Invisalign – Owasso, OK

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.

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.

Wearing Your Trays

There’s really only one thing you need to keep in mind: you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Of course, this is sometimes easier said than done, which is why it’s important to make an active effort to meet this goal each and every day. A great place to start is by using the stopwatch on your phone to see how close you are to the mark, and then adjusting your daily routine as needed.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Since you will be changing aligners every 7-14 days, they should stay relatively clear. Even then, it’s important to take really good care of them to prevent oral health problems from arising, like tooth decay. The good news is that this only takes a few minutes, and you can remove plaque, food particles, and other debris with three things: clean water, a clear, mild dishwashing liquid, and a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Tip: Don’t use hot water!

Eating & Drinking

Invisalign is different than traditional braces in that you don’t have to follow any dietary restrictions; you can eat whole apples, raw nuts, crunchy vegetables, and the like without worrying about an orthodontic emergency! All you need to do is take off your aligners, rinse them off with clean, cool water, and place them gently in their designated case beforehand to ensure they stay clear, clean, and damage-free.

Losing a Tray

Instead of panicking, take a few deep breaths and try to remember the last place you had your aligners. Then, carefully retrace your steps. There’s a good chance they were accidentally thrown away or fell into a random space, like a small opening between your couch cushions. If you’ve looked everywhere but have had no luck, don’t worry – just give us a call so we can take a look at your treatment plan and determine what to do next.

Routine Check-Ins

Your routine check-in visits are extremely important because they allow us to track your progress, make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, and provide you with your next batch of aligners. If you’ve got a super busy schedule, you’ll be happy to hear that these appointments are usually only every 6-8 weeks. Plus, they are typically only 15 minutes or so if your teeth are tracking as anticipated!

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.

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.

Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

There’s a common misconception that you can drink iced coffee with Invisalign. However, this is one of the quickest ways to stain your aligners. Plus, if you drink hot coffee with your trays in, they can warp. For those two reasons, we recommend taking them off before drinking anything other than water.

Tip: Use a straw and keep additives like sugar to a minimum to help prevent your teeth from staining or decaying!

What Should I Do If I Lose an Aligner?

Start with the age-old advice “retrace your steps.” Since the aligners are clear, this might take some time. In the process, look in “random” places they could’ve ended up, including your laundry bin, your trash can, and the center console of your car. If you’ve looked everywhere but haven’t had any luck finding them, call our Owasso dental team

What Happens After Invisalign?

Many patients assume that their orthodontic treatment ends with their last aligner. That’s not the case! Once you’ve worked through your entire series of trays, it will be time to transition to the next phase of your treatment: the retention phase. This is crucial because upwards of 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse, which is when teeth begin to drift back into their previously misaligned positions. To prevent that from happening, we will take impressions of your teeth and have a custom retainer made from those to ensure that it keeps your teeth perfectly aligned.

How Often Do I Need to Wear My Invisalign Retainer?

Most patients are instructed to wear it each evening. There are some exceptions, of course. If one or more of your teeth were particularly stubborn during the teeth-straightening process, then we may ask you to wear your retainer for 20-22 hours a day for a couple of months before transitioning to wearing it solely at night.

Is There Anyone Who Isn’t a Candidate for Invisalign?

The short answer is “yes.” If your case of malocclusion is severe, for example, then traditional braces are necessary (at least at the very beginning of your teeth-straightening journey). Similarly, patients who have tooth decay, gum disease, or another oral health problem need to get the necessary restorative care before they can begin clear aligner treatment. Ultimately, the best way to find out whether or not you’re a candidate for Invisalign is by coming in for a consultation.

Does Invisalign Give You a Lisp?

There’s a prevalent rumor that you’ll experience a lisp with Invisalign. However, the overwhelming majority of patients don’t experience any changes to their speaking patterns at all! Plus, the small percentage of patients that do only experience minor, temporary changes. So, even if you do notice that you sound a bit different than usual, you don’t have to worry – you just need a little practice!