Invisalign - Grand Prairie, TX

Signs That You Grind Your Teeth

You may grind your teeth without realizing it. Many people grind their teeth in their sleep, which can make it a difficult problem to identify on your own. However, the warning signs of teeth grinding are not so easy to miss! You may grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night if you suffer from:

• Morning headaches or jaw soreness
• Tooth sensitivity or tooth pain
• Chipped, cracked, or flattened teeth
• Receding gums or teeth that look longer
• Damage on the inside of your cheek from chewing

While it may be difficult for you to tell if you grind your teeth in your sleep, an experienced dentist like Dr. Desai will be able to tell right away with a quick examination. If you suspect you grind your teeth, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Why Teeth Grinding Is a Problem

Grinding your teeth in your sleep is a condition known as bruxism. Sometimes, it can occur temporarily or sporadically because of stress. Other times, it may be a chronic issue due to a problem with your temporomandibular joint or jaw misalignment. Treating bruxism early is the best way to address and reverse the symptoms we mentioned above. Additionally, taking steps to stop teeth grinding can help prevent serious problems in the future, such as cracked teeth or dental infections. In extreme cases, you may develop a condition known as TMJ disorder, which can interfere with your daily life and require treatment via surgery.

How Invisalign Fixes Teeth Grinding

So how can you treat bruxism while getting a straighter smile? Invisalign can help by:

• Protecting teeth from grinding: Like a nightguard, Invisalign clear aligners can act as a protective barrier between your teeth to prevent damage from grinding.
• Reprograming jaw muscles: Your jaw muscles will need to adjust to the presence of Invisalign aligners, which will essentially retrain them to not clench or grind.
• Fixing bite issues permanently: Invisalign has the potential to permanently correct misaligned jaws and bite issues that could be the root source of your bruxism.

Can Invisalign Help You Stop Grinding Your Teeth?

Invisalign isn’t the ideal treatment option for everyone who grinds their teeth. For some people, wearing aligners makes them want to clench their teeth more often. In other cases, the bruxism may be too strong and damage the aligners. The best thing to do is to come see us here at Care 32 Dental for an evaluation. Invisalign is just one way to address bruxism, and a custom-made nightguard may be a more effective choice for you. Dr. Desai will help you determine the best way to treat your teeth grinding and achieve the happy, healthy, and pain-free smile you deserve!

Wearing Your Trays

There’s one main “rule” when it comes to wearing your trays: you need to wear them for 20-22 hours a day. If you consistently miss the mark, then you’re significantly more likely to experience delays, which can be frustrating and may even require an entirely new treatment plan to be made. That’s why we encourage our patients to only take them out when absolutely necessary, like before eating.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Preventing stains is often simpler than patients expect. In addition to not drinking any dark-colored beverages, like coffee, with your aligners in, make sure that you are cleaning them after each meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean, cool water. If you want to give them a deeper clean, you can always use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit too!

Eating & Drinking

Since you can take your aligners out, patients don’t have to worry about completely altering their diet with Invisalign! With that said, many find it helpful to stick to soft foods in the hours following the transition to a new aligner. It’s also worth mentioning here that a cavity can bring your treatment to a temporary stop, so do your best not to over-indulge on sugar.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

The worst thing you can do is try to take matters into your own hands by using super glue to “repair” your tray or moving onto the next set because you lost your current one. This can lead to numerous consequences, which is why we always recommend giving our Grand Prairie dental team a call instead. From there, we can determine the best way to proceed.

Routine Check-Ins

Throughout your Invisalign treatment, you’ll come into our office for check-in appointments. Although they are usually pretty quick, they are important because they allow us to monitor the movement of your teeth compared to your treatment plan. If your teeth aren’t tracking as anticipated, we can make adjustments, helping to prevent significant delays down the line.

If any questions come up throughout your treatment, don’t hesitate to let us know. Remember, we aren’t just here to give you a gorgeous smile; we’re also here to give you the phenomenal treatment experience you deserve.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Invisalign?

Various factors influence the cost of Invisalign in Grand Prairie, including:

• The length of treatment. Depending on the severity and type of your dental misalignment, you may need more aligners than average which means a longer treatment time and higher cost.
• Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. Naturally, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
• Your compliance with treatment. Keep track of your aligners! Losing one means you’d have to pay for a replacement.
• Whether you require additional accessories. Some patients might need extra accessories like small elastics for successful treatment.

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

Do-it-yourself clear aligner treatments like SmileDirectClub™ have become increasingly popular in recent years. They usually cost around $2,000, while Invisalign in Grand Prairies may cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Although the lower price point of DIY treatment is certainly attractive, it’s important to keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

SmileDirectClub™ is a do-it-yourself clear aligner kit that comes with little to no supervision from a dental professional. Many things can go wrong throughout the process, leading to issues that will need to be corrected by a professional and cost you thousands of dollars. In fact, some people claim this option has made their misalignment worse!

On the other hand, you can enjoy personalized support and guidance from our team during your Invisalign treatment plan. We’ll be there every step of the way to monitor your progress and ensure you’re on track. Even though Invisalign isn’t as affordable as SmileDirectClub™, the cost is worth having a smoother and more successful treatment overall. Not only will you have the trusted oversight of Dr. Desai, but you’ll have professionally made and highly accurate impressions. Quality should always be of utmost importance, regardless of cost.  

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Although some dental insurance policies offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is usually left out in those plans. Since that’s not always the case, it’s best to check with your dental insurance company to understand what’s covered. At your initial visit, our team will gladly explain your coverage and how you can use it to your greatest advantage.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

At Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie, we currently offer a special where you can get a custom-designed Invisalign treatment for as low as $209 a month pending credit approval. If you start treatment the same day as your consultation, we’ll even take $500 off the overall price! Additionally, we offer the following financing options to help make your dental bills easier to manage:

• In-House Discount Plan – For one low price, this plan covers preventive services for the entire year and gives you access to reduced fees on a list of other services.
• CareCredit Financing – This option will break up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. Since there are many plans to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find one that’s perfect for your budget!

If you want to learn more about the cost of Invisalign in Grand Prairie, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll explain your financing options and find a way to fit your treatment plan into your budget.