Many people with misaligned, crowded, or spaced teeth opt for solutions like Invisalign to achieve perfectly aligned teeth. Invisalign aligners are clear, custom-made trays that shift teeth into their ideal position.

At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, we know that your smile is more than just a feature. Are you ready to uncover the smile you have always wanted? Are you ready to uncover the smile you have always wanted? Then our Invisalign orthodontic services might be the best option for you.

What are Invisalign Aligners?

The alternative to traditional braces is the revolutionary Invisalign aligners, which are discreet ways to straighten teeth. These aligners are custom-made using advanced 3D imaging technology to fit snugly on your teeth’ contours.

Invisalign aligners are made with BPA-free thermoplastic material. Therefore, they are clear and nearly invisible, making them a popular option for people who want aesthetics while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign aligners use controlled, gradual pressure to gently move teeth into place. Minor changes occur over time for each set, representing different stages of your treatment plan. Generally, you switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, depending on your orthodontist’s recommendations.

Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. This feature allows you to enjoy your favorite foods without restrictions and makes it much easier to maintain oral hygiene. However, for treatment to be effective, you must wear them for 20–22 hours every day. If you skip this requirement, you can delay your progress and compromise the final results.

Invisalign combines computer modeling, biomechanics, and material science to achieve precise tooth movements. This system has been proven clinically to correct a variety of dental problems, including:

  • Crowding
  • Spacing
  • Misalignment of the bite

Also, Invisalign is appropriate for children and adults who want a more discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional orthodontics.

Determining Invisalign Candidacy

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment, but it is not for everyone. A detailed consultation with your dentist or orthodontist helps determine your eligibility for this treatment. Treatment with Invisalign usually corrects mild to moderate dental misalignments. However, severe dental misalignments may require other orthodontic treatments.

  • Open Bites

An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not come together when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap. Thumb-sucking habits, tongue thrusting as a child, or skeletal issues could cause this. Mild to moderate open bites can be corrected with Invisalign, which gradually repositions the teeth to close the gap. This treatment realigns the teeth through aligners through consistent use, making it a preferred treatment for many patients.

  • Crossbites

A crossbite is when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside. Misalignment can occur in the front or back teeth, causing uneven wear of your enamel, gum recession, or even jaw pain. The Invisalign aligners bring crossbite teeth into the proper position by applying the correct pressure to move them.

  • Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth occur when your jaw cannot hold all your teeth, so they overlap, twist, or bunch together. This condition can make brushing and flossing more difficult. Therefore, this makes you more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease. Crowded teeth can be addressed by incrementally shifting teeth into better alignment with Invisalign. Treatment aims to create space in the jaw by moving specific teeth to a better, more uniform arrangement.

How Invisalign Works

First, your orthodontist takes a 3D scan of your teeth. Then, they use the scan to design a personalized treatment plan. The series of aligners gently apply controlled pressure to specific teeth, which causes bone remodeling. Teeth can move as new bone tissue forms to stabilize them in their new positions, but only this natural process allows that to happen.

The treatment can take from 9 to 18 months. You typically change to a new aligner every one to two weeks and wear them for 20–22 hours daily.

Your orthodontist monitors progress and makes any needed adjustments by having regular checkups every six to eight weeks. After the treatment, a retainer keeps your new, aligned smile in place and prevents the teeth from shifting back to their old positions. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is precise and predictable through advanced 3D imaging and computer-assisted design and is comfortable and effective.

Invisalign Cost

The price of Invisalign can vary widely depending on factors such as the extent of your dental work, geographic location, and the provider's experience.

Invisalign treatments cost, on average, from $3,000 to $7,000, with most patients paying between $5,000 and $6,000. Invisalign is comparable in cost to traditional braces but has higher initial costs for its cutting-edge technology and customization. The final price is based on factors like the tooth alignment issues' complexity, the treatment's duration, and the number of aligners needed.

A significant factor in reducing the cost is dental insurance. Many insurance plans cover orthodontic care and will pay part of the expense, up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500 or $3,000. Without insurance, there are alternative payment methods, such as financing plans that orthodontists offer to help make the treatment more affordable by paying it out in monthly installments.

Advantages of Your Clear Aligners

Among the many advantages of clear aligners, such as Invisalign, they are a popular choice for people who want to straighten their teeth. These advantages are:

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Treatment with clear aligners is virtually invisible. Unlike metal braces, they do not look like brackets and wires. It is subtlety, meaning your orthodontic journey stays discreet at work or with friends.
  • Removable: They can come out during meals, brushing, and flossing, so there are no food restrictions and better oral hygiene. This allows you to maintain the flexibility of your daily life, and the treatment feels less invasive.
  • Enhanced Comfort: The clear aligners are made of smooth plastic that’s soft on your cheeks and gums. It also eliminates the discomfort and irritation of metal braces. The aligners are made to fit snugly over your teeth, so you will never feel anything on your teeth besides the aligners themselves.
  • Fewer Dental Visits: Traditional braces require frequent visits to adjust them, which means frequent trips to the dentist every six weeks. Your treatment with aligners is typically pre-planned, which means you do not have to visit your orthodontist as frequently. This is a great advantage if you are busy or do not have a lot of dental insurance coverage.
  • Minimal Repairs: Sometimes, metal braces break and must be repaired in an emergency, such as when loose wires or brackets need fixing. However, aligners are durable and rarely need to be repaired. If an aligner breaks, you can skip to the next one in your series or ask your orthodontist for a replacement.
  • Improved Oral Hygiene: Because you can remove Invisalign aligners, you can brush and floss your teeth without any problems, without having to go around the brackets or wires. This lowers the chances of plaque building up or other dental problems while you are in treatment.

Common Challenges Related to Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign treatment has challenges and hurdles.

One of the most common hurdles to keeping teeth straight is maintaining the discipline to wear your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours daily.

The trays are removable, though, which means it can be easy to leave them out for hours on end, especially during meals, social events, or when one is experiencing discomfort. This lack of compliance with treatment can delay treatment or result in less optimal treatment outcomes.

Patients also often complain of initial discomfort. When you switch to a new set of aligners, you may feel sore or tender because the aligners apply pressure to your teeth to move them, which can be uncomfortable. But this sensation is usually temporary and can keep some from wearing the aligners as prescribed.

Another short-term challenge is speech alterations. You may even notice a slight lisp for the first few days as your tongue adjusts to the aligners in your mouth. This usually clears up in a week, but for some people, it can be an issue of self-consciousness.

There is a very high demand for oral hygiene during treatment. Because food particles and bacteria can get stuck between your teeth and the aligners, you will want to brush and floss after every meal or snack. If you do not do this, you risk cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.

A big problem is lost or damaged aligners, which can easily disrupt your treatment timeline. If you lose or damage a tray, you must order a replacement, which will add to the delay because the new aligner will take a while to arrive.

Finally, some patients may find it difficult to attach the buttons used to secure the aligners and make them more efficient. Sometimes, these small, tooth-colored fixtures can be awkward or irritate gums, especially in the early stages of treatment.

Inserting the Invisalign

Your journey to Invisalign starts when you consult an orthodontist or dentist to discuss your dental concerns and goals. This is your chance to discuss teeth alignment, bite problems, or oral health. This session includes a complete examination of your teeth, gums, and jaw structure by your provider. You will be expected to have a mix of digital scans, X-rays, and photographs to look at the condition and alignment of your teeth. Your orthodontist uses these diagnostic tools to decide if Invisalign is an appropriate treatment for you.

Your orthodontist will use these insights to see if they can anticipate any issues and what you can expect to happen. They will also show you how Invisalign works and what you can expect throughout treatment. In addition, cost, estimated treatment duration, and any alternatives to Invisalign may be covered. After the consultation, you should know your next step and be comfortable moving forward with a treatment plan that works for you and your lifestyle​.

Developing a Custom Treatment Plan

After your first visit, your orthodontist creates a custom treatment plan based on your dental anatomy and what you hope to achieve. This process involves taking precise digital scans or physical impressions of your teeth.

The orthodontist uses these scans to make an exact 3D model of your mouth so that the orthodontist can plan each tooth movement during your Invisalign treatment. This digital model will give you a visual of your smile when you finish the treatment.

Your treatment plan also includes an estimate of how long it will take to get to your desired alignment, which can depend on the complexity of your case. Additionally, your orthodontist may tell you to wear the aligners for specific daily periods to ensure effectiveness.

Fitting the Clear Aligners

After your custom aligners are ready, the fitting process starts. At this stage, your orthodontist ensures that your aligners fit snugly and comfortably over your teeth. Almost invisible, the aligners are made from clear, BPA-free plastic specially molded to your dental structure. During this appointment, your orthodontist may need to fine-tune the fit of the aligners to be neither too tight nor too loose because a good fit is essential for successful treatment.

You will also receive instructions on how to put in and take out the aligners effortlessly. Slight adjustments only take a few days to help you adapt to speaking and eating while wearing them, so your orthodontist may provide tips on how to do that.

Additionally, aligners can be attached to your teeth to keep them in place better during this appointment. These attachments, made from tooth-colored material, support the aligners for complex movements and ensure they apply pressure in the right areas.

It is also an opportunity to answer any questions about wearing the aligners daily. Your orthodontist will instruct you to keep them clear and clean, so they are not stained or damaged.

Follow-up Appointments

Success in Invisalign treatment relies heavily on follow-up appointments. Visits to your orthodontist allow them to check your progress, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure your teeth move quickly. Your appointments are usually every six to eight weeks, but that can be more or less often based on how much your treatment involves.

During these sessions, your orthodontist checks the fit and condition of your existing aligners and gives you the next set of your treatment series. If any aligners show signs of damage or do not fit properly, replacements can be made quickly. This allows the treatment timeline to stay on track without any unnecessary delays.

Sometimes, attachments or buttons that were put in earlier need to be moved so they can apply the proper pressure on certain teeth. Your orthodontist will also ensure no signs of discomfort or irritation and check for rubs with your gums or cheeks.

Removing Your Invisalign

Taking out your Invisalign aligners can be scary, but the process becomes second nature with proper techniques. The material used for aligners is temperature-sensitive, so you want to start with a warm and dry mouth. If your aligners feel rigid or inflexible, it is probably due to cold exposure. Never remove them right after drinking a cold beverage. Also, drinking something hot while wearing your aligners is not recommended, as the heat can warp the plastic.

It is usually easiest to remove when you begin at the back teeth. First, you lift the aligners off your molars, and then you have the leverage to work your way toward the front. If one side of your mouth is trickier because of tighter-fitting areas or attachments, start with the less challenging side. Even the areas with multiple attachments will start to feel manageable with practice.

Using a paper towel or surgical gloves can make removal less slippery and greatly enhance your grip. If you have a firm grasp with a paper towel wrapped around your fingertips, you have the traction you need to gently but effectively remove the aligners. Surgical gloves, like paper towels, provide a non-slip surface for a smoother process.

Invest in an aligner hook if you find it hard to remove stubborn aligners. This handy device works like a small lever, hooking under the aligner’s edge and lifting it away from your teeth. It is beneficial for navigating areas with attachments or tight fits.

New aligners require a lot of patience. The first removal is the hardest because the aligners are the tightest. Removing teeth after a new set has been fixed is easier if you give your teeth time to adjust, ideally overnight. Similarly, you practice in a state of calm. You can be stressed or frustrated and resort to unnecessary force that can damage your aligners or teeth. Take a deep breath, relax, and take it methodically.

Contact a Skilled Orthodontist Near Me

Invisalign is a contemporary approach to orthodontic care. This orthodontic care is a highly comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional way to straighten teeth, making it a winning choice for the modern orthodontist. However, the success of Invisalign treatment depends on your orthodontist’s experience.

We at Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry help patients in Los Angeles achieve their dream smiles thanks to our contemporary orthodontic services. Contact us today at 310-361-2080 and schedule a consultation to learn how Invisalign can benefit you.