Many patients wish they had straight teeth but don’t want to commit to one to three years of wearing bulky metal braces. Fortunately, our practice offers two great options for clear aligner therapy.
Clear aligners are more convenient and less noticeable than traditional braces, and they can treat a wide range of mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. Learn more about the many types of clear braces we offer as cosmetic dental treatments in our Cedar Park, TX, dental office.
How Do You Create Custom Clear Aligners?
Some dental practices still use old-fashioned dental impressions that require patients to bite down on a tray full of goopy dental putty. Our modern dental office uses intraoral cameras to create digital impressions quickly and easily. Intraoral cameras are moved along the sides and bottom of the teeth.
These cameras capture thousands of high-quality images per second, and these impressions are then sent to a lab. They create accurate impressions the first time; no foul-tasting putty is required! Intraoral cameras are also a much better option for patients who have sensitive gag reflexes.
Clear Braces in Cedar Park, TX
Vista Ridge Family Dentistry offers clear aligner therapy through Invisalign and ClearCorrect. Once impressions of your smile have been taken, your first set of aligners will be created. After you collect them from our office, you will be expected to wear your aligners for at least 21 to 22 hours per day and switch to the next aligner in the series every two weeks to keep your treatment plan on track. Once your treatment is complete, we will provide you with a retainer to wear at night to keep your teeth perfectly in place.
Do clear aligners hurt?
When you first begin your orthodontic treatment, you may notice that your gums and mouth feel slightly sore or uncomfortable. That means your aligners are working! Your teeth are not used to being shifted, but after a week or two, they should feel natural in your mouth. We recommend putting in new aligners before bed so your teeth begin to adjust while you sleep. You can also use ice packs, dental wax, and pain medication to relieve discomfort.
How do you care for clear aligners?
To keep your aligners clear and discreet, clean them with a toothbrush and an antibacterial soap at least once daily. Rinse them off with cold or warm (not hot) water every time you take them out of your mouth, and make sure you never eat while wearing your aligners, as that can damage and stain them. When you aren’t wearing them, store them in their container, not in a napkin, as they may accidentally get lost or thrown away!
Should I use Invisalign or ClearCorrect?
Our team stands by both products, as they can both be used to help patients achieve their dream smiles discreetly and effectively. Some patients find that ClearCorrect aligners are a little thinner, making them less noticeable than Invisalign aligners. On the other hand, Invisalign aligners have also been said to be more durable. If you aren’t sure which one you want to go with, our team would be more than happy to help you decide at your orthodontic consultation.
Six Month Smiles® in Cedar Park, TX
The quicker, the better when it comes to changing the appearance of your smile! Unlike traditional methods of cosmetic dentistry that can take at least a year, Six Month Smiles is an accelerated orthodontic technology that can have your teeth appear straighter by your next cleaning!
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for Six Month Smiles?
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, there are a lot of factors to consider when selecting the treatment that’ll result in the smile of your dreams. The ideal candidate for Six Month Smiles are adults and teenagers ages 16 and up with crooked, spaced, or misaligned teeth. In addition, we offer Six Month Smiles for mild orthodontic cases and patients who only want their front teeth straightened. Visiting a Six Month Smiles dentist will be able to determine if you’re a good candidate.
What if I don’t see results in six months?
Six Month Smiles focuses on correcting the visible front teeth when you smile. The average treatment time and results for Six Month Smiles are six months. While six months is the average time, results are on a case-by-case basis and sometimes can take up to nine months. You’ll be able to work with the Six Month Smiles dentist to discuss what you can expect to achieve in six months.
What’s the difference between traditional braces and Six Month Smiles?
If you’re searching for traditional braces vs. Six Month Smiles, you may notice the main difference in treatment time and appearance. Six Month Smiles are clear braces that are often more comfortable and provide quick results. Traditional braces are more noticeable and fix more complex cases over a long period. If it comes down to cost, Six Month Smiles cost is often less than traditional braces, but it is always best to contact our front office to schedule a consultation to find out which treatment is best for your smile!
Frequently Asked Invisalign® Questions
Whether you’re just beginning to think about orthodontic treatment or have been considering Invisalign for a long time, you likely have a few questions. Luckily, our knowledgeable and experienced team is here to help answer them! Vista Ridge Family Dentistry has helped countless patients achieve straighter teeth using Invisalign, and we’d be happy to help you or your child as well.
What does Invisalign look like?
Invisalign trays are designed and created to look like a perfect impression of your teeth. Invisalign aligners are thick enough to feel comfortable on the teeth but thin enough to be virtually invisible when worn! In addition, clear aligners are so discreet that we always recommend that patients store their aligners in their cases when they are not wearing them, as it can be easy to misplace or accidentally throw away clear aligners.
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
Invisalign can fix a variety of orthodontic issues, including overbites and underbites. Small attachments can be added to Invisalign trays, and clear elastic bands can be wrapped around them. These elastics work very similarly to the elastic bands that patients with metal braces sometimes wear, and they are frequently used to correct patients’ bites gently. These elastics should always be worn with aligners as directed by your dentist.
Am I a good candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign used to be reserved for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Fortunately, clear aligner therapy has improved drastically, and many more patients are now eligible to utilize Invisalign. However, scheduling an orthodontic consultation with your Cedar Park dental team is the best way to know if you are an Invisalign candidate. Our office would be happy to assist you!
How much does Invisalign cost?
While financing the cost of your Invisalign treatment may sound intimidating, our team is here to make your treatment plan as streamlined and budget-friendly as possible. Most insurance plans offer some coverage for orthodontic care, and our practice offers in-house financing and accepts third-party payment plans through CareCredit.
Straighten Your Smile
Do you want a straighter smile but don’t want to use metal braces? Contact Vista Ridge Family Dentistry to discuss treatment with clear braces today at 512-866-9654 or request a dental consultation with us online.