Invisalign – Owasso, OK
A Straighter Smile. Guaranteed.
Many adults and older teens are hesitant to undergo orthodontic treatment because they want to avoid the hassle of metal wires and brackets. The good news is that there’s now a clear alternative for a straighter smile – Invisalign. This modern orthodontic treatment allows you to discreetly and comfortably achieve your dream look in record time! If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign in Owasso, continue reading or make an appointment with our team today.
Why Choose Infinite Smiles Dentistry for Invisalign?
- Advanced Smile Design Technology
- Experienced and Compassionate Dentist
- Insurance-Friendly Dental Practice
How Does Invisalign Work?
What’s unique about Invisalign is that it uses a series of clear aligners to move teeth into their properly aligned positions. Each set of plastic trays is worn for a predetermined amount of time, usually about two weeks. It’s designed to gradually move a portion of your smile until the entire thing is perfectly straightened. Additionally, you will only need to visit Dr. Gaches every six weeks or so for a checkup and to pick up a new set of aligners. That’s why Invisalign is the ideal choice for patients with busy schedules!
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Whether you have a slight overbite or considerable overcrowding, you may be a candidate for Invisalign! The best way to find out for certain is by scheduling an appointment with our Owasso dental team. If you still have a few days or weeks until your appointment, then keep reading to learn a few of the orthodontic issues that clear aligners can address.
Crowded Teeth
Do you feel like you have too many teeth in your mouth? If so, you may benefit from Invisalign. The clear aligners apply gentle pressure to different parts of your smile throughout the treatment process. Crowded teeth can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which is why it’s incredibly important to get them fixed as soon as possible.
Gaps Between Teeth
You may feel self-conscious if you have gaps in your smile. Although it can certainly make you feel unattractive, it can also increase your chances of developing cavities and other infections. That’s primarily because food particles can get trapped in between the spaces of your teeth, contributing to decay and even bad breath. Luckily, Invisalign can push your teeth into a healthier, straighter position.
Overbite
An overbite is when your upper teeth jut out beyond your lower teeth significantly. Like the other bite problems on this list, an overbite has the potential to negatively affect the look, health, and function of your smile. So, it’s important that you explore your treatment options before your self-esteem takes a hit, you have trouble opening and closing your mouth, etc.
Underbite
As you may have guessed, an underbite is the opposite problem: when your lower teeth jut out beyond your upper teeth. This bite problem can lead to chronic jaw pain, difficulty enunciating clearly, trouble chewing efficiently, and premature wear and tear of certain teeth. The good news is that orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, can be added to your Invisalign treatment plan to improve the position of your teeth and your bite!
Crossbite
What if you have a mixture of the two bite problems above? In that case, you may have a crossbite. This orthodontic issue can place unnecessary pressure on your temporomandibular joint and cause problems like TMJ disorder and teeth grinding and clenching. Fortunately, patients struggling with this bite issue might be candidates for Invisalign – it’s worth scheduling a consultation!
Open Bite
Do your back teeth come together evenly when you bite down? What about your front teeth? If the answer was “no,” to either question, then you may have an open bite. In that case, you want to schedule an appointment to learn all about your treatment options. This will ensure that the function, health, and look of your smile are preserved in the short and long term.
Benefits of Invisalign
Although traditional braces are safe, reliable, and effective, they leave much to be desired when it comes to aesthetics. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses clear trays instead of brackets and wires to straighten your teeth, making your orthodontic treatment virtually undetectable. Of course, that’s just one of the many benefits you can look forward to with Invisalign. Here are a few others:
Comfortable Treatment
Metal wires and brackets can sometimes be uncomfortable because they poke the soft tissues in the mouth. The good news is that Invisalign is designed with smooth plastic instead! Plus, each aligner is custom-made to fit the unique contours of your mouth, preventing soft tissue irritation in the process. In short, with Invisalign, you can enjoy a much more comfortable journey to a straight smile.
Shorter Treatment Length
Sometimes, patients wear traditional braces for two or three years. The average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months! There are even some cases where patients only need to wear their aligners for six months or so, like if their case of malocclusion is relatively minor.
Note: At your initial consultation, we will provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline so you have a general idea of how much time you need to invest in Invisalign.
Hassle-Free Dental Hygiene
You may have heard that patients with traditional braces need special oral hygiene tools, like interproximal toothbrushes. That’s because the brackets and wires are secured in place, and it’s easy for food particles to get trapped inside. As you may have guessed, you don’t have to worry about that with Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, you can take them out and complete your dental care regimen as usual.
Fewer Follow-Ups
Every four weeks or so, patients with traditional braces need to come in for an adjustment appointment, which ensures that continuous pressure is placed on their teeth. Invisalign takes a different approach. You’ll be given several sets of aligners at a time, allowing you to progress through your treatment plan at home. Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll come in so we can make sure your teeth are tracking as expected. Usually, the entire process of taking new scans and assessing your progress only takes 15 minutes.
No Dietary Restrictions
One aspect of Invisalign that patients are usually pretty excited about is that they don’t need to alter their diet. Throughout your entire teeth-straightening journey, raw nuts, whole apples, popcorn, tortilla chips, and the like are all on the table! We only ask that you don’t overindulge on sugary and starchy foods that can increase your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, or another oral health problem.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
No two smiles are the same. Because of that, it’s impossible to provide you with an accurate cost estimate for Invisalign in Owasso until you come in for an exam. At your consultation, our team at Infinite Smiles Dentistry will explain which factors influence the total price and what you can expect from your unique treatment plan. Even though Invisalign is generally more expensive than traditional metal braces, many patients find that the incredible benefits are worth every penny!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign
When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Owasso, it’s important to consider all factors. Some aspects that affect the overall price include:
- Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. As you can imagine, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
- Number of aligners needed. This is often related to the extent and type of dental misalignment.
- Your treatment compliance. Failing to be compliant with your treatment may cause you to lose an aligner or delay your plan, increasing your costs.
- Whether or not you need additional accessories. Depending on your needs, you may require accessories like small rubber bands for successful treatment.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to opt for a do-it-yourself clear aligner treatment like SmileDirectClub™. It usually costs around $2,000 while Invisalign can run anywhere between $3,000 to $8,000. Even though that’s an attractive price, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
With DIY aligners, you’ll have little to no oversight from a dental professional. As a result, several things can go wrong throughout the treatment process. You could make the impressions incorrectly, leading to serious issues that will need professional attention anyway. Meanwhile, you’ll have our team at Infinite Smiles Dentistry right by your side every step of the way if you choose Invisalign. For peace of mind, many patients find the cost of a higher-quality service is certainly worth it!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
You’ll be happy to know that some dental insurance plans do offer some coverage for orthodontic treatment, and Invisalign is usually included. If your policy applies, you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! Of course, you should confirm the details of your insurance with a provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with that process if needed.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! We offer additional financing options to help make your treatment as affordable as possible. Some of those include:
- In-House Membership Plan: For a membership fee, you can get the preventive care you need and enjoy discounts on several other treatments. You essentially get the benefits of traditional insurance without the red tape!
- CareCredit Financing: This option allows you to split up the overall cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments. Best of all, these plans usually come with little to no interest attached.
Invisalign FAQs
If you’ve already had traditional braces before or are seeking orthodontic treatment for the first time, you may be able to undergo Invisalign. With this procedure, you’ll be able to achieve a perfectly straight smile in the most discreet method. That said, it’s natural to still wonder what you can expect from the process before committing to it. At Infinite Smiles Dentistry, our team is here to make finding the answers as simple as possible. We’ve collected the most commonly asked questions our patients have about Invisalign in Owasso. Feel free to keep reading or call our office directly to learn more!
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Not only does Invisalign offer a virtually invisible process for straightening your smile, but it also has a quicker wear time compared to metal braces. While the length of the treatment will depend on the severity of your orthodontic issues, the average period is between 12 and 18 months. Traditional braces typically take around 24 months or more to complete, making it clearer why many patients prefer to go with Invisalign.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
During your treatment, your teeth will gradually shift into a more proper position with each clear aligner you wear. For this reason, it’s normal to feel mild soreness when undergoing Invisalign, as you’ll need to get accustomed to the changes in your smile. If you experience any minor discomfort—especially when switching to a new set of trays—you can easily manage it by taking OTC pain relievers, using a cold compress, and eating a soft food diet. Your clear aligners will also be much smoother than traditional braces, offering more comfort for your oral tissues.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
A rule of thumb for Invisalign is to not drink or eat anything with your clear aligners on (except for pure water). Doing so can damage, warp, or stain the surface of your trays, taking away their discreetness. Fortunately, you can remove your clear aligners before your meals, that way you can enjoy all your favorite foods. You’ll still want to maintain your dental health throughout the process, so make sure to be careful with sticky, crunchy, or sugary treats. Remember to clean your teeth and trays before wearing them again, that way you continue your progress with a fresh smile.
What If My Invisalign Broke?
You’ll need to visit us right away if you’re Invisalign aligners break. Your dentist in Owasso may recommend a few options depending on where you are in your treatment plan. You may be able to switch to a new set of trays if you’re already about to transition to your next aligners. However, if you still have your recent pair, we might suggest you wear them until you get your replacements. Make sure you consult our dental team before taking any actions, as you can accidentally set back your treatment timeline without the proper steps.