Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign is a series of custom-made, clear plastic trays — called aligners — that gradually move your teeth into a planned position. Each set of aligners is slightly different from the last, so as you swap to a new tray every 1–2 weeks, your teeth shift a fraction of a millimeter toward the final result.

No metal brackets. No wires to tighten. The aligners are nearly invisible from a few feet away — most people won’t notice you’re wearing them. You take them out to eat, brush, and floss; otherwise they stay in roughly 22 hours a day. After 12 to 18 months for most adult cases, your teeth are where they belong.

Invisalign treats a wide range of bite and alignment issues:

• Crowding.Teeth that overlap or twist because there isn’t enough room.
• Spacing. Gaps between teeth from missing teeth, narrow jaw, or naturally small teeth.
• Overbite. Upper front teeth that extend too far over the lower.
• Underbite. Lower front teeth that sit in front of the upper.
• Crossbite. Upper teeth that bite inside the lower on one or both sides.
• Open bite.Front teeth that don’t meet when the back teeth are closed.
• Relapse from old orthodontics. Teeth that have shifted years after braces because retainers stopped being worn.

Severe skeletal issues, certain rotations, and some complex bite cases still need traditional brackets or jaw surgery — we’ll be straight with you at the consultation if you fall into that category.

1. Consultation + iTero digital scan. A quick 5-minute scan of your teeth replaces messy impressions. The scan shows you a 3D preview of your projected result before you commit to anything.
2. Treatment plan.Dr. Campbell designs your plan in the Invisalign software — calculating exactly how each tooth needs to move, and how many aligners it’ll take. You see the plan, ask questions, and approve before any aligners are ordered.
3. First aligners arrive. About 3–4 weeks after your scan, your first batch of aligners is ready. We place tiny tooth-colored attachments (small bumps that help the aligners grip) and walk you through how to insert, remove, and care for the trays.
4. Switch trays every 1–2 weeks. Each new aligner moves your teeth slightly closer to the goal. You wear each one 22+ hours a day, taking them out only to eat, drink anything besides water, and brush.
5. Check-in every 6–8 weeks. Short visits to confirm everything is tracking, hand you the next batch of aligners, and adjust if needed.
6. Final aligner + retainer. When you finish the last tray, we remove the attachments, polish your teeth, and fit you with a clear retainer to keep everything in place.

Invisalign treatment costs at Rocky Mount Family Dentistry typically fall in these ranges:

• Limited cases (closing one gap, minor crowding): $2,500–$4,500
• Full adult or teen cases: $4,500–$6,500
• Complex cases (severe crowding, bite correction): $6,500–$8,500

Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign at the same percentage they’d cover traditional braces — typically 50% up to an orthodontic lifetime maximum (often $1,000–$2,500). We verify your specific orthodontic benefits before treatment.

CareCredit financing spreads the cost across 12 to 24 monthly payments — often at 0% interest on qualifying plans. Virginia Dental Club members get a 20% discount on cosmetic treatment.

Most patients describe the first few days with a new aligner set as a mild pressure on their teeth — not pain — that fades within a day or two. Over-the-counter ibuprofen handles any soreness easily. Some quick notes on daily life with Invisalign:

• Eating: take the aligners out, eat what you want, brush quickly, put them back in. The whole routine adds 2–3 minutes per meal.
• Drinking: water is fine with aligners in. Anything else (coffee, tea, soda, wine, juice) needs to come out — it stains the aligners and traps acid against your teeth.
• Speech: a slight lisp the first 2–3 days as your tongue adapts. Practice talking out loud to speed it up. By the end of the first week most people sound completely normal.
• Cleaning: rinse the aligners every time you take them out; brush them gently with a soft toothbrush; soak in a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals 1–2 times a week.

The biggest determinant of whether your treatment finishes on time is wear time. Patients who keep the aligners in 22+ hours per day finish on schedule; patients who dip below 20 hours extend their treatment by weeks or months.

Both work. The right choice depends on the case and the patient:

• Visibility: Invisalign is nearly invisible. Braces are not. For working adults and self-conscious teens, this matters.
• Comfort: Aligners have no brackets to cut your cheeks or wires to poke your gums. Most patients find them noticeably more comfortable.
• Hygiene: You brush and floss normally with aligners (you take them out). Cleaning around brackets and wires is significantly harder, and cavity rates during braces treatment are higher.
• Diet: Aligners come out for meals — no food restrictions. Braces prohibit popcorn, nuts, hard candy, sticky candy, and a long list of other foods.
• Discipline:Aligners require you to wear them. If you don’t, they don’t work. Braces work whether you want them to or not because they’re glued on.
• Complex cases:Some severe skeletal cases still need brackets or even jaw surgery. We’ll be honest if your case is one of them.

Rocky Mount Family Dentistry handles Invisalign cases for patients from Rocky Mount, Smith Mountain Lake, Boones Mill, Ferrum, Glade Hill, and the surrounding Franklin County communities. Dr. Campbell uses the iTero digital scanner for fast, accurate treatment planning — no messy impressions — and follows each case personally from initial scan to final retainer. No bouncing between an orthodontist’s office and a general dentist’s office. One plan, one provider, one location.