You may change most of your accessories every day—a different shirt or tie, a new pair of shoes or a change of earrings. However, there is one accessory that remains the same day after day: your smile. And make no mistake; people do notice your smile and the condition of your teeth. If you’re teeth aren’t straight, then you may want to consider wearing braces. But we’re not talking about the obvious metal kind of braces. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Winegar offers Invisalign, a much more discreet orthodontic treatment for adults.

Tell Me About Invisalign

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system that uses clear plastic aligners to gradually move teeth into proper alignment. Each pair of aligners—one for the teeth along you top arch and one for the bottom arch—is arranged in sequential order. All you have to do is wear a new pair for about two weeks, toss them away and move on to the next two. Of course, Harker Heights cosmetic dentist Dr. Winegar will need to see you periodically to check your progress and dispense the next set of aligners. However, these visits don’t require tightening or adjusting your braces, as is regularly the case with traditional orthodontic braces.

The Invisalign Difference

Aside from being clear and far less noticeable than metal braces, Invisalign aligners are also removable. This characteristic offers two distinct advantages. First, you’ll be able to enjoy all the foods that you typically eat. With metal brackets and wires, you’d have to be careful and even eliminate certain foods such as popcorn, carrot sticks, hard pretzels and chew candy. These can break a bracket or dislodge a wire.

In addition, having removable braces means that you’ll be able to maintain your regular oral hygiene routine at home. Brushing and flossing without braces getting in the way means that you’ll be able to clean your teeth and gums better, thus reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease during your orthodontic treatment. Of course, you’ll still need to see Winegar Dental for six-month checkups, but these can be scheduled to coincide with your orthodontic visit to save you time.

Receiving Invisalign

The path to your new, straight smile begins with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. Dr. Winegar will want to make sure your mouth is healthy before you begin to wear your clear braces. Then, your treatment plan is developed based on information gathered from x-rays and photographs of your mouth as well as impressions of your bite. The Invisalign lab fabricates your customized aligners and sends them to our office.

Although your Invisalign braces are removable, you’ll need to be diligent about wearing them. Completing your orthodontic treatment on schedule requires having the aligners in place for at least 22 hours every day. Worn properly, you can look forward to a straight smile in about 12 to 24 months.

Cost of Invisalign

You’ve probably heard Invisalign is expensive, but you might be surprised to learn it’s more affordable than ever. In fact, some dental insurances may even cover a portion of the cost depending on your policy. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you how much you’ll pay for the clear aligners without first having a consultation. The cost is determined by your individual treatment plan, like the severity of your alignment issues. We’ll provide a customized estimate and discuss your payment options to keep your dream smile within your budget.