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Invisalign  – Odessa, TX

The Clear Choice for Straighter Teeth

A young woman with dark hair smiling and holding a clear aligner that is part of her treatment with Invisalign in Odessa

Frustrated by your crooked teeth? Feeling the effects of a poorly aligned bite? Want to avoid the camera because of the gap between your teeth? You’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from orthodontic problems that for decades was only treatable using traditional metal braces. Fortunately, there is now an alternative that offers a more discreet way to realign smiles – Invisalign in Odessa. With these clear aligners, you can enjoy a faster, more flexible way to achieve a straighter smile and bypass the metal brackets and wires. To find out if you are a qualified candidate, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cobb today.

How Does Invisalign Work?

A dentist inserting an Invisalign aligner in a female patient’s mouth during her fitting

Unlike traditional braces that use metal brackets and wires, Invisalign is made up of clear plastic aligners that are custom-made based on your individual needs. Each set is worn 20-22 hours a day for 1-2 weeks. After this time, you are expected to swap out your current set for the next one in the series. Throughout treatment, you will be expected to see your cosmetic dentist in Odessa for regular follow-up appointments to ensure your progress is moving along smoothly. Once you finish wearing all Invisalign sets, you will notice a dramatic difference in the way your teeth and smile align.

Who Can Invisalign Help?

A digital image of an Invisalign aligner going on over the lower arch of teeth

Invisalign can be an effective solution for a wide variety of mild to moderate orthodontic issues. If you’re trying to figure out whether this treatment option is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team. Once we’ve learned more about your specific alignment issues, we can help you determine the best way to address them. Below is a closer look at some of the orthodontic problems that Invisalign can be used to correct.

Crowded Teeth

Illustration of crowded teeth in lower arch

Overly crowded teeth can often attract the wrong kind of attention to your smile. On top of that, they can be difficult to brush and floss thoroughly, thus putting you at a higher risk of suffering from cavities and other oral health issues. Invisalign can help guide your teeth into new positions so that they no longer overlap, allowing you to enjoy a better-looking smile that’s significantly easier to take care of.

Gaps Between Teeth

Smiling woman with gap between front teeth

Sometimes there may be a little too much space between two of your teeth. This can often have a negative impact on your ability to speak clearly and chew your food properly. Some gaps can be corrected with cosmetic treatments such as dental bonding, but if an orthodontic solution is required, Invisalign can potentially be a good way to correct the positions of your teeth and make sure they’re properly aligned.

Overbite

Illustration of an angled view of an overbite

Your upper teeth are supposed to slightly overlap the lower teeth when you close your mouth. However, sometimes the upper teeth are too far forward, resulting in an overbite that can lead to speech issues, jaw pain, and certain teeth wearing down faster than normal. Depending on the severity of your overbite, our team may be able to correct it with a carefully personalized Invisalign treatment.

Underbite

Illustration of pulled back shot of underbite

Do your lower teeth cover the upper teeth when you close your mouth? If so, you have what’s known as an underbite. This type of bite problem can reduce the size of your airway, leading to a number of breathing issues such as sleep apnea. It’s often possible to address an underbite with Invisalign. Bear in mind, however, that attachments may be required to correct the alignment of your jaw.  

Crossbite

Illustration of front view of crossbite

A crossbite is when some of the upper teeth sit behind the lower teeth. This can put unnecessary stress on your jaw muscles, leading to significant discomfort; it could also interfere with your ability to make certain sounds while speaking. In many cases, our team can correct your crossbite with Invisalign, which can improve the appearance and function of your smile in the long run.

Open Bite  

Illustration of angled view of open bite

Having an open bite means that the upper and lower teeth don’t touch when the mouth is at rest. In addition to causing speech difficulties, this type of bite issue can put you at a higher risk of breaking a tooth. Depending on the situation, it may be possible to use Invisalign to correct the alignment of your bite so that the teeth come together as they should.

The Benefits of Invisalign

A young woman smiling after completing treatment with Invisalign

Once you and Dr. Cobb decide that Invisalign is right for you, sit back and prepare to enjoy the immense benefits you will experience, some of which include:

  • Greater aesthetics and boosted confidence
  • A subtle and discreet way to improve your smile without compromising your daily appearance
  • Faster results than if you were to undergo treatment with traditional braces
  • Less irritation because no metal brackets or wires are rubbing against your soft oral tissues
  • The ability to eat what you love without worrying about picking food out from between your braces
  • An easy to clean solution that requires only lukewarm water, clear soap, and a soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Improved oral health

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Close-up of two aligners for Invisalign in Odessa, TX

It’s important to make sure that Invisalign can fit into your budget. As such, after we have completed our initial examination of your mouth and have an idea of what your treatment will look like, we will take the time to explain the costs involved. It pays to start preparing as quickly as possible, so to make things easier for you, below is a discussion of factors that can determine the price of Invisalign along with a quick look at how to make paying it easier.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Woman smiling outside putting in Invisalign in Odessa, TX

Invisalign is not a one-size-fits-all solution; the process needs to be personalized according to each patient’s needs. There are therefore several factors that could influence the cost. When creating your initial estimate, we will need to consider the following:

  • How many aligners will be required? Each individual aligner can add to the overall cost, and a greater number of aligners are usually needed to make more complex orthodontic corrections.
  • Will the treatment involve one or both arches? The cost will be lower if only one arch needs to be treated, but in most cases, you’ll need aligners for both rows of teeth.
  • How long will the treatment last? Longer treatment times tend to be associated with higher costs.

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you lose or break an aligner, you may need to pay for a new one. As such, you should treat your aligners with care if you want to keep your costs under control.

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Close-up of hand holding Invisalign in Odessa, TX

Smile Direct Club™ is a DIY option for clear aligners. It does often cost less than Invisalign, but remember that the treatment with the lower cost may not always be the best option for your smile. Invisalign comes with the benefit of having a dentist directly involved with the process; if there are any unexpected developments, there will be an expert there to help you address them and avoid more serious issues.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Dental insurance form with glasses and a pen

If your dental insurance plan offers coverage for orthodontic treatments, Invisalign might be included. Of course, not every insurance plan is exactly alike. You should give your dental insurance provider a call so that you can confirm whether or not you can use your benefits to help pay for Invisalign. We are willing to work with a number of dental insurance companies, so we’ll be more than happy to make sure that you get the coverage that you’re entitled to.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Woman in light pink shirt putting in Invisalign in Odessa, TX

Third-party financing can take a lot of the stress out of paying for Invisalign. Our practice is more than happy to accept CareCredit from patients who need a little extra help making sure that they can pay for their clear aligners while also taking care of their bank accounts. When you apply for CareCredit, take note of the different plans available; many of them come with little to no interest.

Invisalign FAQs

Woman smiling and pointing to her Invisalign aligner

Reading through the above information can give you valuable insight into everything from the process of getting Invisalign in Odessa to the benefits this discreet teeth-straightening solution comes with. If you are ready to schedule your initial consultation, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. However, since many of our patients prefer to do additional research before reaching out, we’ve responded to a few of the most frequently asked questions below!

How Do I Take Care of My Invisalign Aligners?

Neglecting to care for your aligners properly can cause them to stain and warp. Before long, your trays will take on a yellow tinge and become virtually useless at effectively moving your teeth. Therefore, it is important to implement the below best practices throughout your treatment:

  • Only clean your trays with lukewarm water.
  • Use the right cleaning tools (traditional toothpaste can be too abrasive).
  • With the exception of water, don’t eat or drink with your trays in.
  • Rinse your trays when you take them out of your mouth and before you put them back in.

How Is Invisalign Different From Mail-Order Braces?

The message in the marketing of mail-order braces is designed to have viewers think the only difference between their product and Invisalign is the cost. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. To start, after receiving the impressions of your teeth, mail-order companies don’t complete X-rays, gum examinations, or any other assessments to ensure your oral health is in good shape. Their “do-it-yourself” approach to orthodontics leaves a lot of room for error, which can end up costing you more in restorative and cosmetic care in the long run. On the other hand, Invisalign is a completely customized treatment that is administered by a licensed, trained dental professional. They will have appointments with you every six weeks or so to monitor your progress, provide you with the next set of aligners, and answer any questions you have along the way.

Do I Have to Give Up Certain Foods with Invisalign?

In short, the answer is no! Since Invisalign trays are entirely removable, you can pop them out at any time to enjoy all your favorite foods. With that being said, you may experience some soreness immediately after starting a new set of trays, so it can be beneficial to stick with softer foods, like oatmeal and yogurt, until you adjust.

What Happens After Invisalign Treatment?

After you’ve completed your last set of trays, you’ll be able to truly see just how beautiful your new and improved smile is! To preserve your hard-earned results, Dr. Cobb will provide you with a retainer. This equally discreet device will keep your teeth in place as they “set” into their new position. Typically, you will wear it for 20 to 22 hours a day for the first six months or so before transitioning to wearing it solely at night.

If you want to get straighter teeth in Odessa, then it’s time to schedule your initial consultation so we can find out if Invisalign is right for you. Get in touch with our team today to schedule your appointment!