Get a Straighter Smile in Plano, TX with Invisalign®
Choose Invisalign® in our Plano dental office to quickly get a straighter smile. We can help you if you are struggling with crooked and misaligned teeth. You don’t have to be unhappy, self-conscious, or embarrassed about your smile anymore. Many adults don’t want to wear traditional metal braces for up to three years, if at all.
Fortunately, Dr. Sara Chen and Dr. Mark Sowell provide a safe cosmetic option to fit your lifestyle. ClearCorrect™ and Invisalign® are clear aligner treatments available at our dental office in Plano, TX. We provide a convenient and discreet way to straighten your teeth with affordable clear aligners.
Invisalign and ClearCorrect are the most popular types of clear aligners. They fit snugly over your upper and lower teeth. Your aligners will slowly straighten your teeth in about nine to eighteen months.
Patients will wear their clear aligners throughout the day. However, you can remove them for eating, brushing, and flossing. Dr. Sowell, Dr. Chen, and our team can help patients correct the following orthodontic issues:
- Overbite
- Crossbite
- Gapped teeth
- Underbite
- Open-bite
- Overcrowded teeth
Fixing crooked teeth and alignment issues doesn’t just make your smile look better; it also helps prevent bigger dental problems. Patients with crooked teeth are more likely to get gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities because crooked teeth are harder to clean. However, getting treatment for your crooked teeth can improve your overall oral health.
Why Choose Invisalign or ClearCorrect from Aesthetic Dentistry Centre?
Invisalign and ClearCorrect are a great combination of proven orthodontic techniques and modern materials. These nearly invisible aligners look more like athletic mouthguards than braces. Unlike metal braces, our affordable Invisalign clear aligners are removable, making it easy to eat, brush, and floss.
This helps you maintain good oral hygiene during your treatment. Clear aligners are also much more comfortable than wires and brackets.
The Invisalign system is a series of clear aligners we custom-mold to fit your teeth. You’ll wear each set for about two weeks to get beautiful results. Invisalign and ClearCorrect usually work faster than traditional braces. Most of our patients complete their treatment in about 12 months if they wear each set properly and follow all instructions.
Dr. Mark Sowell and Dr. Sara Chen are Plano, TX, Invisalign, and ClearCorrect providers. We offer both systems to give you the best options for your needs, goals, and budget. Some of the benefits of Invisalign include:
- Convenience: Patients can take out the aligners for different activities. They will need to visit our Plano, TX, dental office to see Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen to check their progress.
- Aesthetics: Invisalign is almost invisible. Invisalign consists of clear plastic that practically disappears when you wear it.
- Treatment for all ages: Invisalign can be a great option for patients of all ages. Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell will check your mouth to see if Invisalign is right for you.
The length of your Invisalign treatment depends on how crooked your teeth are. However, you can expect to see straighter teeth a few months after starting treatment.
First, Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell will take digital impressions of your teeth. Then, they will create custom aligners that fit comfortably and securely on your teeth. After we make your aligners, Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell will explain how to wear and care for them.
You will get a new set of aligners every few weeks. Each new set will help your teeth straighten. You will begin to notice straighter teeth a few months into the treatment.
Clear Aligners vs. Metal Braces
Clear aligners and metal braces are two common types of orthodontic treatments. Both can fix crooked teeth and improve how your mouth works. While both treatments are effective, they differ in several ways.
- Discreet treatment: Using clear aligners to fix your teeth is almost invisible to others. On the other hand, metal braces are easy to see, especially when they trap food which can be embarrassing. No one will even know you’re wearing clear aligners.
- No dietary restrictions: One of the best things about clear aligners is that you can remove them to eat. This means you can eat whatever you want when they’re off. You should avoid certain foods while wearing metal braces. This includes anything hard, chewy, or crunchy.
- Easy removal for cleaning and routine dental care: You can take out your clear aligners to brush your teeth and floss. But with traditional braces, they stay on your teeth the whole time. Your tooth enamel can stain easily if you don’t clean metal brackets well enough. Clear aligners prevent this problem because they don’t have brackets that can stain your enamel.
- Comfortable: Metal braces have brackets glued to your teeth with thin metal wires connecting them. They might be uncomfortable, and it can take time to adjust to them. These parts stick out from your teeth and can poke or scratch the inside of your mouth. Clear aligners don’t have all these extra parts and fit snugly over your teeth without using any bonding compounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign®?
Most dental insurance plans don’t cover Invisalign since it’s often a cosmetic treatment. However, many plans do cover traditional braces for fixing crooked teeth. Check with your insurance provider to understand what your plan can cover.
They may cover part of your Invisalign treatment depending on your policy. If you’re unsure about your coverage, our office can help answer your questions in-person at your next exam.
Will I Need a Retainer After Invisalign?
Yes, wearing a retainer after finishing your Invisalign treatment is very important. The retainer will help prevent orthodontic relapse, or your teeth from shifting back. After treatment, your teeth and jaw need time to settle into their new positions. Without a retainer, you risk loosing your progress and teeth shifting back to their crooked positions.
Can Invisalign Harm my Teeth?
No, wearing Invisalign aligners won’t harm your teeth if you follow the instructions. The aligners are safe, chemical-free, and won’t scratch your gums or teeth. Since they are easy to remove, they won’t stain your teeth or damage enamel.
However, bacteria can build up if you don’t clean your aligners before and after eating, which also causes staining. Be sure to brush your aligners after every meal before putting them back in your mouth.
Are There any Diet Restrictions with Invisalign?
With Invisalign, you don’t have to avoid specific foods. You can eat whatever you like, but you should take out your aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water. This prevents staining and bacteria buildup. Taking out your aligners also lets you enjoy your favorite foods as long as you maintain good oral hygiene.
Are Invisalign Aligners Painful?
Invisalign aligners usually cause only mild discomfort, especially when starting a new set. This pressure is normal and shows that your teeth are moving as planned. Invisalign is generally less painful than traditional braces. Most discomfort is temporary, and you’ll adjust quickly as your teeth shift with each aligner.
What if I Break or Lose an Aligner?
If you break or lose an aligner, contact our office right away. Depending on your progress, Dr. Chen may advise you to move to the next aligner if your teeth are ready. If not, she might recommend wearing the previous one until a replacement arrives. After checking your progress, we’ll decide on the best option for you.
Whiten While You Straighten Your Teeth
Contact our Plano, Dallas dental office if you have misaligned teeth. We offer the convenience of multiple services in one place. Choose Invisalign or ClearCorrect with Dr. Sara Chen and receive free professional-grade teeth whitening gel. That’s a $500 value! We also work to maximize your dental insurance plan benefits and can suggest payment plans.
Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen offer a range of orthodontic treatments to help correct crooked teeth. Dr. Chen, Dr. Sowell, and our experienced staff will help you find the right treatment to straighten your teeth. Schedule a consultation online to explore your options, or call Aesthetic Dentistry Centre today.