Are you suffering from tooth spacing or jaw alignment problems? Invisalign in Virginia Beach may be the solution you’re looking for. Invisalign aligners are an affordable, low-profile alternative to traditional braces. They provide effective treatment for a number of oral health problems known collectively as malocclusion.
What Is Malocclusion?
“Malocclusion” can refer to several common conditions. These include:
- Underbite or overbite. This occurs when the upper and lower jaw fail to align correctly.
- Improper angling of teeth. For example, misaligned teeth may point inward towards the throat or outward towards the lips. They can also be tilted towards one side or the other.
- Gaps or crowding in between the teeth.
The complications of malocclusion go far beyond personal appearance issues. Malocclusion can cause migraine headaches, back and neck pain, loose or missing teeth, arthritis -like symptoms in the jaw, and infected gums. These issues are likely to become worse if they go uncorrected.
The most common treatment for malocclusion is braces. While generally effective, this option suffers from a number of drawbacks. Many patients find traditional braces uncomfortable and aesthetically unpleasing. Once in place, they cannot be removed except by an orthodontist. They limit the patient’s ability to eat, brush, floss and carry out other daily tasks.
Invisalign aligners were developed to overcome these disadvantages. They’re made from a translucent, low-profile material that many observers never notice at all. The wearer can remove them for meals or other regular activities. In many cases, Invisalign aligners require fewer trips to the dentist. Most patients find them preferable to traditional braces.
Invisalign therapy begins with an initial appointment in which the orthodontist creates a three-dimensional image of the patient’s teeth. This information is used to create the first set of aligners. The wearer returns to the dentist every 14 days or so for a new pair. Treatment normally lasts around 13 months, although the dentist may recommend that the patient use a retainer at night to maintain the benefits over the long term.
Is Invisalign Affordable?
Many insurance plans pay for all or most of the cost of Invisalign aligners, just as they do for traditional braces. Check with your healthcare administrator or your dentist’s office for more information.
If your plan does not cover the cost of Invisalign therapy, or if you lack coverage altogether, then you may have other options. Sometimes private lenders will finance Invisalign treatments. Your dentist’s office might be willing to break the fees up into monthly installments. You may qualify for price discounts if you’re a member of AARP or another national association.
Sometime private foundations or public assistance programs can help to mitigate the costs of Invisalign therapy. Health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible saving accounts (FSA) are also worth considering. Veterans, schoolteachers and emergency responders may have additional options available to them.
Only a dental professional can tell you if Invisalign aligners are the best way to treat your malocclusion. Make an appointment with your dentist in Virginia Beach soon to discuss your treatment options. The facts you learn may be just the thing you need to put a big smile on your face.
About the Author
Dr. Melvin Cruser earned his BA degree from Duke University and completed his dental training at the University of Virginia. He has been practicing dentistry for almost 40 years. You can reach his office online or by calling (757) 490-3111.
