CLEAR ALIGNERS IN GRAPEVINE TEXAS
Clear aligners are alternatives to traditional braces. The first step is a consultation with the doctor to make sure you are a candidate and to discuss any concerns specific to your case. Before starting Invisalign a healthy foundation is required. An exam and x-rays will be needed to screen for any cavities or issues that can arise during Invisalign treatment. During your consultation, we will take intraoral and extraoral photos and take a putty-free, 3D digital impression of your teeth using an iTero Element scanner. After reviewing with clear aligner and planning your customized treatment plan, a ClinCheck animation can be shared with you to visualize the planned movements of each tooth and tray for the duration of treatment.
Clear Aligner Cost
The national average for clear aligner treatment is usually around $5,000. In most instances, it is cost comparable to traditional braces or less. The overall range has been found to be between $3,500 and $8,000. Your doctor should be able to further determine the rough cost after your visit.
How much are Clear Aligners?
In most instances, the clear aligner price is comparable to traditional braces. The Grapevine Dentist varies between $3,500 and $5,000. Many factors contribute to the cost, including dental insurance benefits and total treatment time. Treatment can also be paid for with pre-tax dollars from an FSA or HSA. We can check any benefits you may have, discuss financing or monthly payment options, and provide you with a cost at your consultation.
Clear Aligner Trays
All trays must be worn 20 – 22 hours a day by recommendation. You must think of the trays like fixed brackets with traditional braces, but with the benefit of being able to remove them for meals, brushing, and flossing. Proper compliance is crucial for accurate and timely results.
How do clear aligners work?
The clear aligners are essentially made transparent, going virtually unnoticed by others. They consist of a patented SmartTrack thermoplastic material that is developed and tailored for your individual treatment plan. They look almost exactly like teeth whitening trays but stiffer. The aligners are FDA-approved BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten-free. Each tray applies the right amount of force to the right place at the right time with each tray. Attachments (tooth-colored shapes) are often added to your teeth giving aligners a handle to move your teeth. You can expect to wear each set of clear aligners for two weeks before beginning the next set in your treatment plan with periodic visits to monitor your progress along the way.
How long do Clear Aligners take
Invisalign treatment usually takes about 12 months to 18 months. For refinement cases where you may have had orthodontic treatment in the past and teeth have shifted due to lost or broken retainers, a case may be completed in 6 months. For complex cases with heavy crowding or extractions required it may take 24 months or longer. Once treatment is started it is important to be diligent in wearing trays for treatment to be completed in the estimated time.
SmileDirectClub vs Clear Aligners
The two main benefits of SmileDirectClub over Clear Aligners are the ability to complete treatment without having to visit a dental office and to straighten teeth at a possibly cheaper cost. Starting treatment without a comprehensive exam is never a good idea and while treatment may be cheaper, the results are not the same. SmileDirectClub generally focuses on straightening teeth, without being able to adjust any bite issues that may develop, and is also limited in the ability to move teeth without the option of IPR (interproximal reduction) making space when needed, or adding temporary attachments for necessary movements.
Clear Aligners vs Braces Cost
Most of our patients assume because clear aligners cosmetically looks better since it’s not as noticeable as braces that the cost will be a lot more. Clear aligners require a lot less doctor time and office visits, making your cost a lot less than traditional braces. The most expensive difference is not so much the cost but the hygiene aspect of it. Clear alginer trays can be removed and you can brush and floss as normal, however with braces the wires, and brackets your hygiene becomes a little more different and long which may be more difficult to keep up with.
Clear Alingers vs Braces
The three main benefits of clear alginers over traditional braces are:
The cosmetic “invisible” nature of clear aligners. As more adults consider correcting their smiles, the clear alternative tends to be an important factor
The hygiene-related benefits. Being able to remove trays for a meal, not having to spend extra time flossing or brushing food stuck in brackets, and minimizing the chance of permanent demineralization or “tooth scars” from plaque accumulation around the rough bracket surfaces are all important benefits.
Flexibility with office appointments. Traditional braces require visits every 4-6 weeks to stay on track, which can be burdensome, especially if having to take time away from work. With clear aligners, all the planning is done before treatment begins with most of the in-chair time spent on the first visit. Aligner trays can generally be given for 2-3 months at a time and sometimes longer. Many cases involve high school students starting and being able to continue treatment, rather than having to stop and find a new office, as they leave for college. Followup appointments are scheduled when home for breaks and additional trays are given to last until the next visit homemaking clear aligners are a great option.
Will Clear Aligners affect my normal speech?
Not everyone will develop a speech impediment, however, it is common to notice a slight lisp for a short period of time. You may have slight difficulty articulating etc. However, the lisp should gradually disappear after a few days.
Will Insurance Cover Clear Aligner?
In most cases, if you have orthodontic coverage, it’s likely you’ll have similar or the same benefits found in someone who needs traditional braces. Some great questions to ask your dental insurance provider would be the following: do I have orthodontic coverage, do I have an age restriction, and what is my lifetime maximum for orthodontics? These questions will help prepare you for a closer look at what your total investment will be.