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Invisalign – Arlington, TX

Straight Teeth and a Smile That Dazzles

Whether you’ve been putting off receiving orthodontic care for years, or you wore traditional braces and you’ve suffered some regression, Invisalign clear aligners provide the perfect solution. Not only will you gain a more attractive smile, but you’ll also enjoy improved functionality. When you visit our Arlington office, we’ll sit down with you to discuss your desires and to make sure you’re a good candidate for the Invisalign process. Then, with the expert care of Dr. Wardlaw, you can soon experience smile perfection. Visit us today at I-20 Dental to get the process started!

How Does Invisalign Work?

attractive woman smiling holding Invisalign alignerWith the Invisalign process, patients are no longer relegated to enduring metal brackets and wires that draw unwanted attention to your mouth. Instead, we’ll use clear plastic aligners to gradually adjust your teeth until the desired position is achieved.

We’ll start by taking digital X-rays that give us a clear picture of the current state of your teeth. Then, Dr. Wardlaw will create a complete smile plan and send it to a trusted Invisalign lab that will create your complete set of aligners. Once they arrive, we’ll invite you back to our office to retrieve them.

You’ll wear each set of aligners for two weeks, and then you’ll exchange them for the next set in the series. Soon, this will lead to you achieving the smile of your dreams. To ensure you stay on track with your pre-designed plan, though, you’ll need to wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. Then, as the process goes on, you won’t have to worry about losing any of the ground you’ve gained.

The Benefits of Receiving Invisalign Aligners

clear plastic upper and lower alignerReceiving Invisalign from I-20 Dental is completely different from the traditional braces process. For starters, you won’t have to worry about visiting our office every four weeks for adjustments. Given the fact that time seems to be getting harder to come by, it’s always great when you can save some. Instead of making a monthly commitment to be seen by your dentist in Arlington, you can visit our office every six-to-eight weeks so Dr. Wardlaw can monitor your progress.

The perks don’t stop there, though. Here are some of the other benefits that have made Invisalign such a popular procedure for patients:

  • With its clear design, provides a discreet treatment process
  • No need to make diet alterations since the aligners can be removed
  • The ability to perform normal oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing your teeth
  • Usually a faster treatment process than the traditional braces method
  • Allows you to remove them, briefly, for special occasions

Who’s the Right Candidate for Invisalign?

attractive woman blonde hair smilingIf you have minor gaps, crookedness, misalignment or crowding, then the Invisalign process could be the right choice for you. To make an accurate determination, Dr. Wardlaw will start the process with a careful orthodontic examination. If Invisalign is found to be a good fit for you, then we’ll move forward with designing the perfect treatment plan to leave you looking like a brand-new person.

To move forward with receiving Invisalign in Arlington, contact us today to schedule your first visit, and prepare to experience the smile bliss you’ve always wanted!

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Person calculates cost of Invisalign in Arlington on white desk

Cost is always an important factor when deciding whether to undergo orthodontic treatment. However, when it comes to Invisalign, there is no standard cost since every person’s smile is unique. Instead, how much you can expect to pay to straighten your teeth will depend on a few different factors. Our team will be happy to provide you with an accurate cost estimate when you visit us for your initial consultation. We also offer flexible payment options to help you manage the cost of Invisalign in Arlington.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Young woman pointing to Invisalign aligner in hand

Here are some of the main factors that affect the cost of Invisalign:

  • Number of aligners – If your teeth are severely misaligned, your Invisalign treatment may take longer and require a greater number of aligners.
  • One arch or both – Most people straighten their upper and lower teeth at the same time. Logically, straightening both dental arches often costs more than straightening just one or the other.
  • Your compliance – If you lose an aligner or don’t wear your aligners as directed, it will likely take longer to complete your treatment.
  • Extra accessories – Some patients need elastics (small rubber bands) or other accessories for successful treatment.

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

Woman holding Invisalign aligner on dark background

Smile Direct Club has received some attention in recent years as being a low-cost alternative to Invisalign. If your only goal for straightening your teeth is a “quick fix” at a low cost, then Smile Direct Club wins. Invisalign typically costs anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000, while Smile Direct Club is a little under $2,000.

However, we strongly recommend that patients consider the fact that Smile Direct Club is a “do-it-yourself” clear aligner kit. If you choose the DIY route, you will have little to NO oversight from a professional. Plenty can go wrong, from having to make impressions yourself to not correctly following the treatment process. Any mistakes could lead to serious issues for your smile that need to be corrected by a professional anyway.

Meanwhile, with Invisalign, you have the trusted oversight of Dr. Wardlaw every step of the way, professionally made, highly accurate impressions, and a smoother, more successful treatment process overall. If you want the peace of mind of a quality cosmetic service, the cost is worth it.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Insurance paperwork with glasses and pen

Only some dental insurance plans include coverage for orthodontic treatment, and Invisalign is usually left out. However, every insurance plan is slightly different! Before committing to Invisalign in Arlington, be sure to contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. You can also use your Flexible Spending Account (if you have one) to help cover the cost. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to help you understand the details of your insurance coverage and different payment options.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Woman removing Invisalign in Arlington from mouth

Even if your dental insurance doesn’t cover the cost of Invisalign, there are plenty of options to straighten your smile in an affordable way. For example, we gladly accept payments via CareCredit, a trusted dental financing company. CareCredit allows patients to break down the cost of Invisalign and other dental treatments into manageable monthly payments. CareCredit plans often include low or no interest, making it a convenient payment option for many of our patients. Ask our team for details if you’re interested in signing up!

Dr. Wardlaw, a trusted Invisalign dentist in Arlington, is dedicated to making sure patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles in the most affordable way possible. To learn more about the cost of Invisalign and explore different payment options, schedule a consultation at our office today.

Invisalign FAQs

Dr. Wardlaw offers Invisalign treatment because he believes that every patient deserves to improve their smile without sacrificing day-to-day conveniences like eating the snacks they love. Are you still curious about how this modern orthodontic treatment could benefit you? There’s no need to wonder,  because we’ve compiled some common questions that patients have asked us below. 

How often should I wear my aligners?

When you visit your dentist in Arlington to get your Invisalign aligners, they’ll cover the basics about maintaining them and how to stay on track with your treatment. In order to stick to your timeline though, it’s important to wear your aligner for at least 22 hours every day. Just remember to only take them out while you’re eating or drinking and brushing and flossing.

Will wearing my aligners be uncomfortable or hurt?

With any oral appliance, it may take your mouth a little while to get used to the feeling of your plastic aligners. After all, they were custom crafted to apply a strategic amount of pressure on your teeth to shift them. Any discomfort should go away after a few days, and it just means that your aligners are effectively moving your teeth into their ideal positions.

Can I smoke while wearing my aligners?

One of the biggest reasons that patients choose Invisalign in Arlington over traditional metal braces is because they’re virtually unnoticeable. We recommend not smoking while you’re wearing your trays because the nicotine can stain them and cause them to develop a yellow tint, making them more noticeable.

How should I clean my aligners?

Cleaning your aligners is important in preventing the transfer of plaque and food debris to and from your mouth via your trays. Every time you take them out to snack or drink, be sure to rinse them under lukewarm water. When you’re cleaning them, use a soft-bristled brush and clear anti-bacterial soap. It’s best not to use toothpaste because it can be slightly gritty and scratch them.

Additionally, be sure to soak your aligners for 15 to 30 minutes in a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water. When you take them out, rinse them under lukewarm water. They may have a slightly vinegar-y taste to them, but that will go away within a few minutes.

Will wearing my aligners change the way I talk?

With any orthodontic treatment, your mouth may need a few days or a week to adjust to the feeling of your new appliance. Every time you speak, your tongue comes into contact with areas like the roof of your mouth, your front teeth, and the floor of your mouth to make certain sounds. When you have your trays in, the position your tongue may need to adjust in order to make certain sounds. Typically, patients report that they don’t experience any speech changes, but some say that they have a slight lisp for a few days. Once you get used to your trays though, your speech should go back to normal.