Invisalign in Carrollton

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth are crowded, not only will you likely struggle with poor self-esteem, but you may also find brushing and flossing increasingly difficult. This, in turn, can raise your risk of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease over time. There is some good news, though: Invisalign is often a solution! If we determine that you’re a good candidate, then we can realign your teeth with clear, comfortable aligners.

Gaps Between Teeth

Having too much space between teeth can be equally harmful, especially since food and bacteria can easily become trapped in these spaces. If this sounds all too familiar, but you don’t like the idea of wearing metal braces, you’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign can correct noticeable gaps, too. So, we may be able to eliminate the unnecessary space without drawing unwanted attention to your smile!

Overbite

Are you curious if Invisalign can fix overbites as well? Fortunately, the answer is “yes!” So, if you’re having trouble chewing properly, enunciating clearly, or smiling confidently because your upper teeth protrude considerably beyond your lower ones, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us so we can determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.

Underbite

Are you struggling with chronic jaw pain and low self-esteem because of the opposite issue (your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones)? If so, it’s important to explore your orthodontic treatment options, like Invisalign. If we decide together that clear aligners are ideal for you, then we will move your teeth and bite into proper alignment with a custom series of trays.

Crossbite

If you have a mild or moderate crossbite, we may be able to create a healthier and even more beautiful smile with Invisalign. As we mentioned above, the only way to know for certain is by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Chandy so she can complete a comprehensive oral exam. If she determines that you’re a candidate, then she will move on to the next step: creating your custom treatment plan.

Open Bite

If you have an open bite, you shouldn’t hesitate to come to our office so we can explore your treatment options, including Invisalign. Sometimes, the clear aligners need to be used in tandem with other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands and buttons, to create a healthier bite. However, even if that’s the case, you don’t have to worry – they are much more discreet than traditional braces.

Unparalleled Comfort

Invisalign aligners are sleek and smooth, which means they are unlikely to rub against your soft oral tissues and cause irritation. This is markedly different from traditional braces, which feature protruding brackets and wires. Their roughness can cause sores and discomfort. With Invisalign, you can expect unparalleled comfort from beginning to end.

Faster Check-Ins

Each Invisalign dentist sets a timeframe for follow-up appointments; however, they typically occur every 6-8 weeks. Instead of seeing your dentist or orthodontist every month to have a wire tightened, these visits only require a quick drop-in so Dr. Chandy can evaluate your smile and ensure everything is shifting as expected.

Conservative Treatment

Traditional braces require brackets to be bonded to the surfaces of your teeth before a metal archwire is threaded in place. Invisalign aligners slip on and off your teeth with ease, making it a flexible, conservative orthodontic treatment option. There is nothing attached to your teeth, so you don’t need to worry about possible discoloration left behind by metal brackets.

Superior Discreetness

Bulky, shiny metal can be a turn-off, especially if you are a working professional. Instead of hiding your smile during treatment, stay confident while wearing your clear Invisalign aligners. Made with SmartTrack technology, these braces are discreet, allowing you to move through daily life without being unduly noticeable. Most people will never know you are undergoing treatment.

Easy At-Home Maintenance

If you wear traditional metal braces, you must use specialized dental brushes and instruments to clean your teeth properly and around your brackets and wires. Invisalign doesn’t require this additional investment. Instead, you can freely remove your trays and brush your teeth like normal. Flossing is also easy since there is nothing in your way. Taking care of your smile between appointments is a breeze, and the same is true for your aligners, which can be cleaned with lukewarm water, clear soap, and a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Much-Deserved Confidence

Before starting treatment with Invisalign, you likely felt self-conscious about your smile. However, with these clear aligners, you can remain confident in the present and future state of your smile. You never need to worry about others noticing your braces, and once you are finished with your aligners, you’ll have every reason to smile because of how straight, healthy, and beautiful your teeth will look.

Wearing Your Trays

Unlike braces, which are attached to your enamel throughout the duration of your service, these transparent trays are completely removable. However, you must keep them in for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their original positions, which can add weeks or months to your timeline.

Then, after about a week or two, you’ll be directed to wear the next pair in your series with slightly altered dimensions to ensure your teeth continue shifting to their ideal places.

Cleaning Your Aligners

The clear plastic of Invisalign allows your natural teeth to show through to help boost your confidence in your appearance, but they can become cloudy with plaque or stained if you don’t take care of them correctly.

You can avoid this by removing them at least twice daily and gently washing all sides with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap that won’t abrade the material. You can also soak them in a solution with special cleaning crystals for 15 minutes daily to kill germs while retaining their shape.

Eating & Drinking

The plastic material is designed to exert consistent yet gentle pressure over your teeth to shift them, but it isn’t intended to withstand the pressure of biting and chewing. If you eat anything too hard or crunchy, you could damage or break the trays, and they can warp or stain if exposed to hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, so they no longer fit or function properly.

As a result, it’s best to take them out to eat or drink anything other than room-temperature water. You may want to keep the carrier case with you so you have a safe place to store them that’s less likely to be tossed with the garbage after your meal.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

It’s natural to worry that you’ll hinder your treatment progress if you’ve accidentally misplaced or have broken one of your aligners, but try not to panic. Instead, contact our office to let us know, so Dr. Chandy can provide appropriate instructions for moving forward.

For instance, if the lost or damaged trays were relatively new, she might ask you to switch to the previous pair until we can reorder them. Otherwise, she may instruct you to start wearing the next set in your series earlier than initially anticipated.

Routine Check-Ins

You’ll also be expected to attend regular check-ins about every 6 to 8 weeks throughout your treatment so Dr. Chandy can monitor your progress and make any adjustments as necessary to your trays or timeline. These visits can often be as brief as 15 to 30 minutes, which is usually enough time for a check-in, examination, and to provide the next aligners you’ll be asked to wear.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

There are several factors unique to your circumstances that can affect the anticipated cost of your Invisalign treatment, including:

• Whether both arches are treated. Single-arch treatment is uncommon but possible and may have a reduced rate because fewer trays are required.
• The severity of your condition. Teeth that have further to travel may take longer to reach their ideal positions and may require more aligners, which raises the price.
• Your suggested treatment timeline. Longer treatment timelines necessitate additional trays and follow-up visits, which can increase your final invoice.
• How well you comply with directions. You must wear the clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their starting places, which can add weeks or months to your total timeline.

Do Mail-In Aligners Cost Less Than Invisalign?

Those who are concerned about their budget might be tempted to seek out mail-order or online trays offered at a lower price point. While this can seem like a simple and effective way to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, the truth is that it might be more costly in the long run.

For instance, mail-order aligners typically don’t involve a pre-treatment examination, which increases the likelihood of developing cavities or gum disease while wearing the trays that you’ll have to pay to treat. Not only that, but without professional oversight, you might harm your dental alignment rather than improve it, which could require additional services to reverse the damage.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance providers include different orthodontic treatments, but there’s no guarantee that Invisalign will be covered. It’s worth verifying your information to determine what’s included before proceeding.

If you’re unsure or are having a hard time finding the information, please contact our office for assistance. Our friendly staff are familiar with different insurance policies and would be happy to help you maximize any potentially available benefits.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Dr. Chandy and the rest of our team understand how straightening your smile can improve your dental health and boost your confidence, and we believe everyone deserves access to quality dental care.

If you’re worried about affording Invisalign or are uninsured, you are welcome to apply for a flexible financial plan through CareCredit or Cherry. These low- to no-interest options allow you to divide your total invoice into more manageable installments once you’re approved.