Rethink orthodontic treatment! Invisalign® straightens teeth without braces
Do you still associate orthodontic treatment with kids and silver “metal mouth”? If so, we are thrilled to acquaint you with modern alternatives to conventional braces at Los Alamitos Dental Care. Today’s choices fit in well with teens’ and adults’ busy and active lifestyles. They can be removed. They are clear. So, when you smile, all others see are your teeth (not metal hardware!). Additionally, there are no rigid stainless steel brackets and wires that can poke up against the insides of your mouth.
Clear aligner therapy: The “magic” behind the pleasant treatment
Invisalign® and other systems use clear aligners to reposition the teeth. Our Los Alamitos, California practice is a proud provider of Invisalign®, the pioneer in clear aligners. They were the first to debut this series of oral appliances in the late 1990s. What started as a treatment for less extensive cosmetic cases of crowded and misaligned teeth has evolved over the decades to be an appropriate treatment for bite imbalances (overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites). Many individuals we treat can benefit from Invisalign®.
Instead of brackets, wires, and bands that are secured to the teeth, we use a series of aligner trays to realign the teeth and jaws. These trays are made from an innovative, flexible, and transparent plastic. They conform precisely to the contours of your mouth. They are easy to wear and easy to care for. Compliance is important. They must be worn at all times except when eating, brushing, and flossing your teeth. The aligners place consistent pressure on the teeth. This force moves the teeth incrementally. Failure to wear the aligners as directed can adversely affect treatment outcomes. Compliance is also essential to ensure treatment remains “on schedule” and that results are not delayed.
The process
It starts with a smile assessment at our Los Alamitos, California office. During this visit, one of our dentists will use an iTero® scanner to collect information about your mouth. Unlike conventional approaches to getting images and making impressions, this scan is fast and comfortable. These scans are then used to create digital models or simulations of your smile. We can show you exactly how Invisalign® works in your mouth. You even get to see the results during this first visit. This information is also used to make your aligners. During periodic visits, we provide you with sets of aligners that correspond with your current stage of treatment. It is important to wear the aligners in the correct order because of this feature!
What are the key benefits of choosing Invisalign over traditional braces?
Invisalign is a wonderful and reliable alternative to traditional braces with the primary advantage being the ability to straighten the teeth without all the metal covering your smile. Invisalign trays are clear, removable, and easy to care for without brushing and flossing around metal brackets and wires. This, in turn, ensures better oral health and a more comfortable experience throughout treatment.
How long does Invisalign treatment typically take to complete?
The amount of time needed to complete Invisalign treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on various factors, such as the severity of the misalignment and patient compliance. Many of our Los Alamitos, California, patients can realign their smiles in less than a year.
Will I need to make frequent visits to the dentist during Invisalign treatment?
It is critical that you visit Los Alamitos Dental Care in Los Alamitos, California, to monitor your progress. However, most patients who undergo Invisalign with our team will find that they attend fewer visits than they do if they were working with traditional orthodontics to realign their teeth.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for Invisalign?
Only one way to find out–come visit us in Los Alamitos, California! We offer complimentary Invisalign consultations and planning sessions where you can see before-and-after visualizations of your teeth before you commit. Please call us at (562)-539-0011 to schedule a visit with us today!
Is there an age limit for Invisalign treatment?
Absolutely not! Patients of any age, including teenagers and seniors, can all benefit from an improved smile!
Are Invisalign aligners comfortable to wear?
Many of our Los Alamitos, California, patients find that Invisalign aligners are much more comfortable than traditional orthodontic treatments, which have metal wires that can scratch or irritate your tongue, gums, and cheeks.
Do you offer any payment plans or financing options for Invisalign treatment?
When you work with our Los Alamitos Dental Care team, you can trust that we offer solutions to make dental services such as Invisalign more affordable than ever. We can first apply for any dental insurance benefits that provide coverage and then offer a payment plan or financing option to address the rest of the out-of-pocket costs. Our goal is to make Invisalign possible for all of our patients.
Does dental insurance cover any part of the Invisalign cost?
Every dental plan is unique and provides different benefits. Because of this, we invite patients to bring dental insurance cards to their consultation appointment so our friendly, helpful front office team can determine if any benefits can be used to lower the out-of-pocket costs for Invisalign orthodontics. Many of our patients have dental insurance plans that cover part of their Invisalign cost.
What happens if I don’t wear my aligners as directed?
If patients fail to comply with wearing their Invisalign trays as directed, they may experience additional time in their treatment plan and more incurred costs to create more trays if needed.
Total treatment time can vary from person to person. But, generally, the length of treatment is comparable to braces. The experience that our patients have with Invisalign® is, however, beyond compare. Discover this comfortable, easy, and precise approach to realigning your teeth (or bite) for yourself. Call Los Alamitos Dental Care at (562) 539-0011 today to start the process.
