Invisalign – Allen, TX

How Is Invisalign Teen Different?

Invisalign Teen is almost the same as regular Invisalign. There are only a few minor differences:

• Invisalign Teen aligners have a small blue compliance dot that allows you to keep track of whether your child is wearing their aligners enough.
• Unlimited replacement aligners are available in case there are mishaps throughout the treatment period.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

Invisalign Teen might be a good fit for your child if:

• They have a track record of responsibility (they should be able to remember to wear their aligners for 20 – 22 hours each day).
• They have mild to moderate dental misalignment.
• They are self-conscious about their appearance.
• They have a lower threshold for discomfort (Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces).

The best way to find out if this treatment is right for your teen is to schedule a consultation with our dental team.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Some outstanding benefits of Invisalign Teen include:

• The aligners are removable. Your teen can remove them during sports practices, when they are enjoying snacks with friends, or when they attend a big event like homecoming or prom.
• Invisalign Teen is discreet. Many teenagers are very self-conscious about their appearance. Invisalign Teen can allow them to smile with confidence!
• Invisalign Teen checkups are short. Your teen will not have to miss a lot of school throughout their treatment experience. In fact, checkup appointments are usually just a few minutes long!

Virtually Invisible Aligners

Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic and have a smooth texture. When crafted to fit snugly against teeth, they become virtually invisible. This is a major advantage for many people, especially those who may be self-conscious about their appearance or who are busy professionals who need a more flexible form of treatment.

Heightened Confidence

Even during Invisalign treatment, you will begin to feel more confident in the way you look. This is vastly different from those who must wear traditional metal braces. As your teeth continue to move in the right direction, you’ll notice a positive change in how they come together to create a functional, more beautiful appearance. This will help you to stay motivated as you move closer to the completion of your treatment.

Non-Invasive Orthodontics

Invisalign aligners slip on and off your teeth, allowing for greater flexibility. Traditional brackets must be bonded to your teeth along with a metal archwire that must be threaded through the brackets to encourage proper tooth movement. Because clear aligners are custom-made according to what your smile needs, your smile will move into alignment without requiring any pieces to be fixed in place.

Better Oral Health

Traditional braces can make it hard to brush and floss your teeth. Attempting to navigate between brackets and underneath wires can leave your smile less clean and more prone to dental decay and gum disease. However, with Invisalign, you can easily remove your trays and clean your teeth as normal. You only need a soft-bristled toothbrush, dental floss, and an antimicrobial mouthwash.

Comfortable Trays Means Less Irritation

The smooth, clear aligners do not protrude like metal brackets and wires. This means that you are unlikely to experience soft tissue irritation. Those undergoing traditional orthodontic treatment need wax to reduce discomfort; however, with Invisalign, you’ll be free to wear your trays without worrying about how they feel against your lips, cheeks, and gums. Also, while minimal soreness is likely to occur, it can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Less Time Spent in the Dentist’s Office

One benefit that comes with Invisalign treatment is the fact that your follow-up appointments will be fewer and only last 15-30 minutes. Those wearing traditional braces often spend more time in the dentist’s office because of wire tightening or replacement; however, with clear aligners, your visits will be fewer and shorter, making it easy to return to work, school, or regular activities sooner.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Your Invisalign treatment will look much different than that of your friend or family member. Why? This service’s customizable nature means that no two Invisalign treatments are exactly alike. That’s why a consultation with an Invisalign dentist in Allen is essential. During this visit, Dr. Lewis can go over the multiple variables that will affect the price of your treatment, including:

• Will you need to wear aligners on your upper teeth, your lower teeth, or both? (Wearing aligners on both arches costs more.)
• How severe are your orthodontic issues? (The more seriously misaligned your teeth are, the more complex and expensive your treatment will be.)
• How long will your treatment take? (If you require additional aligners to shift your teeth into their ideal positions, you’ll have to pay for the extra material.)

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

Smile Direct Club and other do-it-yourself (DIY) clear aligner kits are tempting. After all, they usually only cost a fraction of what Invisalign does. However, there are several reasons why you’re better off investing in Invisalign:

• With DIY aligners, you won’t have a dentist supervising your progress. While it might sound convenient to not have to schedule checkups every few weeks, you won’t be able to notice if an issue occurs until it’s too late.
• You’ll be responsible for taking your own impressions of your teeth to create the aligners. This may not sound challenging, but if these impressions are anything less than 100% precise, the trays might not fit properly, which may hurt your smile more than it helps it.
• If a problem develops during treatment, you’ll have no one to call. You’ll have to visit a local dentist, which could end up costing you more money in the long run.

By choosing Invisalign in Allen right from the get-go, you can avoid all of these potential issues. From your first consultation to the day that we provide you with your retainer, you’ll rest easy knowing that our team at Allen Smile Design will be by your side every step of the way.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

It’s possible to qualify for insurance coverage for Invisalign, but it depends on your specific plan. Many dental insurance providers partially cover Invisalign, but our team can make sure you’re making the most of your benefits. We can even provide in-network savings for many of the leading PPO plans!

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you need additional assistance paying for Invisalign, you’ll be pleased to know that we offer an in-house dental savings plan as an alternative to insurance. For a flat annual fee, you get a discount on most of our services in additional to free preventive care. We also accept third-party financing through CareCredit and Lending Club. Lastly, we currently have a special Invisalign offer for $500 off your treatment. Be sure to take advantage of your options and schedule a consultation today!

Crowded Teeth

Teeth that overlap can negatively affect the look and health of your smile. In fact, overcrowding can increase your risk of developing cavities or grinding your teeth, therefore resulting in premature wear and tear. Fortunately, Invisalign can gently guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, effectively correcting crowdedness.

Gaps Between Teeth

Teeth that are spaced too far apart can also negatively impact your oral health, making it more difficult to floss and brush effectively. It can also affect your bite and speaking patterns. The good news is that Invisalign can correct gapped teeth in just 12-18 months!

Overbite

Overbites occur when the top teeth come out too far from the lower arch of the teeth. Overbites can cause you to experience jaw pain, speech issues, uneven dental wear, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. This problem can also result in the top teeth being more exposed, increasing their risk of becoming injured.

Underbite

An underbite describes when the bottom teeth go slightly passed or match with the top row of teeth when you close your mouth. This can be caused by several different factors, including genetics, jaw injury, and nonnutritive habits (like thumb sucking and pacifier use too far into childhood). Oftentimes, patients who have underbites require the use of rubber bands and other attachments in addition to their clear aligners. This helps to address the bite and shift the lower arch into its proper position.

Crossbite

When the bottom teeth are slightly in front of the upper arch, this is called a “crossbite.” This is usually caused by genetics, poor oral hygiene, or premature loss of the baby teeth. When left without treatment, crossbites can result in other problems, like an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, speech difficulties, headaches, teeth grinding, and facial asymmetry. Invisalign can correct this issue in most cases.

Open Bite

An open bite is when the top and bottom front teeth can’t overlap or touch when you close your mouth completely. In most cases, this is due to poor bone development or nonnutritive habits, like prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use. An open bite can lead to difficulty pronouncing certain words and sounds, as well as excessive enamel wear of the back teeth. Invisalign can bring the top and bottom teeth together, correcting the bite patterns and reducing additional damage.

Wearing Your Trays

While every patient’s Invisalign treatment will be somewhat unique, one of the universal parts of the process involves wearing your clear trays for 20-22 hours every day. This means that you’ll need to remember to keep your aligners on as much as possible. The only times they should be off is when it’s necessary, such as during your meals. If you need to, try using the stopwatch on your phone to help you keep track of your time with them out of your mouth.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners will be much easier to clean and maintain, as you’ll simply need to remove them first so that you can scrub the entire surface. In turn, this will also mean you can clean all the surfaces of your pearly whites, making it easier to maintain a fresh and bright smile. To take care of your aligners, simply rinse them off with lukewarm water and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub them before you put them back on. You can even use cleaning crystals to keep them fresh while you eat.

Eating & Drinking

One of the biggest rules with Invisalign is that you’ll need to take off your aligners before eating or drinking anything (other than pure water). Not only will you want to avoid staining or discoloring your teeth and trays, but you can also accidentally damage or warp your aligners. For food, it’s important to maintain a nutrient-rich diet to help promote healthier gums and teeth during your treatment plan.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Every time you’re handling your Invisalign trays, you’ll need to take certain preventive measures to ensure that they’re kept safe. If you’re going to eat or drink and you’re out in public, be sure to store them in their protective case to avoid losing or damaging them. If they accidentally become damaged, simply notify our team so that we can understand what happened, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, and determine the best way to move forward with your process.

Routine Check-Ins

During your Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to regularly visit your dentist for routine check-ins. This will allow our team to monitor your progress and review your orthodontic plan to ensure you’re on the right track. If all is well, you’ll be sent on your way along with your next set of aligners in the series.