Invisalign® – Corpus Christi, TX
The Discreet, Image-Friendly Way to Straighten Teeth
When most people hear the word “orthodontics,” they picture a mouthful of cumbersome metal brackets and wires that they might have worn in their middle school days. Thankfully, traditional braces are no longer your only option for achieving a straight set of teeth. Dr. Rob Madry is proud to offer Invisalign clear aligners to help adults and teens fix crooked teeth without drawing attention to their orthodontic appliances. To find out whether Invisalign from our Corpus Christi, TX dentist, Rob Madry, DDS, is just what your smile needs, call us today and set up your appointment!
Why Choose Rob Madry, DDS for Invisalign®?
- Mess-Free Digital Dental Impression System
- Preview Your Results with Virtual Smile Design Software
- Dentist Has More Than Two Decades of Experience
Invisalign® Clear Braces
Rather than using metal brackets and wires like traditional braces, Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, computer-generated plastic aligners to straighten your smile. Each set of trays is designed to make small changes to the alignment of the teeth. As you switch sets of aligners about every two weeks, your teeth will be gradually guided into their proper positions. You will also visit our dental office on a regular basis during treatment to make certain that your smile is progressing as planned.
Benefits of Invisalign®
The most obvious benefit of Invisalign is right there in the name; the aligners are practically unnoticeable when you’re wearing them. Other advantages of Invisalign over traditional braces include:
- Shorter average treatment time (12-18 months compared to 24-36 months)
- Smooth, comfortable plastic instead of sharp metal wires and brackets
- No dietary changes necessary – just remove the aligners before eating
- Easy oral hygiene, as you can take the trays out before brushing and flossing
- Quicker checkups throughout treatment than braces
Living with Invisalign Aligners
You may know quite a bit about Invisalign before your first set of aligners arrive, but living with braces is always a bit of an adjustment. After all, you now have to incorporate cleaning your trays, storing them properly, switching them on the right day, and visiting your dentist every couple of months into your routine! That’s why we’re covering a little more on the topic in this next section.
Wearing Your Trays
One of the most important rules with Invisalign is wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day. If you don’t, then your teeth won’t move as anticipated, resulting in you falling off-track with your treatment plan. For that reason, we recommend only taking them off when necessary, like during mealtimes. If you’re having trouble keeping track of how long you’re wearing them, then try using the timer on the Invisalign app!
Cleaning Your Aligners
There are really only two things you need to clean your Invisalign aligners: a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean, cool water. Some patients like using toothpaste as well, but the abrasive ingredients can leave behind microscopic scratches that make the aligners look dull. That’s why we don’t recommend using any harsh cleaners either, including mouthwash.
Eating & Drinking
You can keep your aligners in while you’re drinking water (including sparkling water); however, you need to remove them with all other beverages, like coffee and soda. You also need to take them out before eating. Instead of wrapping them in a napkin or leaving them out on the counter, rinse them off gently with clean water and place them in their designated storage case to prevent them from being misplaced, getting damaged, or becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Let’s start with losing a tray. If you find yourself in this situation, carefully retrace your steps and, once you confirm that it’s missing, contact our Corpus Christi dental team. If you have your trays but they are cracked or completely broken in half, then do NOT try to repair them with super glue or any other adhesives. Instead, call us ASAP so we can determine if a replacement tray needs to be made or if you can move onto the next set of aligners in the series.
Routine Check-Ins
Although the check-in appointments are more spaced-out with Invisalign, they are equally as important. After all, these routine visits allow us to periodically assess the movement of your teeth, see if you’re on track with your treatment plan, and make any minor adjustments that are necessary. Plus, we usually use these check-ins to give you your next set of aligners in the series so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of all of them at once!
Understanding the Cost of Invisalign
Without a consultation, pinpointing the exact cost of Invisalign in Corpus Christi is near impossible. Although this may be frustrating at first, there’s a good reason for it: every treatment plan is unique! Since yours will be tailored to your unique dental needs and smile goals, a dentist needs to examine your teeth and learn more about your concerns first. If you want to learn more about the price before your appointment, then don’t hesitate to read on!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign
Before providing you with an estimate, our Corpus Christi dentist will determine:
- How severe your misalignment is
- If you need to straighten one arch of teeth or both
- How many trays are needed
- If rubber bands and other orthodontic tools are required
Once you begin treatment, other cost-related factors will come into play, like how often you wear your aligners. If you don’t meet the 22-hour-a-day wear time, then there is a good chance you’re going to fall off-track, requiring you to invest more time and money. To prevent that from happening, do your best to follow all of your dentist’s instructions.
Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
When comparing the upfront cost, Smile Direct Club™ is cheaper. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s better. In fact, there are several concerns to consider with DIY orthodontic brands, like no comprehensive exam and no oversight from a licensed professional. These two factors alone can result in serious complications, and it’s not worth risking your smile to save a few bucks. Although Invisalign in Corpus Christi has a higher upfront cost, its 20+ year track record, state-of-the-art aligners, and dentist-approved system are well worth the investment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Sometimes! That’s why it’s always worth double-checking the details of your dental plan. If you are having trouble understanding your benefits, don’t hesitate to let our team know. We have years of experience working with dental insurance providers and would be happy to help you maximize your coverage.
Options for Making Invisalign Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance or your plan doesn’t cover Invisalign, that’s okay. With CareCredit, you don’t have to pay for your entire treatment upfront. Instead, you can choose a payment plan that spaces out your payments into manageable chunks. If you want to learn more about how this financial solution works, then get in touch with us!
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Even if Invisalign sounds good, maybe you aren’t sure it suits you. That’s a fair worry – clear aligners don’t work on all orthodontic problems. In fact, Invisalign is only ideal for specific tooth and jaw issues. Still, Dr. Madry and his team can address your uncertainty. Listed below are standard issues that Invisalign can treat. By reviewing them, you’ll see if our trays would help. Should you need more details, though, please call our office .
Crowded Teeth
As you’d expect, the phrase ‘crowded teeth’ refers to pearly whites that lack space. Without the room to spread out, they slowly become twisted and crooked. Such effects create hard-to-reach spaces that gather bacteria, debris, and plaque. You’ll then have an increased risk of oral issues.
Of course, Invisalign can fix your crowded teeth. Clear trays shift your teeth to lay flush beside each other. From there, you’ll brush and floss far more effectively.
Gaps Between Teeth
Due to genes and other factors, your teeth may develop gaps. These spaces harm oral health by allowing bad bacteria to breed and grow. When such microbes accumulate, you’re more likely to get tooth decay and gum disease.
Luckily, Invisalign acts as a great solution. Its aligners would move your teeth closer together, working to “fill” the needless gaps. The result is a greater degree of protection from oral problems. (To emphasize another relevant point, you could also get dental bonding to address minor gaps.)
Overbite
Per the name, an overbite is a problem related to your bite. It occurs when the top teeth “jut out” too far from the lower arch. As that happens, you’ll suffer jaw pain, worn teeth, speech issues, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. The misalignment also exposes your top teeth, leaving them at risk of injury.
Even here, Invisalign will correct your smile. Its aligners can move top teeth until they don’t “jut out” anymore. Consequently, your grin would be aligned and your bite made even.
Underbite
Honestly, an underbite is the reverse of an overbite. It’s when the bottom teeth go slightly past the top teeth when you close your mouth. Left unchecked, this misalignment causes sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and a reduced ability to speak and chew.
With an underbite, Invisalign works quite effectively. Its clear trays just shift your bottom teeth into the right position.
Crossbite
When your upper jaw sits inside the lower one, you have a crossbite. That means your top teeth only just fit behind the bottom ones. Should you leave this matter alone, you’ll likely get gum disease, tooth decay, jaw pain, and headaches.
All that said, Invisalign can undo crossbites. However, note beforehand if the bite problem stems from bad jaw development. If it does, you could need elastics as well as aligners.
Open Bite
With an open bite, your top and bottom teeth don’t overlap or touch. The latter fact will even apply if you try closing your mouth. As such, the problem often causes pronunciation challenges, as well as enamel wear of the back teeth. Such erosion of your enamel will damage your pearly whites.
An open bite isn’t that tricky for Invisalign. Thanks to its clear trays, it’ll bring the front top and bottom teeth together. Your bite pattern would then be corrected, reducing your risk of dental wear and tear.
Invisalign FAQs
Want to know more about Invisalign? Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from patients about this orthodontic treatment. We hope you find this information helpful! To learn more about Invisalign and determine if you are a good candidate, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Rob Madry, a cosmetic dentist in Corpus Christi with over two decades of experience.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
Unlike with traditional braces, you can eat whatever your heart desires during Invisalign treatment. However, you must always remove your aligners and store them in a safe place while eating. Never try to enjoy a meal while wearing your aligners. Doing so may not only damage your aligners, causing cracks and stains, but will also put unnecessary pressure on your teeth. In addition, drinking water with Invisalign is safe but all other liquids should be avoided while wearing your aligners.
Who Is Not Eligible for Invisalign?
Invisalign in Corpus Christi can be an effective orthodontic treatment for any patient who has their full, permanent teeth. This means teenagers as young as 13 years old may be able to benefit from Invisalign treatment. However, while most healthy teens and adults can receive Invisalign, there are some important exceptions. In some cases, bite misalignment is too severe to be corrected with clear aligners, making braces or other orthodontics necessary. In addition, Invisalign may not be right for patients with extra small, misshapen, or eroded teeth. In these cases, additional dental work must be performed. Finally, patients who smoke and are unable to or unwilling to stop may not be good candidates for Invisalign. Smoking tobacco stains the aligners and puts oral health at risk.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
While Invisalign sells specialty cleaning products, you can also just use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your aligners. In general, you should rinse your aligners throughout the day – especially after meals – in order to prevent debris from sticking to the smooth plastic. Never rinse your aligners with hot water because it can permanently warp the plastic. Instead, use room temperature water. In addition to keeping your aligners clean, make sure to diligently brush and floss your teeth as well. Otherwise, you may end up trapping plaque, bacteria, and food debris in between your teeth and Invisalign.
Who Invented Invisalign?
Invisalign was first created in 1997 by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth in San Jose, California. It might surprise you to know that Zia Chishti is not an orthodontist or a dentist. In fact, he majored in Computer Science and Economics at Columbia University before going on to get his MBA at Stanford. During his time in as a student at Stanford, Chishti underwent traditional orthodontic treatment and grew convinced that there must be a better way to straighten teeth. He worked on the concept of clear aligners in his dorm room before graduating and founding Align Technologies with other students. Today, Chishti is no longer with the company but over 10 million people have enjoyed the benefits of his invention.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
The good news is you can! Whether you enjoy starting your morning with a cup of coffee or like to sip on an iced latte in the afternoon, you won’t have to eliminate this caffeinated beverage from your diet during your Invisalign treatment. With that said, there is one rule: you have to remove your aligners first. If you don’t, then the trays will discolor and trap the lingering residue against your teeth, increasing your chances of developing tooth decay in the process.
Bonus tip: Use a straw and keep additives like sugar to a minimum! This will help keep your teeth bright and healthy.
Why Do I Need to Wear My Aligners for 22 Hours a Day?
Since your aligners only work while you’re wearing them, you need to wear them as often as possible. That’s where the “20-22 hours a day” recommendation comes from. Basically, you should get in the habit of only taking them out when absolutely necessary, like when you’re ready to eat or it’s time to brush and floss your teeth. If you’re not sure if you’re wearing your aligners enough, use the Invisalign app or the timer on your phone to help!
What Should I Do If I Lose One of My Aligners?
Since your aligners are clear, trying to find them can be quite difficult. Regardless, the best thing to do is take a few deep breaths and try to pinpoint the last time you had them. Then, retrace your steps. In the process, make sure to look in odd places, like the center console of your car. It’s also a good idea to look through the trash if there is any chance that they accidentally got thrown away with your last meal. If you have looked and looked but can’t find them, then call our Corpus Christi dental team ASAP.
How Do I Use My Invisalign Cleaning Crystals?
You’ll find a few things in your Invisalign welcome kit, including a few packets of cleaning crystals. These will come in handy when you want to give your aligners a deeper clean. To use them, simply fill a clean container with some lukewarm water and add the cleaning crystals. Then, place your trays inside and gently shake the container to dissolve the crystals. Let them soak for 15 minutes or so while you’re eating or completing your oral hygiene regimen. Finally, rinse them off with clean water.
What Happens After Invisalign?
After you’ve worked through your entire series of trays, there is another step: wearing your retainer. This is crucial because your teeth need to “set” in place. In other words, if you don’t wear your retainer, then your teeth will begin to drift out of their perfectly aligned positions.