Invisalign® Richardson

How Invisalign® Works

Every Invisalign® journey begins with a consultation with Dr. Mansi or Dr. T. During this visit, we will let you know whether you’re a good candidate and develop a treatment plan for you. Once you decide to move forward with our plan, we’ll take digital impressions of your mouth to craft your orthodontic aligners. Each set of trays in the series helps correct the alignment of your teeth and bite. Every 7-14 days, you’ll progress to the next set, bringing you another step closer to your healthiest and most beautiful smile.

Who Can Invisalign® Help?

As we mentioned above, the first step of the entire treatment process is the consultation. At this visit, we will complete a comprehensive oral exam to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign®. Fortunately, the clear aligners are quite versatile. In fact, they can be used to correct:

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Crowded Teeth

If your teeth overlap, food particles, plaque, and other debris can easily get caught in the spaces between them. Since this increases your risk of tooth decay and other serious oral health problems, we strongly recommend exploring your treatment options, even if you are happy with the appearance of your smile. If we determine that Invisalign® is a solution, then we will guide your teeth into proper alignment with a custom-made series of aligners.

Gaps Between Teeth

Unfortunately, spaces between your teeth can also negatively impact your oral health, your self-esteem, and even your speaking patterns. While traditional braces were once the only option, there’s now another one: Invisalign®. If your case isn’t too severe, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be a candidate, allowing us to gently and gradually close the gaps without any metal at all.

Overbite

Good news: Invisalign® can also address common bite problems, including overbites. So, if you’re struggling to chew properly, enunciate clearly, or smile confidently because your upper teeth jut out behind your lower ones considerably, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us. That way, we can determine if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners!

Underbite

Underbites are another common orthodontic problem that can lead to several issues, including chronic jaw pain. For that reason, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our team at Richland Dental. That way, we can assess the severity of your case, the health of your smile, and your willingness to follow the treatment guidelines to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign®.

Crossbite

When you bite down, do only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones? If so, there’s a chance that you have a crossbite. This bite problem can negatively impact your life in several ways, including making it difficult to smile confidently. If this sounds all too familiar, then you’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign® can fix crossbites. So, traditional braces likely won’t be your only option!

Open Bite

Is there a space between your upper and lower teeth that prevents them from meeting when you bite down? If you answered “yes,” then you may have an open bite. The good news is that there are several solutions that we offer at our Richardson dental office, including Invisalign®! If we determine that you’re a good candidate, then the process of aligning your teeth and your bite won’t require any metal.

The Benefits of Invisalign®

Over the last 20+ years, millions of patients have straightened their teeth with Invisalign®. This clear aligner system continues to be popular because of the countless benefits that it comes with, including:

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The Aligners Are Basically Invisible

Let’s start with one of the most common reasons patients choose Invisalign®: the aligners are basically invisible. That’s because they are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic. They are also custom-made for each patient to ensure that they have a low profile (this makes them more comfortable, too!). All that to say, you won’t have to worry about unwanted attention being drawn to your smile.

There Aren’t Dietary Restrictions

With traditional braces, patients need to avoid several foods to prevent the brackets and wires from breaking, including whole apples, popcorn, and tortilla chips. Those same dietary restrictions aren’t necessary with Invisalign® because the aligners are removable! So, as long as you take them off beforehand, you can enjoy all of your favorite meals and snacks throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Taking Care of Your Smile Is Easy

Another benefit of Invisalign®: you don’t need to purchase additional tools, like interproximal toothbrushes or pre-threaded floss. In fact, you probably already have the three things that you need to clean your trays, too: clean water, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and mild dishwashing liquid.

Important reminder: You need to clean your teeth (and your trays!) after each meal.

There Are Fewer Check-In Visits

Invisalign® is also different from traditional braces because there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, the progress visits are usually every 6-8 weeks. Plus, if you’re on track with your treatment plan, these appointments will likely take 30 minutes or less. So, you’ll spend much less time at our office overall.

The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter

It’s true; the average treatment time with Invisalign® is shorter (between 12 and 18 months). Traditional braces, on the other hand, usually take 2+ years. If you are interested in getting an estimate of the length of your teeth-straightening journey, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team at Richland Dental. During this visit, we will determine if you’re a good candidate and, if you are, create your custom treatment plan.

The Aligners Are Versatile

Oftentimes, patients assume that Invisalign® can only address mild spacing and crowding issues. The truth is that they can be used to correct several common orthodontic problems, including overbites and underbites. So, if you thought that traditional braces were your only option, you may be surprised to learn that’s not the case!

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign®

If you are interested in learning more about the cost of this smile-enhancing service, you might be tempted to try to find an estimate online. However, there are several factors that need to be considered, so even general price ranges can be misleading. For that reason, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our skilled dentists instead. From there, they can create your custom treatment plan, provide you with an estimate of the cost, and discuss the financial solutions available.

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Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign®

During your consultation, we will review your dental history, take X-rays, and complete a visual exam. In the process, we will determine:

• If any preliminary care is needed, like gum disease treatment
• If single-arch treatment is possible
• How many aligners need to be made
• If rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories are needed
• The type of retainer that’s needed following your time with clear aligners

It’s important that we mention here that these are just the factors that will impact the cost upfront. If you fall off track with your treatment plan down the line, then there will likely be additional fees. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent that from happening, starting with wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours each day.

Invisalign® Vs. Mail-Order Aligners: Which Costs More?

Almost always, mail-order aligners cost less. While this might initially seem like a perk, it isn’t. After all, most of these companies don’t offer an initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t hire licensed dental professionals to cut costs. This, in turn, leads to an increased risk of something going wrong, like your teeth moving in the wrong direction. All that to say, even if the upfront cost is higher, it’s best to choose a trusted and reliable orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign®.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign®?

Some dental insurance providers do cover a portion of the cost of orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign®. For that reason, we recommend reading through the fine print on your plan if you are insured. Since we accept most PPO dental insurance providers, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and Delta Dental, we can also assist with the process of understanding and utilizing your available benefits. So, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information when you call to schedule your appointment!

Options for Making Invisalign® Affordable

What if you don’t have dental insurance? In that case, we recommend exploring the other financial solutions that are available at our dental office, including:

• Flexible Financing – Invisalign® financing in Richardson is available with both Cherry and CareCredit.
• Special Offers – We offer periodic promotions throughout the year, like $1,000 off Invisalign® with a free consultation.

If you would like details on either of these financial solutions, then take the next step: get in touch with our team at Richland Dental.

Invisalign® FAQs