Invisalign is a metal-free orthodontic system that works through a series of clear aligners. This advanced orthodontics option gradually repositions teeth, causing slow, steady movement until teeth reach an ideal position. Patients report Invisalign to be a convenient, highly discreet way to achieve the smile of their dreams. The nearly invisible aligners are worn for around 22 hours each day. Easily removed, they are taken out before eating, and when brushing or flossing the teeth. Invisalign clear aligners treat a wide variety of cases, often at a faster pace than traditional orthodontics. Keep reading to learn more about smile alignment with Invisalign from our Richardson, TX cosmetic dentist.
Are You a Candidate for Invisalign?
With Invisalign, people focus on you – not your braces! Invisalign is an ideal choice for many adult and teen patients, especially working professionals, adults in public roles and patients embarrassed at the thought of wearing metal braces. Special indicators located within the clear aligners help ensure compliance with orthodontic care. Invisalign corrects a number of oral problems, but severe cases may benefit more from traditional orthodontics. A personalized consultation with Dr. Stampe and Dr. Gater can reveal if Invisalign is the best option for creating your own healthy, brilliant smile.
Correcting crooked or malpositioned teeth transforms the cosmetic appeal of your smile. But straightening your teeth through orthodontics offers benefits that reach far beyond your appearance. When teeth are straight, homecare efforts like flossing and brushing become easier, and much more effective. The risk of developing decay, gum disease, gum recession and enamel wear are minimized when teeth are in their ideal position. Still, wearing braces delivers an even greater reward. The ultimate result of a healthy, beautiful smile is enjoying improved self-confidence and higher quality living!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
If you’re aiming to straighten your smile, but don’t want to deal with the hassles of traditional braces, Invisalign may be the perfect solution! And with our team at CityLine Dental Center guiding your treatment, you'll be amazed at how seamlessly Invisalign fits into your lifestyle. These clear trays are comfortable, removable, and designed for comfort, making them an excellent choice for busy people with tight schedules. If you want to see what it’s like to live with Invisalign, read more below.
Wearing Your Trays
To get the best results from Invisalign, you'll need to wear your trays for 20 to 22 hours every day. To get your recommended wear time in, it’s best to plan out your meals and remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. The only other time you’ll take them off is for your oral hygiene routine. Then, every two weeks, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners depending on your treatment plan.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Cleaning your Invisalign trays is another important aspect of aligner care that will prevent bacteria buildup and keep them clear. Use lukewarm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean them daily. Avoid hot water, as it can warp the plastic. For a deeper clean, we recommend soaking them in Invisalign cleaning crystals for 15-30 minutes each day. Lastly, you’ll need to brush and floss your teeth before putting your trays back in to keep your aligners and teeth in top condition!
Eating & Drinking
One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is that you can eat and drink whatever you want as long as you remove your aligners first. Before meals, store them in a protective case to prevent them from getting damaged or lost. Also, avoid eating with your trays in! Doing so can lead to staining, warping, or scratches that trap bacteria and make your aligners more noticeable.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you lose or damage an Invisalign tray, don’t panic. Contact our office as soon as possible for guidance. Depending on where you are in your treatment plan, Dr. Stampe or Dr. Gater may ask you to move on to the next set of aligners or fall back to a previous set while a replacement is ordered. To avoid setbacks, always store your trays in their protective case when not in use, especially during meals or when brushing your teeth!
Routine Check-Ins
Regular check-ins are another essential part of your Invisalign treatment. However, they’re far less disruptive than follow-up appointments for traditional braces. You'll visit us every four to eight weeks for a quick 15-minute appointment to monitor your progress. These visits allow our team to provide your next set of aligners and ensure your treatment is on track.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Now that you understand more about what Invisalign is and who it can help, it’s natural to wonder how much it usually costs. You might not pay the exact same amount as someone else because the total depends on your unique circumstances.
Continue reading to learn more about the factors that determine the price of your Invisalign, and feel free to contact us with any questions.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Before we can provide an estimate for your treatment, you must schedule a consultation with one of our CityLine Dental Center providers. They’ll examine your mouth to verify that you’re a good candidate, and then we can provide a quote based on their findings.
Several different factors are considered when determining the rate, including:
Which arches require straightening. Typically, both sets of teeth must be addressed, but it’s possible only to address the top or bottom row in some circumstances.
The complexity of your condition. Those with minor issues might pay less if their timeline is shorter and requires fewer clear aligners.
The length of the proposed treatment. If your plan will take 18 months to complete, you’ll require more trays than someone on a 12-month schedule, which can increase the price.
How well you comply. If you don’t wear your aligners 22 hours daily, your teeth could revert to their previous positions, requiring additional time and trays to get back on track.
Which Costs More: Invisalign or Mail-In Aligners?
Many patients looking to save on expenses want to know whether purchasing mail-order aligners is cheaper. Different websites for certain online providers claim to be able to achieve your ideal results at a lower rate, which would seem to save money. Unfortunately, these sites offer no professional oversight for your treatment and no oral examination to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. You might shift your teeth in the wrong direction or leave oral issues unaddressed, eventually doing more harm than good.
That means if you opt for online aligners, you might eventually need professional intervention to correct any errors, which will incur additional fees on top of what you’ve already paid.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental insurance policies include coverage for orthodontic treatments, but that doesn’t always encompass Invisalign. However, there are exceptions because each plan is different, so it’s worth checking your details so you can maximize your benefits.
Please let us know if you’re struggling to find the information or need assistance! Our friendly staff are familiar with several different insurance providers and are happy to help with the necessary paperwork.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
We know that not everyone has dental insurance that covers Invisalign, and we don’t want your budget to keep you from having the happy, healthy smile that you deserve. If you’re worried about affording your treatment, you can utilize the following options to help lower the total amount owed:
Flexible Financing. We’ve partnered with CareCredit so that you can break up your final invoice into more manageable monthly payments, if your application is approved. Feel free to reach out if you’d like help with the forms.
Special Offers. We frequently have valuable special offers, like a free Invisalign consultation, to help reduce the associated fees. Check back frequently to see what’s new!
