​Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. At Tatum Creek Family Dentistry, we’ll help you achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.

Choosing to straighten your teeth is a big decision that affects not only your appearance, but your lifestyle as well. As an adult, you may be looking to improve on your smile for business or social reasons. Or perhaps you’re a teen or the parent of a teen looking for an effective yet modern-day solution. Either way, Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® can provide a simple way to accomplish this without having to put your life on hold. As a patient of Invisalign herself, Dr. McKinney believes in the treatment she recommends.

ADULTS
You’ve probably wanted to have straighter teeth for a while, but at this stage in your adult life, metal braces are not a choice you are willing to consider. Invisalign® offers you the convenience and flexibility to live life without the hassle associated with other types of treatment. With Invisalign’s smooth, comfortable aligners, there are no irritating brackets or wires to worry about and no food restrictions that will change your eating habits. Plus with fewer doctor visits, Invisalign fits conveniently into your busy lifestyle. “At first I thought, why am I doing this, but after going through the treatment and looking at my straight teeth and beautiful smile, I know why I did,” says Dr. McKinney. “I also liked that I could wear them easily during the day while seeing patients, and they could still understand what I was saying.”

TEENS
Let’s face it. With school, sports and hanging out with friends, getting metal braces is not at the top of your list of favorite things to do. Guess what? With Invisalign Teen®, you can straighten your teeth without having to deal with metal wires and brackets. Invisalign Teen aligners are made of a smooth, clear plastic that is virtually invisible! Your friends probably won’t even know you’re wearing them. In fact, they’re so comfortable; you may not even notice you’re wearing them either.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT
The aligners are easily removable, so you can continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Cleaning your aligners is just as easy with the Invisalign cleaning kit. Or you can simply brush and rinse them in lukewarm water. You’ll also remove the aligners each time you eat. This means you can continue to eat all the foods you love without any restrictions or worrying about food getting stuck in your wires and brackets. For those who are active in contact sports, Invisalign allows you to continue wearing your aligners without having to worry about any sharp brackets cutting your mouth. If your sport requires wearing a protective mouthguard, simply remove your aligners and you’re good to go.

COST
One of the first questions people tend to have when considering Invisalign is, “How much will it cost?” The good news is that most individuals are pleasantly surprised to discover that the cost of Invisalign® treatment is usually comparable to the cost of traditional braces. On average, an Invisalign case will cost between $4,000-5,000. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign just as they would other orthodontic treatments like braces. We are happy to look into your insurance coverage to determine any potential coverage, and can also offer you information on an outside financing source called Springstone.

HOW DO I GET IT
​Now that you’ve chosen that next step, Dr. McKinney will be able to answer any additional questions you may have before starting treatment. Dr. McKinney will map out a detailed treatment plan with your goals in mind. An exciting part of Invisalign’s technology is that, once Dr. McKinney takes impressions and molds of your teeth, she’ll be able to show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will move during treatment.

If you have considered straightening your teeth, contact us today at (480) 488-0686 to learn more about Invisalign® and how it can benefit you.