Invisalign – Fort Worth, TX

Crowded Teeth

Are one or more of your teeth tilted out of alignment? Do your teeth crowd together because there isn’t enough space in your mouth? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – you could be a candidate for Invisalign! If you are, we will create a custom treatment plan and design a series of clear aligners to gradually (and gently) guide your teeth from where they are now to where they should be. The final result will be a gorgeous and healthy smile.

Gaps Between Teeth

Gapped teeth are another common orthodontic problem, and they are often a bit of a pain for image-conscious teens and adults. Fortunately, Invisalign has proven to be effective at closing the gaps! The entire process starts with a consultation at our office, which is when we will determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If the answer is “yes,” then we will move your teeth into their properly aligned positions with virtually undetectable trays, ensuring no unwanted attention is drawn to your smile.

Overbite

Simply put, if your bite isn’t aligned properly, you can run into several issues, including chronic jaw pain and trouble chewing properly. If you have an overbite (which is when your upper teeth protrude considerably beyond your lower teeth), you may also experience trouble enunciating clearly and low self-esteem, which we want to prevent. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our Fort Worth dental team to learn all about your treatment options, including Invisalign!

Underbite

What if your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth? This bite problem is known as an underbite. Unfortunately, it places immense pressure on your jaw, which is why chronic pain, TMJ dysfunction, and trouble chewing are quite common. Moving your teeth and bite into their proper positions can sometimes be done with Invisalign clear aligners as well as other orthodontic accessories, like buttons and rubber bands. So, don’t automatically assume that your only choice is metal braces!

Crossbite

Crossbites are when some of the patients’ lower teeth sit in front of their upper teeth and vice versa. Like underbites, mild and moderate cases of this bite problem can often be corrected with Invisalign, so it’s definitely worth setting aside some time to come in for a consultation. From there, we can determine if you’re a candidate and, if you are, start the process of improving the look, health, and function of your smile with clear aligners!

Open Bite

An open bite is when there is a space in your mouth – whether in the front or the back – when you bite down. This might not seem like an issue at first, but it can lead to premature wear and tear as well as difficulty chewing properly. So, it’s best to have it fixed sooner rather than later. Fortunately, Invisalign might be an option!

Customized Aligners for Enhanced Comfort

One drawback of traditional braces is that the metal brackets and wires can result in some soft tissue irritation. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are custom-made to fit every contour of your mouth. Plus, they are crafted from high-quality, low-profile, and smooth plastic, which makes them more comfortable as well. Simply put, your journey to a straight smile won’t just be clear; it will be pain-free!

Continue Eating What You Like

Whole apples, popcorn, tortilla chips, and other crunchy foods need to be avoided with traditional braces. For many patients, this isn’t much of an issue… until they go grocery shopping or go out to eat with friends. Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t have any dietary restrictions; the aligners are removable! Simply take them out, store them properly, and eat all of your favorite foods like you normally would.

Better Oral Hygiene Throughout Treatment

When metal brackets are bonded to your teeth and archwires are securely in place, brushing and flossing is a bit more cumbersome. That’s why patients with traditional braces often invest in special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes. That’s not necessary with Invisalign because the aligners are removable! As a result, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash without the hassle.

Faster Average Treatment Time

Oftentimes, traditional braces take 2-3 years. Invisalign, on the other hand, has an average treatment timeline of only 12-18 months! So, there’s a good chance that the road to a straight smile will be faster with clear aligners. The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with our Fort Worth dental team. We can provide you with an estimate once we know a bit more about your case.

Quick Follow-Up Appointments

Are you a busy student? Are you a parent with a jam-packed schedule? Are you a professional with a demanding job? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that the check-in visits with Invisalign are usually only 15 minutes or so. Plus, they are more spaced out. While traditional braces require adjustment appointments every four weeks, Invisalign check-in visits are every 6-8 weeks.

Discreet Aligners

Finally, one of the biggest perks of Invisalign is the fact that the aligners are see-through. That combined with the fact that they are custom-made for each patient makes them virtually undetectable. So, if you want to straighten your teeth and align your bite without drawing unwanted attention to your smile, Invisalign is the solution you’ve been looking for!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how Invisalign can help you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Vasquez today!

Wearing Your Trays

Traditional orthodontics utilize a series of metal brackets bonded to your teeth threaded with a special archwire and aren’t removable, so they’re considered more “invasive” than the removable trays of Invisalign. However, the transparent plastic aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their previous placements. Then, after about one to two weeks, our team will provide a new set for you to switch to.

Generally, you can expect to wear them both day and night except during mealtimes and cleaning sessions.  

Cleaning Your Aligners

One of the reasons so many teens and adults choose Invisalign is because it’s more discreet than standard braces. The clear material allows your natural teeth to shine through without any metal to reflect the light. You must clean your trays regularly, though, to prevent them from staining (which defeats the purpose of ‘invisible’ orthodontics!)

To do so, remove your aligners twice daily and thoroughly scrub all surfaces with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap that won’t abrade them. You can also leave them to soak for 15 to 30 minutes in a solution of special cleaning crystals that remove plaque and germs that can form a tinted layer of residue behind.

Eating & Drinking

Because Invisalign is removable, patients don’t have to worry about a long list of dietary restrictions like those with braces. However, keep in mind that eating or drinking with your trays in can damage or stain them, so you need to take them out of your mouth before meals or snacks.

We recommend that you always have your carrier case with you so you have a safe place to stow them while you eat. Then, rinse your mouth out before reinserting them so they don’t trap leftover bits of food or germs against your gums for the remainder of the day, which can increase the likelihood of gum disease.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Many patients wait days or weeks to tell us that they’ve lost or damaged a tray, which can, unfortunately, delay their treatment timeline. Your teeth could shift back to their original places if you go too long without wearing one.

Calling us as soon as you realize that your trays are missing or broken allows us to provide proper instructions to move forward. If you were nearly finished wearing that pair of trays, we might instruct you to switch to the next set earlier than intended. Otherwise, we may have to order a replacement and adjust your timetable accordingly.

Routine Check-Ins

Our team needs to see you every four to eight weeks to monitor your progress and make any adjustments as needed. Thankfully, these visits are typically very brief, and can often be completed in as few as 15 minutes. This is enough time to examine your mouth, discuss any questions or concerns, and provide the new aligners that you’ll be expected to wear in the coming weeks.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

As you know, each treatment plan is customized to the patient’s unique dental needs. If you’re wondering what factors we need to consider in the process, it starts with assessing the complexity of your case and extends to determining how many aligners are needed. Of course, there are other things that will contribute to the cost of Invisalign, including how well you follow the treatment guidelines. If you don’t (like you only wear your aligners for 15 hours a day instead of 22), then you’ll fall off-track with your treatment plan, requiring a new one to be made.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Almost always, mail-order aligner companies cost less than Invisalign. However, there’s a reason why: they don’t offer the same level of quality. While Invisalign starts with a thorough, comprehensive exam, mail-order aligner companies skip this step entirely. While Invisalign requires detailed impressions to be taken, mail-order aligner companies ask their patients to take DIY ones. While Invisalign has more than 12 million happy patients around the world, mail-order aligner companies are being sued because patients have experienced worsened misalignment and even serious dental emergencies.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. While some dental plans don’t cover orthodontic treatment at all, others cover upwards of 50% of the cost! So, it’s a good idea to read through the fine print or call the helpline on your paperwork to better understand your benefits. Of course, you’re always welcome to bring any questions you have about the price to our team as well; we are in-network with some dental insurance companies and welcome out-of-network providers too!

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

At Harris Parkway Dental Care, we offer our patients several financial solutions – from dental insurance and flexible financing to our very own membership plan. We also extend periodic specials, including $500 off Invisalign! So, it’s safe to say that there are multiple ways you can save with us. If you are interested in learning more about any of the financial options we mentioned, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Fort Worth dental team so we can help.

How is Invisalign Teen Different?

Sometimes teens need a little extra help staying focused. With Invisalign teen, your child’s aligners come with little blue dots called “compliance dots” that fade away with use to let them know they’ve worn their aligners long enough to advance to the next set.

The process of getting Invisalign teen is similar to that of traditional Invisalign. First, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Zahawi or Dr. Vazquez where your teen will get 3D digital scans of their mouth to model their aligners.

Once their aligners arrive, your teen will wear them for 22 hours a day, swapping them out about every two weeks, depending on their individual treatment plan. They will then need to return to Harris Parkway Dental Care every six to eight weeks for routine check-ins.

Finally, there’s no need to worry about your teen losing or breaking an aligner, as Invisalign Teen comes with unlimited replacement aligners for the duration of their treatment.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

Like any treatment program, Invisalign Teen requires good compliance with the treatment plan from Dr. Zahawi and Dr. Vazquez, so it is best for teens who are more responsible and mature.

If your teen is at all image conscious, the discreet Invisalign Teen aligners are clear and thus very discreet, making your teen more likely to wear them as prescribed. This program is an excellent option for teens who have a lower pain threshold, as most patients find Invisalign Teen much more comfortable than traditional braces.

Invisalign Teen may not be an ideal fit for teens with more complex orthodontic issues such as a severe bite alignment.

To determine the best orthodontic treatment options for your teen, schedule a consultation with Dr. Vazquez or Dr. Zahawi for more information.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

There are many benefits to Invisalign Teen over traditional braces, including

• Easy removability for teens who need to wear a mouthguard for sports, or who must take off their aligners for band.
• Discreet appearance helps teens feel less awkward or self-conscious when socializing, and for big events such as yearbook photos, school dances, and social media posting.
• Better oral health due to easier cleaning of their teeth, gums, and aligners.
• Shorter check-ups with Dr. Zahawi or Dr. Vazquez mean less time away from important things like school, extracurricular activities, and afterschool jobs.