Invisalign FAQs

Does the thought of getting braces make your child nervous? Even as an adult you may be hesitant to get the orthodontic treatment you need because of how traditional braces look.

What if we here at Heroes Dental told you that straightening the alignment of your teeth can be much simpler than having clunky braces in your mouth?

You may be wondering how. One word – Invisalign.

Our Heroes Dental orthodontists at our various Rio Grande Valley dental offices receive questions about Invisalign on a daily basis, and in order to shed some light on the subject, we have created this list of frequently asked questions to soothe any concerns you may have about you or your child’s dental alignment when it comes to these amazing orthodontic tools.

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What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a brand of aligners that aid in straightening out your teeth. These aligners act as an alternative dental alignment treatment to traditional braces.

What are the aligners made of?

The substance that Invisalign aligners are created with is a special thermoplastic material. These custom made aligners somewhat resemble teeth-whitening trays.

How does it work? What is the treatment process?

Your Invisalign-trained orthodontist maps which teeth the aligners should gently shift into the correct position with the appropriate placement of controlled force and which other teeth need to stay in place. A specially designed set of aligners are then created for you.

Every two weeks, a new set of aligners are then sent to you with further adjustments to continue the realignment of your teeth.

Do I have to wear them for a long time?

Our patients participate in this treatment for an average of 12 months. However, this time frame is dependent on the severity of the misalignment of you or your child’s teeth. Our Heroes Dental orthodontists will be able to provide you with a more accurate time frame.

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I’m considering getting braces. Would it be better to get Invisalign instead?

It depends on what’s right for you or your child. Naturally, you will want to take the advice of an experienced orthodontist before making a decision, as they’ll be able to provide you with a greater level of insight.

But there are a few benefits of Invisalign that are worth noting:

Invisalign is comparable to the price of braces.
They are invisible in the sense that they are completely see through. No embarrassing metallic grin.
They are removable, unlike braces.
You aren’t restricted on what you eat during treatment.
They are removable when brushing and allow flossing, something difficult to do with braces.
No metal or wires to irritate the mouth or gum.
They are a great alternative to those who suffer from metal allergies.
You will spend less time in the orthodontist’s chair because you aren’t constantly having them tightened like traditional braces.

With all of these benefits over traditional braces, Invisalign is quickly becoming the go-to choice for many patients.

Are there certain items that I cannot eat when I’m wearing my Invisalign aligners?

Unlike with metal braces, with Invisalign, there are no dietary restrictions. You can eat anything so long as you remove the aligners.

Also, the aligners have to be removed for proper oral hygiene such as brushing after a meal.

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How will it affect my life?

There may be some discomfort during the first 2 to 3 days as your mouth becomes accustomed to the aligners.

In order to be truly effective, the aligners must remain in place for 20 to 22 hours a day. You or your child may experience a slight lisp when speaking the first few days, but after you have become accustomed to the aligners, speech should return to normal.

I have braces now. Can I switch to Invisalign?

Although it may be a possibility, you should always consult with your orthodontist first to see if switching from braces to Invisalign is the best option for you.

What about the bridge work I have on several of my teeth?

Since bridge work connects a few of your teeth together to other surrounding teeth, the aligners may not work effectively. Invisalign aligners are designed to shift teeth individually, following what your orthodontist has mapped out for you.

How do I take care of my aligners?

The go to method for cleaning your aligners would be with the Invisalign Cleaning system.

Or if you prefer, you can brush the aligners and rinse them off with lukewarm water.

What happens after the treatment?

As with braces, you may need to wear a retainer to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions.

Vivera creates their retainers in the same innovative, state-of-the-art fashion as Invisalign aligners by either scanning your teeth or building the retainer off of an impression. The two together are compatible as they are 30% stronger than other leading retainers on the market.

Consult with your Invisalign-trained orthodontist to confirm if post-treatment is needed to secure that perfect smile.

Is it expensive?

Invisalign is comparable to braces in terms of pricing, but as other medical treatments, pricing is susceptible to specifics that could determine costs such as:

Where you live.
Severity of the misaligned teeth.
Treatment goals.
How long you are in treatment.

However, payment plans may be an option you can discuss with our orthodontists.

Also, Invisalign is covered by many dental insurance policies, so refer to your particular personal plan to see if you are covered.

How do I get started?

Aligners are the future of dental correction and we want to help all heroes – big or small – get the best smile possible.

If you have any additional questions about our Invisalign orthodontic treatment plan, then contact us today at any of our offices located in Laredo, Mission, San Juan, McAllen, Pharr, and Edinburg.