Crooked teeth can leave you feeling less than confident about your smile, and they can also make it more difficult
to brush your teeth properly. But can you straighten your pearly whites without having to deal with the
inconvenience of braces? In many cases, the answer is yes thanks to Candid Pro! This alternative orthodontic option
gives you a discreet way to correct your crooked smile in less time than traditional metal braces. Call us today to schedule your first consultation
with Dr. Hardin to discuss your smile
alignment with Candid Pro aligners in Plano, TX.
Why Choose Westpark Village Dental Care for Candid Pro?
Customized Aligners for Every Individual
A Caring Team That Will Get to Know You
Dr. Hardin is a Member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners
How Candid Pro Clear Aligners Work
A series of clear plastic aligners will be created based on impressions of your mouth. When worn, the aligners
will exert pressure on your teeth in order to slowly shift them into new positions, gradually creating a
straighter grin. You will need to wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours every day, and you’ll switch
to the next set of aligners in your customized series every one or two weeks. The treatment usually takes
between 12 and 18 months, although the timeline varies based on your situation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Candid Pro?
Candid Pro aligners can offer teens and adults a more image-friendly alternative to bulky metal braces. Most
patients qualify as good candidates for this option. The treatment works best for mild to moderate corrections,
and it can be used to address a variety of orthodontic issues.
Crowded Teeth
When your teeth are crowded, you may have a hard time cleaning between them. This puts you at a
higher-than-average risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, Candid Pro can be used to
straighten teeth and create the necessary space between them so that you can comfortably practice
proper oral hygiene.
Gaps Between Teeth
Having unusually large spaces between your teeth can be embarrassing. It also means there are more
places in your mouth where food can become trapped and cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth
decay. Candid Pro treatment can close the gaps in your grin to enhance your appearance and protect
your oral health.
Bite Alignment
Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites can negatively impact your mouth’s ability
to properly distribute the forces of chewing. This in turn increases your overall risk for bruxism,
jaw pain, enamel erosion, and TMJ disorder. Candid Pro can often be used to correct the alignment of
your bite and reduce your chances of suffering jaw problems.
Benefits of Candid Pro
Deciding which orthodontic treatment to choose isn’t always easy. After all, each one – from
traditional braces to Candid Pro – comes with its own set of benefits. In this next section, you’ll
find a few noteworthy reasons patients choose to straighten their teeth with clear aligners, but don’t
hesitate to get in touch with us if you want to speak with a member of our team instead!
Virtually Invisible Aligners
Let’s start with one of the most obvious benefits of clear aligners: they don’t stick
out the way traditional metal braces do. That’s because the trays are crafted from
low-profile, high-quality, and see-through materials, ensuring they don’t protrude, look
bulky, or bring unwanted attention to your smile. In fact, there’s a good chance that the
people you interact with throughout the day – from the bank teller to the cashier at the
grocery store – won’t even know you’re wearing braces!
No Dietary Restrictions
Another considerable perk of Candid Pro is that the aligners are removable. That means that you
won’t have to worry about any dietary restrictions while straightening your smile! Instead,
you can take them out, store them in their designated case, and eat all of your favorite foods.
Tip: Keep your consumption of added sugar to a minimum. This sweetener is one of the leading causes
of tooth decay, and the development of a cavity can lead to treatment plan delays.
Faster Average Treatment Timeline
Have you heard that clear aligners are generally faster than traditional braces? It’s true!
The average treatment plan with Candid Pro is between 12 and 18 months, while traditional braces can
take two, three, or four years. So, if you want a straight smile before your wedding or another
important event, Candid Pro may just be the orthodontic treatment you’ve been looking for!
Fewer Check-In Appointments
Usually, patients with traditional braces have appointments every four weeks so their braces can be
adjusted. Candid Pro, on the other hand, only requires patients to come in every six or eight weeks.
That’s because you’ll be able to progress through portions of your treatment plan at
home. Coming in periodically throughout your orthodontic treatment simply allows us to make sure
that your teeth are responding to the aligners (as well as answer any questions you have and give
you your next batch, of course).
Easy Dental Care
At first, being able to continue your usual dental care regimen might not sound like much of a perk.
However, it saves you from having to invest in special oral hygiene products, like interproximal
toothbrushes. Plus, being able to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash easily significantly
reduces your risk of yellow teeth and cavities, ensuring your smile stays healthy and beautiful.
Improved Comfort
Finally, clear aligners are comfortable; there are no brackets, wires, or metal pieces. As a result,
your journey to a straight smile will be even smoother.
Note: Soreness from time to time is normal as your teeth move into their properly aligned positions.
If that happens, take OTC pain medication as directed and avoid crunchy foods.
Living with Candid Pro Aligners
You might know how Candid Pro works and what makes it unique, but do you know what life with clear aligners is
actually like? If the answer is “no,” don’t worry – this next section is for you! Below,
you’ll find information on everything from how to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day to why your
routine check-in visits are so important.
Wearing Your Trays
In order to stay on-track with your treatment plan, you need to wear your Candid Pro aligners for 20+
hours a day. The best way to make this happen each and every day is by finding a schedule that works
and sticking to it. In the beginning, it’s helpful to use the stopwatch on your phone as a
guide so you can see how close or far you are from the goal. With time, however, it will be
second-nature.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Keeping your Candid Pro aligners clean does require some work. The good news is that you only need a
few things, and it will only require a few minutes of your time! The first habit we recommend
adopting is rinsing your trays with clean, cool water when you take them out. Additionally, you
should use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush to remove saliva, food particles, plaque, and other
debris from their surface after each meal.
Note: Some patients are allowed to use mild dishwashing liquid as well, but don’t just use any
household cleaner. In fact, even toothpaste and mouthwash aren’t recommended for clear
aligners!
Eating & Drinking
Fortunately, eating and drinking with Candid Pro is also really easy. That’s because
there’s only one rule: take your aligners off beforehand. Make sure you don’t leave them
out on the counter or wrap them in a napkin either. This is one of the most common ways they get
misplaced (more on that in the next section). Instead, store your trays somewhere safe, brush your
teeth when you’re done eating, and put them back on shortly after.
Losing a Tray
Remember, wearing your Candid Pro aligners for 20+ hours a day is crucial. Naturally, that’s
difficult to do if you lose them. If you find yourself in this situation, thoroughly retrace your
steps. In the process, make sure to look in all of the “random” places they
could’ve ended up, like the trash can or the center console of your car. If your attempts are
unsuccessful, don’t worry – you can give us a call and we’ll help you determine
the best way to move forward.
Routine Check-Ins
Throughout your Candid Pro treatment, you’ll need to come to our office so we can monitor the
movement of your teeth. If you’ve been following all of the guidelines, including wearing your
aligners for 20+ hours a day, there’s a good chance that you will be on-track with your
treatment plan. If that’s not the case, then we will need to make the necessary adjustments in
an effort to avoid unwanted delays.
Understanding the Cost of Candid Pro
The cost of clear aligner treatment varies from patient to patient. To create an estimate for you, we’ll
need to consider several factors, such as the number of aligners you’ll need and the complexity of your
corrections. In addition to explaining how much you can expect to pay for your treatment, our team will also
outline your options for making Candid Pro as affordable as possible. We want you to enjoy a straighter smile
without putting too much of a strain on your wallet!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Candid Pro
Each patient looking to straighten their smile requires a scheduled consultation with a member of
our team. Since you are expressing an interest in clear aligners, you can expect that we will
perform a thorough examination of your teeth and bite to determine if this form of orthodontics is
right for you. If so, we’ll begin to draft a cost estimate based on the following factors:
Your unique dental issue, which might include overcrowding, gaps, or a bite misalignment.
How severe your dental issue is.
Whether you require treatment for one arch or both.
The type of retainer you will need once treatment is complete.
Candid Pro Clear Aligners vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
Smile Direct Club is a well-known do-it-yourself (DIY) solution that is regularly promoted on TV.
Marketed as a product that is just as effective as other professional options, it entices patients
to forgo costlier options for a significantly cheaper solution. While it is true that Smile Direct
Club is less expensive than Candid Pro, there is the potential for greater expenses if you attempt to
straighten your smile on your own. These can include:
Ill-fitted aligners because of the incorrect impressions taken at the start of treatment.
Wearing clear aligners without a thorough consultation from a trusted professional (they are not
right for everyone).
Problems that arise will require a face-to-face meeting with a skilled dentist/orthodontist,
which will lead to additional money being spent.
Fewer follow-up visits with a professional or those that are completed virtually and rely on
your recording of progress.
Choosing professional clear aligners will require more of a financial investment, but the results
are what you can expect and appreciate in the long term. Instead of potentially damaging your smile,
you’ll want to save the DIY work for other, less harmful projects.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
Depending on your plan, dental insurance may offer coverage for clear aligners. Typically, when
available, most insurers will agree to pay up to 50% of the total cost. The catch, however, is that
not all insurance policies contain clauses for orthodontic treatment. In many cases, you’ll
need to purchase a supplemental plan. Even then, you’ll need to make sure that it
doesn’t contain stipulations that could keep you from seeking treatment.
Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable
At Westpark Village Dental Care, we know not everyone has a private dental insurance plan. This is
why we are pleased to announce that currently, we are offering $1,000 off clear aligners!
You can also take advantage of:
CareCredit & Lending Club Financing
In-House Dental Financing
Our In-House Membership Plan that offers discounts (15%) on orthodontics
Candid Pro FAQs
How Long Does Candid Pro Take?
If you’re like most patients, you want straight teeth and a beautiful smile as quickly as possible.
The good news is that Candid Pro does have a shorter average treatment timeline than traditional braces
(around 12-18 months). However, the length of yours will depend largely on the complexity of your case and
how well you follow the guidelines we provide you with, like wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day.
Does Candid Pro Hurt?
When it comes to just about any dental treatment, including braces, patients are worried about discomfort.
So, if you’ve been hesitant to commit to Candid Pro because you’re concerned that it will hurt,
you’re not alone. Turns out, you also don’t have anything to worry about! That’s because
the aligners are completely free of metal and custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly. Of course, some
temporary soreness from time to time is expected since your teeth are being moved into completely new
positions, but even that can be alleviated with a few simple steps (i.e., sipping on cool water, avoiding
crunchy foods, taking OTC pain medication).
Can You Eat with Candid Pro?
You cannot eat anything while your Candid Pro aligners are in. Outside of that, however, the rules around
food are pretty lax because the trays are removable! As a result, you don’t have to worry about your
braces breaking under the pressure of whole apples, tortilla chips, carrots, and other crunchy foods. All we
ask as your dental team is that you keep sugary foods and drinks to a minimum to reduce your risk of
developing tooth decay.
How Do I Clean My Candid Pro Aligners?
When you first get your aligners, they will be perfectly clear. To keep them that way, you need to take
really good care of them. That includes consistently rinsing them with water when you take them off and
using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them before you put them back in your mouth. Some patients also
like using toothpaste, but the abrasive ingredients can make the aligners look dull. If you’re having
trouble keeping your trays clean, you can also talk to us about using a mild, clear dishwashing liquid too.
Can You Get Candid Pro After Braces?
If you had traditional braces in the past – whether you were a child, teen, or young adult – you
might initially assume that you aren’t a candidate for Candid Pro. However, many patients who have
experienced orthodontic relapse are good fits for this discreet orthodontic treatment! So, don’t let
the fact that you had braces in the past stop you from scheduling an appointment with our Plano dental team.
What Happens After Candid Pro?
After your Candid Pro treatment, we will provide you with a custom retainer. This orthodontic appliance
serves a very important purpose: it helps keep your teeth in their perfectly aligned positions. For that
reason, it’s crucial that you follow our instructions on when and how often to wear it.