Invisalign® Clear Braces – Sunnyvale, TX

Benefits of Invisalign

Since the fact that the aligners are clear draws a lot of attention, many patients assume that’s the only reason to choose Invisalign. That’s not the case! In reality, this innovative orthodontic treatment offers several considerable perks, which is why millions and millions of people around the world have picked it over other teeth-straightening services, like traditional braces. To learn more, read on!

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Discreet Aligners

Invisalign is revolutionary for several reasons, and one of the most noteworthy ones is that it makes it possible for you to discreetly move your teeth into their correct positions without drawing attention to your treatment.  That's because Invisalign doesn't use metal brackets or wires. Instead, it uses a series of trays. In addition to being completely see-through, they are custom-made to fit perfectly and crafted to be low-profile, so they don’t call unwanted attention to your smile.

No Dietary Restrictions

In addition to being more comfortable, Invisalign clear aligners can be taken out to eat. As a result, you don’t need to eliminate whole apples, air-popped popcorn, celery, and other crunchy foods from your diet. You can enjoy all of your favorites as long as you take your trays out first, of course.

Important note: Since sugary and starchy foods increase your risk of cavities, we recommend not over-indulging. It’s a small step that will go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy!

Hassle-Free Dental Care

Another perk of removable aligners: you can care for your smile just as thoroughly as you normally would. You don’t need to worry about buying special products, like interproximal toothbrushes, or adopting cumbersome oral hygiene habits. Instead, remove your aligners, store them properly, and move forward with your usual dental care regimen.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

Invisalign is often able to deliver final results in much less time than braces as well. Average treatment times range from about 12-18 months, while regular braces tend to average about 2-3 years. Plus, because Invisalign doesn’t need to be regularly adjusted and tightened like braces, a patient will only need to come in for progress checks once every six weeks, saving them loads of time over the course of their treatment.

Removable Trays

We’ve already mentioned a few perks of removable aligners, like freedom from dietary restrictions and complicated oral hygiene regimens. We haven’t mentioned one of the biggest perks, however: you can take them out for your driver’s license photo, a first date, or an important presentation at work. Just make sure you make up for the aligner-free time the following day so you don’t fall off-track with your treatment plan!

How Invisalign Works

For patients who are interested in Invisalign, everything will begin with a consultation with Dr. Philip. During this appointment, he’ll perform a brief oral exam and ask the patient about their specific smile goals. If he believes that Invisalign is the best option for them, he can start the process of designing their trays.

Using a 3D impression of the teeth, he’ll create a personalized treatment plan that guides them into their new positions. This plan will then be sent to an Invisalign lab to create a patient’s unique series of trays. After a week or two, the patient will return to our office to pick up their trays, and Dr. Philip will show them how to put the trays on as well as maintain them.

Each tray needs to be worn for about 22 hours a day for 2 weeks before progressing to the next one. Basically, the only time someone will take them out is when they are eating or cleaning their teeth. After the two weeks, they’ll put in a new set of trays, and that’s how the entire treatment will progress. Once a patient has worn all of their trays, that’s it! Their treatment is finished, and they should have a perfectly straight set of teeth looking back at them in the mirror. At this point, Dr. Philip will likely have a patient temporarily wear a retainer to ensure their newly shifted teeth stay in place.

Who Can Invisalign Help?

Good news: Invisalign is an option for patients with all sorts of orthodontic problems – from overcrowding to open bites. So, don’t just assume that metal braces are your only choice. Instead, set aside some time to come to our Sunnyvale dental office to see if you’re a candidate for clear aligners. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more about who Invisalign can help and how!

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Crowded Teeth

Unfortunately, overcrowded teeth negatively impact your smile in several ways. That’s why we encourage our patients to learn about their treatment options sooner rather than later; we want to save you from experiencing chronic jaw pain, premature wear and tear, and other common consequences! If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then we will craft a custom series of clear aligners so we can guide your teeth into proper alignment without any metal brackets or wires.

Gaps Between Teeth

Whether you have several small gaps throughout your smile or one noticeable gap between your two front teeth, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us – you may be a candidate for Invisalign! If that’s the case, then closing the gaps won’t require any metal at all. Instead, we will use clear aligners to achieve the desired results, so no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile during the teeth-straightening process.

Overbite

For years, fixing bite problems, like overbites, required traditional braces. That’s no longer the case! Now, mild and moderate cases can be fixed with comfortable, custom-made, and completely clear aligners. That said, rubber bands and other orthodontic accessories are needed from time to time, but don’t worry – they are nowhere near as noticeable as metal brackets and wires. Plus, they are usually only needed during a brief period, not the entire time.

Underbite

An underbite can negatively impact the appearance of your smile. It also puts your jaw in an unnatural position for extended periods of time, which can lead to everything from chronic jaw pain to TMJ dysfunction. That’s why it’s important not to wait too long to get the orthodontic treatment you need! If Invisalign is an option for you, then the process of moving your bite into proper alignment will be considerably more discreet and comfortable.

Crossbite

Like the other bite problems on this list, crossbites can lead to several serious consequences, including cracks in your enamel, chronic jaw pain, and low self-esteem. So, don’t wait – come to our office for a consultation! You might be surprised to find out that you’re a candidate for Invisalign and, if you are, that the process of moving your teeth and bite into proper alignment won’t require any metal at all; it will be practically invisible.

Open Bite

As the name suggests, an open bite is when there is space in the front or back of your mouth, preventing you from biting down completely. Fortunately, clear aligners are often a solution with the help of other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands. So, don’t just assume that you’ll need metal brackets and wires!

Invisalign Teen

 

Dr. George Philip is proud to offer Invisalign Teen in addition to adult Invisalign treatment. Image-conscious teens can greatly benefit from the discreet, clear appearance of orthodontic aligners and their ease-of-use and removability. Specially made with younger patients in mind, Invisalign Teen is an ideal alternative to noticeable and bulky traditional metal braces. We invite you to read more about this treatment below and schedule a consultation for your child for more information.

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How is Invisalign Teen Different?

 

There are two primary differences between Invisalign for teens and Invisalign for adults. First, the clear aligners made for teens have small blue dots located towards the back molar-area of the trays, known as compliance indicators. The more your teen wears their trays, the more the blue dot will fade, allowing them to know when it’s time to switch to the next series of trays in their treatment. It also allows the adults in their life to know when they aren’t wearing their aligners as often as they need to be.

Second, Invisalign Teen treatment plans include multiple replacement trays, just in case your teen accidentally loses or damages one. This way, you won’t have to worry about paying extra! Accidents happen, so it’s always better to be prepared than not.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Teen?

 

Not every teenager is a good candidate for Invisalign Teen, but it can be a great option for many younger patients! As a certified Invisalign provider in Sunnyvale, Dr. Philip has helped hundreds of teens straighten their smiles and stay on track with their treatment timelines. Following a comprehensive oral examination, he’ll be able to determine whether your child is eligible for Invisalign treatment.

We typically recommend Invisalign over traditional orthodontics when teens are old enough and responsible enough to wear their aligners for 20 or more hours a day, keep track of their trays, and maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

 

Your teen will be able to enjoy countless advantages when you invest in Invisalign treatment for them over traditional braces. These benefits include:

• Discreet appearance with virtually unnoticeable aligners.
• Shorter average treatment timelines.
• Easy to remove, making them great for those who play sports or instruments.
• Easy to maintain good oral hygiene throughout treatment.
• Quick check-in visits, meaning less missed school!
• Comfortable and smooth, allowing them to ditch the orthodontic wax!

Living with Invisalign Aligners

While Invisalign can be an incredibly effective way to address many mild to moderate dental misalignments, it does require a significant amount of discipline on the part of the patient. Luckily, it only requires a few important habits to keep your orthodontic treatment on track. Here’s a brief guide from Dr. George T. Philip to how you can ensure that your teeth stay on the path to a better and healthier alignment.

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Wearing Your Trays

You’ll need to wear your aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours each day and switch to the next set every two weeks or so depending on the details of your treatment plan. Neglecting to wear your trays for at least twenty hours daily can set the orthodontic process back, so it’s ideal to only remove your aligners for oral hygiene sessions or when you are eating or drinking anything but water.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Hot or cold water can cause your Invisalign trays to warp and ruin their ability to shift your teeth properly, so be sure to only clean them with lukewarm or room temperature water. You should rinse your trays each time before placing them back in your mouth, and they should be thoroughly cleaned once daily by soaking them in Invisalign cleaning crystals for fifteen to thirty minutes or by treating them with hand soap and a soft-bristled brush. You’ll also need to brush and floss before putting your aligners back in each time after eating or drinking anything but water.

Eating & Drinking

While Invisalign patients can eat and drink whatever they like, they must remove their aligners for snacks, meals, and beverages other than water. Chewing with your trays in can damage them and compromise their ability to realign your teeth, and drinking anything but water while wearing them can lead to decay-causing and teeth-staining sugary accumulations forming beneath your appliances. When you remove your aligners, store them in a protective case to prevent them from being thrown away.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

While losing an Invisalign tray doesn’t mean your treatment has failed, it’s important to address the issue before complications arise. Invisalign trays are sometimes lost when patients remove them for meals or leave them within the reach of pets or small children. If your tray is lost or damaged, contact our office so Dr. Philip can determine whether you need to have a new aligner crafted or can simply move on to the next tray in the sequence.

Routine Check-Ins

Invisalign patients will need to attend regular checkups so Dr. Philip can make sure that their treatment is progressing as planned, and these appointments are typically scheduled every four to eight weeks. These visits typically take about fifteen minutes, and they also allow us to periodically provide you with your next series of aligners.

Invisalign Provider in Sunnyvale, TX

Dr. Philip has been a certified Invisalign provider for years and loves seeing how this modern service transforms the smiles and the confidence of his patients. If you're an adult or teenager, Invisalign may be right for you.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Even if you’re looking forward to finally straightening your teeth with Invisalign, odds are you have at least some concerns about the price. Don’t worry – our team will make sure to lay out all of the information you need to know ahead of time so that your treatment comes with no unpleasant surprises. The cost of Invisalign in Sunnyvale tends to be quite different from patient to patient, but the following information can be helpful when budgeting for your treatment.

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Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Because so many variables come into play, Invisalign in Sunnyvale rarely costs the exact same amount for two different patients. Until Dr. Philip has had the chance to review your specific case, we can’t provide an accurate cost estimate. Some of the main factors that affect the price include:

• Number of arches – Most patients need to straighten both their upper and lower teeth, but a select few patients will only need to wear aligners on one of their arches. Fewer aligners worn means a lower overall price of treatment.
• Complexity of your teeth’s misalignment – The greater distance your teeth need to shift, the longer your treatment will take, and so, the more aligners you’ll need. For instance, repositioning several significantly crooked teeth will take longer (and cost more) than closing some minor gaps between a few teeth.
• Commitment to treatment – If you don’t wear your aligners for the recommended 22+ hours per day, your teeth may not move as quickly as intended. Therefore, you may end up needing to extend your treatment by a few more weeks or months, adding to your total costs.

Invisalign vs. “DIY” Clear Aligners: Which Costs More?

Mail-order clear aligner kits, such as Smile Direct Club™, may seem like an appealing alternative to Invisalign. After all, they typically cost less, and you can handle the whole process at home. However, “do-it-yourself” clear aligners are almost never worth the risk.

When you’re responsible for taking your own impressions and wearing aligners on your own, with little to no supervision from a professional, there is all too much room for error. You might end up accidentally moving your teeth in drastically different ways than anticipated. In that case, you would need to see a dentist to have the issue corrected, ultimately costing you more money than if you’d simply gone to an Invisalign dentist in Sunnyvale to begin with.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

In some cases, dental insurance may partially cover Invisalign, but there are often limits. For example, some plans only cover orthodontic treatment for patients under the age of 18, and some plans cover traditional braces but not Invisalign.

No matter which dental plan you have, our team can help you fully understand your benefits and make sure you’re getting the most out of them. Better yet, we’re in-network with many of the leading providers, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, and MetLife.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

If you’re uninsured or your plan lacks sufficient coverage, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Invisalign will strain your wallet. At our dental office, we offer flexible financing through MasterCard and CareCredit. That way, your treatment costs can be broken up into smaller installments that more comfortably fit into your budget.

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that getting Invisalign is a huge investment in your smile. We also understand that you likely have some questions you want answered before you decide to sink your teeth into this treatment. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the questions we get asked the most often about Invisalign in Sunnyvale and answered them for your convenience.

If I Have Previous Dental Work, Can I Still Get Invisalign?

Possibly! If you have a restoration that only affects one tooth, like a veneer or crown, you may still be able to get Invisalign, since the treatment works to change one small portion of your smile at a time. If you have bridgework, however, Invisalign might not work. Dental bridges are made of several artificial teeth string together, so Invisalign probably won’t be effective. Either way, talk to your dentist in Sunnyvale about whether Invisalign is right for you.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

In most cases, Invisalign costs about the same as traditional braces. The cost may vary depending on several factors, such as your age, the severity of your dental misalignment, and your dedication to wearing your aligners. However, the good news is that more and more dental insurance companies are beginning to cover Invisalign, at least partially. Talk to your insurance provider to learn more about your coverage options.

I Used to Have Braces, but My Teeth Have Since Shifted. Can I Get Invisalign?

Absolutely! Invisalign can treat many common dental alignment issues, such as teeth shifting back after braces. Many people who once had braces choose Invisalign because they don’t want to have to go through the experience of awkward, restrictive metal braces again.

I’m Currently Wearing Braces. Can I Make the Switch to Invisalign?

It depends, but the answer is usually yes. Many doctors are treating patients’ smiles with a combination of traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners. Your best option is to consult with your dentist in Sunnyvale to determine what the best treatment for your smile would be.

Does Invisalign Come with Any Dietary Restrictions?

Not at all! Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, you can and should take them out whenever you need to eat. Certain foods can get stuck in the wires and brackets of traditional braces, so there is a long list of foods you can’t enjoy during treatment. With Invisalign, however, you can eat as much popcorn and caramel as you want. Just remember to brush your teeth before placing your aligners back in!