Invisalign® Clear Braces – Murphy, TX

How Invisalign Works

During your initial consultation, we’ll not only discuss your treatment plan and smile goals with you, we’ll also take digital impressions of your teeth, which will be sent off to a dental lab. From there, your custom aligners will be carefully crafted.

Once your aligners arrive, we’ll instruct you to wear them for at least 20-22 hours a day. Each set of aligners in the series will be worn for a week or two before switching to the next one. Every set is designed to shift a small portion of your smile into place until your entire grin is perfectly straight. Treatment should last, on average, between 12 and 18 months.

Benefits of Invisalign

The main reason Invisalign has exploded in popularity recently is due to its discreetness and flexibility. Invisalign in Murphy can correct your misaligned teeth without your having to wear a mouth full of noticeable and uncomfortable metal. Some other wonderful advantages of Invisalign over braces include:

• Results typically take less time than traditional braces
• The aligners are customized to fit your mouth, so they’re more comfortable and less likely to irritate your tongue, cheek, lips, and gums
• Since the aligners are removable, they come with zero dietary restrictions
• Because the aligners don’t need to be tightened every few weeks like braces do, you’ll spend less time in the dental chair

Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign’s clear aligners are removable, meaning it’s all too easy for a patient to set them down somewhere and forget about them. For this reason, Invisalign is typically not recommended for younger patients, as they might not be responsible enough to remember to constantly wear their aligners.

It’s also imperative that you are in good oral health, meaning you don’t have any cavities or gum disease. Those issues will need to be treated before we can begin Invisalign treatment.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Despite what you may have seen elsewhere online, there is no “set” price for Invisalign. This is because every patient and therefore every case is different. When you meet with Dr. Gandhi, your Invisalign dentist in Murphy, for your consultation, she’ll discuss not only what the treatment process entails, but also about how much you’ll end up paying. From there, we can discuss payment options, such as dental insurance, CareCredit financing, and our own in-house discount plan.

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Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign in Murphy is a fantastically effective way to straighten teeth without having to wear a mouthful of metal. However, you should be as well-informed as possible before beginning treatment. For this reason, we have taken some of our most frequently asked questions about Invisalign and answered them on this page for your convenience. If you have an Invisalign question that isn’t answered on this page, just contact us and ask.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

When you first get Invisalign, or when you switch to a new set of aligners, there will likely be some soreness or sensitivity. In fact, this discomfort is a sign that your treatment is working. Invisalign straightens your teeth by applying a gentle pressure to shift them into the correct position. The soreness should subside after a few days as your mouth get used to the new appliance. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to manage the discomfort.

Will Invisalign Affect How I Talk?

At first, yes, Invisalign may impact the way you speak. You might develop a slight lisp. This is because many sounds we make are accomplished by placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth or against the back of your front teeth, where the edges of your aligners are located. Your tongue might then get confused. You can speed up the process of your tongue getting accustomed to it by practicing counting from sixty to seventy over and over again.

How Do I Clean My Aligners?

First thing in the morning, rinse your aligners off and brush them with a toothbrush. Don’t use toothpaste, as that could be abrasive to the trays. This will remove any bacteria that may have built up during the night.

After every time you eat or drink anything besides water, make sure to brush and floss before placing your aligners back in. If you don’t, food and beverage particles will get trapped against your teeth. Not only does this stain your aligners, but it can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause cavities.

What If I Lose an Aligner?

For the most part, this isn’t as big a deal as many patients seem to think it is. If you were only a few days away from moving on to the next set of aligners, go ahead and make the switch. However, if you only just started this set, you’ll need to call us so that we can give you a replacement tray. If you avoid wearing a tray for a while, or if you switch to a new set too soon, it could compromise your treatment.

Will I Have to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign Treatment?

Most likely, yes. As soon as you discontinue wearing your trays, your teeth will start to shift back to their original misaligned position. In most cases, you’ll have to wear a retainer full-time for the first few months after your treatment, and then switch to only wearing it at night.

How Is Invisalign Made?

Invisalign in Murphy uses advanced technology to create a series of aligners to move your teeth. A digital impression of your mouth is taken, which integrates with state-of-the-art software to manufacture the aligners using a 3D printing process. This allows them to be fabricated with the utmost precision for a comfortable fit while also accurately moving your teeth for predictable results. It can take a few weeks for the dental lab to make your aligners, but once they are sent back to our office, they will be ready to be picked up. Your dentist will help you get started on your journey to a straight smile and check your progression regularly during follow-up appointments.

What Does Invisalign Look Like?

Invisalign is a nearly invisible orthodontic system that uses clear plastic aligners. Although you’ll clearly see the aligners when they aren’t in your mouth, they all but vanish when placed over your teeth. Your aligners will remain discreet and translucent if you follow the instructions given by your dentist. Don’t be alarmed if you need attachments, buttons, or elastics to aid the alignment process. They won’t draw any attention to your smile, so you can feel confident about your appearance.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Invisalign is marketed as a quicker alternative to metal braces because the average treatment is 12-18 months. Every smile is unique; therefore, several factors influence the length of time you’ll wear aligners, such as the complexity of your alignment issues. Patients who want to make major adjustments will require more aligners than someone who only needs slight movements. Your age can also contribute to the duration of your treatment. Generally, teens are still developing, so their treatments are a little quicker than adults. The biggest factor in the successful completion of Invisalign is your commitment to your plan. It’s best to follow the instructions provided by your cosmetic dentist in Murphy, such as wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and switching to a new one weekly. With a little patience, you’ll have a beautiful, straight smile in no time at all.

Is There Anything I Can’t Eat?

You’ve heard about the dietary restrictions that must be followed with metal braces, but you won’t need to change your diet with Invisalign. One of the most appealing benefits of clear aligners is the fact they are removable. You can take your aligners out when eating, so you don’t need to skip popcorn at the movies or enjoying some juicy barbequed ribs. You should take your aligners out when having anything except water. This will prevent unnecessary damage while also ensuring they look their best. When they aren’t in your mouth, store them in their carrying case to keep them clean and to avoid misplacing them. Don’t forget to brush your teeth well and rinse your aligners before putting them back into your mouth. With a commitment to your oral hygiene, you don’t have to miss out on eating anything while improving your smile.