Having crooked teeth can often make life challenging. Not only can they make you feel self-conscious about showing your smile, but they’re also harder to clean. As a result, the bacteria-filled plaque has an easier time building up in your gums and teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and infections. Fortunately, orthodontics can fix both of these issues, and our team at Derby Dental is here to help! Dr. Meghan Kilkelly and Dr. Erika Whitehouse would love to give you a straighter, more confident smile with orthodontic treatment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation to discuss Invisalign in Austin, TX!
Instead of needing metal brackets and wires to straighten your teeth, you’ll use a series of plastic clear aligners during your Invisalign treatment. You’ll wear each set for a couple of weeks before progressing to the next pair. These trays are meant to gradually move your teeth into a more ideal position until your smile is perfectly straight. Since there won’t be any wires or brackets to adjust, you also won’t require as many checkup appointments. You’ll still need to visit your dentist about every six weeks, but this will only be to pick up your new set of aligners and to ensure your smile is progressing smoothly!
Various orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign, including the following conditions:
Having crowded teeth can also put you at risk of complications like tooth decay and gum disease. For this reason, you can benefit from Invisalign treatment if you feel like you have too many pearly whites in your mouth. By applying focused pressure to different sections of your smile throughout the process, your clear aligners will gradually move your teeth into a more properly aligned position.
Spaces in your smile can not only feel embarrassing or unattractive, but they can also increase your risk of cavities and gum infection. This can be due to food debris and particles having easier access to the areas between your teeth, making you vulnerable to decay and even bad breath. With Invisalign, you can effectively close any space for a more appealing and healthier smile.
Bite misalignment issues can place excessive pressure on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), increasing the chances of TMJ disorder or teeth grinding/clenching. These conditions may include an overbite, underbite, or even a crossbite. By undergoing Invisalign treatment, you can avoid any additional complications in your bite pattern.
When Invisalign technology was first introduced a couple of decades ago, it took the world by storm. Invisalign remains wildly popular to this day because of the many benefits it provides, in addition to being virtually unnoticeable. For example:
Since various factors can impact the cost of Invisalign, there isn’t an exact price for the treatment. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation with our team to get an estimate. From there, we can examine your dental situation and determine how we can best achieve your smile goals. With the numerous advantages that come with Invisalign over traditional braces, it can be easy to see how this treatment is a worthwhile investment. Feel free to reach out to us if you wish to discuss your options and the overall cost of Invisalign today. Or, you can read on to learn more!
As we mentioned, there are several factors we need to consider in order to give you an accurate estimate of the cost. That starts with the complexity of your case since this will impact how many aligners are needed and if any additional accessories, like rubber bands, need to be incorporated into your treatment plan. However, it’s also important that we mention the significance of following all of the guidelines, such as wearing your aligners for 20+ hours a day. If you don’t, you may have additional costs down the line.
When comparing the cost of Invisalign to mail-order aligner companies, you’ll quickly see that mail-order aligner companies are cheaper. However, the age-old saying “cheaper isn’t always better” applies here. Not only do mail-order aligner companies not conduct a thorough exam upfront, but they require patients to take their own impressions, which can lead to multiple issues. In fact, there are several previous patients who have sued these brands because they experienced worsened misalignment, fallen out teeth, and the like. So, don’t let the lower upfront cost convince you to stray from professional treatment!
If you are currently insured, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’re proud to work with Aetna, Ameritas, United Health Care, and several other popular providers. Plus, we love helping our patients utilize their available benefits. Simply put, we can help you better understand the fine print on your dental plan to see if you have any coverage on orthodontic treatments like Invisalign. If you do, then we will answer any questions you have before submitting the paperwork on your behalf.
If you don’t have dental insurance, then ask us about our in-house membership plan and flexible financing through CareCredit. While our in-house plan helps you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses significantly, CareCredit allows you to choose a payment plan that fits your monthly budget. That way, pursuing your smile goals doesn’t put a pinch on your wallet!
Ready to get the smile you’ve always wanted? With Invisalign, you can discreetly and comfortably move your teeth into a straighter position. Since it’s such a unique process, it’s completely normal to have a few concerns before committing to treatment. That’s why we’ve decided to answer some frequently asked questions we receive from patients. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to contact our friendly team for personal assistance!
It depends! Factors like the severity of your dental misalignment and your commitment to the treatment plan will affect the amount of time it’ll take to complete Invisalign. On average, most patients can expect to finish their treatment within 12 to 18 months. While that may seem like a long time, it’s still four months shorter than the average treatment time with traditional metal braces. You can speed up the Invisalign process by visiting your orthodontist regularly and diligently following your treatment instructions.
Absolutely not! The smooth plastic design makes it one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment options. When you first get the clear aligners, you may experience mild soreness or discomfort. However, it should go away as you adjust to your treatment. Since Invisalign gradually shifts your teeth into proper alignment, you may feel a small amount of pressure each time you advance to a new set. Luckily, you can manage your discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain medication or using a cold compress.
When you’re done with your Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer to preserve your hard-earned results. They’ll ensure your teeth remain in a straight position for years to come. Based on your specific needs, your dentist will recommend how often you’ll need to wear your retainer and which type is best for your smile. In many cases, you’ll need to wear it full time before graduating to wearing it only at night.
Since Invisalign is completely removable, you can eat pretty much whatever you want! All you have to do is take out your clear aligners before eating or drinking anything that’s not water. If you choose to eat with the plastic trays in your mouth, it will put unnecessary pressure on them, damaging them by causing cracks and stains. Whenever your aligners are out of your mouth, make sure you keep them in a safe place.
It’s very common for patients to be concerned about having a lisp due to their Invisalign aligners. It’s important to remember, however, that the large majority of patients don’t report any changes to their speaking patterns. Furthermore, the small percentage that do can easily speed up the adjustment period with some practice! By reading out loud and repeating any difficult words you come across, you’ll sound like your usual self again in no time.
Invisalign attachments are small pieces of tooth-colored resin that are bonded directly to the front-facing surfaces of your teeth. Their main function is to give your aligners something to grip onto, ensuring they can efficiently move your teeth into their properly aligned positions. Of course, the exact number you need will depend on your unique treatment plan. While some patients can have upwards of 20, others may only have one or two!
Good news: you don’t need any special oral hygiene tools! After rinsing your aligners off with some clean, lukewarm water, dampen the bristles of a soft-bristled toothbrush and use those to gently clean each surface. For a deeper clean, you can also soak your aligners with the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit.
Note: Do not use mouthwash, bleach, or any other harsh cleaners.
If one of your Invisalign aligners breaks, then you need to act fast. First, take a few moments to carefully retrace your steps, starting from the last place you remember having them. Although it may seem silly, make sure to look in odd places too, like the center console of your car. Once you’ve confirmed that they are missing, call us. Over the phone, we can help you determine what the next best steps are.
There are typically two scenarios where this is possible. The first is if you had braces as a child but want to re-straighten your teeth due to orthodontic relapse. The second is if your case of malocclusion is more complex, which requires your teeth-straightening journey to start with traditional braces. As always, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with our Austin dental team. That way, we can learn more about your dental history and smile goals.
Although you don’t have to give up coffee during your orthodontic treatment, it is important that you don’t indulge in this dark-colored beverage with your aligners in. Doing so can cause your trays to stain. Plus, your aligners will hold the lingering residue against your teeth, increasing your chances of enamel erosion in the process. For those reasons, we recommend enjoying this caffeinated beverage alongside your breakfast or lunch instead.