Invisalign – Temple, TX
Straighter Smiles for All Ages
If you have misaligned teeth, you may feel self-conscious about smiling and laughing openly with others. You may even wish you’d had braces when you were younger because now you’re worried about how they might ruin the professional image you’ve worked so hard to build. But the good news is that you don’t have to choose between a professional image and straighter teeth. With Invisalign from our Temple, TX cosmetic dentist, Dr. Fossum, you can quickly and unobtrusively transform your smile.
Why Choose Richard Fossum, DDS for Invisalign?
- Orthodontic Treatments for Adults
- Dentists with Wide Skill Sets
- Patient is Always Number One
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign doesn’t use metal brackets and wires the way traditional braces do. Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners, with each one made to progressively move your teeth into their ideal position. As you proceed through your treatment, you’ll wear each aligner for about two weeks at a time before moving on to the next, with each aligner bringing you closer and closer to your ultimate goal. Treatment time with our skilled cosmetic dentist varies from patient to patient, but many complete their treatment in just 12-18 months.
The Benefits of Invisalign Clear Braces
The most obvious benefit of Invisalign is that your aligners are clear, but they’re also removable. That means you can enjoy an unrestricted diet and consume all of your favorite foods just as you normally would. What’s more, you can also remove your clear aligners to brush and floss. That can be difficult with traditional braces, which make it hard to keep teeth as clean as they need to be. As a result, your smile may be more vulnerable to common conditions like tooth decay and gum disease. That’s not the case with Invisalign.
Getting Started
Starting your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear braces is simple. During a consultation appointment at our Temple dental office, Dr. Fossum will thoroughly assess your oral health before recommending a specific treatment. If Invisalign is what you need, we’ll work with you to design your treatment. Then, the Invisalign lab will carefully craft your aligners based on that plan. When they’re finished and have been shipped back to our Temple dental office, treatment is simple. Just wear your aligners as directed and remember to schedule your checkups so we can follow your treatment. In just a matter of months, you can look forward to revealing your beautiful, new smile.
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
You’ll likely want to know Invisalign’s price before you get it. That’s only fair - you can’t buy a treatment if it exceeds your budget. Even so, the cost of Invisalign varies from one patient to the next. You can only get a precise estimate by consulting Dr. Fossum. Once you have, we’ll outline ways to make your treatment more affordable. This guidance even includes Invisalign’s cost factors and payment options. For more details, just keep reading or call our office.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
You’ll first receive an oral exam at your consultation visit. By performing this step, our staff can assess factors that affect your treatment cost. The most notable of such elements are:
- Arch Number – Invisalign doesn’t have to treat both rows of teeth. In fact, a patient could get it for just one arch at a cheaper price.
- Treatment Complexity – Invisalign grows more costly when it involves more complex tooth movements.
- Treatment Timespan – If your Invisalign journey runs long, you’ll need a greater number of aligners. Thes increase in trays will lead to a pricier procedure.
- Patient Compliance – Your treatment results will be delayed if you neglect Invisalign's best practices. From there, the odds are that you’ll pay a higher expense.
Invisalign vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
In truth, Invisalign has a higher upfront price than mail-in aligners. The full procedure can charge $3,000 to $8,000, while the second option costs under $2,000. So, one might assume this latter service is the more cost-effective one.
All that said, note that mail-in aligners are basically a DIY kit. They won’t benefit from a certified dentist’s expertise and oversight. To that extent, using them can lead to many issues – poorly-made dental impressions, bad aligner habits, etc. You’d then need professional care anyway, defeating the purpose of the mail-in choice.
Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t have this oversight problem. It benefits from Dr. Fossum’s constant input and feedback re: patient troubles. As a result, it usually leads to high-grade impressions and very successful care. Invisalign’s cost then becomes well-justified.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Sadly, dental insurance normally won’t cover Invisalign. It often doesn’t apply to orthodontic work at all. Even in cases where it does, the given plan is likely to exclude Invisalign.
Still, there are exceptions. Some dental plans may cover up to 50% of Invisalign’s cost. You should thus confirm your benefits before anything else. We’ll help you do so by reaching out to your plan provider.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
Of course, insurance isn’t the only way to make Invisalign affordable. You can also depend on a dental practice’s various payment options. Here at Dr. Fossum’s office, we offer:
- In-House Savings Plan – By paying an annual fee, our office will give you a 15% discount on specialty work. This price reduction also applies to Invisalign.
- Flexible Financing – Our practice happens to work with CareCredit – a third-party financier. Through them, you could pay for Invisalign in monthly installments. That means you would cover the treatment cost gradually.
In the end, we at Dr. Fossum’s office want to make Invisalign affordable for you. Learn how we can help you finance it by visiting us soon!
Invisalign FAQs
It’s inevitable that people will notice the condition of your teeth when you’re in their presence. If you have crooked, gapped, misaligned or crowded ivories, you don’t have to settle for having uncomfortable interactions where you’re left feeling insecure about your smile. When you visit our Temple dental office to meet with Dr. Fossum, you’ll learn how Invisalign can erase your bite flaws and boost your confidence. But first, read on for the answers to five frequently asked questions about the process. Then, to get on the path to smile perfection, contact our dental office today to schedule an initial visit!
What is Invisalign?
Instead of wearing metal braces that draw unwanted attention to the teeth, the Invisalign method of bite correction utilizes a series of custom-designed, clear plastic trays to gradually make adjustments. Each set of trays are worn for two-week increments and then exchanged for the next set in the series, your smile being molded into perfection with each progression.
I wore braces in the past – does that disqualify me?
Many people who wore braces in the past have gone on to undergo Invisalign treatment. This is not because metal braces aren’t effective; it’s typically the result of hiccups in wearing the retainer properly after the treatment concludes.
In such situations, the Invisalign method is a perfect remedy. Take note, though, that even after your treatment with Invisalign concludes, you’ll still need to wear a retainer to solidify your results.
How should I clean my trays?
Keeping your teeth and Invisalign trays clean is of the utmost importance throughout your treatment process. That’s because the tight-fitting trays can become a breeding ground for oral bacteria growth.
Here are some dental hygiene steps to keep in mind to ensure your oral health stays on par with your smile improvements:
- Rinse the aligners with cool water as soon as you remove them.
- Soak them in either denture cleaner or a special solution called Retainer Brite.
- While the aligners soak, you should brush and floss your teeth to remove any leftover food and bacteria.
- After soaking them, you can rinse and re-insert the aligners.
Can I eat while wearing my Invisalign trays?
Before consuming anything other than water, it’s imperative that you remove your Invisalign trays. Otherwise, you run the risk of cracking or warping them, and slowing down your progress.
Not only is removing the trays a necessity; it’s also one of the big benefits of the Invisalign process. It means you can maintain a regular diet and lifestyle while undergoing treatment.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Because Invisalign in Temple is a highly-customized procedure, the only way to receive an accurate cost estimate is to visit our dental office for a consultation with Dr. Fossum. He’ll carefully consider the current condition of your teeth to make sure you don’t have any issues that could threaten your oral health and the results of your Invisalign treatment. Once you’ve been cleared to move forward, you can get on with achieving the smile of your dreams!
Call our dental office today to schedule your Invisalign consultation with Dr. Fossum. We give Temple and surrounding areas customized care for fantastic smiles.