Invisalign – Dallas, TX

Straighten Your Smile Without Traditional Braces

Crooked teeth or those plagued by gaps or misalignment will often require necessary orthodontic treatment to avoid more severe and potentially harmful problems. Fortunately, traditional metal braces are not the only orthodontic solution available these days. Instead, you can opt for Invisalign clear aligners from our Dallas, TX cosmetic dentist to straighten your smile without traditional braces. Dr. J and our dental team of experts will examine your smile before recommending you for Invisalign. Call us today to learn more about these clear aligners.

Why Choose HJ Dental for Invisalign?

  • Customized Clear Aligners
  • Compassionate and Caring Dental Team
  • iTero Digital Impression System

How Does Invisalign Work?

Dentist placing Invisalign clear braces tray

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that are designed to straighten teeth in less time than traditional braces. Known for their subtlety and flexibility, they are a great option for busy professionals as well as those who prefer to keep their orthodontic treatment hidden. Equipped with a series of aligners, patients are required to wear them 20-22 hours a day for 1-2 weeks at a time. Throughout treatment, teeth will gently shift because of the continuous pressure until results are achieved.

Indications for Invisalign

Woman holding Invisalign in Dallas against red background

Invisalign can correct a variety of different alignment issues. Here are some of the most common ones;

Crowded Teeth

For teeth that have become crowded and overlapping, Invisalign is an excellent solution. Clear aligners apply gentle pressure to different parts of the teeth to shift them to a more aligned position. This helps to prevent problems, like cavities and gum disease, that are common in people who have overcrowded teeth.

Gaps Between Teeth

When teeth are too far apart, gaps can become apparent. They also put you at much higher risk for oral health issues and tooth damage because food debris and plaque become easily trapped and more difficult to remove. Invisalign can move your teeth to be the perfect distance apart.

Bite Alignment

If your bite is misaligned, you can develop issues, like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding). Invisalign is effective when it comes to correcting overbites, underbites, crossbites, and more!

The Benefits of Invisalign

Woman holding Invisalign in Dallas

If your dentist determines that you make a good candidate for the treatment, here are some of the benefits that you can expect to experience:

  • Comfort: No brackets and wires mean no soft-tissue irritation. Occasional discomfort is normal, but it’s short-lived and easy to manage. You can even start a new set of aligners before bed so you can sleep through the initial soreness.
  • No Eating Restrictions: As long as you are removing your aligners beforehand and taking the time to brush and floss before putting them back in, you can eat pretty much anything you want.
  • Discreet: Clear aligners are virtually undetectable. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to tell that you’re wearing them.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Female patient smiling at dentist after Invisalign in Dallas, TX

You will naturally want to know how much Invisalign costs before you begin the treatment. The exact answer is going to be different for every patient because there are a few different factors that need to be taken into account. Our team can put together an estimate for you during your initial consultation. During this visit, they will also go over your payment options so that you can straighten your teeth without breaking the bank.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Woman holding up aligner for Invisalign in Dallas, TX

Below are some of the most important factors that determine how much you’ll pay for Invisalign:

  • The Number of Aligners Needed: Some forms of dental misalignment are more severe than others. The more complex your case is, the more aligners you’ll need to pay for.
  • Whether Both Arches are Being Straightened: In some cases, you might only need to wear Invisalign on your upper or lower arch. Naturally, straightening just one arch costs less than straightening both.
  • Your Compliance with the Treatment: If you don’t wear your aligners as directed every day, it can end up extending the treatment, which adds to the overall cost. Also, if you lose an aligner entirely, you might need to pay for a replacement (unless it was almost time for you to switch to a new aligner anyway).
  • Additional Accessories: Some patients are given elastics and other accessories for their Invisalign treatment. Such accessories come with their own price tag.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Dental insurance form on clipboard on a crowded desk

Most insurance companies do include orthodontic coverage, and more often than not that includes Invisalign (although it depends on what policy you have). This can help you save quite a bit of money on your treatment, and you’ll have our team on hand to make sure you’re able to maximize your benefits. Remember that even if your insurance won’t pay for Invisalign, you could still use an FSA or HSA to help cover the treatment.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Female patient putting in aligner for Invisalign in Dallas, TX

Even without insurance, you have the option of signing up for our in-house membership plan. In exchange for a one-time annual fee, you can enjoy a 20% discount on a wide variety of treatments. Furthermore, our dental office works with CareCredit and Sunbit Financing so that our patients can take advantage of their no-to-low interest plans. You can simply pay in smaller monthly installments that are easier on your budget instead of paying the entire cost of care all at once.

Invisalign FAQs

Close-up of hands holding two aligners for Invisalign in Dallas, TX

With Invisalign, you can finally enjoy the benefits of a straighter smile without having to wear unsightly brackets and wires for several months. Our team will work with you to make sure that your Invisalign process is a complete success. If there’s anything you don’t fully understand, don’t hesitate to let us know. Before you reach out to our office, please review the following FAQs that cover a number of topics that past patients have often asked about.

What Does Invisalign Look Like?

Invisalign aligners are made out of clear plastic. They’re easy to see when they’re outside of your mouth, but once you place them on your teeth, they become much harder to detect. Most people won’t even realize that you’re wearing them unless they know what to look for.

Note that clear aligners can become stained, and if that happens, they’ll naturally become much more visible. If you want your aligners to stay discreet, you should take the time to clean them after every meal. Don’t forget to brush your teeth as well so that there aren’t any remaining food particles that might get trapped against the aligners.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

You should never try to eat anything while your Invisalign aligners are still in your mouth; doing so could damage or discolor them. It can also put excessive amounts of pressure on your teeth. As such, you should always carry your Invisalign case with you so that you have a safe place to put your aligners while you’re eating.

Note that it is safe to drink water while Invisalign is in your mouth. However, you’ll still have to take your aligners out if you want to drink any other kind of beverage due to the risk of stains.

Who is Not Eligible for Invisalign?

Invisalign is not suitable for kids who do not have all of their permanent teeth; as such, it isn’t usually recommended until the age of 13. Most teens and adults are considered candidates for the treatment, but it may not be viable in cases where:

  • The misalignment problems are too severe to be corrected with clear aligners alone.
  • The patient uses tobacco products that might stain the aligners and is unable/unwilling to stop.
  • The patient has particularly small, misshapen, or eroded teeth.

We will examine your smile and carefully consider the current state of your oral and overall health before we decide whether Invisalign is the best choice for you.

Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?

In many cases, patients who have already worn braces in the past may be able to use Invisalign to correct any orthodontic issues that have developed since then. It is also sometimes possible to switch to Invisalign after braces have already been used to correct any severe bite issues. During your first appointment, we’ll help you determine the best approach for your orthodontic needs. 

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