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How Does Invisalign Work – Alhambra, CA

The Process of Achieving a Straighter Smile

If you’re ready to take charge of your oral health and make the necessary changes to straighten your teeth or realign your bite, you’ve come to the right place. At Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra, our team can use Invisalign® to help you achieve the results you desire and deserve. When compared to the traditional bracket-and-wire system, clear aligners can produce outstanding results in less time, allowing you to start enjoying life with a healthier, more beautiful smile. As you find yourself contemplating which orthodontic solution suits your needs, we invite you to review the following information to become more familiar with how Invisalign works. Our team is available to answer any of your questions, address any concerns, and schedule a consultation with our team.

An up-close image of a clear aligner used as part of a patient’s treatment with Invisalign in Alhambra

Meet with our team for a Consultation

A digital impression system with a computer monitor showing a patient’s teeth as a 3D model

If you are interested in receiving treatment with Invisalign, the first step is to schedule a consultation with our team. As a premier Invisalign provider, she will begin by examining your smile and facial structure as well as taking digital X-rays to determine if you are a qualified candidate for treatment.

Using a digital impression system, she will move the pen-like, handheld device in a way that takes a 3D image of your smile. This eliminates the need to use cold, messy dental putty when capturing your impressions. You will see the 3D image of your teeth appear on a nearby screen, allowing you to watch as our team begins to formulate a customized treatment plan for you.

These impressions will then be sent to a dental lab where technicians will begin to create your custom aligners.

The Process of Wearing Invisalign

A female patient preparing to insert her first Invisalign tray during her fitting appointment

Once we receive the aligners in our office, you will return for your first fitting. Ensuring your clear braces fit properly (and comfortably), we will provide you with instructions on how long to wear them each day and when you should switch out each set for a new one in the series.

Typically, you can expect to wear your trays 20-22 hours a day. You can expect to wear them a majority of the day, only removing them when eating, drinking (anything but water), and cleaning your trays. After 1-2 weeks, depending on your case and our team’s recommendation, you will swap out your current set of aligners for the next set in the series. This process allows your teeth to gently shift in the right direction, applying the appropriate amount of pressure for positive results. While it is likely you might experience some mild discomfort in the days following each new set, an over-the-counter pain reliever will help to minimize any soreness.

Although every patient is different, the average timeline for Invisalign treatment is between 9 and 15 months. During this timeframe, you will be expected to keep regular appointments with our team once every six weeks. These visits will be quick, as we will simply review your progress to ensure treatment is moving along smoothly.

Life After Invisalign

A woman wearing a headband and white tank top smiling after completing treatment with Invisalign

Once you are finished with Invisalign, your treatment is not complete. To keep your teeth from shifting back to their original position, you will be provided a retainer. There are many different types of orthodontic retention available, so it will be up to our team to decide which option is best for your individual needs. In the beginning, you can expect to wear your retainer full time; however, as time progresses and your teeth become permanently set in their new location, it may be possible to only wear it while you sleep.