Invisalign – Spring, TX

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

A few of the most important factors that will determine the cost of your Invisalign treatment include:

• Severity of case: More complex orthodontic issues naturally cost more. For example, closing a small gap between one or two teeth will cost less than straightening an entire arch.
• Patient’s oral health: Issues like cavities and gum disease can hinder your treatment, so they’ll need to be treated beforehand and will add to the overall cost.
• Treatment length: The longer a treatment is, the more aligners it will require, which will increase the price of treatment.
• Patient compliance: It’s important that you stick to your treatment plan by keeping your aligners safe and wearing them for 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t, you could get your treatment off track and cause it to cost more than planned.

Invisalign VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Have you heard of mail-in aligner services like the Smile Direct Club™? These DIY orthodontics may seem like a quick, convenient, and cheaper alternative to visiting an orthodontist, but remember: cheaper is not always better, especially when it comes to your smile.

Mail-in aligners have no oversight from a professional, which means plenty can go wrong. From undiscovered cavities or gum disease that get significantly worse to mistaken impressions that create aligners that move your teeth into the wrong positions, you may end up with serious problems that need to be corrected by a professional anyway.

On the other hand, if you come visit us for an Invisalign treatment, you’ll have Dr. Kuykendall and his experienced team with you every step of the way. They’ll give you high-quality aligners and ensure that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. Plus, they’ll be there to answer any questions you may have along the way! In the end, your peace of mind for reliably beautiful results is worth the extra cost of skipping the DIY orthodontics.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurance companies cover orthodontic services, but even among those who do, Invisalign is not always covered. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to review the details of your insurance plan and explain your benefits. We have years of experience helping maximize our patients’ benefits and minimizing their out-of-pocket expenses.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Unhappy with your coverage? At Spring Dentist, we’re proud to offer other options for making Invisalign affordable, such as:

• Flexible Financing Through CareCredit: These flexible payment plans allow you to break up the cost into smaller amounts that easily fit into your monthly budget.
• Our in-house Invisalign special: We’ve partnered with CareCredit to offer payment plans as low as only $99 a month for Invisalign. Give us a call today to learn more!

Is Invisalign Treatment Painful?

You may have heard that some people experience discomfort after their orthodontist tightens their braces, so you might be apprehensive that Invisalign causes a similar pain. Rest assured that Invisalign is vastly more comfortable than conventional braces. Invisalign works by exerting a gentle pressure on your teeth to shift them into a more aligned position. For this reason, you may feel a slight soreness when wearing a new set of aligners for the first time. You can mitigate this discomfort by switching to your new pair at night so you can sleep through the adjustment process.

How Do I Care for My Aligners?

You can purchase a special cleaning kit directly from Invisalign to keep your aligners in good condition. Alternatively, you could use a clear antibacterial soap and lukewarm water to rinse them off every morning and evening and gently scrub them with a toothbrush. Also, drinking darkly colored beverages will stain your aligners, so it’s best to only sip water while you have the trays in.

What If I Lose or Damage an Aligner?

If you damage an aligner, don’t try to force it back onto your teeth, as that could cause more harm than good. Instead, call our office and ask about what steps you should take. We might suggest temporarily reverting back to your previous aligner in order to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original crooked position. Or, we might decide to send you a replacement or have you move on to the next aligner in the series.

Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign Treatment?

Yes. Wearing a retainer will help ensure that your newly aligned smile stays in its desired place. Depending on your individual case, you may need to wear a retainer 24/7 for a few months after your last set of aligners to keep your smile from shifting. After a certain period of time, we’ll very likely suggest that you only wear your retainer at night.

If you’d like to learn more about this advanced orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to contact Spring Dentist today. Our team of dental professional will be more than happy to get your journey towards a straighter smile started!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

You can likely expect your Invisalign treatment to last anywhere between eight to 14 months. Every Invisalign patient’s journey to a straighter smile is slightly different. Factors like the severity of your misalignment and your commitment to your treatment plan will influence how quickly or slowly your teeth shift into the desired positions. In cases where misalignment is very mild, patients can often finish their Invisalign treatment in just six months. While 14 months may seem like a long time, it is still much shorter than the average treatment with traditional metal braces. Regular dental visits during the Invisalign process and strictly following instructions will allow you to complete Invisalign in Spring efficiently.

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Invisalign attachments and buttons help patients with more severe alignment problems or bite issues enjoy this type of orthodontic treatment. Invisalign was initially only available for patients with less complicated misalignment. Today, more people can take advantage of clear braces by using Invisalign attachments and buttons.  

• Attachments – These small bumps are strategically placed on the smile to grip the teeth as they are guided into place by the clear aligners. Invisalign attachments are typically bonded to teeth by using tooth-colored resin.
• Buttons – The main function of buttons is to attach or anchor rubber bands. This method allows patients with bite issues to still benefit from Invisalign treatment.

It’s important to note that attachments do not damage or alter the natural tooth enamel in any way. Moreover, the bonding process is incredibly simple and quick.

Patients that require Invisalign attachments and buttons can still enjoy the advantages of completely removable orthodontics, which makes eating, drinking, and dental hygiene simple.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

One of the main advantages of Invisalign in Spring is that they are completely removable. Whenever you want to eat, you can just pop your aligners out of your mouth and into their container. Eating with your Invisalign clear braces will not only damage your aligners, causing cracks and stains, but it also puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth. It is safe to consume water while wearing Invisalign, but that’s it. For all other foods and drinks, be sure to take your aligners out first.

How Is Invisalign Made?

Invisalign aligners are made from smooth, clear plastic that is both comfortable and safe to wear. Each set of aligners is custom made based on the digital or physical impressions provided by your cosmetic dentist in Spring. An advanced 3D printing process is utilized to craft the aligners in a lab, which are then shipped to our office. The manufacturing process for all the aligners in the series will typically take 3 to 4 weeks in total. We will notify you when your Invisalign clear braces are ready for pickup!

Who Invented Invisalign?

Invisalign was first created in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth in San Jose, California. Zia Chishti underwent traditional orthodontic treatment while studying for his MBA at Stanford University. It was during this process that Chishti realized there must be a better, more comfortable way to straighten teeth. The whip-smart student worked on the concept of clear aligners in his dorm room before graduating from Stanford and founding Align Technologies, LTD with other students. Today, Chishti has moved on to pursue other endeavors and is no longer with the company, but over 10 million people have enjoyed the benefits of his invention.