Invisalign Clear Aligners – Allen, TX

How Is Invisalign Teen Different?

Teens sometimes have some difficulty sticking to Invisalign treatment guidelines, falling off-track a bit more often than adults do. Invisalign Teen aims to address this issue. This system uses the same clear aligner trays you’re familiar with, except that each one has a small indicator dot which fades over time. This dot only fades when the aligners are worn, so if it reappears, it means your teen is not wearing them as much as they should be.

You can also receive a set of free replacement trays in the event one of them is broken or lost. Even if your teen is clumsy or forgetful, that doesn’t mean they need to have hiccups in their treatment!

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

Invisalign has grown a lot as a treatment in recent years and is capable of dealing with more oral health problems than ever before. However, these trays do fall short of braces in a few ways, which means that they’re ideal for mild-to-moderate cases of misalignment. We’ll be able to tell you more about whether your teen’s issues can be addressed via Invisalign when we meet them.

It’s also important that your teen be responsible enough to care for their aligners. If you aren’t sure whether your child will be able to properly clean and look after their trays, another treatment may be better for them.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

However, they surpass traditional braces in aesthetics, making them a perfect option for younger, more image-conscious patients. In addition to addressing issues with the alignment of their teeth, the subtle nature of the trays will allow teens to maintain their confidence.

They’re also a great choice for those patients who have a lower threshold for discomfort, as the sleek aligners tend to be more comfortable than bulky braces. Their removability also makes playing sports or instruments much more pleasant than with braces.

If you’re interested in learning more about whether this treatment could work for your teen, make an appointment for a free consultation with us today!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Since no two smiles are the same, no two treatment plans are the same. Through an examination, our talented team can provide you with the information needed to better determine how to budget your new and improved smile. Common factors that influence the final price include:

• The severity of your dental problems
• The number of aligners you will need to achieve optimal results
• If additional accessories are needed, like rubber bands
• If you need to straighten one or both arches of teeth
• Your compliance with the treatment guidelines, including the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time

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

Smile Direct Club™ and other mail-order aligner companies get attention because they advertise a price of about $2,000. Naturally, this draws patients in – who wouldn’t want to get a safe, effective, and reliable treatment for an affordable price? However, they fail to disclose the whole picture. One of the reasons they can undercut the cost is because they skip crucial steps of the process, including a thorough initial exam to ensure you’re a candidate. Furthermore, they rely on DIY impressions, which are often inaccurate and result in complications that are costly to correct. That’s why cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to something as important as straightening your teeth!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

For some patients, orthodontic treatment is paid for completely out-of-pocket. However, there are some cases where dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost. So, it’s definitely worth familiarizing yourself with the fine print on your plan! Of course, if you’re having a hard time understanding your benefits, you can always ask our team. We have experience with and proudly welcome many of the nation’s leading providers, including BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, and United Concordia.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t worry – dental insurance isn’t the only way to make your Invisalign treatment more affordable. First, our team at Hanson Orthodontics of Allen offers periodic specials. Second, we have interest-free monthly payment plans! With these financial solutions, you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses or space out your payments into manageable chunks that fit into your budget with ease. Want to learn more about either of these solutions? Then get in touch with us today!

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Good news: many patients have shared that their Invisalign treatment didn’t hurt at all! There are a few things that contribute to this, including the fact that the aligners are smooth and custom-made just for you. So, while you may experience some soreness from the movement of your teeth, you can rest assured that your overall experience, and the end result, will make it well worth it!

Note: if you do experience some discomfort from the pressure of your trays moving your teeth, try sipping on cold water, avoiding crunchy foods, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

What If My Invisalign Broke?

If one of your Invisalign aligners broke, don’t attempt to repair it on your own or put off getting in touch with our Allen orthodontist. Using super glue or any other household adhesive is dangerous because they contain toxins that are not safe to ingest, and the longer you wait to get in touch with our team, the more likely it is that you will fall off-track with your treatment plan. Instead, give us a call right away so we can determine what the next best step is, like moving onto the next set of trays in your series or wearing your previous ones until your replacement aligners arrive.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

You can eat whatever you’d like during your Invisalign treatment. However, you cannot eat anything with your aligners in, including soups and smoothies. We don’t recommend drinking anything other than water with your trays on either since this can result in significant discoloration that leaves your teeth looking dull and yellow as well.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign?

Fortunately, you can effectively clean your aligners in just a few simple steps. On a daily basis, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean water to scrub each surface will do the trick. For a deeper clean, you can soak your aligners in a packet of cleaning crystals (the ones that come in your welcome kit).

Note: there are also a few things you should never do, including using hot water or harsh products (like bleach) to rinse your aligners.

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

Many prospective Invisalign patients come to us worried that clear aligner treatment will give them a lisp. If you’ve heard this rumor as well, then you’ll be happy to know that won’t happen. In fact, the large majority of patients with Invisalign don’t report any changes to their speech! If you are a part of the very small percentage that do, then you can have peace of mind knowing that it will be short-lived. Plus, you can take proactive measures to speed up the adjustment period, like reading out loud.

Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

The good news is that you don’t have to give up coffee during your orthodontic treatment. You do, however, need to remove your aligners beforehand (even with iced coffee). This ensures that they don’t warp or stain over time, which would negatively impact their look and function.

Tip: Brush your teeth about 20 minutes after finishing your coffee. That way, the residue doesn’t linger on your teeth, increasing your risk of tooth decay in the process.

Why Do I Need to Wear My Invisalign Aligners for 20-22 Hours a Day?

You need to wear your aligners 20+ hours a day in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan. In other words, if you get in the habit of not wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time, there’s a good chance that you’ll experience treatment plan delays, which require more of your time and money.

If you’re having trouble meeting your wear time daily, try creating a schedule with the help of the stopwatch on your phone. It’s also important to get in the habit of only removing your aligners when absolutely necessary, like before eating breakfast or brushing your teeth.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After investing your valuable time and money into the teeth-straightening process, the last thing you want is for your teeth to move back into their previously misaligned positions, right? That’s why we need to have a custom retainer made! This orthodontic appliance is key when it comes to preventing orthodontic relapse. We will provide you with the retainer, instructions on when to wear it, and tips on how to take care of it so that it lasts as long as possible.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The average Invisalign treatment plan is between 12 and 18 months. Of course, you might end up investing more or less of your time in the teeth-straightening process; it really depends on the complexity of your case. How well you follow the treatment guidelines also matters, so be sure to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day and prioritize your check-in visits at our Allen orthodontic office.

Is There Anyone Who Isn’t a Candidate for Invisalign?

There are a few things that can stop you from being a candidate – at least initially. For example, if we find an infection, decay, or some other form of dental damage during your exam, the necessary restorative care needs to be administered before we begin moving your teeth into their properly aligned positions. Invisalign also isn’t suitable for patients with severe cases of malocclusion. If that’s the case for you, then we may be able to start your teeth-straightening journey with traditional braces and then transition to clear aligners when that becomes possible. Ultimately, the only way to find out for certain if you’re a candidate is by coming in for a consultation. So, don’t hesitate to schedule one!