Invisalign & SureSmile Clear Aligners – Fort Worth, TX
A Convenient and Discreet Way to Straighten Teeth
Have you put off orthodontic care because, as an adult, you are unwilling to endure years of wearing bulky, unattractive metal braces? If so, it is time to rethink your decision. Today, there are two effective options for patients who want great results without the burden of unsightly brackets and wires: Invisalign and SureSmile. These clear aligner treatments in Fort Worth offer a convenient and discreet way to straighten teeth.
Why Choose Distinguished Dental for Invisalign & SureSmile Clear Aligners?
- Skilled Professionals to Oversee Treatment Process
- Careful Treatment Planning to Ensure Effective & Efficient Results
- Updated Technologies for Optimal Patient Comfort
How Clear Aligners Work
Invisalign and SureSmile use a series of custom-made clear aligners that apply gentle pressure to the teeth. As you progress through your series of aligners, your teeth will gradually move closer to their ideal positions. For maximum effectiveness, you should keep your treatment in your mouth for 20 – 22 hours each day (the closer to 22 hours, the better).
You will visit us periodically so we can monitor your progress. After you make your way through all of your aligners (which takes, on average, 12 – 18 months), you can expect to have a beautifully straight smile.
Who Can Clear Aligners Help?
Do you have orthodontic issues that require clear aligners? We can examine your teeth and identify any problems that are present in order to confirm whether you’re a candidate for the treatment. If you check below, you’ll find examples of situations where clear aligners can be beneficial for your smile.
Crowded Teeth
Teeth that are too crowded together are more than just a cosmetic issue. It can be hard to clean them properly; there can easily be crevices that your toothbrush can’t reach at all, and flossing may prove challenging. But with clear aligners, it’s possible to straighten the teeth so that there’s just the right amount of space between them.
Gaps Between Teeth
Crowded teeth are a problem, but so is having them spaced too far apart. Bits of food and harmful oral bacteria can easily be caught in the gaps in your grin, which can increase your chances of developing gum disease or tooth decay. We can use clear aligners to reduce the amount of empty space between your teeth.
Overbite
It’s normal for the upper teeth to stick out a little in front of the lower teeth. But if they’re too far forward, it could lead to major issues. You may notice some discomfort in your jaw, and your teeth may wear down faster than normal. Additionally, your upper teeth may be more likely to suffer damage in an accident. Certain cases of overbite can be corrected with clear aligners.
Underbite
Having an underbite means that the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth. This can be a genetic issue, but it can also be a result of childhood thumb-sucking. An underbite can potentially lead to mouth breathing and might even be a risk factor for sleep apnea. This is another example of a bite problem that clear aligners can potentially be used to correct.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when only some of the bottom teeth stick out in front of the upper ones. There are different types of crossbites based on which teeth are affected. The condition can sometimes be a consequence of baby teeth that fall out of the mouth too early. Clear aligners can help reposition the teeth in question so that you can enjoy a more properly aligned smile.
Open Bite
If your upper and bottom teeth don’t come into contact with each other when you bite down, you have what is known as an open bite. This is a less common type of bite problem that can nevertheless lead to worn-down enamel, difficulties with speaking, and other issues that can affect your quality of life. With clear aligners, it’s possible to correct the positions of the upper and lower arches so that they are aligned as they should be.
The Benefits of Invisalign & SureSmile
Clear aligners offer some remarkable benefits, including:
- Efficient tooth movements. The average treatment time with Invisalign is much shorter than what is common with traditional braces.
- No dietary restrictions. Clear aligners are removable, so you can simply take them out of your mouth at mealtimes in order to enjoy all of your favorite foods.
- Easy oral hygiene. The removability of the aligners makes it easy to brush and floss.
- Quick appointments. Check-in appointments for clear aligners are usually very fast. Both SureSmile and Invisalign are manufactured to be as comfortable against the oral tissues as possible.
Living with Invisalign & SureSmile Aligners
When it comes to straightening your smile with clear aligners, compliance is key. You need to be proactive about keeping the alignment process on track; that means carefully following your dentist’s instructions and making sure that your aligners are being properly cared for. Here’s a brief preview of some of the things you’ll need to do when you start living with Invisalign or SureSmile.
Wearing Your Aligners
As noted above, you will be expected to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours on a daily basis. Failing to wear the aligners for the correct amount of time could result in your teeth not moving as expected, which can throw off your treatment timeline. As such, you should make sure that your aligners stay in your mouth as much as possible. It’s best to only ever take them out for meals or for oral hygiene purposes.
Cleaning Your Aligners
If you want to avoid problems during your treatment, it’s important to keep your aligners as clean as possible. You can do so by gently rinsing them off with cool water. After that, you can give them a careful brushing. Be sure to use a toothbrush that has soft bristles; hard bristles may end up damaging the aligners. It can also be beneficial to periodically soak your aligners in denture cleaner.
Eating & Drinking
You can eat or drink whatever you like during your treatment. That said, you shouldn’t consume anything other than water while your clear aligners are currently inside your mouth. When the time comes to enjoy a meal, snack, or drink, your aligners should be carefully stored in their carrying case.
Losing or Damaging an Aligner
If one of your aligners is lost, you should retrace your steps and try to locate it as quickly as possible. The longer it stays outside of your mouth, the more of an adverse impact it will have on your treatment time. Please call us immediately if you have lost an aligner and can’t find it.
Sometimes an aligner might be damaged by accident. As tempting as it might be, you should never attempt to fix it on your own. It’s better to get in touch with our office as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements to see you and figure out the best way to handle the situation.
Routine Check-Ins
As part of the treatment process, you will need to return to our office periodically so that we can examine your teeth and confirm that everything is proceeding according to plan. If there are any problems, we’ll let you know right away. During these visits, we encourage you to ask any questions that you might have; we want to ensure that you have all the information you need for a successful treatment that ultimately results in a beautifully straight smile.
How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?
Both Invisalign and SureSmile are highly customized treatments, so there is no one-size-fits-all cost for either of them. During your consultation, we will assess the details of your case and provide you with a price estimate. Then, you can decide whether you would prefer to move forward with Invisalign or SureSmile.
Our team will also help you explore payment options. For example, we accept both CareCredit and Springstone financing. We are also in-network with several major dental insurance plans, so we can help you figure out if your benefits apply to clear aligners.