Does Invisalign Really Work?

Does Invisalign Really Work? Frisco, TX

Invisalign® is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Many patients favor them for their discreet, almost invisible appearance. For many patients, Invisalign can deliver results almost as quickly and as efficiently as traditional metal braces.

Invisalign is available at Price Family Orthodontics in Frisco and the surrounding area. We can help you achieve the smile of your dreams without a mouth full of metal. Call us today at (214) 383-0954 to schedule an appointment and learn more.

The Research on Invisalign

Invisalign is the world’s most popular and advanced clear aligner system. With over twenty years of innovation on its side, it has delivered smiles to over nine million people and over 2.3 million teens. Each patient receives a set of custom-made aligners. The system includes proprietary virtual modeling software, rapid manufacturing processes, and mass customization, and the aligners consist of a patented material.

To achieve the best results, patients must wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only when necessary. Such instances include eating or drinking anything other than cool water. Patients must also keep regular visits to both a dentist and orthodontist. They can ensure the mouth is in optimal health, reducing the risk of Invisalign irritating any conditions. The orthodontist can ensure the treatment’s overall success while also switching out the patient’s aligners.

Who Uses Invisalign

While orthodontic treatment is commonly associated with youth, Invisalign is appropriate for both teenagers and adults. The primary difference between Invisalign for teens and Invisalign for adults is a little dot that changes color based on how often the patient wears their aligners. This keeps younger patients accountable for their treatment. Invisalign Teen aligner trays are blue, then turn clear or white throughout their lifetime. The bluer the circle is, the longer the patient must prolong their treatment.

Invisalign for adults is like Invisalign for teens — just without the color-changing circle. Both systems use aligner trays consisting of SmartTrack® material, a patented blend of plastic made exclusively for the Invisalign brand. Invisalign appeals to both teens and adults because the virtually invisible nature makes for a less awkward-looking orthodontic treatment.

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    What to Know About Invisalign

    As mentioned above, many teenagers and adults are good candidates for Invisalign. However, as metal braces tend to deliver more precise results, Invisalign is best for patients with mild or moderately crowded teeth. Patients with minor teeth spacing issues may also benefit from clear aligners. Anyone who wants to start Invisalign treatment must also first address any gum disease or other dental disease, making dental appointments essential.

    Furthermore, patients with more complicated issues with crowding or spacing (such as severe underbites, overbites, or crossbites) may require more intensive treatment. Invisalign is also typically unsuitable for children, as their mouths are usually still developing. Their teeth are still growing and changing, making them too unpredictable for clear aligners.

    Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

    There are a few differences between Invisalign and traditional braces. The most obvious is aesthetics. When used appropriately, Invisalign is almost entirely inconspicuous — making it perfect for more self-conscious patients. Aligners are also removable, making them more convenient for eating and upkeeping oral hygiene.

    Metal braces consist of two main components: brackets and wires. These place consistent, gentle pressure on the teeth to shift them gradually. Brackets are attached to the teeth, meaning they cannot be removed. As a result, many patients find them less comfortable than Invisalign, and it is typically more challenging to maintain oral hygiene. Patients will also need to avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods to prevent breaking the brackets or having them get stuck between the braces.

    Invisalign & Lifestyle Changes

    One of the many advantages of Invisalign is that it requires minimal lifestyle changes. Patients will have to switch out their aligners every one or two weeks, and they will need to come into the office to pick up their new set of aligners every six to eight weeks. In most cases, Invisalign patients require fewer orthodontist visits than braces patients.

    Still, there are some things patients should know to complete Invisalign treatment safely. They must care for them properly to avoid staining or other undesirable results. This involves rinsing the aligners nightly, brushing them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep them clean. If possible, patients should rinse them whenever they take them out. As mentioned earlier, patients should only remove aligners when necessary — such as when eating, brushing, or drinking anything other than cool water. Patients who play high-contact sports should ask Price Family Orthodontics if it is safe to keep the aligners in the mouth while playing.

    FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Our team will create a personalized, digital treatment plan to precisely map out your tooth movements. Your aligners will then be created in the Invisalign lab, where they will be custom-made for your mouth and orthodontic needs. Like braces, Invisalign uses a constant but gentle application of pressure to move the teeth slowly.

    No. Any doctors who want to offer Invisalign treatment must be specially trained in Invisalign therapy. It is also crucial to keep in mind that not all clear aligners are the same. The Invisalign system utilizes unique, patented technologies that make it the best in its field.

    The answer depends on a case-by-case basis. More complicated cases will require longer treatment. However, the average patient will complete Invisalign therapy within 12 to 18 months. Many start seeing results in a matter of weeks.

    SmartForce® attachments are small, tooth-colored shapes that allow the aligners to place extra pressure on certain areas of the teeth. They make complex tooth movements possible. Not everyone needs SmartForce attachments. Price Family Orthodontics can tell you more about what to expect in a one-on-one consultation.

    Yes. Invisalign aligners have been FDA-cleared since 1998, and they are classified as Class II medical devices today. Both the aligner and retainer materials consist of medical-grade polymers, without any BPA, latex, parabens, phthalates, glutaraldehyde, or epoxy.

    Quality Orthodontic Services Can Transform Smiles

    By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need.

    Definition

    Definition of Orthodontic Terminology

    Aligner Trays

    With Invisalign® treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.

    Blue Compliance Indicator (Invisalign® Teen)

    The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.

    ClinCheck® Software

    ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.

    Gum Line

    The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.

    Incisal Ridges

    Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.

    iTero Element® Scanner

    An iTero Element® scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.

    Malocclusion

    Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.

    Overbite

    An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.

    Polyurethane Resin

    Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.

    SmartForce Attachments

    SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.

    Smart Track® Material

    Smart Track® material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increase the speed of treatment and apply a gentle force to the teeth over time.

    Smile-Scan

    Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.

    Vivera® Retainers

    Vivera® retainers are a type of retainer that consists of clear plastic material and helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after a treatment.

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    Testimonials

    Trusted Orthodontic Patient Reviews

    I have recently completed my orthodontic treatment with Dr. Brandon Price and his team at Price Family Orthodontics, and I could not be happier with the results! This was my second time around with braces (after a problem with my retainers resulted in my teeth shifting back), and from my first visit to the office, I could tell this was going to be a very different experience. In other offices where I had consultations, I felt I was viewed as nothing more than a pile of dollars. Dr. Price, however, made me feel my treatment and satisfaction were going to be as important to him as they were to me.

    Having been a middle school teacher for the past 15 years, I am constantly around students wearing braces. A conversation with one of those students convinced me that I should take the plunge and get myself some ‘real’ braces, since I wore Invisalign the first time. I have seen many different approaches for interacting with children during my time as an educator, some being more effective than others. A relatable style for working with kids is a special gift, and I truly believe it could be said that you either ‘have it’ or you don’t…

    On many occasions, I’ve sat in the chair next to kids as Dr. Price worked, and I’ve always been impressed with the rapport he has with them. To some people, this might seem trivial compared to the quality of the orthodontic work itself, but as a father, I know I only want professionals working with my daughter who are focused on her comfort as well as treatment. Dr. Price is himself a family man, and it definitely shows in his rapport with young people!

    An accident in my childhood had left me with one top central incisor that was noticeably shorter than the other, and it had always been something that made me feel self-conscious. As we neared the end of my treatment, Dr. Price gave me the option of polishing my teeth so they would match. I was AMAZED with the results! He is an absolute artist with his tools, and the results exceeded my expectations! In short, I highly recommend Price Family Orthodontics in Frisco just off 121 on Independence (near both McKinney and Plano). The amount of personal attention, combined with skilled professionalism that you or your child will receive, are of the highest caliber. I have received many compliments on my new smile, and I’m so happy I did it!

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    - Karl V.

    Price Family Orthodontics is AMAZING. They deserve more than a 5 star rating! I have truly enjoyed Dr. Price, his wife Amy and his entire staff for their superb patient care and making me feel right at home in their lovely office. Dr. Price is very knowledgeable and highly skilled utilizing state of the art technology throughout my treatment. His quality of work is incredible. I got my ceramic braces off ahead of schedule! Plus had some laser contouring done for the perfect finishing touch. I am extremely HAPPY with my results and highly recommend Dr. Price and Price Family Orthodontics.

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    - Ebony Martin

    When we moved here, one of our kids already had braces. We shopped around and found that Dr Price not only had the best prices, but he was clearly the most open to working with us even when she had a different kind of braces than he typically uses. He did an amazing job and my daughters smile is beautiful! The office was always able to schedule withing a reasonable amount of time and the staff is so kind, I consider them all friends! Since then, both myself and my husband have had Dr Price improve our smiles! Of course we are thrilled with the outcome! He is very knowledgeable and makes sure he does the best job possible. He also prioritizes your concerns and desires as a patient! Definitely the best ortho!

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    - Kara Swallow

    The most incredible staff! Everyone made my daughter feel completely at ease and comfortable. My child is actually excited about getting braces after having such a wonderful experience.

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    - Sarah Spross

    My sister and I have both been going to Price Family Orthodontics for over a year! I feel like I have made a new family here—I always feel so welcome, and they always want to know what I am up to! The process of getting braces is never fun, but Price Family is definitely the best at making it a smooth process! I just finished my final retainer check and will miss coming here, but I will still stop by and visit just because everyone is so awesome!

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    - Liz Wood

    My son was in braces two years and my daughter is currently a patient with Dr. Price. Dr. Price has a great bedside manner. He was very patient with my 13-year-old son, as he lost brackets and was generally an un-ideal patient! I appreciated his mercy and sympathy. I found his pricing very reasonable. He is very professional and knowledgeable.

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    - Phoebe Hall

    We have been seeing Dr. Price for the last two years, first for my daughter and now my son. He and his staff are so friendly with my kids, and he really cares about their treatment. I trust that he won’t do any unnecessary treatment, and wants to do what is best for the individual. I highly recommend him for any orthodontic treatment.

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    - Miranda Gordon

    Two of my children are currently receiving orthodontic treatment from Dr. Price. The visits are efficient and we have never had a long wait. Dr. Price and his staff are warm and friendly and willing to take whatever time is necessary to answer questions and address my concerns. I know that Dr. Price will only recommend treatment he feels is necessary and helpful for the long-term benefit of the patient. From my kids’ perspective, Dr. Price and his assistant Ginger genuinely care about them and how they are doing. My kids also LOVE his unique incentive program that rewards them for good dental hygiene and for setting and achieving goals in their life. I don’t have to push them to do what is needed because they are motivated by his reward system. We have been very happy with Price Family Orthodontics.

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    - Kelli Robertson

    I take both my children to Dr. Price after going to see another orthodontist in the local area for a consultation. What impressed me right up front was that he wasn’t going to rush and place braces on my daughter when it wasn’t the most opportune treatment time for her versus just putting braces on her for a quick sale. If you are considering treatment, I would recommend visiting Dr. Price first! He does offer in-house financing and payments can be made monthly for parents who are wondering how to budget treatment.

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    - Melissa Moore

    We love Price Family Ortho for so many reasons! Dr. Price gives thorough, detailed treatment and has excellent training in his field. He really cares about his patients, plus never treats you like a number. Dr. Price is fabulous at explaining treatment options to both adults and kids. He makes everyone feel valued and listens to your concerns. Dr. Price is true to his motto ‘live life smiling.’ I highly recommend Dr. Price to anyone needing good orthodontic treatment. My kids love going to their office for the rewards program and being part of the team to make their teeth healthy. The staff involves the kids in being responsible for their treatment. I love what my kids learn there. And I love that I don’t have to nag them to take care of their teeth now.

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    - Sharisa Lewis

    Dr. Price is a man of great integrity. You would never have to worry with him that he is recommending a treatment primarily for his financial gain. He has state-of-the-art equipment and is extremely knowledgeable in the field. He and his staff are very warm, friendly, and easy to feel comfortable around.

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    - John

    Dr. Price is thorough and passionate about providing the best orthodontics for each individual. We have three family members in braces (soon to be four) with Price Family Orthodontics, and are fully confident about their future smiles. The office staff is also the BEST. Thank you PFO!!!

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    - Richard