Invisalign – Oklahoma City, OK

How is Invisalign Teen Different?

Working similarly to traditional Invisalign aligners, the plastic trays with Invisalign Teen have a few key differences. Not only do they contain a blue dot that gradually fades over time and serves as a reminder of when they need to be replaced with new trays, but teens typically need more replacement aligners because of their likelihood of misplacing them. With this nearly invisible solution, though, teenagers can enjoy the treatment process with greater peace of mind.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

Since candidacy is determined on a case-by-case basis, we can’t answer that question without a consultation. During this appointment, we will conduct a thorough oral exam, take X-rays, and scan your teen’s teeth in order to determine important information, like if they have any existing oral health issues or if their case of malocclusion is so complex that it warrants traditional braces. With all of that said, many teens are good candidates for Invisalign. So, if your child is interested in improving the alignment of their teeth and the look of their smile without the metal, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Oklahoma City orthodontist!

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Naturally, one of the biggest perks of Invisalign Teen is that the clear aligners are see-through, making them virtually undetectable when worn. However, there are other benefits that are equally as noteworthy:

• There aren’t any dietary restrictions – So, your teen won’t have to avoid whole apples, raw celery, and other crunchy foods entirely.
• They can still play sports – If your child plays a non-contact sport, they can keep their aligners in. If they participate in wrestling, football, or something similar, then they will need to take their aligners out and wear a mouthguard instead.
• Short check-in visits – The routine appointments at our office are crucial in keeping your child on-track with their treatment plan. Fortunately, these visits are usually quite short, so they can fit in easily to even the busiest of schedules!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

We mentioned above that in order to give you a precise estimate of the cost of Invisalign, we need to see you for a consultation. That’s because we need to determine the severity of your misalignment, if we need to straighten one or both arches of teeth, if rubber bands need to be added to your treatment plan, and other important information. Down the line, there may be additional costs if you fall off-track, which is usually the case for patients who don’t wear their aligners for 20+ hours a day or who consistently need replacement trays made. 

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

When comparing the upfront cost of Invisalign to mail-order alternatives, you’ll quickly see that the latter is cheaper. However, the latter also skips the initial consultation, relies on DIY impressions, and has several lawsuits from previous patients who experienced serious complications, like teeth that fell out. These are just a few of the many reasons the American Dental Association and other professional organizations don’t recommend using orthodontic alternatives, even if they are cheaper.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

That depends! After all, dental plans aren’t exactly the same from patient to patient. Typically, however, insurance providers cover upwards of 50% of the total cost if the treatment is “medically necessary.” Even then, there are yearly deductibles, annual maximums, and waiting periods to consider. That’s why we encourage our patients to thoroughly review the fine print on their plan and reach out to us with any questions that come up along the way.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Of course, dental insurance isn’t the only financial solution we welcome. To begin, we offer periodic special offers, like no-cost orthodontic consultations, helping reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. We also are happy to accept CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier that’s helped millions of patients around the world. Basically, their payment plans allow you to space out the cost into manageable chunks instead of paying for the entire thing at once. Sometimes, there is little-to-no interest attached too!

Does Invisalign Hurt?

To be honest… any orthodontic treatment will come with some discomfort – that means your teeth are moving! With that said, Invisalign is considered one of the most pain-free teeth-straightening treatments because the aligners are custom-made for each patient and there aren’t any metal brackets and wires to worry about. Plus, there are several ways you can effectively alleviate any discomfort that does arise, like sipping on cold water, avoiding crunchy foods, and taking OTC pain medication as instructed.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign?

You really only need two things: clean water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. First, rinse your aligners off with clean, room-temperature or cold water. Then, dampen the bristles of your toothbrush before gently scrubbing each surface. When you’re done, rinse them off again, and that’s it!

Note: If your trays are starting to turn yellow, then you can also use the cleaning crystals that come in your Invisalign welcome kit. All you need to do is fill up a container with clean, lukewarm water and add a packet of cleaning crystals to it. Then carefully place your trays in the mixture and shake the container to dissolve the crystals. Let your aligners soak for about 15 minutes before rinsing them off thoroughly.

Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?

Don’t worry – you won’t have to give up coffee or any other dark-colored beverages during your Invisalign treatment! Just make sure to remove your aligners before indulging. That way, they don’t stain and any lingering residue from your beverage isn’t trapped against your teeth for hours on end. In other words, you can only drink water with your aligners in.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Invisalign on average takes 12-18 months. However, it’s possible for your treatment timeline to be significantly shorter or longer. For example, if your case of malocclusion is relatively minor, then we may be able to straighten your teeth in just six months. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you could end up wearing clear aligners for well over two years if you constantly misplace them or don’t wear them for 22 hours a day.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After you’re done with Invisalign, we will take impressions of your teeth so a custom retainer can be made. This process usually takes a few weeks, so we will ask you to continue wearing your last aligner in the meantime. Once your retainer arrives at our office, you’ll come in for your “last” appointment, which is when we will make sure it fits and give you detailed instructions on when to wear it. For many patients, we recommend wearing it as often as possible for the first few months before eventually transitioning to only wearing it at night.