You want straight, perfectly aligned teeth. However, the thought of wearing braces is just too much, or you’re unsure of what to expect when it comes to wearing Invisalign clear aligners. But with Invisalign clear aligners, you can receive orthodontic care faster and with less hassle than traditional braces. Learn everything you need to know before your complimentary consultation and what to expect during the initial consultation process from your Allen dentist.
Here’s a quick overview of why Invisalign is so popular when it comes to why so many patients in the Allen and Fairview areas choose Invisalign. For more information about Invisalign, click on this link.
The Invisalign system is designed to fit into your busy life with minimal lifestyle changes. It’s easy to take out aligners to eat, drink, brush your teeth, and floss, and you won’t need to change your diet. If you enjoy contact sports or other activities that require a mouth guard, you can continue with these activities, just simply remove your plastic aligners before participating in these activities and put them back on after.
The Invisalign system is the best option for straighter teeth and practicing good oral hygiene because it allows you to remove your aligners and clean them separately at least twice daily while brushing your teeth. The aligners are easy to clean with a simple toothbrush and water. You’ll also be able to brush and floss your teeth without brackets and wires getting in the way, which can help you prevent tooth decay that often occurs with traditional metal braces.
At Sloan Creek Dental, we are committed to helping you choose the right treatment for your smile. That’s why we offer an initial complimentary Invisalign consultation, during which we will assess your situation and make sure that Invisalign is the right choice for you.
If you decide to move forward with Invisalign, your dentist will need to capture impressions of your teeth. This can be done using an iTero Scanner to create a digital 3D impression (3D scan), or through the traditional method which involves a bite registration to mold aligner trays. Digital scanning is typically faster, as the dentist simply scans your teeth to generate a 3D model. However, if the conventional route is chosen, your dentist will gently insert impression material into your mouth and remove it, creating a mold that serves as the basis for your aligners. The material is soft and comfortable, often likened to the texture of putty or clay.
The process takes no more than five minutes for each dental arch (upper or lower). Once completed, your impressions will be sent to a lab for aligner fabrication, a process that may take two to three weeks.
Every six weeks, we’ll see you for a quick checkup to ensure everything goes according to the treatment plan. If there are any issues with your teeth, we can adjust your aligners as needed and ensure they fit properly. If they are, we’ll send you home with new aligner trays to keep everything on track. We’ll also take some time to review your progress since our last visit and answer any questions you have about the process or your treatment plan.
Though Invisalign is an excellent solution for many dental issues, it may not be suitable for everyone as Invisalign is not a substitute for traditional braces. If you have complex orthodontic issues, Invisalign may not be the effective treatment option. For example, if your teeth are crowded or you have a deep bite, Invisalign cannot correct these issues. Similarly, if your teeth are out of alignment because of an open bite (when the upper and lower teeth do not meet evenly), Invisalign cannot fix this problem either. During your initial consultation, your dentist will let you know whether you’re a good candidate for this treatment option.
The cost of Invisalign varies from patient to patient as the duration of treatment, and other dental conditions may affect the price. Some people may need to wear their aligners for longer than others, and other dental treatments may be involved prior to putting Invisalign aligners on. The average cost is between $3,500 and $8,000. During your consultation, your dentist will give you a breakdown of what’s expected while discussing your treatment plan.
Many people who are new to Invisalign are initially surprised by how much the treatment cost compared to traditional braces. The reason is that Invisalign has a different treatment regimen than traditional braces and is more comfortable than many other orthodontic treatments. It also requires the aligners to be created in a lab using unique plastic materials due to the advanced designs.
Many dental insurance plans treat Invisalign the same way they treat braces. Your insurance may pay for a certain percentage of your Invisalign treatment, or it may pay for a certain dollar amount. Depending on your insurance coverage, some insurance companies put a limit on the amount of orthodontic treatment they will cover in one person’s lifetime.
When you first put on your custom aligners, there will be some pressure and discomfort. The discomfort typically lessens in a couple of days after each new set of Invisalign trays. This is normal and a sign that your teeth are moving as they should, shifting into their final position that Dr. Feng carefully planned.
