Invisalign  – Plano, TX

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth crowd together to the point where they overlap or are tilted out of position, then you should find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. After all, this orthodontic problem (if left untreated) can dramatically increase your risk of oral health problems and negatively impact your biting and speaking patterns. Plus, there are aesthetic drawbacks as well. Fortunately, Invisalign is suitable for a wide range of patients and is completely metal-free!

Gaps Between Teeth

Many people who had braces as a teen did not wear their retainers as well as they should have and are now dealing with the effects of gapped teeth. Other patients never benefitted from orthodontic treatment at all and are now deciding to do something about their misaligned teeth. Whatever the case is for you, it’s worth scheduling an appointment with us to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign! If you are, then we will guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions with clear aligners.

Overbite

While your upper teeth should sit in front of your lower teeth, they shouldn’t jut out significantly beyond them. If that’s the case, then you could experience several problems, including trouble enunciating clearly, difficulty chewing properly, and chronic jaw pain. To prevent that from happening, we recommend scheduling an appointment to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will start the treatment process by creating your custom plan!

Underbite

Aside from the obvious cosmetic effects of having an underbite, headaches and jaw issues are likely to occur as a result of this bite problem. The good news is that Invisalign has proven to be effective at addressing mild and moderate cases, so you may not have to wear metal brackets and wires. In fact, the aligners are completely see-through, which makes them virtually undetectable. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us – we’d love to help you discreetly improve the look, health, and function of your smile.

Crossbite

A crossbite is when some – but not all – of your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones. One of our biggest concerns with this bite problem is that the pressure isn’t evenly distributed along your bite, increasing your risk of premature wear and tear on certain teeth. Of course, there are other risks as well, including difficulty chewing properly, which is why we recommend coming in for an appointment sooner rather than later.

Open Bite

An open bite is when your teeth don’t come together evenly in the front or back of your mouth because there is considerable space. Again, there’s some good news: Invisalign is usually an option for patients with mild to moderate cases!

Wearing Your Trays

Since the aligners are removable, many patients assume they can take them off anytime they want. That’s not really the case. In order to meet the 20-22 hour-a-day wear-time goal, you should only remove them when absolutely necessary, like when it comes time to eat or brush your teeth.

Note: If you’re having trouble wearing your aligners for 20+ hours a day, try creating a schedule, like dedicating 30-45 minutes for each meal as well as 15 minutes to oral hygiene throughout the day. Using the stopwatch on your phone will help immensely!

Cleaning Your Aligners

When you first take your Invisalign aligners out of the packaging, they will be completely clear. If you don’t take care of them, however, it won’t take long for them to turn yellow. That’s why it’s so important that you adopt good habits, like rinsing them with clean, cool water each time you take them off. You should also brush and floss your teeth after each meal to prevent plaque, food particles, and other debris from clinging to the surface.

Eating & Drinking

Fortunately, the “rules” are quite simple when it comes to eating and drinking: you need to remove your trays first (with the exception of water). This is crucial because – if you don’t – there’s a good chance that your aligners will warp, crack, or stain, which can result in considerable treatment plan delays.

Tip: Do your best to adopt a well-balanced diet that’s high in nutrient-dense foods and low in ones with added sugar. This will go a long way when it comes to preventing oral health problems, like tooth decay.

Damaging a Tray

In short, you should notify us as soon as possible if a tray warps, breaks, or is lost in order to avoid delays. Once we learn the extent of the damage and take a look at where you are in your treatment plan, we can determine the next best steps – whether that’s having a replacement made or having you move onto the next aligner in the series a bit early.

Attending Check-In Visits

About every six weeks, you’ll return to our office for a check-in visit. At this time, we will take new scans of your teeth to ensure that you are advancing through your Invisalign treatment properly. If you aren’t because one or more of your teeth aren’t moving as anticipated, then we can make the necessary adjustments with the goal of getting you back on-track with your treatment plan.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

As mentioned above, the cost of Invisalign in Plano is completely customized to you. During your initial consultation, several factors will be considered, including:

• The severity of your misalignment
• If you need to straighten one arch or both
• How many aligners you need

Once your treatment begins, there will be other factors that influence the cost. Things like misplacing your aligners or neglecting to wear them for the required 22 hours a day can cause you to fall off-track with your treatment plan. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that you are diligent about following your dentist’s instructions.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: What’s the Difference?

Since both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club™ offer clear aligners, many patients are curious about what makes these two companies different. The answer? A lot. To start, companies like Smile Direct Club rely on do-it-yourself impressions and provide you with all of your trays upfront. There is no supervision from a dental professional, no in-person appointments to monitor the movement of your teeth, and nowhere to turn if you run into any complications. These are just a few of the many reasons they have countless lawsuits and no support from professional organizations, like the American Dental Association. Invisalign, on the other hand, is a notable brand that has more than 20 years of experience helping patients safely achieve their smile goals.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?  

It’s certainly possible! Of course, the answer to this question truly depends on your dental insurance coverage. While some plans focus solely on essential preventive and restorative care, others include a once-in-a-lifetime benefit for orthodontic treatment. In that case, you can lower your out-of-pocket expenses significantly. If you’re currently insured but unsure of your benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider. Otherwise, we can check on your available benefits at your appointment.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, that’s okay! That isn’t the only way to make Invisalign in Plano more affordable. Our team is proud to offer several ways to save, including:

• Our In-House Dental Plan – Your membership not only gives you access to essential preventive care, it gives you 15% off of popular cosmetic services as well. To learn about the details, get in touch with our team!
• Flexible Financing – We are proud to work with CareCredit, a trusted third-party financier, to help patients find a payment plan that works with their budget. That way, you don’t have to pay for your treatment in one lump sum!
• Special Offers – Our periodic specials help you save even bigger. That’s why we offer specials like free consultations for Invisalign GO! To learn our latest offers, don’t hesitate to reach out!

How Long Does the Treatment Last?

Invisalign offers over a 96% satisfaction rate when it is used according to your dentist’s recommendations. On average, you can expect to be completed with your treatment in about one year. During this time, it is best to change to a new aligner weekly. To achieve maximum results, you must be committed to wearing them for at least 22 hours per day.

Are the Aligners Comfortable?

When compared to traditional braces, many have come to find the aligners to be more comfortable and less painful. Using impressions of your mouth, they provide the ideal fit. There will be no difficulty with slipping.

They are also smooth. You will not have any irritation to the inside of your lips or cheeks from protruding wires or brackets. You may feel some slight discomfort when switching to a new aligner; however, it will subside within a couple of days.

How Often Will I Need to See My Dentist?

Invisalign provides a  convenient solution. Since no wires are used to move your teeth, you will not need appointments for adjustments. You will spend less time at your dental office—perfect if you have a busy schedule. You will still need to see your dentist about every 6 weeks. This allows them to monitor the advancement of your treatment.

What Happens If I Lose or Break an Aligner?

Invisalign aligners are strong, but they can crack or break. If a minor crack appears toward the end of the week, usually it is not a large concern because you will be switching to the next one in the series in just a day or two. If the break appears at the beginning of the week, it is best to call your dentist. Also, if you lose an aligner, you will need to contact your dentist for a replacement.

Will I Need a Retainer?

To protect your new smile, you will briefly require a retainer to prevent your teeth from moving back into their previous positions.