Invisalign® Clear Braces – Tucson, AZ

Crowded Teeth

As you age, crowding in your teeth can worsen as they continue to shift. This can seriously affect your dental and overall health. Here are some problems you might face if you don't deal with crowding:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Jaw pain
• Difficulty chewing

Crowding can also lead to overlapping teeth, making it harder to clean certain areas. This can result in a buildup of bacteria, food particles, plaque, and tartar. Invisalign can help by gently moving your teeth to the proper positions, making brushing and flossing much simpler.

Gaps Between Teeth

Crowded teeth aren't the only issue that affects your smile – gaps between teeth can also be troublesome. When there's too much space in your mouth, bacteria can get trapped, increasing the chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign can help by bringing teeth into alignment and closing gaps, resulting in a more attractive and healthier smile.

Overbite

An overbite occurs when the top teeth protrude excessively beyond the lower teeth. This condition can result in jaw discomfort, speech difficulties, uneven tooth wear, and challenges in mouth opening and closing. Additionally, it may leave the top teeth more vulnerable to injury. Invisalign can effectively address many cases of overbite.

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower teeth extend beyond or align closely with the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. Various factors such as genetics, jaw injury, and habits like thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use can contribute to this condition. If left untreated, underbites can lead to several issues including a higher risk of sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and difficulties in speaking and chewing. Typically, patients with underbites may need to use rubber bands or other attachments alongside their Invisalign trays to gradually correct their bite and bring the lower teeth back into proper alignment.

Crossbite

When the lower teeth protrude slightly in front of the upper teeth, it's known as a crossbite. This condition is often caused by genetics, poor oral habits, or early loss of baby teeth. If left untreated, crossbites can lead to various long-term problems such as increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, jaw pain, speech difficulties, headaches, teeth grinding (bruxism), and facial asymmetry. In most cases, Invisalign can effectively correct crossbites. However, if the crossbite is related to issues with jaw development, additional measures like elastics or other accessories may be necessary alongside the aligners.

Open Bite

An open bite occurs when the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws do not overlap or touch properly when the mouth is closed. This condition is often a result of inadequate bone development or non-nutritive habits such as prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use. Open bites can make it difficult to pronounce certain words and sounds, as well as excessive wear of the enamel on the back teeth. Invisalign can effectively address this issue by bringing the front upper and lower teeth together, correcting the bite alignment, and lowering the risk of dental damage and wear.

Improved Comfort

If you’ve had brackets and wires in the past, then you know how uncomfortable they are. The good news is that Invisalign is metal-free! The aligners are made from a smooth plastic, which helps prevent soft tissue irritation. Plus, each one is custom-made to fit the unique contours of your mouth to ensure that the only soreness you feel is from your teeth moving.

Note: If you do run into any issues, like a sharp edge on one of your aligners, then you can use dental wax to prevent any discomfort from arising.

Clear Trays

Of course, one of the most known benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are completely clear. As a result, they are almost invisible when worn, allowing you to smile with confidence in any setting. The key is taking good care of them so pigmented, yellow stains don’t surface. That includes rinsing them thoroughly with clean, cool water when you take them out as well as brushing your teeth and cleaning your trays before putting them back on.

Hassle-Free Dental Hygiene

Speaking of brushing your teeth and cleaning your trays… you won’t have to worry about buying a bunch of special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes and pre-threaded floss. You really only need two things to keep your aligners in pristine condition: clean water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Since the trays are removable, you’ll be able to continue your oral hygiene regimen as usual too!

Quick Follow-Ups

Usually, the follow-up visits are only 15 minutes. After taking you back to the treatment room, we will take new scans of your teeth so we can see how they are moving in comparison to your plan. If everything looks good, that’ll be it – we’ll send you on your way with your next batch of aligners. If we see any problems, like one of your teeth isn’t moving as anticipated, then we will need to make some slight adjustments to your treatment plan.

Boosted Confidence

Patients with traditional braces often feel like they can’t smile confidently until after their brackets and wires are removed. Patients with Invisalign, on the other hand, can smile with confidence throughout their teeth-straightening journey! That’s because the trays are completely see-through, so your friends, colleagues, clients, and even close family members will have a hard time telling when you are and aren’t wearing them.

No Dietary Restrictions

No need to alter your diet! With Invisalign, you can enjoy all your favorite foods without damaging your orthodontics because they’re completely removable. Just be sure to only drink water with Invisalign and take it out for any other foods or drinks.

Wearing Your Trays

Remember, wearing your trays is of the utmost importance. If you get out of the habit of wearing them for the majority of the day because you misplace them or simply forget to put them back on, then there’s a good chance that you’ll fall off track with your treatment plan entirely. To prevent that from happening, commit to wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day and, if you aren’t sure if you’re meeting this goal, use the timer on your phone.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Cleaning your aligners is important for a few reasons, including the fact that you don’t want stubborn, yellow stains to surface, bringing unwanted attention to your smile. The good news is that keeping your trays clean and clear doesn’t require anything too complicated. In addition to rinsing them with clean, cool water each time you take them out, clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush before putting them back on. If needed, use the cleaning crystals to provide a deeper clean.

Eating & Drinking

Since there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign, you can continue to eat all of your usual favorites throughout your orthodontic treatment. The only thing we recommend tweaking (if necessary) is your intake of added sugar. After all, the development of a dental problem, like tooth decay, will bring your progress to a temporary stop, adding weeks or months to the backend of your treatment.

Losing a Tray

Losing a tray can cause you to panic, especially since meeting the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time goal is so important. Unfortunately, a frantic mind can make it even harder to find what you’re looking for, which is why we recommend taking a few deep breaths before retracing your steps. Remember to look in odd places in the process, including the center console in your car and the floor in your bathroom. Once you confirm that they are completely lost, call us.

Routine Check-Ins

Periodically throughout your journey to straighter teeth, you’ll need to come in for check-in visits. Each and every one is important because they allow us to monitor how your teeth are moving in comparison to your treatment plan. If everything looks good, we’ll provide you with your next set of aligners so you can continue moving through the series. If something isn’t right, like one of your teeth isn’t moving as anticipated, then we will need to find a solution to get you back on track.

Important Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

During your initial consultation, our Invisalign dentist in Tucson will consider various factors when examining you and determining if you are eligible for treatment. For example:

• The severity of your case
• How many aligners you need to complete treatment
• If any preliminary care is needed, like periodontal therapy
• If you are straightening one arch or both

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

The marketing behind DIY braces companies like Smile Direct Club™ want you to believe that they offer the same reliability as Invisalign for a fraction of the cost. What they don’t mention, however, is the countless lawsuits and negative patient experiences. Furthermore, notable organizations, like the American Dental Association, have actively warned the public against DIY braces companies that have no in-person oversight, rely on potentially inaccurate impressions, and don’t take into account the condition of your oral health. In short, Invisalign may have a higher upfront cost, but it’s well worth it when it comes to something as important as your smile.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Depending on your dental plan, the answer may be yes! While some plans don’t have any orthodontic benefits, others have a $1,000+ set aside for braces. There are some stipulations with this coverage, which is why it’s always best to double-check with your provider or our dental team. We’re in-network with many of the nation’s leading carriers, including Aetna, Guardian, and Cigna.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? That’s okay! Our team offers other ways to save. To start, we offer free Invisalign consultations, which will lower your out-of-pocket expenses. Second, we welcome flexible financing through CareCredit. As a result, you can pay in monthly installments instead of one lump sum. Furthermore, some plans have little-to-no interest attached. If you are interested in learning more or have a question about applying, don’t hesitate to reach out!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, it takes about 12-18 months for patients to complete Invisalign treatment. However, the exact amount of time can vary significantly based on several factors, such as the severity of your dental misalignment and your commitment to the treatment plan. If you have mild orthodontic issues, you can expect to finish your treatment much sooner than anticipated. Meanwhile, those with severe misalignment might take longer than expected. You can speed up the process by visiting Dr. Lopez regularly and diligently following treatment instructions.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

It shouldn’t! Since Invisalign’s clear aligners are made from a smooth plastic design, it’s considered to be one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatment options. However, you’ll likely experience mild soreness and discomfort when you first get Invisalign because you have to adjust to wearing the plastic trays. Invisalign works by gradually applying pressure to a portion of your smile until the entire thing is aligned. As a result, you may experience pressure every time you advance to the next series of trays. Luckily, you can manage the discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain medication and using a cold compress.

What Happens After Invisalign?

At your last orthodontic appointment, Dr. Lopez will conduct an oral examination to ensure your teeth are in their final desired position. Then, he’ll explain how to maintain your new and improved smile. One of the most important things you need to do post-treatment is to wear your retainer as instructed. The oral appliance is crucial to preserve your hard-earned results. Dr. Lopez will tell you how often you’ll need to wear your retainer based on your specific needs. Most patients will start wearing it full-time before gradually decreasing to only wearing it at night.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

Unlike traditional metal braces, there are no dietary restrictions while undergoing Invisalign treatment. However, you must remove your clear aligners before eating or drinking anything that’s not water. Otherwise, you could damage your plastic trays by causing cracks and stains. Make sure you store them in their designated case whenever they’re not in your mouth to keep them safe!