Invisalign – Richardson, TX
Discreetly Straightening Richardson Smiles
When it comes to the health and appearance of your smile, there are few things that give a person more confidence than a beautifully straight set of teeth. Some people are naturally bestowed with perfectly aligned teeth, but for those who have structural problems, such as an over or underbite, crossbite, or overcrowding, some help is necessary. To assist our patients with structural dental issues, Dr. A and the rest of our experienced staff at Canyon Creek Family Dentistry of Richardson offer Invisalign in Richardson. Call us today for more information.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign is a discreet and effective alternative to traditional metal braces. After we’ve determined that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, Dr. A will create a series of clear plastic aligners that fit over the teeth. Each pair is designed to shift a tiny portion of your smile at a time. In general, you’ll wear each set for a couple of weeks before moving onto the next one.
Many patients find the Invisalign trays more comfortable than conventional braces. Since the aligners are removable, Invisalign patients are able to simply take them out for eating and routine dental hygiene. This means a patient isn’t forced to avoid sticky or hard foods as they are with braces. It also means that a patient can more easily ensure good dental hygiene because they don’t have to brush and floss around hardware.
Benefits of Invisalign
These days, more patients than ever before are choosing to straighten their pearly whites with Invisalign rather than metal braces, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are just a handful of the numerous advantages that Invisalign has over traditional braces:
- Because the aligners are see-through, no one should even be able to notice that you’re wearing them, allowing you to smile confidently throughout the treatment process.
- You won’t have to undergo frequent wire adjustments, which can be uncomfortable.
- Metal brackets and wires can irritate your gums, lips, tongue, and the insides of your cheeks. By contrast, the smooth edges of Invisalign’s clear aligners are made to fit as snugly and comfortably over your teeth as possible.
- While metal braces usually take two to three years to fully straighten your smile, the average treatment time for Invisalign is just 12 to 18 months.
Is Invisalign Right for Me?
Invisalign can correct many common orthodontic problems, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Teeth with uneven gaps between them
- Mild underbite, overbite, and crossbite
- Generally crooked teeth
We generally only recommend Invisalign to adults and older teens, as younger patients may not be responsible enough yet to commit to wearing their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. Ultimately, though, the only way to know for sure whether Invisalign is right for you is to call us and schedule a consultation with your dentist in Richardson.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
If you are unsure about the cost of Invisalign in Richardson, our team at Canyon Creek Family Dentistry of Richardson is here to shed some light on the various factors your dentist will consider. Your personalized cost estimate will likely be very different from another patient’s, which is why an initial consultation is necessary. If you have dental insurance, there may be a way to receive partial coverage for your orthodontic treatment. Our team will help you navigate the financial side of Invisalign as well as provide alternative ways for you to pay any remaining balance.
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.
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign isn’t just for celebrities. People from all walks of life can benefit from clear aligners; however, it’s normal to have a few concerns before you are ready to commit to Invisalign in Richardson. Dr. Azmoodeh will explain everything during your consultation. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions to feel confident in the decision you are making for your smile.
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.