Invisalign – Kingwood, TX
Straighten Your Smile
Without a Mouthful of Metal
Not everyone naturally developed the perfectly aligned smile that they hoped for. While braces are an option, many teens and adults aren’t ready to commit to a year or two with traditional metal braces that the whole world can see. Fortunately, there is another option! At Kingwood Family Dentistry, Dr. Scott Mosby and Dr. Caldwell offers Invisalign so you can straighten your smile without a mouthful of metal. To learn more about Invisalign in Kingwood, give us a call to get started with an initial consultation.
Why Choose Kingwood Family Dentistry for Invisalign?
- Dentist with 25+ Years of Experience
- Preferred Invisalign Provider
- Flexible Financing Options Available
How Invisalign Works
Instead of using metal brackets and wires to move your teeth like traditional braces, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to slowly shift your teeth to their new places. You wear each set for approximately two weeks before moving on to the next one. Over time, your teeth will move gradually to their aligned locations. Unlike traditional braces, you won’t need to have anything tightened throughout your treatment, but you still need to come to the office from time to time to ensure that the treatment is going as planned.
Indications for Invisalign
Invisalign is helpful at addressing several different alignment issues. Here are just some of the more common ones:
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth are crowded and overlapping, Invisalign is an ideal solution. The clear aligners apply gentle pressure to fit different parts of the teeth to shift them to a more aligned position. This helps to prevent issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, that are more common for people with overcrowded teeth.
Gaps Between Teeth
For teeth than are too far apart, gaps can become apparent. They also put you at a much higher risk for oral health issues and damage because food debris and plaque can easily become trapped and more difficult to remove. Invisalign is able to move your teeth to be the perfect distance apart.
Bite Alignment
When your bite isn’t aligned as it should be, you can develop issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching). Invisalign is effective at correcting overbites, underbites, crossbites, and more!
The Benefits of Invisalign
If it is determined that you made a good candidate for Invisalign, here are some of the exciting benefits that you can expect to experience during your treatment:
- Comfortable: Not having brackets and wires means that you can avoid soft tissue irritation. Occasional soreness is normal, but it doesn’t last long and is easy to manage. If you decide to start a new set of aligners before bed, you may be able to sleep through the initial discomfort.
- Discreet: Invisalign is virtually undetectable. This way, you won’t have any reason to shy away from the camera.
- No Eating Restrictions: As long as you take the time to remove your aligners, you won’t need to cut out any of your favorite foods. Just be sure to brush and floss before putting your trays back in your mouth.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Numerous factors contribute to the cost of Invisalign, like the complexity of your orthodontic corrections, how old you are, and how often you wear your aligners. To determine how much your treatment will cost for sure, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Mosby or Dr. Caldwell. This way, you can get an accurate price estimate and discuss all of your financial options. Our team is happy to file insurance claims on your behalf, and we offer CareCredit as a way to make your treatments more affordable. Read on to learn more about the cost of Invisalign in Kingwood!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Every person’s smile is unique. For this reason, several essential factors can impact the overall price of your Invisalign treatment, such as:
- Length of treatment – To achieve a straighter smile, you’ll have to work through a series of clear aligners. The longer the process, the more aligners you’ll need, and the higher the final cost.
- Complexity of your case – Your treatment may have a higher initial price if you’re struggling with more severe orthodontic issues. For instance, closing one or two small gaps in your smile is less expensive than straightening an entire arch of crowded teeth.
- Your compliance – The success of your process will depend on how closely you adhere to the 20-22 hour wear time. Not following the treatment guidelines can end up increasing the timeframe as well as the cost.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
While Invisalign is a well-known teeth-straightening solution, you may be tempted to order something more convenient, such as mail-in aligners from Smile Direct Club™. Although these products claim to provide a quicker treatment process, they can actually easily cost you more time and money from certain complications.
For example, mail-in aligners usually have little to no supervision from a professional, meaning there’s plenty of room for error. Whether the aligners aren’t well-fitted, the impressions aren’t correct, or any underlying oral health issues haven’t been addressed (like cavities or gum disease), you can end up needing to be treated by a dentist anyway! However, by getting Invisalign with our team, we can ensure your oral health is in good condition while being there every step of the way for your treatment process. You’ll also avoid any complications, saving you money in the long run.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Although every dental insurance company is different, the majority of them don’t always offer coverage for Invisalign. However, it’s still a good idea to double-check the details of your policy with your provider just in case you can take advantage of your benefits for orthodontic treatment. You can also consult our knowledgeable team and we’ll be glad to help you navigate your plan and make the most of any coverage to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Even if you don’t currently have a dental insurance plan, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to empty your wallet to receive the treatment you deserve. Our team understands the importance of being able to afford dental services that improve your oral health and overall quality of life. For this reason, we’re proud to offer alternative financing through CareCredit. This third-party financier has plans that can break up the price of your treatment into small, monthly installments, which can significantly cut down your out-of-pocket expenses. This means you can achieve the straighter smile you’ve always wanted without having to break the bank!
Invisalign FAQs
Curious how long Invisalign takes? Want to learn what you can and can’t eat with Invisalign? Wondering what happens after Invisalign? Good news: we’ve answered all of these questions and more right here! If you can’t find the answer to the question you’re looking for, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team directly.
Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?
Don’t worry – having braces in the past doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting Invisalign. In fact, many patients who have experienced orthodontic relapse are interested in clear aligner treatment since it’s significantly more discreet. Of course, your candidacy will be determined by our Kingwood cosmetic dentist after they’ve reviewed your dental needs in-depth.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. So, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment timeline. Factors like the severity of your misalignment, how many trays you need, and your compliance with your dentist’s instructions need to be considered. The good news is that the average length of time it takes for patients to work through their trays is between 12 and 18 months, which is significantly shorter than traditional braces.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, we will provide you with a retainer. This small orthodontic appliance is the key to keeping your teeth in their perfectly aligned positions. As such, it’s important that you wear it consistently and as long as your dentist recommends. While the exact wear time will depend on your specific dental needs, patients are typically expected to make wearing it at night a lifelong best practice.
Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?
Are you worried that Invisalign in Kingwood will give you a lisp? Don’t worry – Invisalign wouldn’t be one of the most sought-after treatment options if it permanently affected your speech. While you may experience a slight adjustment period at first, any changes to your speaking patterns will be short-lived. Plus, you can help speed up with process with plenty of practice! Reading out loud or counting from 60-90 several times should do the trick.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
One of the biggest perks of Invisalign is that there aren’t any dietary restrictions, you can eat whatever you’d like! The only “rule” is that you must remove your trays first. Otherwise, they will warp or crack from the pressure of chewing. It’s also worth mentioning that you should keep your consumption of foods and drinks with added sugar to a minimum since this can increase your chances of developing a cavity. Note: if your teeth feel a bit sore after transitioning to a new tray, then stick to soft foods, like yogurt, applesauce, and oatmeal.
Who is Not Eligible for Invisalign?
Of course, clear aligner treatment isn’t for everyone. If you are under the age of 13, are struggling with severe misalignment, smoke, or are unwilling to commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen, then you may not be a candidate. If you are unsure if Invisalign is right for you, then don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our Kingwood cosmetic dentist.