Crooked teeth, gaps, or a bite that feels off can make you hide your smile, but metal braces aren't the only way to fix them. As an Invisalign provider in Plainsboro, Smile Dental Care helps teens and adults straighten their teeth with clear, removable aligners that most people won't notice you're wearing. It's one of the many cosmetic dentistry services we offer. With evening and weekend hours, including Sundays, it's easy to fit your visits around work, school, and family life.
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What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign® is a system of clear plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth into better positions. Each set of aligners is custom made from a digital scan of your mouth and is designed to shift your teeth a small amount. You switch to a new set about every one to two weeks until your teeth reach their planned positions.
Because the aligners are clear and removable, you can eat what you like, brush and floss normally, and smile in photos without brackets or wires showing.
Who Is Invisalign For?
Invisalign Plainsboro patients come to us with a wide range of concerns. Clear aligners can treat many common problems, including:
- Crowding: Teeth that overlap or twist because there isn't enough room in the jaw. Crowded teeth are harder to clean and more prone to cavities and gum disease.
- Gaps: Spaces between teeth, including a gap between the front teeth, that can trap food or affect your confidence.
- Bite problems: Overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite, which can cause uneven tooth wear and jaw strain over time.
- Relapse after braces: Teeth that have shifted since you wore braces as a teen.
Invisalign works best for patients who are committed to wearing their aligners as directed. Very complex bite or jaw problems may need a different approach.
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Do You Need an Orthodontist?
Many people start by searching for an orthodontist in Plainsboro, NJ, without realizing their general dentist may offer clear aligners. Our dentists can plan and manage your Invisalign treatment in the same office where you get your checkups, and we'll refer you to a specialist if your case needs one.
How Invisalign Treatment Works
Getting clear aligners in Plainsboro, NJ, at our office follows a simple step-by-step process:
- Consultation and exam. We examine your teeth, gums, and bite, talk about your goals, and confirm that Invisalign is a good fit. Any cavities or gum problems are treated first.
- Digital impressions. Instead of goopy impression trays, we use a handheld digital scanner to capture a precise 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes.
- Your custom treatment plan. Using your scan, we map out how your teeth will move from start to finish. You can preview your projected result before your aligners are made.
- Receiving your aligners. When your aligners arrive, we check the fit and show you how to put them in, take them out, and keep them clean. Some patients need small tooth-colored attachments that help the aligners grip and move certain teeth.
- Progress visits. You'll switch to a new set of aligners on schedule and visit us every several weeks so we can make sure your teeth are moving as planned.
- Retainers. Once your teeth reach their final positions, you'll wear a retainer to help keep your new smile in place.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Both Invisalign and traditional braces can straighten teeth. Here's how they compare:
- Appearance: Invisalign aligners are clear and hard to notice. Braces use visible metal brackets and wires.
- Removable: Aligners come out for eating, brushing, and flossing. Braces stay fixed for the length of treatment.
- Food restrictions: None with Invisalign, since you remove aligners to eat. With braces, you avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods.
- Comfort: Aligners are smooth plastic with no wires. Brackets and wires can irritate cheeks and lips.
- Cleaning: With Invisalign you brush and floss as usual. Braces take extra time to clean around brackets.
- Best suited for: Invisalign treats mild to moderate crowding, gaps, and bite issues. Braces handle mild to severe cases, including complex bites.
- Responsibility: Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours a day. Braces work without daily effort from the patient.
Invisalign Cost and Insurance
Invisalign cost varies from patient to patient. Your price depends on how much your teeth need to move, how long treatment will take, and how many aligners you need. In many cases, the cost is comparable to traditional braces. You'll receive a written estimate at your consultation.
We accept most PPO plans. Many dental plans with orthodontic benefits cover part of Invisalign treatment, often up to a lifetime maximum. Our team will check your benefits and explain what your plan covers before you start. You may also be able to use funds from a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).
To make treatment easier to fit into your budget, we offer flexible monthly payment plans through Sunbit. You can learn more on our insurance and financing page.
Why Choose Smile Dental Care?
- Trusted since 2001: Our practice has cared for Plainsboro families for more than two decades.
- Convenient hours: We're open seven days a week, with evening hours on weekdays and appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Complete smile care: After your teeth are straight, we can help you take your results further with treatments such as teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers.
Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most adults finish treatment in about 12 to 18 months, though mild cases can take as little as six months. Your timeline depends on how much your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your aligners.
It depends on your needs. Invisalign is more discreet, removable, and comfortable, which makes it a great choice for many teens and adults with mild to moderate concerns. Traditional braces may work better for severe crowding or complex bite problems. After your exam, we'll recommend the option that fits your case.
You should wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Take them out only to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush and floss. Wearing them less than recommended can slow your progress.
Many dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits cover part of the cost, similar to how they cover braces. Coverage varies by plan, so our team will review your benefits and help you understand your out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins.
Schedule a Visit with an Invisalign Provider in Plainsboro
A straighter smile may be easier to reach than you think. Our team will examine your teeth, answer your questions, and show you what Invisalign can do for you. Contact us today to book your Invisalign consultation at Smile Dental Care.
