Invisalign - Dallas, TX

Crowded Teeth

As you grow older, your teeth will continually shift to accommodate changes in your oral structure such as the appearance of wisdom teeth. This shift can cause your teeth to twist and overlap with one another. Invisalign can treat this crowding effect, restoring your ability to clean between your teeth and chew your food with comfort.

Gaps Between Teeth

Tooth shifting can also occur as a result of tooth loss or undeveloped bone in the jaw. This often leads to gaps between your teeth which can make them more vulnerable to chipping and erosion. Invisalign can pull your pearly whites closer together, eliminating these gaps. This closes off potential food traps that can allow plaque and excess bacteria to build up and cause decay or gum disease.

Overbite

An overbite occurs when your top teeth overlap your bottom ones significantly. Over time this can cause jaw pain, speech issues, and uneven wear on your teeth and even difficulties opening or closing your mouth. With the help of Invisalign combined with SmartForce attachments like buttons and elastics, the clear aligners can gently pull your jaw into an even alignment again.

Underbite

Genetics, oral trauma, and various oral habits can lead to an underbite where your bottom teeth stick out past your top ones. If left untreated, this can lead to a higher risk of sleep apnea, sinus issues, and difficulties with speech. Invisalign can gradually realign your jaw and pull your top teeth into a more desirable position, eliminating these issues.

Crossbite

You may have a crossbite when your teeth don’t align properly or overlap in specific ways while your mouth is closed. This bite issue can cause receding gums, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and even loose teeth. Invisalign in conjunction with attachments and possibly other treatments can effectively correct cross bite and restore your smile.

Open Bite

With an open bite, even when your mouth is closed, your teeth can’t overlap or touch, especially in the front of your mouth. Open bites usually spring from childhood habits like thumb sucking and often make it difficult to eat, speak, or maintain a healthy smile due to dental damage. Invisalign aligners can help bring the front teeth back together, reducing the risk of enamel wear and preventing further damage to your teeth.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

When drawing up an estimate for your treatment costs, your Invisalign dentist in Dallas must factor in several variables, which include:

• The degree to which your teeth are misaligned.
• The expected length of time it will take to accomplish the desired results.
• Whether you need to straighten your upper arch, lower arch, or both.

All of these factors affect the number of aligners you’ll need to wear over the course of your treatment. Naturally, more aligners leads to higher overall costs.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

The appeal of Smile Direct Club™ and other “do-it-yourself” (DIY) clear aligners is hard to ignore. Although these methods are popular due to their convenience and lower prices than Invisalign, they might end up costing you more time and money because of the damage they can cause.

With DIY aligners, you’re responsible for capturing accurate impressions at home. If there’s even the slightest error, you could accidentally reposition your teeth in unattractive or even unhealthy ways. Worse, these problems wouldn’t be noticeable until later on, as you wouldn’t have the trusted oversight of an orthodontic professional throughout your treatment. You’d have to visit a dentist to correct such issues, which would be more expensive and time-consuming than just seeing us from the start.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment, but many do not. For the plans that do provide orthodontic coverage, there are likely stipulations, such as only including traditional braces, or only applying for patients ages 18 and under.

Dental insurance plans are as varied as the smiles they affect, but our team can help you understand the ins and outs of your coverage. We’re in-network with most major PPO plans, and we’ll make sure you’re getting the most out of the benefits you qualify for.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Just because a patient is uninsured, or their plan doesn’t adequately cover Invisalign, doesn’t mean they’ll be left completely in the dark about making Invisalign in Dallas affordable. Our team is happy to help patients apply for financing through CareCredit or Sunbit. CareCredit offers many flexible monthly payment plans to choose from, most of which carry extremely low or no interest rates. Sunbit provides a quick and easy approval process that allows you to track your activity and update your monthly payments as you go. Whichever option you choose, fitting Invisalign into your budget has never been easier!

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Unlike traditional braces which consist of brackets and wires, Invisalign trays are made of smooth and thin plastic for the most comfortable experience. It is natural, however, to feel mild discomfort or soreness at the start of your treatment, as your teeth are beginning to shift. This typically goes away on its own and may repeat every time you switch to a new tray. To help adjust to these changes, you can always use a cold compress or take OTC pain relievers to reduce discomfort.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The amount of time your treatment will take depends on your specific dental situation. Some factors that can influence this include how misaligned your teeth are, the condition of your bite, and how committed you are to your treatment plan. However, Invisalign generally takes 12 to 18 months to straighten your smile. This is still several months quicker than traditional braces! To ensure a smooth process, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours every day to stay on track.

Is Invisalign Cheaper than Traditional Braces?

While the cost of orthodontic treatment will vary from smile to smile, clear aligners are generally priced about the same as metal braces. In both cases, the price will depend on your oral health, your misalignment situation, and your efforts throughout the treatment process. Invisalign can sometimes be more expensive if your insurance plan doesn’t cover the cost, but many of our patients say the numerous enjoyable benefits are worth it. For this reason, you should check with your provider first to see if they can help minimize your expenses for the treatment.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

An important rule of thumb during your Invisalign treatment is to remove your clear trays before every meal (except when drinking unflavored water). This helps to avoid damaging or warping them, which can interfere with your process. You’ll also need to clean both your teeth and aligners before wearing them again so you can avoid accumulating debris and plaque. However, this means you’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite meals once they’re off!

Feel free to contact our team if you’d like to schedule a consultation for Invisalign. We’ll be more than happy to walk you through your options, the costs, and your treatment plan.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign?

Worried about cleaning your aligners? Don’t be – keeping them stain-free is quite simple! Of course, rule number one is always remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water. You should also rinse them with clean, lukewarm water each time you take them out and before you put them back in.

When it comes to actually cleaning them, all you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush and some water. Simply dampen the bristles and gently scrub each surface of your aligners. If they need a deeper clean, don’t use toothpaste, mouthwash, or a household cleaner like bleach. Instead, dissolve a packet of cleaning crystals in a cup of lukewarm water and let them soak for 15 minutes or so.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After you’ve worked through each tray, it’ll be time for your next step: the retainer. Luckily, retainers today are just as discreet as your Invisalign aligners, ensuring they will be virtually undetectable when you’re wearing them. Since orthodontic relapse can happen both months and years down the road, it’s important to wear your retainer consistently. If you ever lose or break it, get in touch with our team right away so we can get you a replacement.

Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?

It’s possible. In fact, many Invisalign patients had traditional braces previously! Ultimately, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with one of our talented dentists to determine if you’re a candidate. After conducting an oral exam and learning about your smile goals, they will be able to determine if clear aligner treatment is right for you.