Invisalign Austin

How Does Invisalign Work?

When beginning Invisalign treatment, you’ll be given a full series of clear aligners. Each pair is designed to represent a different stage of your realignment. You’ll wear each pair of aligners for about 22 hours per day, only removing them to practice oral care or eat. Once you’ve worn a specific pair for about two weeks, you’ll move on to the next set in the series until you’ve worn all of them. Overall, Invisalign takes between 8 and 12 months to complete.

Benefits of Invisalign

Like many other patients, you may be considering Invisalign over traditional braces because the aligners are clear, making them virtually undetectable. While that’s certainly a noteworthy benefit, it isn’t the only reason you should consider this popular orthodontic treatment. Below, you’ll find a few additional perks!

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Removable Aligners

As mentioned above, having clear aligners ensures that no one around you will be aware that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Another perk of Invisalign aligners is that they are removable. So, if you want to take them off before a first date or work meeting, you can! All we ask is that you keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours each day. After all, if you don’t wear them for the majority of the day, there’s a chance that you’ll fall off track with your treatment plan.

Improved Comfort

In addition to being a bit of an eyesore, traditional braces aren’t the most comfortable. In fact, it’s common for patients to deal with mouth sores and soft tissue irritation during the teeth-straightening process. That’s not the case with Invisalign! Since the aligners are crafted from smooth plastic and custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort during your orthodontic treatment.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

If you don’t like the idea of wearing metal brackets and wires for at least two years at a time, we have good news: you may not have to! Invisalign can straighten teeth and realign uneven bites in just 12-18 months. There are even some cases where patients achieve the results they desire in just 4-8 months. Ultimately, it comes down to the severity of the existing orthodontic problems as well as how well you follow the treatment guidelines, like wearing your aligners for 20+ hours a day.

Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods

Because the aligners are removable, you don’t have to sacrifice your current diet! Just make sure that you take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water. To prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems from adding weeks or months onto the backend of your treatment, we also encourage our patients to eat healthy, well-balanced meals while also cutting back on sugary and starchy snacks.

Hassle-Free Dental Care

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. So, you don’t have to change your oral care habits just to accommodate them. No special oral hygiene products or cumbersome dental hygiene regimens. Instead, just brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual. Then, clean your aligners with a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid.

Living with Invisalign Aligners

Living with Invisalign requires knowing what to do to make sure your aligners stay in the best shape so that your teeth will move in the right direction over time. The last thing you want is for a delay to occur, so learning how to take care of your braces as well as the dos and don’ts of wearing them is essential. Fortunately, our team at Snow Dental is here to go over the following tips to make the process easier.

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Wearing Your Trays 20-22 Hours a Day

Abiding by the 20-22-hour rule is not a suggestion if you want to keep your treatment on track. Instead, you’ll need to wear your trays for this amount of time each day to ensure your teeth continue to move into their proper position. Apart from taking them out to eat, drink, and give them thorough cleanings, your aligners should remain in your mouth.

This is what makes them different than traditional braces that are affixed to your teeth. Invisalign comes with greater responsibility and commitment – something you’ll want to make sure to consider before agreeing to start treatment.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Invisalign aligners can attract a lot of harmful bacteria, dried saliva, and food particles throughout the day. As a result, keeping them clean is vitally important not only for their longevity but also for your oral health.

Each morning and night, you’ll want to clean your trays using a soft-bristle toothbrush, lukewarm water, and clear soap. You can also invest in Invisalign Cleaning Crystals if you prefer. This can remove plaque accumulations, keeping your aligners healthy day after day.

It’s also helpful to soak your aligners once a day in a denture cleaner for a deeper clean.

Eating & Drinking

There are no food restrictions that come with Invisalign, which is a significant benefit for most patients; however, the one thing you must remember to do is to remove your aligners before eating or drinking. Water is the only thing you can have while wearing your trays, but you’ll need to make sure it is not hot, as it will warp the material. Everything else can be harmful or stain your braces, so your trays must come out.

After finishing a meal, you’ll want to make sure to brush and floss your teeth (or at least rinse your mouth with water) before reinserting your trays. Giving your aligners a quick rinse is also helpful.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

When receiving your Invisalign aligners for the first time, you’ll find it advantageous to purchase one or two protective cases. These are designed to shelter your trays so that they do not become damaged over time.

Losing or damaging one or both of your aligners can cause a setback in your treatment timeline. It’s too easy to place your trays in a napkin while eating, only to accidentally throw them away or walk off and forget them. Instead, place them in their case and into your purse or pocket so that they remain protected in a secure location.

You’ll also want to be mindful about not leaving your aligners within reach of small children or pets.

Routine Check-Ins

Throughout treatment, our Snow Dental team will require that you come in for regular follow-up appointments. Although you’re unlikely to spend much time in our office, these visits allow us to review your progress and ensure everything is moving along smoothly. If we detect any changes or believe you are not wearing your aligners as often as you should, we may need to make adjustments before moving forward.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

If you are interested in getting an estimate of the cost of Invisalign, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation. That way, we can learn all about your dental needs, provide you with a number, and review all of the financial solutions available. If you have an appointment on the calendar, but it’s still a few days or weeks away, then keep reading to learn some general information on the topic, including the factors that play a role in the price.

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Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

At your consultation, we will cover a lot of ground – from reviewing your latest X-rays to completing a visual exam. Our goal is to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will also need to determine:

• If any preliminary treatments are needed
• If single-arch treatment is possible
• How many aligners need to be made
• If rubber bands, buttons, or attachments are needed
• The type of retainer you need

Once we have all of this information, we can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of the cost.

Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Mail-in aligners almost always cost less. While that may seem like a perk, it’s important to consider how they cut costs (and corners). For example, many companies that offer mail-order alternatives skip the initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t have a dentist to oversee the treatment process. As a result, patients often experience problems – from worsened misalignment to loose teeth. To put it simply, the saying “cheaper isn’t always better” applies here.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance providers do cover a portion of the cost of Invisalign. So, if you are insured, take a moment to review the fine print on your plan. If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’d be happy to review your benefits, provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, and handle the paperwork for you. That way, the process of understanding and utilizing your benefits is headache-free!

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, that’s okay – there are other ways to make the cost of Invisalign more affordable! At our Austin dental office, our patients can also:

• Break up the cost with CareCredit – Would you prefer to pay for the cost of your orthodontic treatment in smaller, monthly chunks? With CareCredit, you can!
• Take advantage of our special offers – Throughout the year, we offer periodic specials, like Invisalign for as low as $199 a month.

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