Invisalign Clear Aligners – Arlington, TX
Straighten Your Smile Without Metal
Do you need orthodontic treatment but don’t want to commit to years of having metal in your mouth? Is your teen hesitant about getting traditional braces? In either situation, Invisalign clear aligners may be the answer for you or your loved one. This modern orthodontic solution is an effective, safe, and convenient alternative to traditional braces, allowing dental patients to straighten their smiles without drawing attention to the fact that they’re undergoing treatment. For questions or to learn whether you’re a candidate, request a consultation today to discuss smile alignment with Invisalign clear aligners in Arlington, TX!
Why Choose We Smile Dental of Arlington for Invisalign Clear Aligners?
- Cutting-Edge iTero Digital Impression System
- In-House Membership Plan Available
- We See Patients of All Ages
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign utilizes clear aligners to gradually shift teeth into their ideal positions, addressing gaps, misalignment, crowding, and even bite problems. Every two weeks, you’ll graduate to a new set of aligners that will place slightly more pressure on your arch, allowing you to continue making progress throughout your treatment until you reach your final results. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll wear a retainer to help maintain your alignment and keep your teeth from shifting back into their original positions.
Certified Gold
Invisalign Provider
Dr. Atluri is a certified Gold Invisalign Provider, but what does that actually mean? This distinction comes from Invisalign itself and is only given to dentists who complete more than 25 Invisalign cases within one calendar year. That means Dr. Atluri has extensive experience with this treatment and a proven track record, meaning you can trust that you or your teen’s smile is in great hands.
Who Needs Invisalign Clear Aligners?
Invisalign treatment is a great option for patients who are teenagers or adults that have mild to moderate orthodontic problems. At your initial consultation, Dr. Atluri, our skilled cosmetic dentist in Arlington, will explain how clear aligners can help straighten your smile.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth can hide food debris and plaque in nooks and crannies that are hard to reach with your toothbrush, increasing your chances of developing oral health problems. Straightening your teeth with aligners can make your oral hygiene routine more effective.
Gaps Between Teeth
While some people may feel confident and comfortable with gaps between their teeth, if you aren’t, clear aligners can help close those spaces and boost your self-esteem.
Bite Alignment
Overbite, underbite, and crossbite can all place undue amounts of pressure on your jaw joints, leading to future problems like TMJ dysfunction and bruxism. By addressing the underlying orthodontic cause, you can maintain the health of your jaw and smile.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign trays offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Hardly noticeable aligners make your treatment discreet
- Maintain your professional or social appearance
- Great for both teens and adults looking for an alternative to braces
- Ability to eat all of your favorite foods throughout treatment
- Easier to maintain good oral hygiene practices during treatment
- Smooth, plastic aligners are more comfortable than metal brackets and wires
- Shorter average treatment time than traditional braces
- Follow-up appointments that are short and to-the-point
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Whether you’re heading into your senior year of high school, you’re a busy parent, or you just started a new job, you might be wondering what your life will look like with Invisalign. If that’s the case, then this next section is for you. In it, you’ll find information on wearing your trays, what to do if you break an aligner, and how to keep your aligners stain and odor-free. So, read on!
Wearing Your Trays
Although Invisalign aligners are removable, you shouldn’t get in the habit of taking them out when it isn’t necessary. After all, you need to keep them on for 20+ hours a day in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan! So, only take them out when you’re eating, drinking something other than water, or completing your oral hygiene regimen.
Important note: You can remove your aligners on special occasions, like before a big presentation at work. Just make sure you put them back on ASAP, and that you make up for the lost time the following day.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Good news: cleaning your aligners doesn’t require a lot of time or any special products. Simply use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and some clear, mild dishwashing liquid to remove saliva, plaque, and other debris from the surface. It’s also a good idea to commit to other habits that will help keep your trays stain and odor-free, like rinsing them with clean, cool water when you take them off and soaking them each morning or evening in a dentist-recommended cleaner.
Eating & Drinking
Unlike traditional braces, which require patients to abide by certain dietary restrictions, you can eat anything you want with Invisalign! In fact, the only rule when it comes to eating and drinking is that you need to remove your aligners first (with the exception of water). Outside of that, just watch your intake of added sugar to avoid tooth decay and exercise caution with extremely hard foods to prevent a chipped tooth or broken attachment.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Losing or damaging a tray warrants an immediate call to our Arlington dental office. After all, your risk of treatment plan delays increase with each passing minute! Once we learn more about your situation and have a chance to take a look at where you are in the teeth-straightening process, we can determine what the next best steps are. Sometimes, it’s moving onto the next set of aligners in the series. Other times, it’s wearing the previous pair until replacements arrive.
Routine Check-Ins
Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, you’ll meet with Dr. Atluri. That way, she can take new scans of your teeth, see if you’re on-track with your treatment plan, and provide you with your next batch of aligners. The good news is that these progress appointments are usually every 6-8 weeks instead of every 4, and they are often less than 20 minutes too!
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign in Arlington depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your orthodontic issues, how many aligners you’ll require, and whether you stay on track with your treatment timeline. During your initial consultation, once Dr. Atluri has had an opportunity to examine your mouth, she’ll draw up a treatment plan and provide you with a detailed cost estimate. Our team is also happy to help you navigate your financial options, including discounts through our in-house membership plan, insurance benefits, and additional financing.
Invisalign FAQs
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
It’s difficult to say exactly how long your Invisalign treatment will take without a consultation. This is because the duration varies depending on the complexity of your case. On average, treatment lasts between 12 and 18 months. However, some patients may start to see results in just a few weeks, while more complex cases could require a full two years. Dr. Atluri will provide a customized plan during your consultation, giving you a better idea of how long your Invisalign treatment will take. To keep your treatment time to a minimum, it’s important to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day and follow our instructions carefully.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign is much more comfortable to wear. However, you may experience some discomfort in your teeth, especially when switching to a new set of aligners. This is normal and means that the treatment is working to shift your smile. Switching to soft foods for a couple of days and taking OTC pain medication is often sufficient to manage this sensitivity.
Thankfully, this discomfort often subsides within a few days as your teeth adjust to the pressure. That being said, if you experience significant or ongoing pain, be sure to contact our office to schedule a follow-up appointment.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, you will need to wear a retainer to maintain your new smile. These appliances come in many styles and help prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original positions. Dr. Atluri will provide personalized instructions on how often to wear your retainer, which can vary from case to case. However, most often you’ll need to wear it full-time before transitioning to nighttime use. Seeing us regularly for checkups after completing Invisalign is also important for smile maintenance going forward.
Is Invisalign Cheaper than Braces?
The cost of Invisalign and traditional braces can vary depending on multiple factors. This is why it’s best to come in for a consultation before beginning your treatment. In general, Invisalign tends to be similar in cost to braces, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $8,000. However, some patients find Invisalign to be a more cost-effective option due to fewer office visits and a shorter treatment duration. Others may find traditional braces more affordable depending on what challenges their smile faces. Our team can provide a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation and discuss financing options to make treatment more affordable.