment appointments every four weeks. Invisalign works a bit differently because you can progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Every six or eight weeks, you’ll come to our Las Cruces dental office so we can monitor the movement of your teeth, make sure you’re on-track with your treatment plan, and provide you with your next set of aligners.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Multiple variables come into play when determining the cost of Invisalign. Some of these factors include:

• The number of aligners you need – The extent and nature of a patient’s dental misalignment will affect how many aligners they require to straighten their teeth. Naturally, more aligners means higher treatment costs.
• One arch or two? – Some patients only need to straighten their upper or lower arch instead of both, leading to lower costs.
• Your compliance with treatment – If you don’t wear your aligners as often as you should, your treatment will take longer, resulting in having to pay for more trays.
• Additional accessories – Some patients might need attachments, elastics, or other accessories to successfully bring their teeth into alignment.

Invisalign or DIY Clear Aligners? Cost vs. Value

These days, “do-it-yourself” clear aligner systems are everywhere. After all, they cost a fraction of the price of Invisalign, and you don’t have to set foot in a dentist’s office. While the lower price may seem attractive, keep in mind that when it comes to dental work, you get what you pay for.

With DIY clear aligners, you’re responsible for taking your own impressions of your teeth and wearing the trays. Even the tiniest mistake in this process could prove disastrous since you’re not being overseen by a dental professional. Your teeth may end up becoming even more misaligned, costing you more in the long run correcting these issues. By choosing to see an Invisalign dentist in Las Cruces from the start, you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with a safe, high-quality treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

It depends. Some dental insurance providers view Invisalign as purely cosmetic and won’t cover any part of the cost, while others may pay for some portion of it in specific situations. Our team members have helped countless patients make it easy to navigate and maximize their insurance benefits to receive all of the coverage they qualify for. We’re even in-network with many leading providers, including:

• Delta Dental of New Mexico
• Guardian
• Cigna
• United Healthcare

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Even our uninsured patients can still enjoy affordable Invisalign in Las Cruces thanks to our financing options. For one, we can help you sign up for a low- to no-interest payment plan through CareCredit. This company offers multiple flexible plans to choose from, so there’s bound to be one that can fit comfortably within your budget!

As an alterative to insurance, we offer an in-house dental savings plan to make our care more accessible for families. Under the Painted Skies Dental Plan, you get a 10% discount on Invisalign as well as most other services, and FREE preventive care. All you have to do is pay a flat annual fee to access savings on many services that insurance won’t cover!