Invisalign in San Antonio is a self-conscious adult’s dream solution. These clear aligners make it possible to undergo effective treatment without the daily stares that come with traditional metal braces. At Brice Dental, we always want our patients to feel confident in not only their treatment decisions but also their smile. We’ll work to formulate a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs and walk with you side-by-side throughout the entire process, making sure everything is moving along smoothly and you achieve your desired results. To find out if you are a qualified candidate for treatment, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brice.
Using clear, plastic aligners made from SmartTrack® technology, Invisalign trays are comfortable to wear and ensure predictable results. When worn 20-22 hours each day, the aligners will apply gentle, continuous pressure to keep your teeth moving in the right direction. After 1-2 weeks of wear, you will change out your aligners for the next set in the series, putting you one step closer to your healthier, more perfectly aligned smile.
Because each patient is different, treatment timelines will vary. But to keep you on track, we expect you to keep your regular appointments to allow our team to examine your progress and make sure everything is moving along smoothly.
When compared to other more traditional orthodontic solutions, Invisalign stands high above the rest. While it is true you can see outstanding results with metal braces, there are some advantages to Invisalign that cannot be achieved with any other orthodontic treatment, some of which include:
Since Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments, many patients know a lot about clear aligners before their first set even arrives. With that said, there is always a bit of an adjustment when it comes to life with braces. To make that period as easy as possible, here is some helpful information about living with Invisalign aligners.
The easiest way to stay on-track with your treatment plan is by wearing your aligners as often as possible. Generally, patients are given the guideline “20-22 hours a day.” For that reason, it’s best to take them out only when it’s time to eat or complete your oral hygiene regimen.
Tip: Try using the Invisalign app or the timer on your phone to keep track of your wear time each day!
Taking good care of your aligners is essential. If you don’t, then they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and turn yellow. To prevent that from happening, rinse them with clean water each time you take them out and brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush before putting them back in.
Tip: Don’t use hot water with your aligners since the high temperature can cause them to warp.
Eating and drinking are pretty hassle-free because you don’t need to alter your diet with Invisalign! With that said, it is important to be mindful of foods and beverages with added sugar since over-indulging can dramatically increase your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
Tip: If you drink coffee, enjoy it alongside your breakfast or lunch instead of separately!
Whether you lost one of your aligners or it shattered into several pieces, the best thing to do is call our San Antonio dental team. From there, we can take a look at where you are in your treatment plan and determine if you need a replacement tray or if you can move onto the next set in the series.
Tip: Place your trays in their designated case anytime they aren’t in your mouth to protect them!
Typically, check-in visits with Invisalign are every six to eight weeks. At each appointment, we will take new scans of your teeth to ensure they are tracking properly. If they aren’t, then we can make the necessary adjustments to help avoid unwanted delays.
Tip: Make sure to wear your current aligners to your appointment!
As we mentioned earlier, each patient is different. As a result, there is no all-encompassing answer when it comes to the cost. There are, however, a few factors that play a role in the price across the board. With this in mind, keep reading to learn about the important things to consider when determining if the cost of Invisalign in San Antonio works with your budget.
The cost associated with your Invisalign treatment will be different than another patient’s simply because there are various factors to consider, such as:
The message behind DIY orthodontic companies, like Smile Direct Club, is that they offer the same reliable teeth-straightening treatment for a fraction of the cost. However, that’s not necessarily true. While the upfront price is usually significantly less (around $2,000), many patients end up spending more due to complications that arise from do-it-yourself trays and little-to-no oversight from a trained professional. So, it’s important to ask yourself, is cheaper always better?
In most cases, dental insurance doesn’t cover Invisalign in San Antonio. With that being said, there are a few exceptions. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to go over the fine print on your dental plan. If you need any help with this process, don’t hesitate to let our team know! Since we welcome all PPO dental insurance plans, we have extensive experience in handling the paperwork and maximizing your coverage.
If you are uninsured or don’t have any available benefits, don’t fret! In addition to offering free Invisalign consultations, we have an in-house membership plan and offer flexible financing. With our Brice Family Dentistry Membership, you can enjoy essential preventive care and 15% off other treatments. On the other hand, trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit and LendingClub, allow you to break down the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly chunks.
No matter the cost, our team will be here to help you navigate the financial side of orthodontics, making sure you get the most out of your benefits if you have dental insurance as well as helping you apply for flexible financing should you be uninsured.
While at this point Invisalign is well-established as an effective option for straightening teeth, they don’t have quite the history that traditional braces do. As a consequence, people don’t know quite as much about them. If you’re interested in getting a straighter smile but aren’t sure whether Invisalign is for you, you may naturally have questions about the nature of the treatment. Here are just some of the most common ones that we get.
Unlike traditional orthodontics, Invisalign doesn’t require you to abide by dietary restrictions, like no apples, corn on the cob, etc. As long as you remove your aligners, you’ll be free to indulge in all your favorites as you please. Just make sure to limit sugary products, like sodas and ice cream. The last thing you want is for your treatment timeline to be derailed by one or more cavities, so practice moderation and stick to mostly vitamin-rich, nutrient-dense foods.
Once you’ve worked through your entire series of trays, your Invisalign treatment will be complete! To preserve your beautiful, hard-earned results, we will provide you with a retainer. Although the exact specifications vary depending on your unique smile, most patients are expected to wear it for 20 to 22 hours a day as their teeth “set.” After that, you’ll be given the thumbs up to transition to wearing them solely at night.
Caring for your aligners is essential in keeping them clear and discreet. With this in mind, it is of the utmost importance that you:
Whether you are struggling with minor misalignment or a more complex orthodontic issue, like crowding, you may be a candidate for Invisalign. To find out, schedule an initial consultation with our team! We would be more than happy to take a look at your teeth, assess your oral health, learn about your smile goals, and determine if this discreet orthodontic treatment is right for you. That way, you can confidently take the next step toward the smile you’ve always wanted.
As with any orthodontic treatment, there’s going to be a period of time when you’ll be a little bit sore. Your teeth will need to get used to moving, which involves stretching the ligaments that connect them to the jaw. This naturally results in some “growing pains,” which can be managed with some over-the-counter pain relievers.
However, once your teeth have adapted, you’re in for a much more comfortable experience than what you’d get with braces. The sleek, low-profile design of the aligners make them easy to wear, and virtually eliminates any chances of them rubbing or poking uncomfortably against the soft tissues in your mouth. For the most part, wearing Invisalign is a completely painless experience.
While Invisalign aligners are strong, they can break under certain circumstances. If you notice any kind of damage to your tray, the best thing to do is to give us a call so we can advise you on your next steps.
What we’ll recommend will depend on the severity of the break. If it’s just a hairline fracture, you may still be able to use your aligner, albeit much more gingerly. If it’s broken entirely, however, we’ll either order you a replacement or have you move up to the next set of trays.
One more thing: don’t try to fix your aligners on your own. The average person doesn’t have the proper tools to repair a plastic tray, and using adhesives like super glue may expose you to toxic chemicals.
Once upon a time, Invisalign aligners were only really capable of addressing minor issues. They are designed to correct minor misalignment, and while they do that very well, there are some orthodontic issues that were well beyond their reach.
Invisalign attachments allow these plastic trays to do a lot more than they could before. They can be adhered to certain problematic teeth in order to allow the trays to put additional pressure on them, making their movement easier. These attachments do no damage to the teeth, and significantly expand the range of what Invisalign is capable of.
The answer is that it depends. It’s common for people to have a little bit of an overbite, especially if they have gapped teeth. This can be remedied by bringing these teeth into alignment, which Invisalign is often capable of. There are also Invisalign attachments that can bolster the aligners’ ability to draw the upper and lower jaw together.
However, there are some overbites too pronounced for Invisalign to handle. In these cases, you may need additional orthodontic treatment to help you repair your bite issues. We’ll be able to tell you more once we know the particulars of your situation.
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