Allen Dental Center’s orthodontic treatment options provide long-term corrective services to help align the teeth and jaw. We have three main ways we correct crooked teeth and protect newly straightened ones: Invisalign, retainers, and mouthguards. If you have teeth out of place, talk to one of our dentists about Invisalign in Allen, TX. We can help you create a straighter smile that will last a lifetime and boost your confidence.
Our dentists are open to serving patients with their orthodontic and cosmetic expertise in many cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We serve Lewisville, McKinney, Garland, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Carrollton, The Colony, and Rockwall.
What Can Invisalign Treat?
Invisalign is the best alternative to traditional braces with metal wires because it consists of clear aligners instead of noticeable brackets. Your aligners will be custom-fitted for your specific smile problem.
Invisalign can address various teeth types and correct a mixture of dental issues. A bad bite, or malocclusion, can make eating difficult, increase the risk of oral health problems, and even lead to TMJ disorders. Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial during Invisalign treatment to ensure the health of your teeth and gums.
Orthodontic Issues
We recommend Invisalign for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems, including:
- Overbite: An overbite is an orthodontic problem when the top teeth protrude over the bottom teeth. Genetics, teeth grinding, and jaw development can cause an overbite.
- Underbite: An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. Underbites are marked by bottom teeth protruding over the top teeth. If you have an underbite, your lower jaw may stick out
- Crossbite: When the bottom and top teeth do not come together evenly, it creates a crossbite. Tooth and jaw development can create a crossbite.
- Open bites: An open bite occurs when the teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed. Thumb sucking increases the possibility of developing a crossbite, as continual pressure in the middle of the mouth impacts tooth formation.
- Crowded teeth: If you have crowded teeth, you do not have enough room in your mouth for your teeth to come together properly. Like other orthodontic problems, overcrowding can make it difficult to keep teeth and gums healthy.
- Gaps between teeth: Small or large gaps between teeth, or diastema, can impact adjacent teeth. Tooth gaps can also impact the appearance of your smile.
- Crooked teeth: Many patients choose Invisalign because they have crooked teeth. As with overcrowded teeth, crooked teeth can be difficult to clean, and straightening crooked teeth can potentially lessen the chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
Invisalign treatment can also address generally straight teeth and a mix of permanent and baby teeth. For this reason, Invisalign can work for teens and adults.
Differences Between Metal Braces and Invisalign
Traditional metal braces and Invisalign differ in material, care, and treatment time. Metal braces use brackets and wires to place pressure on the teeth, and Invisalign uses a series of aligners. Metal braces are fixed on the teeth, while Invisalign aligners are removable. Patients who wear metal braces must carefully clean between their braces. With Invisalign, patients can remove aligners to clean their teeth and eat without dietary restrictions.
We often recommend Invisalign over braces for patients with mild to moderate problems. Braces are best for patients with moderate to complex problems.
Invisalign in Allen, TX
Our Invisalign treatment is available for children, teens, and adults. If you are tired of your crooked teeth or uneven bite, Invisalign provides a perfect solution to fix your teeth while still being able to smile like you always have. Not to mention, our dentists are some of the most knowledgeable in the Dallas-Fort Worth area regarding Invisalign.
To begin Invisalign treatment, we take impressions of your teeth. We send these impressions to a dental lab, where technicians create aligners from SmartTrack™ material, a medical-grade plastic.
The technicians will create many pairs of aligners for you to wear. When the aligners are complete, you will return to our office. We will fit the first pair on your teeth to ensure they fit properly.
You will wear each pair of aligners for about two weeks. After those two weeks, you will switch your aligners out for a new pair. Throughout your Invisalign treatment, you will visit our office so we can track your results.
How to Keep Your Teeth Straight
Once your Invisalign treatment is over, provide you with retainers to wear at night to keep your teeth from shifting over time. Retainers prevent orthodontic relapse, which occurs when patients do not wear their retainers enough or stop wearing them altogether. Straight teeth can revert back to their previous crooked positions.
If you have problems with clenching or grinding, a mouthguard may be the perfect solution. Our dentists can provide you with a custom-fitted mouthguard to preserve and protect your teeth for a smile that will last a lifetime!
How to Care for Invisalign Aligners
It will take time to get accustomed to each new set of aligners as you place them over your teeth. You may feel pressure from the aligners on your teeth, which is normal. However, this pressure will fade as you continue to wear your aligners.
Wearing your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 23 hours daily will ensure that they place pressure on your teeth. You can remove your Invisalign aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
We recommend only wearing your aligners to drink cool or room-temperature water. If you eat or drink anything other than cool or room-temperature water, it can damage or stain your teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, or hot water can warp your aligners.
There are multiple methods of cleaning your aligners. You may use soap and cool water to clean your aligners or soak them with Invisalign crystals. Clean your teeth and aligners before you place them back on your teeth.
Do not wrap your aligners in a napkin or paper towel because you can lose it. Keep your aligners in their case when you do not have them on your teeth. If you damage or lose your aligners, contact us so we can create a replacement.
Invisalign FAQs
Discover more about Invisalign in our Allen, TX dental office:
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for Invisalign?
To find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, our dentist will examine your teeth and discuss your dental goals. Invisalign works best for mild to moderate teeth alignment issues, like crooked teeth or small gaps. Our dentist may recommend other treatments if you have more complex dental issues.
Will Invisalign affect my speech?
At first, you may notice a slight change in your speech, like a lisp, when you start wearing Invisalign. But most people get used to the aligners quickly, and any speech changes go away after a few days or weeks.
Can I take Invisalign out for special events?
Yes, you can remove your Invisalign aligners for special events like eating, drinking, or important occasions. However, you should wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day to ensure your treatment works as planned.
What happens if I lose or break an Invisalign aligner?
If you lose or break an Invisalign aligner, contact our dentist right away. They can give you a replacement aligner or help you get back on track with your treatment. In the meantime, you may need to wear your previous set of aligners until the new one arrives.
How much does Invisalign cost?
The cost of Invisalign varies depending on how much treatment you need. Our dentist can give you an estimate based on your specific needs. Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost, so it’s worth checking with your provider.
Will Invisalign aligners irritate my gums?
Invisalign aligners are designed to fit smoothly over your teeth, so they usually don’t irritate your gums. However, when you first start wearing them or switch to a new set of aligners, you might feel a little discomfort or notice slight irritation. This is normal and should go away as your mouth adjusts. If the aligners feel sharp or cause pain, our dentist can check them and smooth out any rough edges.
How do I know when to switch to a new set of Invisalign aligners?
We will tell you when to switch to a new set of Invisalign aligners, usually every one to two weeks. We’ll give you a schedule to follow, so you know exactly when to change them. Each set is designed to move your teeth a little closer to their final position. Be sure to wear your aligners as directed, so your treatment stays on track. If you’re unsure when to switch, ask our dentist for guidance.
Is Invisalign faster than metal braces?
Yes, Invisalign can be faster than metal braces for some people. Invisalign usually takes about 12 to 18 months to straighten teeth, while metal braces might take 18 months to 3 years, depending on how much movement is needed.
However, the speed of treatment depends on the person’s individual needs and how well they follow the treatment plan. Invisalign works best for people with mild to moderate dental issues, while metal braces help patients with more complex cases.
Get a Straight Smile
Do you want to start treatment with Invisalign? Call Allen Dental Center for Invisalign treatment in Allen, TX, today at 972.640.7564. Feel free to schedule an appointment with our team on our website.
Please let us know if you have any questions about Invisalign treatment, and we can answer them at your next visit.