Invisalign – Austin, TX

Crowded Teeth

Does it feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, you may benefit from Invisalign! With a custom-made series of clear aligners, our Austin dentist, Dr. Burton, can gradually move your teeth into the right positions. In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, this will decrease your risk of oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us, even if your case seems minor.

Gaps Between Teeth

Having gaps in your smile can be unsightly, but they also put your oral health at risk. That’s mainly because food particles and other unwanted debris can easily get trapped in these spaces, resulting in everything from bad breath to tooth decay and gum disease. With Invisalign, your teeth can be gently pushed back into a healthier and more aligned position. Usually, the entire treatment process only takes 12-18 months too, which is considerably shorter than traditional braces.

Overbite

Although your upper teeth should sit in front of your lower ones, complications can arise if they jut out far beyond them. In fact, this orthodontic problem (referred to as an “overbite”) can lead to trouble chewing and speaking properly as well as chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction. For all of those reasons, we recommend coming to our office for a consultation sooner rather than later. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then the process of bringing your bite into proper alignment will be completely metal-free.

Underbite

What if your bottom teeth sit in front of your top teeth? This is known as an “underbite” and, in addition to the aesthetic drawbacks, this bite problem can take a serious toll on the health and function of your smile. The best thing to do is explore your orthodontic treatment options, like Invisalign, before that happens. If you’re a candidate, then we will bring your teeth and bite into proper alignment with clear aligners and any other orthodontic accessories that are necessary, like rubber bands and buttons.

Crossbite

If your top and bottom teeth overlap, then you may have a crossbite. Unfortunately, this bite problem can place unnecessary pressure on your temporomandibular joint and cause problems like TMJ disorder as well as teeth grinding and clenching. There is some good news though: Invisalign can correct mild to moderate cases without drawing unwanted attention to your smile.

Open Bite

When you bite down, your upper and lower teeth should come together evenly. If they don’t because there is space in the front or back of your mouth, then you may have an open bite. Whether yours is a result of genetics or a childhood habit, like sucking your thumb, it’s important to have it fixed before the look, health, or function of your smile suffers. Thankfully, Invisalign may be an option!

Once you receive your dentures, it’s natural to want to make the most of them right away. However, it can take about a month for your tongue, gums, soft tissues, and supporting muscles in your mouth to adjust to wearing them. Developing some sensitivity or mild swelling is normal as you acclimate to the constant pressure. You can ease your transition by sticking to soft foods for a little while, like scrambled eggs, applesauce, pudding, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. You can also try using an adhesive cream that forms a layer of cushion between your dentures and your gums to give them a chance to heal.

If you experience pain or have challenges with ill-fitting dentures, contact us right away so we can ensure that your restoration works as intended.

Increased Comfort

Although effective, metal brackets and wires aren’t the most comfortable. In fact, they have a reputation for irritating the soft tissue in your mouth, which is why patients with traditional braces are encouraged to keep dental wax on-hand. Don’t worry – that’s not the case with Invisalign. Since the clear aligners are crafted from smooth plastic, they won’t result in any discomfort. In fact, any soreness that does arise will be from the movement of your teeth, which is good news (that means your trays are working!).

Faster Average Treatment Timeline

With traditional braces, it can take about two to three years to achieve your desired results. Conversely, Invisalign has an average treatment timeline of only 12 to 18 months. There are even some cases where patients achieve the results they desire in just six months, so it’s definitely worth considering this innovative orthodontic treatment. The easiest way to get an estimate of your treatment timeline is by scheduling a consultation with us so we can learn all about your case, including how complex it is.

Discreet Aligners

Of course, one of the biggest draws of Invisalign is that the aligners are crafted from see-through plastic, not metal. As a result, no one will even notice you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment – even the people who see you on a daily basis. From your first set of aligners to your last appointment, you’ll be able to smile with complete confidence. Plus, since the aligners are removable, you’ll have an unobstructed view of seeing the improvements along the way!

No Dietary Restrictions

Do you enjoy crunchy foods, like apples and popcorn? Good news: you don’t have to steer clear of them with Invisalign. In fact, since the aligners are removable, they won’t interfere with your meals at all! All you need to do is make sure that you aren’t over-indulging on foods and drinks with added sugar. This is crucial because the development of an oral health problem, like a cavity, will bring your treatment plan to a temporary stop.

Hassle-Free Dental Care

One downside of traditional braces is that they make completing your oral hygiene regimen a bit challenging. Fortunately, the same cannot be said for Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, there won’t be any changes to how you brush and floss. The only tweak you will need to make is brushing your teeth after lunch and any snacks you have so the food particles aren’t trapped against your teeth by your aligners.

Quick Follow-Ups

Another benefit of Invisalign is that the follow-up appointments are relatively quick (usually 20 minutes or less). Plus, they are less frequent. While traditional braces need to be adjusted every four weeks, Invisalign progress visits are typically every six or eight weeks instead. So, if you are a busy student, parent, or professional, this is a great option.

Wearing Your Trays

This can really be summed up with one thing: you need to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan. The easiest way to make this a reality is by using the stopwatch on your phone to track your aligner-free time. If needed, make adjustments to your routine, like dedicating 30 minutes to breakfast instead of 40 minutes or drinking your coffee with your first meal of the day instead of separately.

Cleaning Your Aligners

While patients with traditional braces often end up needing special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes, that’s not the case with Invisalign. To keep your aligners free of plaque, food particles, and other debris, simply use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them each morning and night. If needed you can use a clear, mild dishwashing liquid as well. Just make sure to avoid using hot water and harsh cleaners, like bleach.

Eating & Drinking

When it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign, there’s one simple, but important, rule you need to follow: you need to remove your aligners first (with the exception of water). The best thing to do is take your trays off, rinse them with clean, cool water to remove saliva from the surface, and place them in their designated case so they don’t get damaged or lost while you’re not wearing them.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Speaking of damaging or losing a tray… If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important that you don’t try to take matters into your own hands by moving onto the next set of aligners in the series. Although this may seem harmless, it can actually result in unwanted treatment plan delays and added expenses. So, contact our Austin dental team instead! We’d be happy to learn more about what happened, take a look at where you are in the teeth-straightening process, and determine how to get you back on-track.

Routine Check-Ins

With Invisalign, you’re given several sets of aligners at once. That way, you can progress through portions of the teeth-straightening process at home, which is considerably more convenient than having to come in every month for adjustment appointments. Every six weeks or so, you’ll come to our office so we can monitor how your teeth are responding to the aligners and, if everything looks good, you’ll be good to go until your next visit!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

As previously mentioned, each smile is unique. So, every treatment plan is unique too! Before providing you with a cost estimate, Dr. Burton will conduct an initial exam to determine:

• The severity of your misalignment
• How many trays are needed to achieve your smile goals
• If additional accessories, like rubber bands, are needed to correct your bite

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without another important factor: compliance. Each “rule” of Invisalign comes with an important purpose. For example, the 22-hour-a-day wear-time is essential because the aligners only work while you’re wearing them! So, if you want to achieve your smile goals as quickly and seamlessly as possible, make sure to follow all of your treatment guidelines.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

When comparing the upfront cost of Invisalign and Smile Direct Club™, it won’t take long for you to realize that the latter is cheaper. Before letting that sway you too much, it’s important to consider the whole picture. While Invisalign comes with a higher upfront price, it also includes a thorough initial exam and check-in appointments with a licensed dental professional. Plus, their treatment process has support from professional organizations like the American Dental Association. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for mail-order aligners. Therefore, as in most cases, cheaper isn’t necessarily better.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

When determining the cost of Invisalign in Austin, you might naturally wonder if your dental insurance will cover a portion of it. The good news is that the answer is “yes” in some cases! So, it’s definitely worth reading the fine print on your dental plan. If you have any trouble understanding your benefits, don’t hesitate to talk to our team directly. While we are out-of-network, we can absolutely file your claims to help you get the most out of your benefits.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry – there is another financial solution. CareCredit is a third-party financier that allows you to space-out your payments into manageable, monthly chunks. As a result, Invisalign can fit into nearly every budget! Perhaps even better, there are low-to-no interest options available as well. If you think this might be the budget-friendly solution you’ve been looking for, then don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

While you can’t eat with your trays in, you can eat whatever you’d like while they are out! The one thing to be mindful of is that you can still develop cavities during your Invisalign treatment, so keeping your intake of sugary foods and drinks to a minimum is important. In the same vein, continue to exercise caution with extremely hard, crunchy, and chewy foods. That way, you minimize your chances of accidentally breaking an attachment or chipping a tooth!

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Many patients are worried that clear aligner treatment will hurt. While every orthodontic option comes with some soreness, Invisalign near South Lamar is significantly more comfortable than traditional braces. That’s because the trays are custom-made from smooth plastic instead of metal brackets and wires. Of course, if you do experience some aches, you can always alleviate them with a cold compress or an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you’re out and about, sipping on some ice-cold water can help too!

What Happens After Invisalign?

Invisalign can guide your teeth to their properly aligned positions, but it’s ultimately up to you to keep them there. For this reason, you’ll be given a retainer following your treatment. Don’t worry – they made this orthodontic tool to be as discreet as your aligners! As a result, you can wear it without drawing any unwanted attention to yourself. To help prevent orthodontic relapse, it’s best to make wearing it nightly a lifelong best practice.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign?

Cleaning your trays is essential to ensure they are clear and preventing cavities. Fortunately, there aren’t any complicated steps to keeping them in pristine condition. First, always rinse your aligners with clean water after taking your trays out and before putting them back in. Second, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub them after each meal. Third, if necessary, soak them in lukewarm water and a packet of cleaning crystals for 15 minutes at a time. Note: even if your trays are severely discolored, do not use harsh chemicals and household cleaners like bleach.

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

Another concern patients have is that they will develop a lisp during their Invisalign treatment. While it may take a bit of time to adjust to the presence of your trays, the large majority of patients don’t experience any changes to their speaking patterns. Plus, those who do can expect to adjust quickly. After all, the trays are custom-made of thin, smooth plastic!