Invisalign® Clear Aligners – Richardson, TX

How Are Invisalign and Braces Similar?

Believe it or not, Invisalign and traditional braces are similar in many ways. They both must be worn all day and require a commitment to following treatment instructions. You must practice good oral hygiene to ensure successful treatment. In addition, both methods are highly effective for addressing issues like crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and jaw position.

How Are Invisalign and Braces Different?

One significant difference between braces and Invisalign is the method used to straighten your teeth. Traditional braces use metal wires and brackets to change the positioning of your pearly whites throughout your treatment. In some cases, elastics are used to bring the teeth into proper alignment. Meanwhile, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to help you achieve your desired results. Your plastic trays must be changed every one to two weeks until you complete your treatment.

Benefits of Braces

When deciding which option is right for you, you must consider what makes braces a viable solution, such as:

• Irremovable – Metal braces will stay in place until you’re done with your treatment, which is why they’re a great option for patients worried about losing their Invisalign clear aligners.
• Treatment time – Since metal braces aren’t removable, the treatment time is more easily predictable. Depending on your orthodontic needs, you may finish quicker than you would with Invisalign.
• Follow-up visits – You’ll visit your orthodontist every two months to have your braces adjusted. These appointments generally last about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Cost – While the price of braces depends on the complexity of your case, it’s still similar to the cost of Invisalign.

Challenges of Braces

It’s important to consider the challenges of wearing traditional braces, like:

• Not as aesthetically pleasing or comfortable as Invisalign
• Flossing and brushing requires more effort
• Certain food and drink must be avoided (i.e., hard and sticky foods)
• Mouthguards are recommended to protect your mouth during athletics

Benefits of Invisalign

Now that you know about the benefits of braces, you may want to know about the advantages of Invisalign:

• Removable – Since you can remove the trays whenever you want, you can eat and drink without any food restrictions.
• Discreet appearance – Many patients prefer Invisalign because the plastic trays are clear, meaning others will hardly notice when you’re wearing them.
• Comfort – Thanks to the smooth plastic design, Invisalign clear aligners are far more comfortable. You don’t have to worry about wires or brackets creating sores in your mouth.
• Treatment time – Invisalign aligners need to be worn at least 22 hours a day. If you’re compliant, your treatment time will be about the same as braces.
• Cost – The price of Invisalign depends on the complexity of the case. However, it’s similar to the cost of braces in most cases.
• Follow-up visits – One advantage of Invisalign is that you’re able to visit your orthodontist less often, which is every two to three months. Your appointments are usually 20 minutes or less.

Challenges of Invisalign

Some challenges to undergoing Invisalign treatment include:

• Treatment compliance is vital to successful treatment
• You need to be responsible with trays and not misplace them
• Plastic trays can stain if they’re not removed before eating and drinking

Crowded Teeth

If you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth, it could be because you have crowding issues. Fortunately, Invisalign clear aligners can gently move your teeth into proper alignment. It is incredibly important that you fix crowded teeth because they can increase your risk of oral health problems like decay and gum disease.

Gaps Between Teeth

Having gaps in your smile isn’t just unattractive — it can increase your chances of gum problems, an improper bite, decay, and more. That is mainly because food particles can more easily get trapped in the spaces between your teeth, causing decay and bad breath. Luckily, Invisalign can push teeth into a healthier, more aligned position.

Overbite

An overbite, also known as an overjet, is a form of malocclusion in which the top teeth protrude too far out from the lower arch when the mouth is closed. A significant overbite can lead to speech issues, jaw pain, uneven wear and tear on the teeth, and other problems. Invisalign is sometimes able to correct overbites by shifting the teeth and training the lower jaw to rest in the proper position.

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the bottom teeth overlap the top teeth when the mouth is closed. It can increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, chronic mouth breathing, and difficulties while speaking and chewing. Often, Invisalign can correct an underbite with the help of rubber bands that encourage the lower jaw to rest in the correct place.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when some of the bottom teeth protrude in front of the top teeth. Without treatment, this issue can increase the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, teeth breakage, and other serious problems. Invisalign can usually shift the teeth and jaws in a way that corrects a crossbite and leads to improved oral health.

Open Bite

When your back teeth are touching each other, is there still an open space between your upper and lower front teeth? If so, you have what is known as an open bite. This can lead to speech difficulties and excess wear and tear on the back teeth. The good news is that Invisalign can usually correct an open bite by bringing the top and bottom front teeth together.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

You may not realize it but there are many different factors your Invisalign dentist in Richardson will consider before establishing a formal estimate for your treatment. Some of these include:

• The severity of your crowded or gapped teeth, misaligned bite, or crooked smile. This can determine much of how the rest of your treatment will go. For example, it is much less expensive to close the gap between two teeth that realign an underbite.
• The duration of your Invisalign treatment. Each person’s timeline is different and although Invisalign tends to produce faster results, it doesn’t happen overnight. If your orthodontist believes you will need to spend more time wearing Invisalign, the cost of additional aligners will be included in the final price.
• The location of your aligners. Do you need them to fix your upper arch or just the lower one? Do you need aligners to straighten your entire smile?

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

If you’re considering one of the advertised do-it-yourself aligner systems like Smile Direct Club, you may want to wait until you learn more about why it’s better to choose Invisalign. While the price is tempting ($2,000 versus $3,000-$8,000 with Invisalign), there are many potential pitfalls you can experience with a DIY orthodontic solution.

Not only will you be required to capture your own impressions, but there is a good chance they’ll be less accurate, resulting in poorly fitted aligners that can actually do more harm to your teeth than good. Also, with Smile Direct Club, you do not have an orthodontist overseeing your treatment. Should a problem occur at any given point, you’ll be left to either take care of the problem yourself or seek the help of a trusted professional.

Opting for Invisalign in Richardson from the start is your best choice and not just because we’re the ones delivering this information. When seeing a licensed orthodontist who is trained to provide Invisalign services, you will not only undergo a safe and effective method of treatment, but you’ll achieve results that are long-lasting and life-changing. Not to mention, your orthodontist will remain with you throughout the duration of your treatment, ensuring no problems develop along the way.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

It is possible to receive available coverage with some dental insurance companies; however, it is dependent upon the individual company and plan as to whether they will agree to incorporate Invisalign into their orthodontic policy. While regular metal braces are typically covered up to 50%, it will be necessary for you to check with your insurer to learn if there are any exceptions or exclusions. You should also inquire as to whether you can use your flexible savings account (FSA), as many can be used to help pay for some of your Invisalign expenses.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you are uninsured or need assistance to pay for any remaining out-of-pocket expenses associated with your Invisalign treatment, you’ll be pleased to learn that Dr. Jones, Dr. Hanson and her team at Richardson Orthodontics can help you apply for in-house financing. By allowing you to break up the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly payments, you can better budget for your new and improved smile.

Does Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?

While the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces are an effective orthodontic treatment, they’re notorious for irritating the lips, cheeks, and tongue. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are crafted out of a single piece of smooth plastic that should glide past your soft tissues. You can expect to enjoy a much more comfortable straightening experience with Invisalign!

What Foods Do I Need to Avoid During My Invisalign Treatment?

Unlike traditional braces that require patients to adhere to certain dietary restrictions, you don’t have to give up any of your favorite foods during an Invisalign treatment! Simply remove your aligners and store them in their case before enjoying your meal. When you’re done, take a moment to brush off your teeth before popping your aligners back into place. This will ensure your teeth stay cavity-free and your aligners remain practically invisible throughout your treatment.

How Long Do Invisalign Aligners Need to Be Worn Every Day?

One of Invisalign’s greatest freedoms is the removable nature of the aligners. However, this benefit is also its greatest responsibility. It’s up to you to keep your treatment on track by wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours every day. If you don’t wear them often enough, you could potentially extend the cost and length of your treatment! However, this should leave you plenty of time for taking your aligners out for brushing, flossing, eating, drinking, and playing sports.

Are Invisalign Results Permanent?

Invisalign has the potential to help you achieve a permanently straightened smile. However, that’s only as long as you take the right steps to maintain your results! Just like with any other orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to wear a custom retainer once you’ve finished your Invisalign treatment. You must follow all of Dr. Jones’ and Dr. Hansons' instructions for wearing your retainer if you want your results to last. Your retainer holds your teeth in place as your jaw continues to adapt to their new position, which will help you enjoy a beautiful smile for life.

How Can I Tell If Invisalign Is Right for Me or My Child?

While Invisalign is a good choice for almost anyone who wants a straighter smile, the only way to know for sure if it’s the right choice for you or your child is to come see us for a consultation. During this initial visit, Dr. Jones and Dr. Hanson will take a close look at your smile and review your medical history to determine if Invisalign can help you achieve your desired results. As a Diamond Invisalign Provider, Dr. Jones and Dr. Hanson has helped over 800 patients get the beautiful smiles they deserve with Invisalign, and she would be happy to show you before and after pictures of actual patients who’ve undergone Invisalign. In addition, she can show you a digital preview of your results with the help of state-of-the-art iTero technology. To help you feel even more confident in your decision, Dr. Jones and Dr. Hanson are proud to offer free consultations!

To schedule a free Invisalign consultation for you or your child, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Can I Still Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

Although you don’t have to give up this caffeinated beverage entirely, you might need to make some small adjustments. For example, instead of sipping on your coffee throughout the morning while you work, consider drinking it with your breakfast so you cut down on the amount of time you aren’t wearing your aligners. We also encourage our patients to use a straw to avoid dental discoloration and keep additives like sugar to a minimum to help prevent tooth decay from developing.

Is There a Way to Speed Up My Invisalign Treatment?

There isn’t a way to bring your 12-month treatment plan down to a matter of weeks. However, there are several things you can do to help prevent delays. We recommend starting with the basics, like wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day and switching to each new set of trays on the correct days. Then, adopt other good habits, like using the chewies to seat your aligners in place. Best practices like these will help you stay on-track with your treatment plan so you see the results as quickly as possible.

What Should I Do If I Lose an Invisalign Aligner?

Starting from the last place you remember having them, carefully retrace your steps. Since your aligners are clear and can easily blend in with their surroundings, really take your time to look and don’t forget about the “odd” places they could be, like the center console of your car. If you’ve searched and searched but can’t seem to find them, call our Richardson office. Depending on where you are in your treatment plan, we’ll recommend either moving on to the next set of aligners or wearing your previous ones until a replacement arrives.

How Do I Clean My Aligners?

There are a few simple ways to keep your aligners clean. First, use clean, cool water to rinse them thoroughly each time you take them off and place them in their designated case afterward. After you’re done eating, complete your oral hygiene regimen and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your aligners. If you need something a bit stronger, don’t turn to a household cleaner like bleach. Instead, use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After Invisalign, it’s time to move onto the next step of the treatment process: the retainer. We’ll use the final scans of your teeth to create a custom one that fits comfortably and is just as discreet as your aligners were. When it arrives at our office, we’ll show you how to take care of it so that it lasts throughout the years. We’ll also provide you with specific instructions on when and how often to wear it.