Invisalign – Mesquite, TX
A Metal-Free Path Towards a Straighter Smile
Don’t like what you see every time you smile in the mirror? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans are unhappy with their teeth, and in many cases, it’s because they’re crooked or misaligned. Fortunately, you no longer have to deal with metal wires and brackets to get the straight grin you’ve always wanted. With Invisalign, you can discreetly and comfortably move your teeth into proper alignment. If you’d like to find out whether or not this solution is right for you, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Why Choose Dental Impressions for Invisalign?
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- Fully Personalized Orthodontic Treatment
- Affordable In-House Savings Plan Available
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move your teeth into a straighter position. Each set of trays is worn for a predetermined amount of time, usually about two weeks. They gradually shift a portion of your smile until the entire thing is properly aligned. One significant advantage of Invisalign is that you don’t need to visit Dr. Aldana or Dr. Vazquez as often as you would with traditional braces. You simply have to see her every six weeks or so to pick up your new aligners and ensure everything is going according to plan.
Indications for Invisalign
The clear aligners can correct multiple orthodontic problems, including:
Crowded Teeth
Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, you may benefit from Invisalign. The plastic trays can gradually move different parts of your smile at a time until the entire thing is straightened. It’s crucial to fix crowded teeth as soon as possible because it can increase your risk of decay and gum disease.
Gaps Between Teeth
Having gaps between your teeth doesn’t just affect your appearance – it has an impact on your oral health as well. Since food particles can more easily get trapped in these spaces, they increase your chances of developing cavities, decay, and gum disease. Invisalign can gently move your teeth into a healthier position, reducing your risk of these issues.
Bite Alignment
A misaligned bite can place unnecessary pressure on your temporomandibular joint, causing problems like TMJ disorder as well as teeth grinding and clenching. Fortunately, the clear aligners can correct underbites, overbites, crossbites, and open bites.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Choosing to undergo Invisalign treatment allows you to enjoy several benefits, including:
- Safety and Comfort – The clear aligners are made of a smooth plastic design, making them one of the most comfortable orthodontic options available. They won’t irritate your soft oral tissues in the same way traditional metal braces can.
- Efficiency – Metal braces usually take about two to three years to align your teeth, while Invisalign can take about 12 to 18 months.
- Discreetness – Invisalign is virtually invisible, meaning hardly anyone will notice you’re wearing orthodontic treatment!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Since every case is unique, it’s basically impossible to give an accurate cost estimate of Invisalign in Mesquite. In fact, even general price ranges that you find online can be misleading because there are so many factors that need to be considered. That’s why we recommend scheduling an appointment with us if you want a better idea of the cost. In the meantime, you can read on; this next section is dedicated to important information about the price.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
There are many factors that affect the overall price, which is why we can’t give you an accurate number until you come in for an exam. During your consultation, Dr. Aldana or Dr. Vazquez will assess the extent of your dental misalignment, if one or both arches of teeth need to be straightened, how many aligners you need, if rubber bands need to be added to your treatment plan, and more to find out how much you’ll be expected to pay.
Important note: If you lose your aligners or consistently don’t wear them, additional payments may be needed. That’s one of the many reasons why it’s so important to follow all of the guidelines we give you!
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Usually, mail-order aligner companies cost less because they take shortcuts, like bypassing the initial exam and using DIY impressions. At first, this may not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the many reasons past patients have experienced worsened misalignment and ultimately decided to sue. Plus, professional organizations, like the American Dental Association, have been vocal about their distaste for DIY alternatives like these. In short, Invisalign may cost more, but it’s worth the investment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Not always. With that said, there are some dental plans that include a once-in-a-lifetime orthodontic benefit, which can cover upwards of 50% of the cost of Invisalign. So, don’t just assume you don’t have any available benefits – take a look at the fine print on your plan! Our Mesquite dental team can also help you navigate your coverage since we welcome several of the nation’s leading providers, including Aetna, Cigna, and Delta Dental.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you think that you can’t afford Invisalign because you don’t have dental insurance, think again! We’re proud to offer our patients three other financial solutions: our in-house savings plan, flexible financing, and periodic special offers. When you come in for your consultation, we’ll review the details of each and help you determine how to make your teeth-straightening treatment fit into your budget.
Invisalign FAQs
You’ve been wanting to straighten up your smile for a while, and after considering your options, you’re leaning toward Invisalign in Mesquite. You recognize that it involves some different considerations than traditional braces, so before committing you still have a few questions. That’s understandable, so we’ve compiled some of the questions most often asked by previous patients. If you are still searching for answers after reading through the info below, be sure to contact our team!
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
It depends. On average, it takes 12-18 months to finish treatment. However, every patient has unique smile circumstances, and several factors affect the amount of time it takes to achieve your desired results, such as the severity of your misalignment and your commitment to the treatment plan. People with mild orthodontic issues can expect to finish up as soon as six months! If you have a more severe case of dental misalignment, you can expedite the process by visiting your dentist in Mesquite regularly and diligently following treatment instructions.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
The best part about Invisalign is that there are no dietary restrictions while you undergo treatment. Since the clear aligners are removable, all you must do is take them out before you eat. Otherwise, you risk damaging the aligners, causing cracks and stains. It also places unnecessary pressure on your teeth. That said, you should always take out your plastic trays and store them in a safe place before eating or drinking anything that’s not water.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once you’ve completed the last aligners in the series, you’ll visit your dentist to verify the results. They will ensure your teeth are in the desired, straight position before briefing you on what maintenance for your newly aligned smile will look like. Post-treatment will begin with wearing a retainer. These are designed to be much more comfortable to wear than those in the past, and you’ll usually get to choose between wire retainers and clear plastic ones that look similar to Invisalign. Based on your specific needs, your dentist will recommend how often you’ll need to wear your retainer. Usually, you’ll start wearing it full-time before gradually decreasing to only wearing it at night.
What Does Invisalign Look Like?
Designed with transparent plastic, Invisalign clear aligners are visible when outside of the mouth, but incredibly hard to detect once worn. With proper maintenance, patients can keep their aligners clean, clear, and discreet. Unlike traditional braces that require brackets and wires, Invisalign’s predictable clear aligners allow patients to achieve straight teeth without compromising their appearance. In some cases, patients may require attachments, buttons, or elastics that help during the alignment process. These items are not made of clear plastic and sometimes are more visible than the rest of the aligners.