Invisalign – Dallas, TX

Crowded Teeth

Whether your bottom teeth slightly overlap or you’re dealing with considerable overcrowding, we recommend scheduling a consultation with us so we can determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will create a custom series of clear aligners to gently and gradually guide your teeth into a healthy position.

Gaps Between Teeth

Another common orthodontic issue is spaced-out teeth, which can negatively impact your self-esteem, your oral health, and your bite. The good news is that countless patients have turned to Invisalign for that very reason and achieved beautiful results. Depending on the complexity of your case, you may even see results in a matter of months!

Overbite

Although you want your upper teeth to protrude beyond your bottom teeth, you don’t want there to be a significant gap. After all, an overbite can result in several complications, including trouble enunciating clearly and chronic jaw pain. Fortunately, rubber bands and other orthodontic accessories can be added to your treatment plan to address this orthodontic problem too.

Underbite

If you have the opposite problem (your lower teeth protrude beyond your upper teeth), then you have an underbite. This bite problem has been linked to everything from TMJ dysfunction to premature wear and tear, so it’s important that you have it corrected. The good news is that Invisalign may be an option if your case isn’t too severe.

Crossbite

What if some of your lower teeth protrude beyond your upper teeth, and some of your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower teeth? This is a crossbite and, like the others on this list, it can negatively impact the look, health, and function of your smile. The best thing to do is schedule an appointment with us before that happens so we can determine if Invisalign is an option.

Open Bite

Open bites are often the result of genetics or a childhood habit, like thumb-sucking. Fortunately, it can often be corrected with Invisalign! If you’re a candidate, then we will use the clear aligners (as well as other orthodontic accessories, if needed) to incrementally improve the position of your teeth and your bite.

Is My Teen a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

The only way to definitively know whether your teen is eligible for Invisalign is to have them visit an orthodontist. Before that point, though, you should consider a few questions:

• Does your teen have all of their adult teeth? – For some teenagers, the permanent teeth may grow in later than usual, or the “baby” teeth may not have fallen out yet. In cases like these, your teen will most likely need traditional braces rather than Invisalign.
• What orthodontic problems does your teen have? – Invisalign can correct mild to moderate instances of crowding, crookedness, gapped teeth, and bite alignment issues like overbite and underbite. However, if your teen has severe orthodontic problems, such as jaw abnormalities or a major crossbite, then traditional braces may be the only effective treatment.
• How responsible is your teen? – Metal braces stay on the teeth throughout the course of treatment, but Invisalign trays can be removed at any time. If your teen forgets to wear their aligners often enough or doesn’t switch to a new set on time, their treatment may not be as successful.

How Does Invisalign Teen Work?

Once we’ve determined that your teen is a candidate for Invisalign, we’ll take digital scans of their teeth, which are used to create a 100% customized series of clear aligners. Your son or daughter will wear each of these sets of aligners – which adjusts a tiny section of their smile at a time – for about two weeks before moving onto the next one. These aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day – essentially, they should only be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.

Invisalign Teen vs. Regular Invisalign

While Invisalign Teen very closely resembles regular Invisalign, two key differences make the former easier and more effective for teenagers:

• More replacement aligners are provided, as teenagers are more likely to lose or damage them in the hustle and bustle of high school life.
• Every aligner has a tiny dot that slowly changes from blue to clear to white as the tray is worn. This not only helps our team know how well your teen is following their treatment guidelines, but it also serves as a reminder for them to switch to the next set of aligners.

Wearing Your Trays

Wearing your trays is important because, if you don’t, your teeth won’t track properly. That’s why patients are given the “20-22 hour-a-day” rule. This is exactly what it sounds like: you need to wear your trays for 20-22 hours-a-day, only taking them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and complete your oral hygiene regimen. You might find it helpful to use the stopwatch on your phone until you have a good routine in place too.

Cleaning Your Aligners

You’ll be happy to hear that cleaning your aligners will only take a minute or two. Plus, you only need two things to remove plaque, food particles, saliva, and the like from the surface: clean, cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you’re wearing your trays for longer than a week at a time, we may also recommend using a clear, mild dishwashing liquid. Of course, you’ll also have the cleaning crystals that came in your Invisalign welcome kit at your disposal.

Eating & Drinking

Since there aren’t any brackets or wires with Invisalign, there aren’t any strict dietary restrictions. In other words, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods throughout your teeth-straightening journey. All you need to do is take your aligners off first so they don’t break, warp, or stain.

Note: You need to remove your trays before drinking anything other than water too, including coffee!

Losing a Tray

Having braces that are clear is a huge perk… until you misplace them. If you find yourself in this situation, then try to retrace your steps, starting from the last place you remember seeing them. There’s a good chance they are in a “random” spot, like between your couch cushions, on the floor by your dining table, or in one of the pockets of the pants you were wearing earlier. If you’ve looked in all of these places but haven’t found them, that’s okay – call us ASAP so we can decide the best way to proceed.

Routine Check-Ins

Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll come into our office so we can determine if your teeth are tracking or not. We’ll do so by taking new scans of your teeth and seeing if they are moving as anticipated. If they aren’t, then we will make some slight adjustments to help you get back on track. If they are, then we will schedule your next appointment and send you on your way with your next batch of aligners.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

There are three main factors that influence the price of Invisalign:

• Which arch(es) you’re straightening – Most people straighten both their top and bottom teeth, but that’s not always the case.
• Complexity of the required tooth movements – The more your teeth have to shift to achieve a well-aligned smile, the higher your cost of treatment will be.
• Estimated length of treatment – Longer treatment times lead to higher prices because more aligners are required.

At your consultation, your Invisalign dentist in Lakewood will discuss all of these considerations and how they factor into your final treatment price.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: A Cost Comparison

Depending on the above factors, Invisalign tends to cost somewhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Smile Direct Club, a mail-order clear aligner kit, rarely exceeds $2,000. So, if you’re looking to quickly and cheaply fix a small number of orthodontic flaws, Smile Direct Club is your best bet.

That said, the cheaper solution is not always better when it comes to dental care. Do-it-yourself clear aligners come with plenty of risks because you receive very little if any supervision from a professional. You may end up shifting your teeth in the wrong way, which would require extensive treatment (and higher dental bills) later on. With the accurate, professionally made Invisalign aligners and the oversight of our dentists, your treatment will be much smoother and more efficient. Invisalign is worth the investment for the peace of mind that this high-quality treatment brings.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of Invisalign. Others may only cover traditional orthodontics because they view Invisalign as more of a cosmetic treatment. Your level of coverage will depend on the specifics of your plan.

At Dental Center of Lakewood, our insurance expert, Kelli, will be more than happy to look over your insurance policy and help you navigate your benefits. We’re in-network with Delta Dental Premier, but we’ll gladly work with out-of-network plans as well as to help you afford Invisalign in Lakewood.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Even if you don’t have insurance, we can still help you fit the cost of Invisalign into your budget via CareCredit. This financing company offers multiple monthly payment plans to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that works for you. Plus, most of these plans come with very little or even zero interest for qualified patients!

Ultimately, the only way to definitively know how much Invisalign will cost for you is to schedule a consultation with us. Fortunately, we offer a FREE Invisalign consultation to help you find out whether this treatment is right for you!

Will Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?

Traditional metal braces are notorious for their sharp wires and brackets that painfully rasp against the soft tissues in your mouth. In comparison, Invisalign aligners are crafted from a single piece of smooth, biocompatible plastic that glides comfortably over your tongue and the inside of your cheeks. When first wearing a new set of aligners, you’ll likely feel some soreness. However, any discomfort should disappear on its own relatively quickly. You can also alleviate your symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed or applying an ice pack. Many patients find it helpful to start a new set of aligners right before bed, which allows them to sleep through any initial discomfort.

Do I Have to Avoid Certain Foods During My Invisalign Treatment?

One of the most popular benefits of Invisalign aligners is their removable nature. This unique feature allows you to continue enjoying all your favorite foods, including items that would damage traditional braces. Simply take out your aligners and store them safely in their case, enjoy your meal, then give your teeth a quick brush before putting them back in! It’s very important that you brush away any lingering particles before you replace your aligners, otherwise they discolor them and increase your risk of cavities. Additionally, it’s not advised to store your aligners in a napkin when you take them out to eat—you could easily throw them away by accident!

Will Invisalign Aligners Change How I Talk?

In the initial stages of your Invisalign treatment, it may sound like you have a slight lisp when you speak. To make certain sounds, your tongue is placed against the back of your teeth. Since these areas are now covered by your aligners, your tongue needs a little bit of time to adapt. Typically, it only takes about a week or so to regain your normal speaking patterns. If you want to speed up the process, try talking aloud and repeating words like “sixty” and “Mississippi.”

Can I Get Invisalign If I’ve Had Metal Braces in the Past?

Many people who had traditional braces in childhood find that their teeth shift out of place years later, especially if they neglect to wear their retainers. Thankfully, Invisalign is an excellent choice for nearly anyone who wants a straighter smile, including those who’ve had traditional braces in the past in most cases. During your Invisalign consultation, your Lakewood dentist will carefully inspect your teeth, jaw, and bite to determine the most effective way to correct your misaligned teeth.

Are you ready to get the smile you’ve always wanted, without the metal braces? Call us to schedule your consultation today and start your journey towards your ideal set of pearly whites!

Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

Yes, you can! In fact, there’s really only one rule when it comes to coffee and Invisalign: you need to take your aligners out before enjoying this caffeinated beverage. If you don’t, then your trays will quickly turn yellow. Plus, there’s the added risk that the aligners will hold the lingering residue against your teeth, increasing your risk of enamel erosion in the process. Simply put, you can continue to drink coffee as long as you take your trays off first.

Note: Since you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, consider drinking your coffee alongside your breakfast or lunch since they’ll already be out!

What Should I Do If I Lose an Aligner?

In order to stay on track with your treatment plan, you need to wear your aligners for the vast majority of the day. So, you can see why misplacing an aligner is quite a problem. If this happens to you, then take a few deep breaths and do your best to remember where you last saw them. Then, retrace your steps. If you’ve looked everywhere (including “random” places like the trash can) but can’t find them, call us ASAP.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, Invisalign takes 12-18 months. Of course, your treatment plan may fall outside of that range; the length of yours depends on factors completely unique to you! A few examples include the complexity of your case, if single-arch treatment is possible, and how many aligners are needed. Don’t worry – we will go over all of these factors and more at your consultation, and we’ll also provide you with a general estimate of your treatment timeline.

How Can I Keep My Invisalign Aligners Clean?

If you’re worried about stubborn stains surfacing, then you’ll be happy to hear that there are several easy ways you can reduce the chances of that happening. First, do not eat or drink anything with your aligners in, including coffee, soda, or wine. Second, rinse your trays thoroughly with clean, cool water each time you take them off. Third, use clean, cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove debris from the surface before you put your aligners back on.

Note: If you notice that your trays are starting to yellow, do not use bleach to clean them. Instead, use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit.

What Happens After My Invisalign Treatment?

Once you’ve completed your time with Invisalign, it will be time to move onto the next phase of your orthodontic treatment: the retention phase. At this time, our focus shifts to preserving the results with a retainer. This is crucial because upwards of 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse in the years following their orthodontic treatment. In other words, you need to wear your retainer consistently to prevent your teeth from moving out of their straight positions and back into their previously misaligned ones.