Misaligned teeth can negatively impact your confidence, causing you to hide your smile. However, it also hurts your oral health as the teeth are more difficult to clean, which makes you more prone to gum disease and tooth decay. Although you have probably considered braces in the past, you do not want to feel insecure from visible metal wires and brackets. At DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we understand your concern, which is why we offer a more sophisticated treatment. With Invisalign®, you will improve your self-esteem and dental health with a nearly invisible choice.
Why Choose DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton for Invisalign?
Top-Rated Dental Team in Carrollton
Dentist with 10+ Years of Experience
Convenient Hours, Including Saturdays
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign® provides high-quality results when used to correct an array of bite and alignment issues. After determining that you are a candidate for the treatment, we use 3D scans of your teeth to create a series of aligners. This technology allows us to move your teeth with precision while also showing you what your new smile will look like—even before you commit to the treatment.
You will wear each aligner for about two weeks. Since no wires are used, you do not need to have adjustment appointments. However, you will still need to come in every few weeks so we can monitor the progression of the treatment.
You will wear each aligner for about 22 hours per day, only taking them out when eating, drinking, or caring for your teeth or the aligners. In about 12 months, you will have a straight, confident smile. To protect your results, you will briefly need a retainer to prevent your teeth from moving back into their previous positions.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Fortunately, Invisalign can address several common orthodontic concerns, from mild gaps to moderate overcrowding. If you want to learn more on the topic leading up to your consultation, then read on!
Crowded Teeth
One of the most common orthodontic problems is overcrowding. This misalignment issue can negatively impact your oral health and your bite. Fortunately, we can use clear aligners to move your teeth into their properly aligned positions, improving the appearance, health, and function of your smile in the process.
Gaps Between Teeth
Like crooked teeth, spaced-out teeth can take a toll on your self-esteem, and they can trap food debris, increasing your risk of decay. With Invisalign, you don’t have to wear metal brackets and wires to close the gaps! Instead, each see-through tray will bring your teeth closer and closer together until your teeth are perfectly aligned.
Overbite
An overbite happens when the top teeth come out too far from the lower arch of the teeth. Overbites result in jaw pain, speech issues, uneven dental wear, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. This problem can also leave the top teeth more exposed, putting them at higher 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 after a certain age. A lot of the time, patients with underbites require the use of rubber bands or other attachments to be used in combination with Invisalign aligners. This helps to gradually address the bite and move the lower arch back into its proper place.
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 habits, or premature loss of baby teeth. When left unaddressed, crossbites can lead to other issues, like increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, speech difficulties, headaches, teeth grinding, and facial asymmetry. Invisalign can correct this issue in the majority of cases. However, if your crossbite is caused by issues involving jaw development, it may be necessary to accompany the aligners with elastics and other accessories.
Open Bite
An open bite is when the top and bottom front teeth aren’t able to overlap or tough when you close your mouth all of the way. This is usually caused by 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 pattern and reducing oral damage.
The Benefits of Invisalign
In addition to being virtually invisible, Invisalign® offers certain benefits that are not possible with other treatments. Since no wires or brackets are used, the aligners are comfortable (so you do not have to worry about irritation to the inside of the lips or cheeks).
The lack of wires makes caring for your teeth during the treatment easy. You do not have to brush or floss around brackets or wires. This also means there are no dietary restrictions. You can still enjoy your favorite foods because the aligners are removable!
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Clear aligners are a great solution to improve your smile without worrying about brackets and wires. However, there’s a lot of misinformation about the cost of Invisalign in Carrollton. It’s likely more affordable than you realize. Although there’s not a flat rate for Invisalign, we strive to keep a straight, healthy smile achievable for everyone. We offer various financial solutions to invest in your oral health and self-esteem without breaking the bank.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
No two smiles are identical, so it’s impossible to use a cookie-cutter treatment plan. As a result, several factors will influence the amount you’ll pay. Your Invisalign dentist in Carrollton will examine your mouth to create a personalized strategy to fix your bite and alignment concerns. We’ll provide you with an estimate and explain the fees associated with your plan. You can expect your estimate to include:
Preparatory Treatments: Some patients need a little prep work before Invisalign in Carrollton, such as fillings or gum disease treatment.
Number of Arches: Your estimate will include the costs for treating 1 or both arches.
Complexity: Major tooth movements will require more aligners, which will add to the cost.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Everyone likes to save money, which makes mail-order aligners appealing. Although they may seem identical to aligners from your dentist , there’s a major difference. You won’t be under the care of a dental professional. As a result, you can open the door to irreversible damage without the right supervision. Despite your intent to save money, mail-order braces can cost significantly more down the road fixing any issues. It’s better to pay for the qualifications and experience of a trusted dentist to safely reach your goals.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Every dental plan is different, but many offer coverage for orthodontics. Dental insurance won’t cover the entire cost of the treatment, but you can use your benefits to offset the amount you’ll pay for certain steps in your plan, like the consultation. Depending on your coverage, you are given a set allowance to use toward the cost after meeting your deductible. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your benefits to keep a straight smile within your budget.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Besides using your dental insurance, we offer multiple solutions to keep Invisalign affordable, including:
Traditional Payments: We accept all forms of traditional payments, including cash, checks, and credit cards.
Dental Savings Plan: Our office has an in-house savings plan, which allows you to benefit from reduced rates for common services after an annual membership fee.
New Patient Specials: Ask us about any current new patient specials.
Third-Party Financing: Pay for your treatment using monthly installments through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
If you’re ready to invest in the smile you deserve, or you have questions about your payment options, contact our office today. We look forward to turning your dream smile into a reality.
Invisalign FAQs
If you’re considering Invisalign in Carrollton, it’s completely normal to be curious even after getting some initial information. At DD Family Dentistry, we want all our patients to have the facts they need to make a confident decision in their treatment. That’s why we’ve outlined the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Invisalign. Read on to satisfy your curiosity.
How Will Invisalign Affect My Life?
One of the most significant benefits of Invisalign compared to other options like traditional braces is that it can seamlessly fit into your daily life. The adjustment period is short, allowing you to wear your aligners comfortably as well as speaking and eating with complete ease. In fact, your aligners are removable, so you won’t have to change your diet in any way to accommodate your orthodontics. Plus, because of their clear appearance, you can feel confident smiling in any social or professional setting.
How Should I Care for My Aligners?
A successfully straight smile at the end of treatment is only possible if you care for your aligners properly throughout the process. Invisalign offers their own cleaning system to make it easy, but you can also use room temperature water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and clear hand soap. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes because they can scrape the plastic, and hot water can warp your aligners. When cleaning, it’s a great idea to put down towels on the sink and/or floor. That way, if you drop one of your aligning trays, there will be something soft to break its fall and avoid damage.
What Should I Do if I Lose an Aligner?
Because Invisalign is removable, it is possible that you can break or misplace your aligners. If this occurs, contact our office right away for a replacement. The sooner we can give you your correct tray, the quicker you can get back on track with your treatment time. In most cases, we will instruct you to use the previous aligner until we can get you a new one. If you don’t get your aligner replaced, your teeth can begin to shift back into their crooked positions, losing the progress you gained since you started.
How Can I Be Sure that Invisalign Will Work?
While traditional braces have been the go-to orthodontic treatment historically, Invisalign has been used for around 20 years to give patients a beautifully straight smile. In a large survey, patients gave Invisalign a 96% satisfaction rating, and 90% of participants said they would recommend it to friends and family. Plus, our experienced team will be with you every step of the way to ensure the entire process goes smoothly with routine checkups every 6 to 8 weeks.
If you’re ready to get started on a better way to achieve the smile of your dreams, contact our office to set up a consultation!
Start Your Journey Towards a Straight Smile Today!
If you are tired of feeling insecure about your smile, it is time to see if Invisalign® is right for you with your dentist in Carrollton. At DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we will help you improve your confidence and oral health without wires or brackets. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping you restore your confidence.
