Invisalign

Invisalign: A Discreet Alternative to Braces

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.

Invisalign® FAQs

When people picture teeth with braces, they most often think of traditional orthodontics with metal brackets and wires. Invisalign, however, is another choice that can solve the same orthodontic problems, but without the obvious mouthful of metal. That’s why Invisalign appeals to so many people. Nevertheless, you may still have questions. Here, Dr. Winegar answers some frequently asked questions about Invisalign.

Instead of metal brackets and wires, Invisalign relies on pairs of plastic aligners. The pairs are arranged in a sequential series. As your treatment progresses and you wear one pair and then the next, you’ll gradually begin to see your teeth move.
Invisalign aligners move teeth into position through the targeted placement of controlled force. But not only is the force controlled, it is also scheduled. In other words, only certain teeth move during each stage of treatment.
You may experience mild discomfort when switching from one pair of aligners to the next, but this usually goes away in a couple of days. One thing you will not have to worry about with Invisalign is a bracket irritating your gums or a wire poking your cheek. Invisalign aligners are made of smooth BPA-free plastic that is clear and comfortable.
The most obvious benefit of Invisalign is that the aligners are barely noticeable in typical social and professional situations. Furthermore, Invisalign aligners are removable. Simply take them out whenever you want to eat and drink so you can enjoy your regular diet. You’ll also remove them when it’s time to brush and floss your teeth.

Your dentist in Harker Heights will want you to wear your aligners every day for at least 22 hours a day. This should leave plenty of time for you to enjoy meals and take the time necessary to properly brush and floss your teeth. Wearing them for most of the day will keep your treatment schedule on track.

The length of your treatment time will depend on your individual orthodontic case and the problems being addressed. However, most adults are able to complete treatment in about 12 to 24 months.

Dr. Winegar likes to see Invisalign patients about every four to six weeks during treatment. The visits are quick, but are necessary to ensure that your teeth are moving as planned. These visits are also when you will receive your next series of aligners.

If you have any more questions about Invisalign, please call Winegar Dental. We’ll be glad to talk to you over the phone or we can schedule a consultation. 

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Dr. Trevor Winegar

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Most Insurances Welcomed and Maximized

We’ll make the process of paying for your dental care as simple as possible! Our office accepts a wide variety of insurance plans, and we’re always happy to file your claim for you so that you can be sure to receive the maximum benefits available to you. Winegar Dental is in network with Delta Dental, Cigna, Metlife, Aetna, Guardian, Ameritas, Principal, United Healthcare, United Concordia, Assurant, GEHA, Careington, Humana, TDA, BlueCross BlueShield and more! Call us today to find out how we can maximize your insurance plan!

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