Invisalign – Denton, TX
The Metal-Free Way to Straighten Your Smile
Do you have crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth that make it hard to confidently show off your smile? If so, you may have considered orthodontic treatment, but the idea of wearing metal braces for a year or longer sounds even more embarrassing than doing nothing at all. Fortunately, at Aguilar Family Dentistry, we offer a metal-free way to straighten your smile – Invisalign clear braces. These see-through plastic trays gently shift your teeth into more uniform positions while being barely noticeable at all. If you’re ready to finally achieve the attractive grin you deserve, contact us to schedule your consultation for Invisalign in Denton, TX!
Why Choose Aguilar Family Dentistry for Invisalign?
- Preferred Invisalign Provider
- Honest, Transparent Approach to Dental Care
- Dental Insurance Welcome & Flexible Financing Available
How Invisalign Works
While traditional orthodontics use metal wires and brackets to straighten your teeth, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners that are fitted over the teeth. Each of these sets of aligners is a slightly different shape, meant to shift a portion of your smile at a time until the whole thing is perfectly aligned. The trays are removable, but you should wear them for about 22 hours a day for a couple of weeks before moving onto the next set of aligners in the series. Depending on how severely your teeth are misaligned, Invisalign treatment can take anywhere from eight to 18 months.
Issues That Invisalign Can Fix
Invisalign is quite versatile, so there’s a good chance that it’s right for you. You’ll have to attend a consultation with your dentist in Denton, Dr. Jonathan Aguilar, just to be sure.
For severe orthodontic problems, traditional braces might be a more effective solution. However, Invisalign can correct mild to moderate cases of many common orthodontic issues, including:
Crowded Teeth
Cleaning overcrowded teeth can be difficult due to all of the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Therefore, plaque and tartar have an easier time hiding and contributing to tooth decay and infections. Luckily, Invisalign can evenly space out your teeth, making it easier (and more effective) to brush and floss.
Gaps Between Teeth
Misaligned Bite
Invisalign can even fix minor instances of overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. Left untreated, these issues can contribute to chronic teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and TMJ disorder.
Benefits of Invisalign
Oftentimes, patients assume that the only benefit of Invisalign is the discreet appearance of the aligners. That’s not the case! In fact, millions of people around the world have chosen clear aligners over traditional braces because of the numerous advantages they provide, including:
Virtually Undetectable Braces
It’s no secret that traditional braces aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. That’s why so many teens and adults are hesitant to commit to orthodontic treatment! The good news is that Invisalign is just as effective and considerably more discreet. In fact, since the trays are crafted from thin, see-through plastic, they are practically unnoticeable when worn.
Easy Dental Care
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t need to buy special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes, to keep your smile healthy and your braces clean. When you’re ready to complete your dental care regimen, simply take your aligners off, rinse them with clean, cool water, and store them in their designated case. Then, brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash. Before you put your aligners back on, use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to remove saliva, food particles, and other debris from the surface.
Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods
Another considerable perk of this smile-enhancing service: you don’t need to completely alter your diet. In fact, as long as you don’t over-indulge on sugary, starchy, crunchy, and sticky snacks, you can eat all of your favorites on your teeth-straightening journey!
Tip: Drink lots of water throughout the day to help prevent dry mouth, stay hydrated, and rinse away food particles and other debris from your aligners.
Improved Comfort
Not only are traditional braces a bit of an eye sore, but they aren’t the most comfortable. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Invisalign. Since the aligners are crafted from smooth plastic and don’t contain any metal components, they are less likely to irritate the lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue.
Reminder: If there is a sharp edge on one of your trays, you can bring it to our office so we can gently file it down!
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
Typically, patients wear traditional braces for 2-3 years. Patients with Invisalign, on the other hand, often achieve incredible results in just 12-18 months. That said, there are a lot of factors that impact the length of your treatment plan, including how many aligners are needed and how consistent you are with keeping them on for 20-22 hours a day. At your initial consultation, we will provide you with an estimate of your teeth-straightening journey and review what to do (and what to avoid) to stay on-track.
No Monthly Adjustment Appointments
If you had traditional braces in the past, you might remember having to attend monthly adjustment appointments. With Invisalign, teeth are moved into their ideal positions with a custom series of clear aligners, which allows you to progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. To put it simply, you will spend significantly less time at our office.
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Many report that Invisalign is a much more comfortable and convenient orthodontic method than traditional braces since this treatment offers a range of perks that make the process easy to comply with so the patient can achieve astounding results. Here’s a brief guide to what daily life is like when you’re wearing Invisalign clear aligners, but feel free to contact the staff at Aguilar Family Dentistry if you have any questions.
Wearing Your Trays
You’ll need to wear your clear aligners at least twenty hours each day to keep your treatment on track, and neglecting to wear them sufficiently can lead to potentially costly delays. You’ll also be instructed to switch to the next set of aligners in your sequence every two weeks or so, and each new set will pick the treatment up where the last set left off. As a general rule, it’s best to wear your trays when not performing oral hygiene or eating or drinking anything but water.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Only clean your Invisalign trays with lukewarm or room temperature water since hot or cold water can cause their plastic to warp and ruin the way they fit. You should rinse your aligners each time before placing them back in your mouth to remove loose food debris. You’ll also need to thoroughly clean your aligners at least once daily by soaking them in Invisalign cleaning crystals for between fifteen and thirty minutes or by brushing them with a soft-bristled brush and clear hand soap. You’ll also need to practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing each time after eating before putting your aligners back in.
Eating & Drinking
Invisalign allows patients to eat and drink whatever they like during treatment, but it’s crucial to always remove your aligners before consuming anything but water. When your aligners are not in your mouth, they must be stored in a protective case to prevent them from being damaged or lost. Eating or drinking colorful items while wearing Invisalign trays can lead to the appliances breaking or becoming discolored.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Losing an Invisalign tray doesn’t mean your treatment has failed, but it’s important to have the issue addressed to prevent complications such as treatment delays. Invisalign aligners are often lost due to not being placed in protective containers during meals since they can be easily misplaced and thrown away. If an aligner is damaged or lost, Dr. Aguilar may recommend switching to the next tray in the sequence or switching to the previous one if a new tray must be manufactured.
Routine Check-Ins
Invisalign checkups usually occur every four to eight weeks depending on the details of the patient’s treatment plan, and these appointments can be as short as fifteen minutes. During these meetings, Dr. Aguilar will make sure your treatment is on track and provide the patient’s next series of aligners.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Are you thinking about getting Invisalign in Denton? Before committing to anything, you likely want to know how much it’ll cost. Well, it’s impossible to provide an accurate estimate because it varies from patient to patient based on several factors. During your initial consultation, Dr. Aguilar will create a personalized treatment outline and discuss costs. Our team will help you navigate your financing options and figure out a way to ensure your plan fits your budget perfectly.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Denton, there are several factors you must take into consideration. Some key elements that influence the overall price include:
- Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
- The number of aligners you need to straighten your teeth. This truly depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
- Your treatment compliance. You may have to pay more than expected if you lose an aligner or fail to follow your treatment plan.
- Whether you need additional accessories. Depending on your case, you may need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner therapy like SmileDirectClub™. It’s become a popular solution in recent years because it usually costs around $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
For instance, DIY aligners are often made of cheap plastic, which can break easily. Meanwhile, Invisalign uses a patented material designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements. Not only that, but plenty of things can go wrong with a DIY clear aligner kit. Since there’s little to no supervision throughout the process, you may end up having issues that will need to be addressed by a professional anyway. By choosing Invisalign, you can expect to have the trusted oversight of our team at Aguilar Family Dentistry every step of the way. Most patients find the quality service and peace of mind to be worth every penny.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. If your plan applies, it can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by up to $1,000! Plus, you can use your FSA account to cover the cost. It’s worth noting that every policy is unique, which is why you should confirm the details of your plan with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with that step if needed!
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! At Aguilar Family Dentistry, we offer additional financing options to help make your care as affordable as possible. Some financial solutions include:
- CareCredit Financing – With this option, you can split up the total cost of your care into smaller, budget-friendly installments. Plus, there’s often little-to-no interest attached!
- In-House Savings Plan – For one flat annual fee, you can enjoy the benefits of dental insurance without the hassle. You can get the preventive dental care you need and enjoy sizable discounts on all other services, including Invisalign.
Do you want to have a straighter smile? Contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Aguilar today!
Invisalign FAQs
Many people want a straighter smile but are turned off by the idea of wearing metal wires and brackets. Fortunately, Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that allows you to get the grin you’ve always wanted without the hassle of traditional braces. Since the process is so unique, it’s completely normal to have questions before starting your journey. To help you out, our team at Aguilar Family Dentistry has decided to answer some of the most common questions we receive from patients. If you’d like to speak directly to a member of our team, contact us and schedule an appointment today!
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Not at all! Thanks to its smooth plastic design, Invisalign is considered to be one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment options. However, there will be an adjustment period when you first get the clear aligners. You might experience mild soreness and discomfort, but it will gradually fade as you get used to the treatment. Since Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to shift your teeth into proper alignment, you may experience a small amount of pressure each time you switch trays. Of course, that’s a good sign because it lets you know the treatment is working. To manage your discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as needed or apply a cold compress over the area where you feel pain.
What Happens After Invisalign?
After completing your last set of aligners, you’ll visit your dentist in Denton to verify your results. They’ll make sure your pearly whites are in their desired positions before explaining your next step in the process. Some people may not know this, but you’ll need to wear a retainer after treatment to preserve your new smile. By wearing your retainer as instructed by your dentist, you can protect your investment and enjoy straight teeth for years to come!
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
Unlike traditional braces, there are no dietary restrictions while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Since the clear aligners are removable, you must simply remove them when it’s time to eat. It’s incredibly important that you take them out before eating to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your teeth. Otherwise, you can damage the aligners by causing cracks and stains. The only thing that’s safe to consume while wearing Invisalign is water!
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
Invisalign sells its own cleaning system designed specifically for the maintenance of clear aligners. It involves the use of cleaning crystals that shake loose food debris and plaque. You can also use a cleaning solution for aligners called Steraligner. Keep in mind that you should be rinsing your trays throughout the day to prevent debris from sticking to the smooth plastic. Don’t use hot water! It can permanently warp the plastic and ruin your treatment. After rinsing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the aligners.