Invisalign in Washington, DC

Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gently guide teeth into place. The process begins with an iTero digital scan. No uncomfortable impressions, just a clear picture of what treatment might look like for your family before you make any decisions.

Dr. Maria Jividen personally handles every step of your care from consultation through retention, all in one comfortable location. This means no referrals between specialists or coordinating appointments across different offices. We're conveniently located at 4900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 260, making it easy for families throughout Spring Valley, Tenleytown, and AU Park to visit us.

Your consultation is complimentary and includes a thorough examination and digital scan. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your treatment timeline and what your specific case would involve, with time to consider your options at home.

When you're ready to explore your options, we'd love to meet you. Reach out online or call us at (771) 210-3484 to schedule your consultation.

What You Should Know

• Invisalign aligners are removable, unlike traditional metal brackets, so they come out for meals, brushing, and flossing.
• We use iTero digital scanning, which replaces uncomfortable impression trays with a comfortable, precise 3D scan that takes about 10 minutes.
• Invisalign works for both teens and adults, though candidacy depends on your specific bite and alignment needs.
• Treatment length varies from 8-24 months depending on your case, with many moderate cases completing in 12-18 months.
• Aligners should be worn about 22 hours per day to stay on track, an important factor in treatment success.
• Investment varies based on your case complexity and insurance coverage; we'll provide specific pricing during your consultation.
• Your first visit includes a complete examination, digital scan, and personalized treatment plan with no pressure to proceed.

Is Invisalign the Right Fit for You or Your Teen?

Understanding your options is important. Understanding whether a particular option makes sense for your family's unique situation is what really matters to us.

Invisalign can work beautifully for many different situations. Adults who prefer a discreet treatment option during work presentations, school pickups, and daily life may find it fits well. Teens who are comfortable with daily routines and can commit to wearing aligners about 22 hours a day may also be good candidates.

Cases that tend to respond well include:

• Mild to moderate crowding and spacing issues
• Certain bite concerns, including overbites and minor underbites
• Rotated teeth that need repositioning
• Situations where a removable appliance fits better with your lifestyle or comfort needs
• Cases requiring tooth movement without major jaw repositioning

That said, not every case is a good fit for Invisalign, and we believe in being honest about that from the start. Severe crowding that requires extractions, significant jaw discrepancies, or cases needing complex root movement often respond better with traditional braces.

Dr. Jividen takes time to evaluate each case thoughtfully, recommending the approach that will work best for you. Whether that's Invisalign, traditional braces, or another treatment option, the right choice depends on your specific needs and what you hope to achieve.

If you're considering both approaches, our orthodontic services page outlines what we offer and how we approach treatment planning for different ages and case types.

When you're ready to learn which option might work best for your situation, we'd love to meet you. Call us at (771) 210-3484 or schedule your consultation online.

What Treatment Looks Like at Smile Horizon

Every family's journey through treatment is unique, but we've designed an experience that feels calm, organized, and thoughtfully paced to keep you comfortable and informed throughout.

Your consultation includes a comprehensive examination and iTero digital scan, typically completed within 45 minutes. Dr. Jividen takes time to review your scan results with you, explaining what movement would be helpful and showing you a digital preview of potential results. The scan itself takes about 10 minutes, creates a detailed 3D model that becomes the foundation for your custom aligners, and eliminates the discomfort of traditional impression trays. This is something families appreciate.

Once your treatment plan is finalized, your custom aligners are fabricated by Invisalign and typically arrive within 2-3 weeks. You'll receive your first several sets during a fitting appointment where we make sure everything feels right and walk through wear instructions together. Each aligner is worn for 1-2 weeks before moving to the next in the series.

Check-in appointments happen every 6-8 weeks and are designed to be brief and efficient, usually 15-20 minutes. These visits give Dr. Jividen a chance to see how treatment is progressing, make any adjustments needed, and address any questions or concerns you might have. She personally handles every aspect of your care, so you'll always see a familiar face who knows your case well.

We believe communication between appointments matters. If something doesn't feel quite right during treatment, we want you to reach out at (771) 210-3484. You'll hear back from someone who understands your situation and can help.

You can learn more about what to expect during your time with us on our visit page, and our core values explain the thinking behind how we approach care.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Treatment length varies from person to person, and it's one of the first questions families ask. We understand you want to know what you're committing to before you start. That's completely natural.

Cases generally fall into ranges based on complexity. Minor spacing or crowding may take 8-12 months with 15-25 aligner sets. Moderate cases involving bite correction often require 12-18 months with 25-40 aligners. More complex cases can extend to 18-24 months, particularly when significant bite changes are needed.

Your timeline is determined by your specific scan and treatment plan, not general estimates. During your consultation, the iTero scan helps us understand what your teeth need, and your tray count is built from there.

Refinements are common and completely normal. Many cases need them, and they're not a sign that something went wrong. Sometimes teeth need a gentle course correction partway through, which can add time to treatment. We'll walk through how refinements work during your consultation so you know what to expect.

Each aligner is worn for 1-2 weeks depending on your specific plan, with comfortable check-in appointments every 6-8 weeks to monitor progress. Many patients begin to see encouraging changes within the first few months.

When you're ready to learn what a timeline might look like for your family, scheduling a consultation is the most helpful next step. You can also call us at (771) 210-3484.

Invisalign Cost, Insurance, and Financing

We understand that cost is an important part of your decision when considering orthodontic treatment for your family.

Invisalign pricing depends on the complexity of your case, which is why we believe in giving you a specific number once we've had a chance to look at your teeth and understand what your treatment would involve. Treatment costs vary based on what your smile needs.

Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that apply to Invisalign the same as traditional braces, helping cover a portion of treatment up to your plan's lifetime maximum. If your plan includes orthodontic coverage, that benefit works here the same way it would anywhere else.

A quick call to your insurance company before your consultation to ask about your orthodontic maximum and whether it's been used can help you understand your coverage better.

During your consultation, Dr. Jividen will walk you through a clear cost breakdown, including how many aligners your case would require and what your treatment would involve. You'll leave with a number for your specific situation, not a general estimate.

When you're ready to learn what treatment would cost for your family, you can schedule a consultation online or call us at (771) 210-3484.

Why Families in Northwest DC Choose Smile Horizon Orthodontics

We know that choosing the right orthodontist for your family is an important decision. Our approach centers on giving you the information and gentle care experience that helps you feel confident about moving forward.

Digital scanning with iTero technology means your child won't need uncomfortable impression trays, and you'll have a clearer picture of what's happening with their bite and alignment. The consultation conversation is grounded in something specific and visual, with a complete treatment plan typically ready within 48 hours of your visit.

Here's what families in this area appreciate about the experience:

• Comprehensive care from consultation through retention in one welcoming location
• Clear, upfront pricing at your first visit, including how your insurance coverage applies
• Same-day treatment planning with iTero digital scans, so you know your options before you leave
• Honest treatment recommendations, including when traditional braces might work better than clear aligners
• Time and space to consider your options after receiving your treatment plan

That commitment to transparency is something you can read more about on our core values page.

Ready to learn more? Call us at (771) 210-3484 or schedule your consultation online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign

We understand that choosing orthodontic treatment brings up thoughtful questions. These are the questions families in our practice ask most often, and we're here to help you feel confident about your decision.

Can my teenager really be trusted to wear aligners consistently?

This is such an honest concern, and we appreciate parents who think this through carefully. Every teenager is different, and we'll have a candid conversation about your child's readiness before recommending Invisalign. Some teens thrive with the responsibility of 22-hour daily wear; others do better with fixed braces. Dr. Jividen takes time to understand each teen's personality and daily routine during the consultation.

Does Invisalign work for bite problems, not just crowding?

Yes, many bite issues respond well to clear aligners, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. Dr. Jividen has experience with complex cases that general dentists often refer out. During your consultation, we'll walk through exactly what your treatment would involve and show you digital projections of the expected results.

What happens if something feels wrong mid-treatment?

Please don't hesitate to reach out. You can call us at (771) 210-3484, and we'll respond promptly. Many concerns can be addressed with a quick phone conversation or a brief appointment to check things over.

Is Invisalign covered by insurance?

Many orthodontic insurance plans treat Invisalign the same as traditional braces. We'll verify your specific benefits before your consultation and provide a clear breakdown of your out-of-pocket costs, so there are no surprises.

How is the iTero scan different from traditional impressions?

It's so much more comfortable. Instead of those uncomfortable bite trays filled with putty, a small wand captures a precise digital model of your teeth in about 10 minutes. It's faster, more accurate, and you can actually see a preview of your potential results right on the screen during your appointment.

What if my case needs refinements partway through?

Refinements are completely normal and part of achieving the best possible result. They're not a sign that anything went wrong. We'll explain how refinements work during your consultation, so you know what to expect from the beginning.

How often will I need appointments during treatment?

Check-in appointments are typically scheduled every 6-8 weeks. These visits give us a chance to monitor your progress, address any questions, and provide your next set of aligners. They're usually quick and straightforward.

Ready to See If Invisalign Is Right for You?

We know choosing orthodontic treatment is a big decision for your family. Your consultation with Dr. Jividen includes a complete examination, iTero digital scan, and a thoughtful review of what treatment could look like for your specific situation. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your options, timelines, and costs — with no pressure to decide on the spot.

We build in plenty of time for your questions and concerns. If traditional braces would serve you better than Invisalign, we'll tell you that honestly. Our goal is helping you find the right path forward, whatever that looks like for your family.

When you're ready to take that first step, we'd love to meet you. You can schedule a consultation online or call us at (771) 210-3484. We're located at 4900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 260, right here in Washington, DC.