Invisalign – Richardson, TX

See-Through Aligners

It’s no secret that traditional braces are quite noticeable. Fortunately, Invisalign isn’t! Instead of moving your teeth into their properly aligned positions with metal brackets and wires, clear aligners are custom-made to gently guide your teeth into place. Since they are see-through, no one should even be able to notice that you’re wearing them, including those closest to you. As a result, you can smile confidently throughout the treatment process.

Improved Comfort

Although effective, metal brackets and wires can irritate your gums, lips, tongue, and the insides of your cheeks. Conversely, the smooth edges of Invisalign’s clear aligners are made to fit as snugly over your teeth as possible, making the teeth-straightening process considerably more comfortable. Plus, you won’t have to undergo frequent wire adjustments either! You’ll be able to progress through several sets of aligners from home.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

It’s true! The average treatment time for Invisalign is just 12 to 18 months. Metal braces, on the other hand, usually take two to three years to fully straighten your smile. So, if you want a straight smile in time for your wedding, a vacation, a family reunion, or another important event, you should consider Invisalign. At your consultation, we’ll provide you with both an estimate of your treatment timeline and helpful tips on how to stay on-track.

Hassle-Free Oral Hygiene

Since traditional braces can only be removed by a dental professional, patients need to adjust to brushing and flossing around the brackets and wires. That’s not the case with Invisalign! The aligners can easily be taken off, so you can complete your oral hygiene regimen as usual. All we ask is that you take good care of your aligners and that you brush your teeth after every meal to reduce your risk of common oral health problems, like tooth decay.

Fewer Follow-Up Visits

We mentioned above that there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments with Invisalign; you progress through a few sets of aligners at home. Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll come to our office so we can take new scans of your teeth and monitor how they are moving in comparison to your treatment plan. Usually, patients are in and out of our office in 20 minutes, but it may take a bit longer if adjustments need to be made because your teeth aren’t tracking.

Removable Trays

We mentioned above that having removable aligners makes brushing and flossing easy. That’s just one perk! There also aren’t any dietary restrictions, and, as long as you wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day, you can take them out for special occasions, like a date. As a result, life with Invisalign is considerably more convenient.

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth are rotated out of position or they overlap, then it’s important to schedule an appointment with us to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. After all, it’s very easy for food particles and other debris to get lodged between your teeth when they aren’t aligned properly. So, if you want to reduce your risk of tooth decay while also improving the appearance of your smile, the next step is simple: get in touch with our Richardson dental team to see if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment.

Gaps Between Teeth

Many patients are struggling with the opposite problem: their teeth are spaced out. Unfortunately, this still comes with an increased risk of common oral health issues, like gum disease, which is why we recommend scheduling a consultation with us sooner rather than later. Our goal is to assess the severity of your case, determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign, and, if you are, use the clear aligners to guide your teeth into their ideal positions.

Overbite

Overbites are a common orthodontic problem, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. Quite the opposite; bite issues like these can negatively impact your diet. Not only that, but chronic jaw pain and trouble enunciating clearly are usually an issue as well. So, if you haven’t already, schedule a consultation at our Richardson dental office to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign! If you are, then the process of moving your bite into proper alignment won’t involve any metal at all.

Underbite

If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, then you likely have an underbite. The good news is, like the other bite problems on this list, Invisalign is often an option. Ultimately, it depends on the severity of your case, which is why the initial consultation is so important. If yours isn’t too severe, then there’s a good chance we can bring your bite into proper alignment over the course of just 12-18 months (that’s the average treatment timeline with Invisalign).

Crossbite

A crossbite is when some of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, but not all of them. If you are struggling with this bite problem, then you know all too well how difficult it can be to smile confidently, chew properly, and enunciate clearly. Fortunately, Invisalign has proven to be effective at correcting this bite problem in the past. So, don’t wait – get in touch with our Richardson dental team today to see if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment!

Open Bite

If you can’t bite down all the way because there is space between your upper and lower teeth, then you may have an open bite. Don’t worry – many patients struggling with this orthodontic problem are candidates for Invisalign. If that’s the case for you as well, then we will have a custom series of aligners made to bring your bite and your teeth into proper alignment.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

You will need to meet with Dr. A to determine how much you can expect to pay for your straighter smile. During your consultation, you can expect him to evaluate your oral health and use the following factors to create an estimated cost breakdown:

• How many Invisalign aligners you will need to successfully complete the treatment
• If you require aligners for your top teeth, lower teeth, or both
• The severity of your dental problem, as closing a small gap is much easier than realigning an overbite

Invisalign vs. DIY Aligners: Which Costs More?

There are many do-it-yourself (DIY) aligner systems on the market, each enticing people to take care of their smile at home. DIY aligners are one of these unique products that promise great results all from the comfort of your couch. What they don’t tell you are the various details that can emerge when trying a DIY orthodontic solution, such as:

• You are expected to capture your impressions. Using messy dental putty, you will have to take a mold of your teeth. If you are not trained to do this correctly, you could accidentally do more harm to your smile because your aligners may not fit.
• You may meet with a licensed orthodontist online, but you are expected to provide an update on your progress. Without proper training and insight into your smile, you may miss a potential problem that might be forming.
• You may not be eligible for aligners. Not all patients should undergo treatment with Invisalign; however, without an initial consultation, you are unlikely to know this.
• If a problem occurs during treatment, you will have no orthodontist to go to. As a result, you will need to find a local professional who can offer help, which will cost more money in the long run.

Although DIY aligners might seem like an easier and more cost-effective solution (i.e., $2,000 vs. $3,000-$8,000), you might actually spend more to fix the problems caused by a DIY system. With Invisalign in Richardson, you can feel confident that your results are predictable, and you have a dentist who is with you every step of the way.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance plans will agree to pay up to 50% of the total cost of your orthodontic treatment; however, not all insurers offer this type of care. You may find after reviewing your policy that you need to purchase a separate plan to use in combination with your regular dental insurance. But be mindful, as some of these plans have exclusions (i.e., only patients 19 and under can receive coverage). If you need help navigating the details of your orthodontic plan, do not hesitate to ask a member of our team.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

As an Invisalign dentist in Richardson, Dr. A understands this type of orthodontic treatment can be costly. Even if you have a dental insurance plan that will cover 50% of the total cost, you may need help paying the remaining balance. If so, you can inquire about flexible financing through CareCredit. By breaking up your expenses into monthly payments, you can stay focused on straightening your smile while staying within your budget.

How long does Invisalign take?

The average treatment takes about 12 to 18 months, but several factors affect the duration of your plan, like the severity of your alignment issues. If you need to make major tooth movements, you will require more aligners. Therefore, you can expect your treatment to take longer than a patient with minimal corrections. You can ensure nothing delays your treatment by wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and switching to the next one in the series on time. Changing them too soon will not speed up the process. Instead, it can add several preventable complications to your treatment plan.

Can you eat with Invisalign?

Many patients choose Invisalign because there aren’t any dietary restrictions. Since the aligners are removable, you can eat anything you like; however, you need to take them out before having anything except water. Not only does this prevent damaging your aligners but also allows them to maintain their translucent appearance. Don’t forget to store your aligners in a safe place when they aren’t in your mouth to avoid damaging or losing them. Brush, floss, and rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth.

What does Invisalign look like?

You don’t have to worry about brackets and wires while on your journey to a straight smile. Invisalign is made of clear plastic. Although you can see them while in your hand, the aligners are virtually undetectable in your mouth. They will stay transparent with the right care, like removing them when eating and drinking. Your oral hygiene routine is also important for preventing stains. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear hand soap or dishwashing liquid to clean them. This will prevent scratches from tarnishing their appearance to keep them discreet. Although the aligners aren’t noticeable, you may require attachments, buttons, or elastics to help move your teeth. They can be slightly more visible than the aligners.

What happens after I finish my treatment?

After your cosmetic dentist in Richardson confirms your teeth are in their correct positions, you’re going to need a retainer. At first, you must wear it all the time to allow your bones to form around their new positions. Over time, you’ll be able to decrease how often it’s needed until the retainer is only necessary at night. Although no one looks forward to wearing another orthodontic device, it’s crucial to preserve your investment. There are many types to choose from. Your dentist will help you choose the best one for your needs and preferences.

Does Invisalign hurt?

Are you interested in Invisalign, but worried that the process of straightening your teeth will hurt? If so, we have good news for you: there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments, there aren’t any metal components, and the aligners are crafted from smooth plastic. As a result, the treatment process is considerably more convenient. Plus, the slight (and temporary!) discomfort that arises from the movement of your teeth can easily be alleviated with a cold compress and OTC pain medication.

How should I clean my Invisalign aligners?

Patients often assume that they need special cleaning products. That’s not the case! To keep your aligners stain and odor-free, you only need three things: clean water, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and clear, mild soap.

Important reminder: You should NOT use toothpaste, mouthwash, or bleach to clean your aligners. You also shouldn’t use hot water since this can cause the plastic to warp.

Can I drink coffee with Invisalign?

You can drink coffee throughout your orthodontic treatment as long as you take your aligners off first. There are several reasons we recommend doing so, starting with the fact that keeping them on can cause stubborn stains to surface. So, do your best to take them off, rinsing them with clean, cool water, and place them in their designated case beforehand. Then, when you’re done, clean your teeth and your trays before putting them back on.

What should I do if I lose one of my Invisalign aligners?

If you accidentally misplace one of your aligners, do your best not to panic. Instead, try to remember the last place you know you had them. Then, retrace your steps. Since your trays are see-through, it’s easy for them to blend in. So, do your best to be extremely thorough, and don’t forget to look in the not-so-obvious places (i.e., the waste bin in your kitchen, the floor in your bathroom, the pockets of the pants you were wearing earlier).

If you’ve looked everywhere, but you can’t find your aligners, then call our Richardson dental office. That way, we can take a look at where you are in your treatment plan and determine if it’s safe for you to move on to the next set in the series.

Is there anyone who isn’t a candidate for Invisalign?

While Invisalign is capable of correcting several common orthodontic problems, including overcrowding and open bites, it isn’t for everyone. At least, it isn’t for everyone initially. For example, if there is an infection present in your gums, then it needs to be eliminated before we can straighten your teeth. At your consultation, we will complete a comprehensive oral exam so we have an in-depth understanding of your dental history, needs, and goals. From there, we can determine the best way to create the healthy, beautiful smile you desire.