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Crafting Perfect Smiles with Invisalign
Using a set of clear plastic teeth aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth seamlessly, serving as a contemporary alternative to metal braces. Pitner and Carroll Orthodontics helps you achieve a winning smile with Invisalign at the heart of Columbia, SC. Improve teeth alignment and embrace confidence with comfortable and sleek clear aligners today.
Why Choose Pitner and Carroll Orthodontics for Invisalign?
When it comes to Invisalign, experience matters. At Pitner and Carroll Orthodontics, we bring years of expertise and a passion for perfection to every smile transformation journey.
But it's not just about the numbers; it's about the trust and confidence our patients place in us. We take pride in our track record of successful outcomes and satisfied smiles. From teenagers to adults, we've helped countless individuals achieve the smile they've always dreamed of.
Benefits of Invisalign
Let's talk about why Invisalign is the clear choice for transforming your smile.
Discreet Appearance
With Invisalign, say goodbye to self-consciousness about your smile during treatment. These aligners are practically invisible, blending seamlessly into your teeth and giving you the confidence to smile freely, whether you’re at work, school, or a social gathering.
Removability
One of the biggest perks of Invisalign is its convenience. Unlike traditional braces, you can easily remove your aligners for meals, snacks, and oral hygiene routines. Enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about restrictions, and maintain optimal oral health with regular brushing and flossing—no metal wires or brackets to navigate around.
Comfort and Convenience
Traditional braces can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, but Invisalign offers a different experience altogether. Made from smooth, comfortable plastic, these aligners gently shift your teeth into place without the need for painful adjustments. Plus, they fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, allowing you to carry on with your daily activities without skipping a beat.
Efficiency
What sets Invisalign apart is its practicality and efficiency. Each treatment plan is tailored to your unique dental needs, and with the help of advanced 3D technology, the results can be predicted with remarkable accuracy. This means fewer surprises along the way and a clear understanding of the journey ahead.
Experienced Customized Treatment Process
Orthodontic treatment should be personalized, and our team at Pitner and Carroll Orthodontics does just that with advanced Invisalign technology. Here's how our customized treatment process sets us apart:
Comprehensive Consultation
Starting with an initial consultation, our orthodontists, Dr. Leslie Pitner and Dr. Marshall Carroll, use their expertise and years of experience to observe your teeth and recommend the best solutions. We listen intently to your concerns and goals, ensuring that you feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Digital Scanning
Say goodbye to messy, uncomfortable putty impressions. With our advanced digital scanning technology, we create virtual 3D models of your teeth that can be manipulated using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create a treatment plan. Traditionally, creating manual clay models takes weeks, but digital impressions are ready in about a few minutes.
Treatment Planning
Depending on the degree of alignment correction necessary, you may have only a few tray sets or as many as 70 or more in your treatment plan. Each tray set is designed to apply specific pressure to your teeth gently but firmly. As you shift from one tray set to the next, you may notice a slight difference in where the pressure is applied.
ClinCheck® Software
Visualizing your final results before treatment begins is now possible with Invisalign’s ClinCheck® software. This powerful tool allows us to meticulously map out the movements of your teeth throughout the course of treatment, giving you a clear understanding of what to expect and allowing us to make any necessary adjustments along the way.
SmartTrack® Material
Invisalign will create your first set of custom aligners using a unique polymer called SmartTrack® material. This particular polymer is unique to Invisalign aligner trays. Researchers tested more than 260 materials over eight years to develop the SmartTrack material.
When combined with SmartForce® attachments, Invisalign delivers the same reliability as traditional braces. SmartTrack material’s durability means that Invisalign can effectively correct minor and complex alignment problems.
Invisalign for All Ages
Invisalign suits patients of all ages, from children to teens to adults. Whether you're a parent looking for orthodontic solutions for your child or an adult seeking to improve your smile, Invisalign offers versatility to address a wide range of orthodontic needs.
For Kids
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that kids visit an orthodontist at seven years old, whether or not there are visible signs of misalignment. Guiding teeth to their proper positions during the development stage is crucial to avoiding lengthy and invasive treatments in the future.Â
When orthodontic intervention becomes essential, Invisalign First (specially designed for pediatric patients) serves as an optimal solution for the following reasons:Â
- Gentle and effective common orthodontic issues such as overcrowding, gaps, overbites, and underbites.
- Virtually invisible aligners maintain kids’ confidence during treatment.
- Eliminates the need for uncomfortable metal brackets and wires, reducing the likelihood of oral injuries during sports or other activities.
- Accommodates dental growth, guiding optimal alignment as permanent teeth erupt
- Customized treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique dental needs.
- Removability allows kids to eat their favorite foods and maintain their oral health habits.
For Teens
The teenage years mark a crucial stage in dental development, making orthodontic intervention essential for guiding teeth to their proper positions. Thankfully, Invisalign Teen is designed to address the unique needs and preferences of teenage patients, offering a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional braces.Â
Its benefits for young patients include:Â
- Discreet appearance and convenience with Invisalign Teen.
- Allows teens to enjoy their favorite foods and activities without restrictions.
- Virtually invisible aligners maintain teens’ confidence and social lives.
- Removable aligners make it easy for teens to maintain their oral hygiene routine.
- Designed to accommodate erupting teeth, ensuring a comfortable fit as the smile continues to develop.
- A number of free replacement aligners are provided in cases of loss or damage.
For Adults
In adulthood, achieving a straighter smile is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about improving oral health and overall well-being. As such, adults seeking orthodontic treatment often prioritize options that offer discretion, comfort, and convenience.
The features of Invisalign that are perfect for adult patients include:
- Invisibility allows adults to undergo orthodontic treatment without feeling self-conscious about their smile in personal or professional settings.
- Minimal irritation to the cheeks and gums commonly associated with traditional braces or a more pleasant experience.Â
- Aligner removability allows adults to maintain their lifestyle and dietary preferencesÂ
- Correcting mild misalignments or more complex orthodontic issues in adults without brackets and wires
- Improves adults’ oral health by facilitating easier cleaning and reducing the risk of dental issues such as decay, gum disease, and uneven wear.
Invisalign Cost and Financing:
Transparent Pricing
We believe in transparency when it comes to the cost of Invisalign treatment. Our team provides clear and detailed information about the pricing structure, ensuring patients understand the investment required for their orthodontic journey.
The national average for Invisalign treatment ranges between $3,000 and $8,000. Several factors affect the price, including location, level of misalignment, and compliance. At Pitner & Carroll Orthodontics, our pricing stays within the normal ranges and may even be slightly lower.
When compared to the cost of traditional braces, the national average pricing on the metal bracket and wire tooth-straightening systems ranges between $2,500 and $6,000. Invisalign requires fewer in-office appointments, which means time savings for you.
Flexible Financing Options
To make Invisalign treatment more accessible, we offer a range of flexible financing options tailored to meet individual budgetary constraints and preferences. Whether through monthly payment plans, third-party financing, or insurance coverage assistance, our goal is to ensure that cost does not stand in the way of achieving a confident and healthy smile.
Our financial coordinators are dedicated to helping patients explore financing solutions that align with their needs.
Additional Financing Options
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA): An FSA enables individuals to set aside pretax dollars from their salary specifically for healthcare expenses. It’s important to note that funds in an FSA do not roll over, so it’s advisable to utilize them before the end of the year. HSAs, meanwhile, can roll over into the following year, providing greater flexibility. However, HSAs require individuals to have a high-deductible insurance plan.
- No-Interest Credit Cards: Some credit cards offer introductory 0% APR rates, allowing individuals to finance dental procedures without accruing interest for a set period. It’s essential to understand the terms and conditions of such offers to avoid unexpected charges.
- Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Children and teens covered by Medicaid or CHIP may qualify for assistance in covering the costs of braces or Invisalign if deemed medically necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Invisalign treatment is generally not painful. Patients may experience some discomfort or pressure when transitioning to a new set of aligners, which is normal and indicates that the treatment is working.
The duration of Invisalign treatment varies depending on individual needs and treatment plans. On average, treatment can last between 12 and 18 months, but this timeline may be shorter or longer based on the complexity of the case.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing patients to eat and drink comfortably without restrictions. However, it’s essential to remove the aligners before consuming anything other than water to prevent damage or staining.
For optimal results, aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. Consistently wearing aligners as prescribed ensures effective treatment progress.
While the frequency of orthodontic visits may vary based on individual treatment plans, patients typically visit their orthodontist every 6 to 8 weeks to monitor progress and receive new sets of aligners.
Invisalign is suitable for treating a wide range of orthodontic issues, including mild to moderate cases of misalignment, crowding, gaps, overbites, and underbites. However, severe cases may require alternative treatment options.
Invisalign aligners should be cleaned regularly using a soft toothbrush, clear antibacterial soap, or specialized Invisalign cleaning crystals. It’s essential to maintain proper oral hygiene and clean aligners to prevent bacteria buildup and ensure treatment effectiveness.
Depending on individual circumstances, it may be possible to switch from traditional braces to Invisalign treatment. Consultation with an orthodontist will determine the feasibility and suitability of transitioning to Invisalign.
While there may be certain cases where Invisalign may not be the most suitable treatment option, advancements in technology and treatment techniques have expanded the range of cases that can be effectively treated with Invisalign. It’s essential to consult with us to explore all available options.