Invisalign Clear Aligners – Flower Mound, TX
Discreet & Customized Orthodontic Treatment
Do you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth? Even if you’re an adult and have been putting off getting orthodontic treatment for awhile now, it’s never too later to address these issues to improve your oral health and boost your confidence. Dr. Barge offers a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces, called Invisalign clear aligners in our Flower Mound, TX dental office, that are excellent treatment options for adults and teens who want to maintain their appearance.
Why Choose Lauri Barge, DDS for Invisalign Clear Aligners?
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We Accept
Dental Insurance -
Great for
Teens & Adults - iTero Digital Impression System
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligners to straighten teeth instead of metal brackets and wires. However, the appliance itself works similarly to braces, because it places a strategic amount of pressure on teeth to shift them into their ideal positions. Every six to eight weeks, you’ll return to our dental office for a quick progress check and to get the next series of trays in your treatment. Finally, once you’ve achieved your ideal results, we’ll craft a custom retainer that you’ll wear to help maintain them.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Invisalign is able to address mild to moderate orthodontic issues, including slight overbites and more considerable overcrowding. So, if you are interested in straightening your teeth and aligning your bite without metal brackets and wires, let us know! You can also read on to learn a bit more about the common problems clear aligners can correct and why it’s important to explore your treatment options sooner rather than later.
Invisalign places a strategically calculated and subtle amount of pressure on teeth to fix these problems and improve the overall appearance and health of your smile.
Crowded Teeth
Are your teeth tilted out of position? If so, you know first-hand how much more difficult it is to brush and floss properly. That’s one of the many reasons we recommend scheduling an Invisalign consultation. Our goal is to move your teeth into proper alignment, benefiting both the look of your smile as well as your oral health in the process (without any metal too!).
Gaps Between Teeth
If there are gaps between your teeth – even small ones – we recommend coming to our office so we can determine if Invisalign is an option. If it is, then we can use clear, custom-made aligners to gently guide your teeth back together, closing the gaps in the process. One of the best parts is that there aren’t any metal components, so no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile in the process!
Overbite
Although your upper teeth should sit in front of your lower ones, they shouldn’t jut out beyond them significantly. If yours do, you likely have an overbite. This bite problem, like the others on this list, can lead to several problems – from chronic jaw pain to trouble enunciating clearly. For that reason, we recommend visiting us to see if Invisalign is a solution!
Underbite
What if your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth? This bite problem (known as an “underbite”) can make it difficult to smile confidently, chew properly, and enunciate clearly. Plus, it can place immense pressure on certain teeth, increasing your risk of dental damage. For all of these reasons, it’s important to explore your treatment options, like Invisalign, ASAP.
Crossbite
Even in mild cases, crossbites can lead to premature wear, chronic jaw pain, trouble chewing properly, and several other problems. There is good news though: Invisalign is often a solution! If we determine that you’re a good candidate, we will use a series of custom-made aligners to gently move your teeth and bite into proper alignment, improving the overall appearance and health of your smile.
Open Bite
Open bites often aren’t as talked about, but that doesn’t mean they can’t lead to serious harm. In fact, due to the uneven distribution of pressure, open bites increase your risk of dental damage dramatically. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule a consultation with us so we can see if Invisalign is an option and, if it is, move your bite into proper alignment with clear aligners.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign is sought-after by patients all over and recommended by professionals because of the unique benefits that these trays have to offer, many of which metal braces simply cannot match. If you’re on the fence about getting Invisalign, you should know about some of these advantages, including the following:
Improved Comfort
Most patients agree that when it comes to comfort, Invisalign is leaps and bounds ahead of traditional metal braces – and that’s saying a lot, given how much easier to wear braces have become in recent years! However, Invisalign trays are made from a special, smooth plastic material that’s shaped exclusively for the curves and contours of your smile. These trays will fit snugly over your teeth and move them into their ideal positions – you will hardly even notice they’re there once you’ve gotten used to them.
Discreet Trays
Invisalign does exactly what its name implies – it offers an invisible form of orthodontic treatment! Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are incredibly discreet and nearly impossible to detect while being worn. This is thanks to the special clear plastic material they’re made from; in fact, no one but you and your dentist will even know that your teeth are being straightened!
Fewer Follow-Ups
If you wear braces, you’ll have to regularly go back to your provider’s office for adjustment appointments. These check-ins are important for keeping things on track, but many patients may not have a lot of spare time in their schedules to fit them in. Fortunately, with Invisalign, patients don’t need to attend nearly as many check-in appointments! You’ll be set up with multiple sets of trays to advance to, not to mention, there aren’t any brackets to be adjusted or wires that need to be tightened.
Easy Dental Hygiene
There’s no hiding that braces can make oral hygiene a little trickier; even with specially-designed toothbrushes and dental flossers, it can still be tricky to clean in between the brackets and wires and keep your teeth sparkling during treatment. Fortunately, since Invisalign aligners are totally removable, oral hygiene isn’t more complicated at all. Just be sure you’re brushing and flossing twice a day and rinsing your mouth and aligners often, so there’s no chance of food debris or bacteria becoming trapped beneath your aligners. Also, be sure to keep the aligners themselves clean; otherwise, they won’t be as discreet as they’re supposed to be!
No Dietary Restrictions
Braces are notorious for the dietary restrictions they come with; there’s a long list of items that can be problematic for the brackets and wires, especially things that are too hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky. But with Invisalign, as long as you remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything (except clear water), virtually all items remain on the menu. Under no circumstances should you ever eat while wearing your trays, though, as this can cause them to snap!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Since Invisalign has helped millions of patients over the last two decades, there’s a good chance you already know quite a bit about it. You may even have a few friends, family members, or coworkers who have straightened their teeth with clear aligners! But do you know what to expect once your orthodontic treatment officially begins? If not, don’t worry – this next section is for you.
Wearing Your Trays
Although each Invisalign treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s unique dental needs, there are some aspects of this orthodontic treatment that are universal, including the 20-hour-a-day wear time. This is crucial because, if you don’t wear your aligners, your teeth won’t move! So, it’s very important that you get in the habit of only taking them off when it’s absolutely necessary, like before brushing your teeth.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Fortunately, you don’t need anything special or expensive. In fact, you really only need three things (and you probably already have them!): a soft-bristle toothbrush, clear, mild dishwashing liquid, and clean water. Use these to gently remove saliva, plaque, and other debris from the surface after each meal. Then, before you put them back on, brush and floss your teeth.
Eating & Drinking
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign in Flower Mound doesn’t come with a long list of dietary restrictions. The reason for this is simple: the aligners are removable. So, as long as you remove them before meals, you can enjoy all of your favorites on your journey to your dream smile.
Important reminder: You shouldn’t drink anything (other than water, of course) with your aligners on.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
If you accidentally lose or break one of your Invisalign trays, you should call our dental office in Flower Mound right away. The sooner you do, the sooner Dr. Barge can determine if it’s safe for you to progress to the next set in the series. If it isn’t, then we will ask you to wear the previous set while we work on having a replacement made.
Scheduling Progress Visits
Thankfully, there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments with Invisalign. Instead, you’ll be given several sets of aligners at a time so you can progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Then, every 6-8 weeks, you’ll come to our office so we can take new scans of your teeth and make sure they are moving as anticipated. If they aren’t, then we can quickly determine why that is as well as what needs to be done to get you back on track with your treatment plan.
Can I Use Invisalign if I Have Dental Restorations?
While these kinds of unique situations depend on our findings during your initial consultation, some dental restorations may not be compatible with Invisalign treatment. For example, a dental bridge affixed to your teeth may not allow them to move properly. However, a dental crown may not pose any issues to how your teeth move as you undergo treatment.
Do I Have to Wear a Retainer After Treatment?
No matter what orthodontic treatment you receive, you’ll be required to wear a retainer afterward to help maintain the results that you achieved. This is because your teeth have a type of muscle memory that can cause them to drift back into their original places if you don’t wear a retainer. Eventually, you won’t have to wear one, but directly after treatment, keeping up with your retainer is crucial.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Naturally, patients who are interested in Invisalign are curious about the cost. Since there are several factors that need to be considered, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why we can’t provide you with an estimate without a consultation! We can, however, share some helpful information, including how you can make the cost more affordable if you don’t have dental insurance.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
During your consultation with Dr. Lauri Barge, she will determine:
- If gum disease therapy or any other preliminary treatments are needed
- How mild or severe your case of misalignment is
- If single-arch treatment is possible
- How many aligners must be made
- If rubber bands, attachments, or buttons are needed
- The type of retainer that needs to be made
Once she has all of this information, she can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with a price estimate. Keep in mind that this is just the upfront cost. If you fall off-track because you consistently don’t wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day or you don’t switch to each new set in the series on the correct day, then there may be additional fees.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Since they usually bypass the initial exam, rely on DIY impressions, and don’t hire licensed dental professionals, mail-in aligners are almost always cheaper. Of course, that doesn’t mean they are better. After all, the corners that they cut often result in patients experiencing worsened misalignment. That’s why it’s best to choose a reliable, trusted, and safe orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign, even if the upfront investment is higher.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Some dental plans do include a once-in-a-lifetime orthodontic benefit that covers up to 50% of the total cost. So, if you are considering Invisalign, take the time to read through the fine print on yours! You can also provide us with your membership information when you call to schedule your consultation. Since we are in-network with many PPO plans, we can help make understanding and utilizing your available benefits easy.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, then consider:
- Joining Our In-House Membership Plan – This comes with several perks, including a 20% discount on procedures completed at our practice.
- Signing Up for CareCredit – Don’t want to pay for the entire cost of Invisalign upfront? With CareCredit flexible financing, you don’t have to!
If you have any lingering questions for us about the cost, including how to sign up for Invisalign financing in Flower Mound, then take the next step: give us a call!
Invisalign FAQs
If you’re looking to straighten your smile without metal brackets and wires, Invisalign would likely make an excellent solution for you. However, you may still have some unanswered questions about the treatment process, so we’re here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about Invisalign in Flower Mound. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry! Give us a call and we’d be happy to walk you through the treatment process and get you started with an initial consultation.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
Invisalign is not a painful treatment. Its smooth plastic design makes it one of the most comfortable treatment options out there. When you first get Invisalign, there’s an adjustment period, so you may experience slight soreness, but this will go away as you get used to the treatment. Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth into proper alignment by using a series of aligners. Each time you switch to the next aligner in the series, you may experience a small amount of pressure, but this just means that the treatment is working. To help with the adjustment, take over-the-counter pain relievers and/or use a cold compress.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
One of the main advantages of Invisalign is that it is completely removable, allowing you to take your aligners out when it’s time to eat. Eating with your aligners in your mouth will not only damage them, causing cracks and stains, but it also puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth. The only thing that you should be consuming while wearing your Invisalign is water. If you want to enjoy anything else, you should take your aligners out first.
Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?
This depends on your specific needs. Traditional braces are better able to correct more severe overbites, underbites, and crossbites compared to Invisalign. If your teeth have grown crooked or misaligned years after you’ve completed treatment with braces, Invisalign is likely able to help align your smile. During your initial consultation, we can determine whether or not Invisalign is the right option to correct your smile.
How is Invisalign Made?
Invisalign’s process requires a series of aligners that are made from smooth, clear plastic. The entire set of aligners is manufactured by an advanced 3D printing process before being shipped to the dental office. Invisalign is made with the digital impressions that are provided by your dentist. The manufacturing process for all the aligners will typically take 3 to 4 weeks in total. We will let you know when your Invisalign is ready for pickup.